Agenda and minutes

Paul Lawrence

 

The Chair congratulated Paul Lawrence on his recent appointment as Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration with the Council.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 21 March 2013 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

 

The following interests were declared:-

 

Personal & Prejudicial Interest

 

Councillor	Interest
Christine Corris	Agenda item 7 ‘Residential Parking Policy Review 2013’ as a Stockport resident who benefited from a residents’ permit parking scheme.   Councillor Corris left the meeting during consideration of this item and took no part in the discussion or vote on this item.

 

 

Personal Interests

 

Councillor	Interest
Christine Corris	Agenda item 4 ‘Greater Manchester/Stockport Business Survey 2012’ as her brother-in-law works for Jacobs Engineering.
Dean Fitzpatrick	Agenda item 5 ‘Management and Maintenance of Parks by Friends of Groups’ as a member of the Friends of Crescent Park.

 

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

Dr Alexander Roy, Head of Research, New Economy Manchester, will attend the meeting to make a presentation on the Greater Manchester/Stockport Business Survey 2012.

Dr Alexander Roy, Head of Research from New Economy Manchester, attended the meeting to make a presentation on the Greater Manchester/Stockport Business Survey 2012.

 

The Scrutiny Committee was advised that in 2012 the Council and its partners, led by New Economy Manchester, had undertaken a local business survey aimed at providing an insight into current trends impacting on the local business community. Over 2,400 businesses from across Greater Manchester had been interviewed as part of the survey and a great deal of information had been collected on a range of factors that impacted on business growth including business support, recruitment and skills, innovation and access to business finance.

 

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

 

·         A Member raised the question of the variance between the number of jobs and the number of people who were unemployed. This was primarily caused by a lack of particular skills, particularly technical skills. This made recruitment difficult in particular sectors such as engineering.

·         The trends in Stockport and Greater Manchester appeared broadly similar.

·         The opportunities for apprentices in the borough.

·         A further report was required with regard to how more investment could be encouraged and the outlook improved for businesses in Greater Manchester.

·         There were more international businesses in the manufacturing sector and they tended to be larger businesses.

·         The difficulties encountered by companies in accessing business finance, both companies who were once able to access finance and those who did not know how to. There were a number of Greater Manchester wide initiatives which helped companies to access business finance.

 

RESOLVED – (1) That Dr Alexander Roy be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

 

(2) That Dr Roy be invited to make a further presentation to the Committee at an appropriate time in the future.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

 

The report advises Members of the outcome of a meeting on 5 March 2013 with Friends of Groups who had expressed an interest in taking a more active role in the running of their park.

 

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report.

 

Officer Contact: Megan Black on 0161 218 1410 or e mail: megan.black@stockport.gov.uk

 

 

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) advising Members of the outcome of a meeting on 5 March 2013 with the Friends of Groups who had expressed an interest in taking a more active role in the running of their park. During the discussion at the meeting it had become apparent that the attendees could not visualise taking over the running of their park without a significant budget.

 

The Executive Councillor (Public Realm) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

 

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

 

·         A Member felt that the issues raised with the Friends of Parks Groups would have been better discussed at the Greenspace AGM.

·         Concern was expressed about the on-line nature of the consultation on the Executive’s proposals to reduce the funding for parks and open spaces.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

 

 

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

 

The report outlines proposed changes to the current pay and display tariff through the introduction of an hourly charge and highlights the likely effects of this change. This hourly charge will enable visitors to easily extend their parking time in one hour increments. This will enable people to spend more time in the borough’s car parks and on street parking if needed, and encourage them to spend more time in the borough’s centres and so support their economies.

 

The Area Committee is requested to comment on the proposals.

 

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 3451 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

 

 

 

 

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining proposed changes to the current pay and display tariff through the introduction of an hourly charge and highlighting the likely effects of this proposed change.

 

It was reported that the hourly charge would enable visitors to easily extend their parking time in one hour increments. This would enable people to spend more time in the borough’s car parks and on street parking if needed and encourage then to spend more time in the borough’s centres and so supporting their economies.

 

The report had been considered at the previous cycle of Area Committee meetings and a copy of the comments of the Area Committees on the proposals was circulated at the meeting.

 

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

 

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

 

·         A Member felt that motorists should be encouraged to travel into the town centre with the offer of limited free car parking as had been tried by other local authorities as a means of trying to regenerate the town centre.

·         A Member expressed concern about the current system which required motorists to pay for a minimum of two hours parking however long their stay may be.

·         The decrease in the cost of day tickets in the high turnover car parks in Cheadle, Bramhall Precinct and Marple Bridge leading to a reduction in the cost of contract permits.

·         Different solutions were required for different parts of the borough.

·         The advantages of a pay on exit system in order to encourage people to stay longer in the town and district centres.

 

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) be recommended to give consideration to the comments of the Scrutiny Committee.

 

 

Councillor David White in the Chair

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

 

Following a review by the Council’s Internal Audit Team, the report details proposals to make amendments to the Council’s residential parking policy and seeks the comments of the Area Committee on the proposed changes.

 

The Area Committee is requested to comment on the proposed changes to the residential parking policy, with particular attention to the introduction of paid residents’ permits in the Town Centre and First Team Match and Event Time schemes around Edgeley Park Stadium.

 

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or e mail: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

 

 

The Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals to make amendments to the Council’s residential parking policy and seeking the comments of the Scrutiny Committee on the proposed changes.

 

The report had been considered at the previous cycle of Area Committee meetings and a copy of the comments of the Area Committees on the proposals was circulated at the meeting.

 

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

 

·         The purpose of the scheme was that the scheme should break even and not be subsidised.

·         A Member felt that the proposed increase in the charges for residents and visitors permits to £40 in 2015/16 was excessive.

·         A Member favoured the proposal to phase out the lower standard free residents parking by the end of 2014/15.

·         The enforcement of the residents parking system was a key issue which needed to be addressed.

·         A Member requested more information on how the traffic services cost of £28.89 was derived at.

·         A Member asked for confirmation that there had not been double counting in working out the cost of annual enforcement.

·         The parking problems on First Team Match days and events at Edgeley Park Stadium were not caused by residents who lived in the vicinity of the stadium.

 

It was then

 

MOVED AND SECONDED

 

That this Scrutiny Committee objects to the proposal to increase the cost of a residents permit to £30 in 2014/15 and £40 in 2015/16.

 

For the motion 5, against 0, abstentions 4

 

MOTION CARRIED

 

A recorded vote was requested in relating to the voting on this motion and the voting was recorded as follows:-

 

Those councillors who voted for the resolution were:-

 

Councillors Richard Coaton, Dean Fitzpatrick, Syd Lloyd, John Smith and David White.

 

Those councillors who abstained were:-

 

Councillors Andrew Bispham, Chris Gordon, Patrick McAuley and Craig Wright.

 

It was then

 

MOVED AND SECONDED

 

That this Scrutiny Committee objects to the introduction of paid residents’ permits for First Team and Event Time schemes around Edgeley Park Stadium.

 

For the motion 3, against 0, abstentions 6

 

MOTION CARRIED

 

A recorded vote was requested in relating to the voting on this motion and the voting was recorded as follows:-

 

Those councillors who voted for the resolution were:-

 

Councillors Richard Coaton, Dean Fitzpatrick and David White.

 

Those councillors who abstained were:-

 

Councillors Andrew Bispham, Chris Gordon, Patrick McAuley, Syd Lloyd, John Smith and Craig Wright.

 

It was then

 

MOVED AND SECONDED

 

That this Scrutiny Committee opposes appeals with regard to Residents Parking Zones being considered by the Executive and requests the Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) to consider an alternative appeals mechanism.

 

For the motion 5, against 0, abstentions 4

 

MOTION CARRIED

 

A recorded vote was requested in relating to the voting on this motion and the voting was recorded as follows:-

 

Those councillors who voted for the resolution were:-

 

Councillors Richard Coaton, Dean Fitzpatrick, Syd Lloyd, John Smith and David White.

 

Those councillors who abstained were:-

 

Councillors Andrew Bispham, Chris Gordon, Patrick McAuley and Craig Wright.

 

It was then

 

MOVED AND SECONDED

 

That this Scrutiny Committee opposes the removal of free residents’ parking schemes.

 

For the motion 3, against 0, abstentions 6

 

MOTION CARRIED

 

A recorded vote was requested in relating to the voting on this motion and the voting was recorded as follows:-

 

Those councillors who voted for the resolution were:-

 

Councillors Richard Coaton, Dean Fitzpatrick and David White.

 

Those councillors who abstained were:-

 

Councillors Andrew Bispham, Chris Gordon, Patrick McAuley, Syd Lloyd, John Smith and Craig Wright.

 

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) be recommended to give consideration to the following resolutions of the Scrutiny Committee:-

 

(a) That this Scrutiny Committee objects to the proposal to increase the cost of a residents permit to £30 in 2014/15 and £40 in 2015/16.

 

(b) That this Scrutiny Committee objects to the introduction of paid residents’ permits for First Team and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Councillor Christine Corris in the Chair

To consider the selection of Scrutiny Review Topics for 2013/14.

 

Scrutiny Committees are being invited to consider potential Scrutiny Reviews to be undertaken during the 2013/14 municipal year. This will facilitate the approval of an initial Scrutiny Work Programme at the Council Meeting on 27 June which would enable the reviews to commence much earlier than in previous years.

 

There would be a further opportunity for the selection of any additional topics following the commencement of the new Municipal Year which could take into account the outcome of the consultation on the Executive Savings proposals. Once the Scrutiny Committee have had the opportunity to undertake any further appraisal of their review topics, the Scrutiny Work Programme may be further considered at the Council Meeting on 12 September for the remainder of the 2013/14 Municipal Year.

 

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to give consideration to the selection of Scrutiny Review Topics for the 2013/14 Municipal Year.

 

Officer contact: David Clee on 0161 474 3137 or e mail: david.clee@stockport.gov.uk

 

 

 

 

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager invited the Scrutiny Committee to consider potential Scrutiny Review topics to be undertaken during the 2013/14 Municipal Year.

 

RESOLVED – That the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Strategy, Partnerships and Transformation)  be requested to submit a report to the next meeting of this Committee in connection with the following potential Scrutiny Review topics:-

 

•           Regeneration of the Town Centre (including Portas Pilot)

•           Future Burial Provision

•           The relationship between the planning process and the consequent obligations that fall on the maintenance of the public realm by the Council

•           Planning and consistency of service delivery

•           The Employment Hub

•           Extending participation of Stockport residents in household recycling

•           Extending participation of Stockport residents in home insulation.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager

 

The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

 

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the information in the report and put forward any agenda items for future meetings of the Committee.

 

Officer contact: David Clee on 0161 474 3137 or e mail: david.clee@stockport.gov.uk

 

 

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the planned agenda items for the Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.