Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 April 2014

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 10 April 2014 were approved by the Chair and signed 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 agenda items for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal and Prejudicial Interest

Personal Interest

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRR) for the Communities & Sustainability and Economic Development & Regeneration Portfolios are presented for consideration by the Committee. These provide a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, budgets and capital programmes during 2013/14, and include out-turn performance and financial data for the Portfolio. The reports also include a progress report and updated risk assessment of the portfolio savings programmes. 

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

a)    Consider the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports,  

b)   Review the progress against priorities, performance, budgets and savings targets for 2013/14;

c)    Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues.

d)    Identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services.

Officer contacts Joe Conmee/Michael Cullen on 0161 474 5396/4361 or email: joseph.conmee@stockport.gov.uk/michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports for the Communities and Sustainability, and Economic Development and Regeneration Portfolios. The report provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, budgets and capital programmes during 2013/14, and included out-turn performance and financial data for the Portfolio. The report also included a progress report and updated risk assessment of the portfolio savings programmes.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions and the Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Patrick McAuley) attended the meeting for part of this item to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         A Member raised the issue of the identification of the site for biomass supply operation following the completion of a feasibility study with Stockport Homes for biomass supply operation.

·         With regard to Performance Indicator ED & R.04, a Member expressed concern that the district centre with the highest proportion of vacancies in retail, commercial and business premises was Hazel Grove where 26 out of 189 were vacant. She also expressed concern that the centre experiencing the greatest change was Bramhall where 16 units were identified as vacant compared to 10 in December (mainly in the precinct) and enquired whether had been any positive signs of re-letting.

·         With regard to Performance Indicator ED & R.09, a Member requested a more detailed breakdown of the square footage of office, retail and industrial space let or sold to new occupiers to be included in future reports.

·         The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) agreed to respond in writing to a Member’s question regarding the reasons why the target had not been met for the % relevant land and highways assessed with deposits of litter that fell below an acceptable level (Grade B).

·         A Member felt that the grounds of Bramall Hall should be kept to a high standard following the refurbishment works which would be undertaken at the hall.

·         A Member requested that the Town Centre newsletter, and the Minutes of June’s Town Centre Commercial Landlords and Agents Forum be forwarded to all members of the Scrutiny Committee.

·         A Member expressed concern regarding the number of empty properties in the town centre and that the two properties on Lower Hillgate that had collapsed remained derelict.

·         Some of the tenants in Merseyway lacked proper trade waste facilities.

·         Concern was expressed at the level of fines imposed by the Magistrates Court on people who failed to dispose of waste correctly.

·         The removal of certain play equipment in some of the Council’s parks on the grounds of public safety was discussed and Members asked to be kept informed of the prospects of installing new equipment in the future given the financial situation faced by the Council.

·         A Member enquired on progress in finding an end user for the Knightsbridge site.

·         The technical delays with the air quality monitoring equipment were raised.

·         The prioritisation of the Town Centre Access Package and Stockport Transport Interchange for the 2015 to 2021 Greater Manchester Major Transport Schemes List were discussed.

·         The projects which the Portas Pilot Project Delivery Group had agree to allocate funds to were discussed.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Town Centre newsletter, and the Minutes of June’s Town Centre Commercial Landlords and Agents Forum be forwarded to all members of the Scrutiny Committee.

(3) That the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) be requested to respond in writing to a Member’s question regarding the reasons why the target had not been met for the % relevant land and highways assessed with deposits of litter that fell below an acceptable level (Grade B).

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The Council Meeting on 27 February 2014 approved the 2014/15 Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Medium Term Financial Plan. On 3 April, following consideration by the CRMG Scrutiny Committee and Executive, it also approved a refreshed version of the 2013/15 Council Plan, setting out priority outcomes and objectives that will shape the Council’s activities.  These high-level documents outline the Council’s key priorities, objectives and spending plans, providing the basis for performance and resource monitoring over the next 12 months.

Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements have been drafted for the Communities & Sustainability and Economic Development & Regeneration Portfolios which are within the remit of this Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to consider and comment on the draft Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements.

Officer contact: Joe Conmee/Michael Cullen on 0161 474 5396/4361 or email: joseph.conmee@stockport.gov.uk/michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the Communities and Sustainability and Economic Development and Regeneration Portfolio Agreements for 2014/2015. The agreements outlined the functions within the control of the Portfolios, the revenue budget, capital programme, key objectives, projects and measures and risks which would form the basis of the quarterly portfolio reports.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Committee debated the £205,000 carried forward on the delegated budgets for Areas Committees and the decision to allocate £10,750 to each Ward irrespective of need or the condition of the highways.

·         The aim of the Highways Investment Programme to improve the % of Category 3 modelled condition (widespread damage to the road surface) categories to 10% for carriageways and footways, thereby mitigating the revenue pressures on the reactive maintenance and insurance budgets was raised.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That in the light of the extent of the surplus on the Area Committees’ budgets, the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) be requested to review the decision to allocate £10.750 to each Ward irrespective of need or the condition of the highways and that the review include input from a wide group of Councillors.

(3) That the Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Sustainability) be requested to respond in writing to Members of the Scrutiny Committee on his comment that the town centre still faces challenges.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report provides details of the consultation by Cheshire East Council on the proposed Poynton Relief Road scheme and requests views from Members on the scheme’s proposals and route options.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the scheme’s proposals, including the scheme options, which will be reported back through the ongoing dialogue with Officers from Cheshire East Council.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details of the consultation from Cheshire East Council on the proposed Poynton Relief Road scheme and requesting views from Members on the proposals contained within the scheme and options for the route.

The Scrutiny Committee was reminded that the proposed Poynton Relief Road scheme was part of the proposed SEMMMS (South East Manchester Multi Modal Strategy) Relief Road which was one of the elements in the SEMMMS Strategy which had been published in 2001. Officers from the authorities within the area of SEMMMS had worked together to develop the various elements of the strategy since 2001. Officers from Cheshire East Council had led on the development of the Poynton Relief Road with Officers from Stockport Council participating in project board meetings and relevant consultation events.

The project team had commissioned work to understand the strategic economic and environmental issues as a comparison between their proposed Green and Blue Route Options (including the southern junction).

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A Member expressed concern at the estimated cost of the scheme, although the cost of the scheme would be met by Cheshire East Council.

·         A Member expressed support for the Blue Route Option and pointed out that it was only slightly longer than the Green Route Option and the vast majority of the road was in the area of Cheshire East Council.

·         With regard to the comment in the report that the Green Route Option would result in greater air quality improvements in areas with or expected to have substandard air quality, it was clarified that the business case developed by Cheshire East Council would contain environmental assessments of the air quality.

·         A minerals assessment would also be included in the environmental assessment.

·         A Member requested that one of the consultation events be held in the evening in the future.

·         Information was requested in future on the estimated costs of landscaping sites.

·         Concern was expressed about the amount of traffic which would be using the Poynton Relief Road, particularly if the proposed new development at Handforth East was granted planning permission

·         It was pointed out that the Poynton Relief Road would cross through the new development at Woodford, should planning permission be granted.

·         It was felt that the traffic modelling to be undertaken by Cheshire East Council should  include the impact on traffic on the A34 Kingsway and how this would be mitigated as part of the scheme, and also the impact on traffic should the proposed new development at Woodford be granted planning permission.

RESOLVED – That the comments of the Scrutiny Committee be forwarded to the Executive Meeting on 15 July 2014 for consideration.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the draft policy on the Addition of Names to War Memorials managed by the Council.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Scrutiny Committee’s comments on the draft Council policy on the Addition of Names to War Memorials managed by the Council.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The Royal British Legion had advised that it was content with the draft policy.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Meeting be advised that the Scrutiny Committee supports the draft policy on the Addition of Names to War Memorials, as set out in Appendix One to the report.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

Following the submission of the final report of the Committee’s Scrutiny Review into the ‘Effectiveness of Stockport's Current Planning System in the light of changed Government Policy and Market Conditions', a response to the recommendations of the Review has been prepared and subsequently approved by the Executive at its meeting on 17 June 2014.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note and comment on the Executive Response as detailed in the report.

Officer Contact: Emma Curle on 0161 474 3542 or email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Executive’s response to the final report of this Committee’s Scrutiny Review on the ‘Effectiveness of Stockport’s current Planning System in the light of changed Government Policy and Market Conditions' which had been adopted by the Executive at its meeting on 17 June 2014.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Executive’s response be noted.

(2) That a report on planning performance and the outcomes of the Executive’s response to the review be submitted to a meeting of the Scrutiny Committee in twelve months’ time.

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 474 317 or email: 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 well fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.