Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 October 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 30 October 2014 were approved as a correct record.

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 Interests

To consider call-in items (if any)

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader (Executive Councillor for Corporate, Customer and Community Services).

The report sets out the process of and key issues and themes arising from consultation on those Investing in Stockport proposals that are within the remit of this Scrutiny Committee; specifically:-

(i)         Leisure Facilities

(ii)        New Model for Regulation

(iii)       Accelerated Growth

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to review the findings of the consultation exercises related to the Investing in Stockport projects within their remit and provide comments.

Officer contact: Steve Skelton on 0161 474 3174 or email: steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the outcome of consultation on the Executive’s Investing in Stockport proposals that were within the remit of the Committee, namely Leisure Facilities, New Model for Regulation and Accelerated Growth.

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

The following comments were made/ issues raised on the proposals:-

Leisure Facilities

·         With regard to the proposed transfer of dual use facilities to schools, it was reported that Cheadle Hulme High School and Hazel Grove High School had expressed an interest in pursuing discussions about taking over the facilities. Concern was expressed about the level of investment which would be required to address current condition issues at the schools. This would be predicated on the condition of the buildings and the business case from each school.

·         With regard to the proposed transfer of dual use facilities to schools, Bramhall High School had indicated that that they may be interested in taking over the operation of the leisure facility at this location at some point in the future, but could not make a commitment at this stage.

New Model for Regulation

·         A significant percentage of respondents (63%) had indicated that they would not use the Council’s Pest Control service if a charge of £43.92 was introduced. However, a number of other local authorities in Greater Manchester had introduced a charge and the charge compared favourably with that offered by a sample of local firms and the assessment had concluded that the Council could maintain a quality service with this charge. The charge was based on cost recovery.

·         No records were kept of people who used the Council’s Pest Control Service and whether there were certain people who frequently used the service.

·         In the vast majority of cases the need for the Pest Control service was not to do with the occupants of a property or the condition in which they kept it.

·         Discussions had taken place with the Public Health Service and they had confirmed that they would become involved if someone refused to pay for the Pest Control Service and there would be an effect on public health.

Accelerating Growth

There were no comments or issues raised.

RESOLVED - (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the comments of the Scrutiny Committee in relation to the Investing in Stockport Business Case Consultation reports be forwarded to the Executive for consideration.

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

The Mid-Year 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 the second quarter of 2014/15, and include full-year forecast performance and financial data for each 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 Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports,  

b)   Review the progress against priorities, performance, budgets and savings targets for 2014/15;

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 Mid-Year Update 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 the second quarter of 2014/15, and included full-year forecast performance and financial data for each 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) and the Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Patrick McAuley) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

Communities and Sustainability Portfolio

·         The playground refurbishment at Clarendon Road Park had mainly been carried out by the Friends of Parks Group, with some assistance from Area Flexibility Funding granted by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

·         Whether it was better for the Council if residents undertook home composting or put their garden waste in the green bin provided by the Council.

·         The delay in generating extra revenue from the implementation of the pay on foot system at Merseyway Car Park. The Corporate Director confirmed that a full appraisal would be carried out after it had been in operation for twelve months.

·         The operational problems experienced in using the equipment to cut grass as a result of waterlogged conditions.

·         The project which Trading Standards Officers had been involved with to tackle mass marketing scams.

·         The procurement of new vehicles by Solutions SK to address the increase in the percentage of relevant land and highways assessed with deposits of litter that fell below an acceptable level.

·         Why the comparative analysis for performance indicators between C&S.08 and C&S 15 only included certain performance indicators within this range.

·         Progress on the feasibility design for an improved junction at Bramhall Lane/Garners Lane, Stockport.

·         Appreciation was expressed for the work carried out at Dumvilles Brow in Stockport town centre and information was requested when the work on the Coopers Brow retaining wall and steps would commence.

·         Following consultation it had become apparent that the proposed £24,000 saving in Consumer Advice would not be realised. An additional budget had therefore been allocated to the Public Protection Service which offset most of the Consumer Advice saving requirement.

Economic Development and Regeneration Portfolio

·         Progress on the Employment Premium pilot and the use of work clubs as a mechanism for improving people’s employability.

·         The increase in the square footage of office, retail and industrial space let or sold to new occupiers  (ED&R09).

·         Concern was expressed that occupancy continued to decline on the outdoor market due to difficulties in finding new traders who wished to operate on a regular basis. However, the specialist and niche markets in the outdoor and covered markets continued to be very popular.

·         The Stockport Employment Land Review was expected to be completed in the next few weeks.

·         The ‘Working Well’ scheme (follow on support delivered by Ingeous for individuals leaving the Department for Work and Pensions Work Programme) now had thirty four clients from Stockport on programmes to the end of September. However, referral numbers from Job Centre Plus had fallen off and this issue was being addressed directly with it.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That Members of the Scrutiny Committee be provided with information on whether it was better for the Council if residents undertook home composting or put their garden waste in the green bin provided by the Council.

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

The report outlines the background to the Community Infrastructure Levy, outlines progress to date and seeks the Scrutiny’s Committee support for the statutory stages towards adoption being commenced.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report, prior to its consideration by the Executive at its meeting on 16 December 2014.

Officer Contact: David Johnston on 0161 474 4551 or email: david.johnnston@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to comment on the next steps in the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy that would allow the Council to seek contributions from developers to assist with the cost of infrastructure needed to support new developments.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 16 December 2014.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Patrick McAuley) attended the meeting to respond to Members' questions.

A Member expressed concern whether the imposition of an additional charge on developers would impact on the amount of affordable housing provided in the Borough. However, the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration highlighted that from April 2015 amendments were being imposed on Section 106 contributions restricting the pooling of Section 106 monies to no more than five sites. Without the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy, the Council would lose the means of obtaining monies towards the Borough’s wider infrastructure needs.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Meeting be advised that this Scrutiny Committee supports the Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule for the Community Infrastructure Levy and the commencement of its statutory stages to adoption.

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

The report sets out a proposal to ban mass balloon or sky lantern releases from Council land.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the proposal before the final decision is taken by the Executive at its meeting on 16 December 2014.

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

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to comment on a proposed policy which would prohibit organised balloon and sky lantern releases from Council land in view of the impact of the debris from such activity posing a fire risk and a danger to the environment and wildlife.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 16 December 2014.

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

A Member expressed concern about how ‘mass’ balloon or sky lantern releases would be defined.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Meeting be advised that the Scrutiny Committee has no objections to the draft policy on the prohibition of mass balloon or sky lantern releases from Council land.

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

The report provides an update on:-

·         the progress with delivering the various phases of the SEMMMS (South East Manchester Multi Modal Strategy) Road schemes. The three phases are A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road, Poynton Relief Road and A6 to M60 Relief Road

·         the Poynton Relief Road consultation on the preferred route option and its future work programme including proposals for a section 8 agreement to be drafted to allow Cheshire East to lead this scheme development and delivery.

·         progress with the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road scheme which is progressing through the statutory processes stages and subject to satisfactory completion describes the steps required to deliver the scheme

·         the status of the A6 to M60 route.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the report and the proposed recommendations to the Executive

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

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Scrutiny Committee on progress with delivering the various phases of the SEMMMS (South East Manchester Multi Modal Strategy) Road schemes, namely the three phases of the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road, Poynton Relief Road and A6 to M60 Relief Road. In particular, the report highlighted the outcomes of the consultation on the Poynton Relief Road and the subsequent decision by Cheshire East Council to designate the ‘Green Route’ as the preferred route, and the further steps needed to progress the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road scheme.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 16 December 2014.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed about the length of the report and in particular the appendices from Cheshire East Council with regard to the proposed Poynton Relief Road scheme.

·         Appreciation was expressed forthe proposal to establish a Local Liaison Forum for those residents who lived closest to the proposed Poynton Relief Road scheme in order to allow them the opportunity to have a greater input into the scheme as it developed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on the progress of developing the Stockport Town Centre Access Plan including the consultation process, development and submission of the business case for the full scheme and the final business cases for the phase one and two schemes.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report prior to its consideration by the Executive at its meeting on 16 December 2014.

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

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Scrutiny Committee on progress with developing the Stockport Town Centre Access Plan, including the outcome of consultations and the development of the business case for the full scheme and phase one and two scheme final business cases as set out in the report.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 16 December 2014.

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

RESOLVED – That the Executive be advised that the Scrutiny Committee supports the Stockport Town Centre Access Plan.

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

The report presents a borough wide Highway and Street Furniture Design Policy which outlines a palette of materials and street furniture which will be used on the borough’s highways.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the proposed Highway and Street Furniture Design Policy and its related maps and drawings before they are considered by the Executive at its meeting to be held on 16 December 2014.

Officer Contact: Nicola Turner on 0161 218 1635 or email: nicola.turner@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider a policy to standardise the palette of materials and street furniture used in Stockport to improve the public realm and make more efficient use of resources.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 16 December 2014.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report presents the reviewed Signage Strategy and the new Wayfinding Action Plan for comment by the Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the reviewed Signage Strategy and the new Wayfinding Action Plan before it is considered by the Executive at its meeting to be held on 16 December 2014.

Officer Contact: Nicola Turner on 0161 218 1635 or email: nicola.turner@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider a revised Signage Strategy and a new Wayfinding Action Plan to support the Town and District Centres and to guide decision making in these areas.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 16 December 2014.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report advises the Scrutiny Committee of the progress made in the delivery of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan statement of action.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on a revised statement of action, to be used until the formal review in 2017, before the final statement is considered by the Executive at its meeting to be held on 16 December 2014.

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

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider progress made with the delivery of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan Statement of Action and to consider a proposal to revise the Statement to be used in advance of a formal review of the Strategy in 2017.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 16 December 2014.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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 email: david.clee@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out 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.