Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 9 February 2015 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 interest was declared:-

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 Final Update 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 third 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 Final 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 Final 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 third 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:-

Economic Development and Regeneration Portfolio

·         The National Skills Academy for Construction had confirmed that the Council’s application for accredited status for the National Skills Academy for Construction had been successful.

·         There had been a decline in the number of visitors to Stockport’s Museums, due primarily to a decline in visitors at the Hat Works, Chadkirk Chapel and Bramall Hall (the last named was closed for refurbishment).

·         Although the produce hall and the outdoor market had performed well, the occupancy levels in the outdoor market and the difficulties in attracting traders who wished to operate on a regular basis called into question the long term viability of the outdoor market.

·         Although there had been a slight reduction in the footfall in the town centre, the commercial position of the tenants in Merseyway precinct remained strong, although investment was required.

·         The balance between attracting well known food operators to the Redrock development and the Council’s promotion of public health and reducing obesity was discussed. The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration confirmed that discussions were taking place between Regeneration Officers and Public Health Officers in this regard.

·         With regard to the Redrock development, Heads of Terms had been exchanged with one major operator and sent to another operator. No leases had yet been signed with operators.

·         £1.82m of external funding had been successfully secured across sixteen projects and a total project value of £2.57m had been supported to application stage. This quarter the Mario dementia project had been successful.

Communities and Sustainability Portfolio

·         The enforcement action taken by Trading Standards Officers against a town centre shop selling “Legal Highs” was discussed, together with the development of a project with other partners in the Safer Stockport Partnership to stop the supply of these products in the borough and educate young people about the dangers of using them.

·         Progress with the pay on exit system at Merseyway car park since it came into operation in October 2014 was raised and it was agreed that an update be provided to the meeting of this Scrutiny Committee to be held on 14 March 2016.

·         More details were requested with regard to the street lighting programme.

·         With regard to performance indicator C&S 16 in respect of the number of casualties resulting from road traffic collisions – three year average, information was requested on a breakdown by age of those involved.

·         The differences were requested between performance indicator C & S12a – greenhouse gas emissions from local authority own estate and operations (tonnes Co2) scope 1 & 2, and C&S 12b – greenhouse gas emissions from local authority own estate and operations (tonnes Co2) Scope 3.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That an update report on progress with the pay on exit system at Merseyway Car Park be submitted to the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on 14 March 2016.

(3) That the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be requested to provide further details to Members of the Scrutiny Committee with regard to the street lighting programme.

(4) That the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be requested to provide a breakdown to Members of the Scrutiny Committee of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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

The report sets a proposal relating to the making of an agreement with the other local authorities in Greater Manchester to prepare jointly the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework to cover housing and employment land requirements and associated infrastructure across Greater Manchester as a joint development plan document.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the report, prior to its consideration by the Executive at its meeting on 17 March 2015.

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

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) relating to the making of an agreement with the other local authorities in Greater Manchester to prepare jointly the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework to cover housing and employment land requirements and associated infrastructure across Greater Manchester as a joint development plan document.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 17 March 2015.

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:-

·         Members offered support for the production of the joint development plan document as a starting point towards the planning of the sub-region and the districts within it.

·         A Member expressed concern that the framework may be over prescriptive to the borough in the future.

·         A Member felt that the target of 1,000 houses in Stockport would be difficult to achieve with the land available and within the proposed timescale, and it pre-supposed that there were enough housebuilders able and willing to invest.

RESOLVED – That the Executive be advised that the Scrutiny Committee supports in principle the preparation of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

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

The report provides detailed information about the proposed transportation capital programme in 2015/16 and an overview of the indicative programme until 2017/18 and future years.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report, prior to its consideration by the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability).

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) providing detailed information about the proposed transportation capital programme in 2015/16 and an overview of the indicative programme until 2017/18 and future years. The Scrutiny Committee was requested to comment on the proposed programme, prior to the decision being taken by the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability).

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

Members of the Scrutiny Committee sought, and received assurances, that the programme was deliverable.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) be advised that the Scrutiny Committee supports the proposed transportation capital programme for 2015/16.

(2) That the indicative transportation capital programme until 2017/18 and future years be noted.

(3) That a report be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee in the next Municipal Year on the Council’s investment in cycling schemes in the borough.

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

The report sets out information regarding renewing the agreements for Greenspace, Waste Collection, Street Cleansing (including Grounds Maintenance), Highways and Street Lighting Maintenance and Public Space CCTV, Control Room and Civic Security.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report, prior to its consideration by the Executive at its meeting on 17 March 2015.

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) setting out information regarding the renewal of the agreements for Greenspace, Waste Collection, Street Cleansing (including Grounds Maintenance), Highways and Street Lighting Maintenance and Public Space CCTV, Control Room and Civic Security.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 17 March 2015.

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

RESOLVED – That the Executive be advised that this Scrutiny Committee has no objections to the renewal of the agreements for Greenspace, Waste Collection, Street Cleansing (including Grounds Maintenance), Highways and Street Lighting Maintenance and Public Space CCTV, Control Room and Civic Security.

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

The report outlines the importance and need for a co-ordinated, planned approach to Green Infrastructure in Stockport Town Centre and obtain approval of the Town Centre Green Infrastructure Enhancement Strategy.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report, prior to its consideration by the Executive at its meeting on 17 March 2015.

Officer Contact: Darren Pegram on 0161 474 3171 or email: darren.pegram@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the importance and need for a co-ordinated, planned approach to green infrastructure in Stockport Town Centre.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 17 March 2015.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The area of St. Petersgate near to the fountain would benefit from more green space.

·         The mobile planters on St. Petersgate may cause problems for pedestrians.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Executive be advised that this Scrutiny Committee supports the Town Centre Green Infrastructure Enhancement Strategy.

(2) That a further report be submitted to the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on 24 September 2015.

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.

The Chair advised that, with the proposed cancellation of the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee scheduled for 14 April 2015, this would be the last meeting of the Scrutiny Committee that Councillor Pam King would be attending as she was not seeking re-election in the forthcoming local elections.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Pam King be thanked for her services to the Council and this Scrutiny Committee, and offered Members best wishes for the future.