Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 June 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 4 June 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

With the publication of the 2015/16 Council Plan, the Council agreed to focus delivery of its key priorities and spending plans on promoting sustainable growth and reforming public services in order to contribute to five key outcomes.  In line with this approach, the Plan sets out how Executive Portfolio responsibilities would be re-structured to align with these outcomes.

This report presents the draft Thriving Economy, Supporting Places and Independence & Wellbeing Portfolio Agreements for consideration and comment by the Committee. For the Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee, this incorporates the following service areas: Economic Development and Regeneration, Markets, Planning and Building Control, Waste Collection, Street Cleaning, Highways Maintenance, Parks and Open Spaces, Parking, Street Lighting, Environmental Health and Trading Standards, Leisure Facilities, Museums and Arts, Transport Network Development, Cemeteries and Crematoria, and Adult Education.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to review and comment on the proposed changes to the performance framework outlined in the report in relation to the areas of responsibility set out in the draft Portfolio Agreements.

Officer Contacts:

Overall Performance and Resources – Steve Skelton,, Head of Policy, Performance and Reform on 0161 474 3174 or email: steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

For the Portfolio Agreements - Joe Conmee, Policy, Performance and Reform (Corporate & Support Services) on 0161 474 5396 or email joespeh.conmee@stockport.gov.uk; or Michael Cullen, Strategic Accountant (Services to Place) on 0161 474 4631 or email michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted the draft Thriving Economy, Supporting Places and Independence & Wellbeing Portfolio Agreements (copies of which had been circulated) for consideration and comment by the Scrutiny Committee. These incorporated the following service areas:-

·         Thriving Economy

o   Economic Development and Regeneration

o   Markets

o   Planning and Building Control

·         Supporting Places

o   Waste Collection

o   Street Cleaning

o   Highways Maintenance

o   Parks and Open Spaces

o   Parking

o   Street Lighting

o   Environmental Health and Trading Standards

o   Leisure Facilities

o   Museum and Arts

o   Transport Network Development

o   Cemeteries and Crematoria

·         Independence and Wellbeing

o   Adult Education

It was reported that the Portfolio Agreements would form the basis for regular in-year reporting and would assess progress against key objectives, priorities, outcomes and budgets, enabling the Scrutiny Committee to hold the Executive to account and for the Executive to identify current and future risks to delivery.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support and Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts), deputising for the Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) (Martin Candler) and the Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy) (Councillor Patrick McAuley), attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         It was clarified that although there would be a new Performance Indicator regarding the % of relevant Land and Highways with Acceptable Levels of Deposits of Litter/Detritus, the same Grade B level would be used in assessing this as in the previous Performance Indicators.

·         With regard to Performance Indicator SP.02 regarding the % of relevant land and highways with acceptable levels of deposits of litter, it was confirmed that the target had been revised downwards as it was felt that the 2014/15 value was not now achievable.

·         With regard to Performance Indicators SP.04a ‘ % footway network structurally or functionally impaired’ and SP.04b ‘% of carriageway network structurally or functionally impaired’, a Member requested a breakdown of the indicator by Ward or Area Committee, and comparative figures with other local authorities.

·         With regard to the following Performance Indicators:-

-       Bus services running on time: Percentage of non-frequent services (buses/hour less than 60 on time; and

-       Bus Services running on time: Percentage of frequent services (buses/hour more than 5) on time

the Scrutiny Committee asked the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration to liaise with Transport for Greater Manchester to ascertain what data it could provide the Council.

·         A Member requested the introduction of a Performance Indicator to measure the number of car journeys, particularly into the town centre.

·         The new Performance Indicator regarding the % of Non-Car Trips into Stockport Town Centre at Peak Time (07.30 – 09.30) was supported, although a request was made for separate figures for bus and cycling usage.

·         With regard to the Performance Indicators regarding Market Occupancy levels (% indoor and outdoor capacity used), support was given for their replacement with a Performance Indicator relating to ‘Footfall in the Market Area: Change from Previous Year’.

·         Clarification was requested on the Gateway Facelifting in the Capital Programme and what the £0.064m allocation was being used for.

·         With regard to the Leisure Strategy and in particular leisure provision in the Heatons area, it was confirmed that a report on a commuted sum in relation to the former Stockport College site towards the provision of replacement sports facilities in the area would be submitted to the meeting of the Heatons and Reddish Area Committee on 13 July 2015.

·         The Corporate Director confirmed that £6,842,000 was allocated in 2015/16 for all aspects of the fourth year of the ten year leisure programme.

·         With regard to Stockport Exchange (Phase 2), the Corporate Director confirmed that contractors were due on site in the first week of August.  The car park currently used by people going to the swimming pool would be closed whilst the works were in progress. In response to a Member’s question, he confirmed that there had been strong interest from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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

The report advises Members of the work undertaken to date on the proposal to create a shared service for local highway services by a number of local authorities within Greater Manchester in order to achieve the saving within the Highway & Engineering Investing in Stockport proposals.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report, prior to its consideration by the Executive.

Officer Contact: Pete Price on 0161 474 4901or email: pete.price@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) advising Members of the work undertaken to date on the proposal to create a shared service for local highway services by a number of local authorities within Greater Manchester in order to achieve the saving within the Highways and Engineering business case as part of the Investing in Stockport Proposals.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support and Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts), deputising for the Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) (Martin Candler), attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The review of the scope for ‘shared services’ had been undertaken by Transport for Greater Manchester and Lead District Officers, overseen by the Wider Leadership Team, alongside the development of arrangements for the Key Route Network. Should a Highways Shared Service be agreed, further reports on the detail, including service level agreements, would be submitted to future meetings of the Scrutiny Committee.

·         Should a Highways Shared Service be agreed, those Stockport Council Officers affected could become employees of a different authority, which it was currently assumed would be Transport for Greater Manchester. Highways Officers who worked for Solutions SK would remain as employees of the company.

·         A Member expressed concern about the proposed timescale and whether it was feasible for the service to go ‘live’ in April 2016. He further expressed concerns about Officers from other boroughs of Greater Manchester dealing with issues in Stockport making it more difficult for local Councillors and residents to understand.

·         A Member expressed concern about the potential loss of control by Stockport Councillors, particularly if some highways work was required to be undertaken urgently such as replacement street lights or when traffic lights are faulty.

·         The Corporate Director confirmed that these issues would need to be addressed as part of any shared service, and that the Highways Investment Programme would be unaffected by the proposals for a Highways Shared Service.

RESOLVED – That report be noted and the Scrutiny Committee’s comments referred to the Executive at its meeting on 21 July 2015 for consideration.

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

The Council has received a request to assist the town centre business community with the promotion of a town centre Business Improvement District (BID). The report provides an overview of BIDs, outlines the role of the Council and the financial obligations a town centre BID would place on the Council and sets out the offer of financial support from the Council to help cover the set up costs.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report, prior to its consideration by the Executive.

Officer Contact: Graeme Vout on 0161 474 4562 or email: graeme.vout@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding a request to the Council to assist the town centre community with the promotion of a Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID). The report provided an overview of BIDs, outlined the role of the Council and the financial obligations a town centre BID would place on the Council and set out the offer of financial support from the Council to help cover the set up costs.

It was reported that all businesses that were subject to the potential levy would be eligible to vote in a ballot. The ballot would determine whether the BID went ahead.  A successful ballot required a simple yes majority both in terms of votes cast and in rateable value of votes cast. Each business entitled to vote in the ballot was allowed one vote in respect of each property occupied or (if unoccupied) owned by them in the geographical area of the BID. Once the BID was in operation the levy would be charged on all businesses within the BID area regardless of whether or how that business voted in the ballot.

Most BIDs were governed by a board made up of BID levy payers representing the BID area and a BID management team; the nature of which varied with the size, focus and budget of each BID. It would generally encompass management, administration, business engagement, marketing and communications and project management. BID Boards were generally made up of representatives from across all sectors within the BID area to ensure balanced representation. Observers were also normally invited from the Council and the Police.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support and Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts), deputising for the Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy) (Patrick McAuley), attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A Member expressed the view that the amount of money raised by the BID levy was particularly high being £381k for a 1% levy and £571k for a 1.5% levy. The Corporate Director explained the additional services which the levy could be used for, emphasising that these services would be in addition to the core services provided by the Council.

·         One of the values of BIDs was that it encouraged local businesses to work together.

·         A Member supported the Council’s involvement in the BID providing the costs to the Council did not escalate.

·         BIDs currently had a life of five years. This would apply to the Stockport Town Centre BID in the BID proposal. If the bid company wished to change its boundaries it could only do so at the end of this period.

·         A Member expressed concern whether enough businesses subject to the potential levy and eligible to vote in the ballot would vote in favour of it.

·         It was crucial if the ballot was to be successful that hereditaments with large rateable values needed to vote in favour of the BID. A single entity with a single rateable value was eligible to vote in the ballot.

·         In response to a Member’s question, the Corporate Director confirmed that businesses with business rate arrears would be required to pay the levy.

·         The current proposed boundary of the BID area had been established by local businesses. The boundary was currently being consulted on.

·         A Member asked that the BID Board be requested to make its Minutes available to Members of this Council.

·         Although the Council would be required to collect and recover the levy under the BID legislation, responsibility for the collection would be shared between the BID Board and the Council.

RESOLVED – (1) That no objections be raised in principle to the establishment of the BID and the comments of the Scrutiny Committee be referred to the meeting of the Executive on 21 July 2015 for consideration.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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

The report provides an update on the measures being taken to coordinate the delivery, governance and promotion of the Town Centre Capital Programme in order to maximise benefits and mitigate potential impacts. The latter includes potential interruptions to the flow of traffic into and around the town centre, the potential loss of car parking and the subsequent effects on existing businesses and customers.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report.

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) providing an update on the measures being taken to coordinate the delivery, governance and promotion of the Town Centre Capital Programme in order to maximise benefits and mitigate potential impacts. The latter included potential interruptions to the flow of traffic into and around the town centre, the potential loss of car parking and the subsequent effects on existing businesses and customers.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support and Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts), deputising for the Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy) (Patrick McAuley), attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A Member expressed concern about the capacity of Officers to deliver the projects, given that the only additional staffing resources which had been secured were a secondment which had been funded from within the Growth Service, a secondment from Transport for Greater Manchester and an interim post funded from project budgets.

·         A number of the projects would be on site in Summer 2016 and this would be a particularly problematical period for Officers.

·         Concern was expressed that shoppers would be lost to the area when they were advised to park at Heaton Lane car park (as opposed to Great Egerton Street) once the Redrock development started.

·         There would be ongoing support to local businesses during the capital programme works, as outlined in the report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to consider the Council’s proposed Vehicle Dropped Crossing Policy.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the draft policy, prior to its consideration by 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) requesting the Scrutiny Committee to consider the Council’s proposed Vehicle Dropped Crossing Policy.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support and Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts), deputising for the Executive Councillor (Supporting Places (Martin Candler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions. With regard to paragraph 1.4 of the proposed policy he clarified that although there was currently a fixed price for dropped crossings, the proposal was to move to a situation where they would be cost neutral. The more complex schemes were more expensive.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         If the proposed new policy was adopted it would still be enforced as the current policy was, primarily by the Police.

·         There was the option for residents to use another contractor other than the Council’s Alliance contractor providing the contractor had the necessary experience and public liability insurance and paid the relevant fee.

·         An appeals process to the Head of Service built in an element of flexibility to the policy.

·         Planning permission, if required, could be refused on similar grounds as currently.

·         Close communication would be required between the relevant Planning and Highway Officers.

RESOLVED – (1) That no objections be raised to the draft Vehicle Dropped Crossing Policy.

(2) That Members of the Scrutiny Committee be advised now many vehicle dropped crossings were carried out in 2014/15.

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.