Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 24 September 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.

No declarations of interest were made.

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 Mid Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRR) for the Supporting Places and Thriving Economy Portfolios are presented for consideration by the Committee. These provide a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priority outcomes through the Investing in Stockport programme and other key projects during the first half of 2015/16. They include forecast performance data (where this is available) and projected financial data for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to:-

(a) consider the Mid Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports,

(b) review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2015/16.

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

(d) highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Executive alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report; and

(e) 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 Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports for the Supporting Places and Thriving Economy Portfolios. The report provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priority outcomes through the Investing in Stockport programme and other key projects during the first half of 2015/16, with updates on key activity during the second quarter. They included forecasted performance data (where this was available) and projected data for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Place) (Councillor 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:-

 Supporting Places

·         The expected surplus against the budget of £0.368m for 2015/16 was commended. A general forecast of under-recovery of income in the Car Parking Service had been offset by the expected over-recovery of income in Engineering and Traffic Services and predicted surpluses in the cost of Public Realm services delivered by Solutions SK.

·         The range of enforcement activity undertaken during Quarter 2 had included the compulsory purchase of a long-term empty, domestic property. The property had been sold at auction with a building licence and agreement which meant that the deeds would not be transferred to the new owner until the property had been brought back to a habitable standard.

·         A Member enquired if there was anything the Council could do to help expedite the purchase of empty properties, although it was pointed out that the age of a property was only one of the factors that would be considered in the Empty Property Strategy. Although compulsory purchase was the ultimate sanction, the Empty Property Strategy set out the other processes which the Council followed.

·         Waste audits had not indicated any resistance to residents’ recycling of food waste. It was patterns of behaviour that needed to be changed. The Council was continually looking as to how it could improve recycling rates. Pressure also needed to be put on supermarkets to reduce the amount of packaging.

·         The air quality grant of £147,000 in 2015/16 was one off expenditure to procure improved real time monitoring equipment,

·         As part of the planning approval for the former Woodford Aerodrome site in Woodford, a traffic assessment and a package of cycling and public transport measures had been included as part of the Section 106 Agreement.

·         The restoration and re-development of Bramall Hall was being assisted by volunteers offering their time.

·         Some aspects of the capital programme had comparatively small amounts of expenditure incurred at this time of the financial year. Members asked for more detail with regard to this and a representative of the Corporate Director agreed to investigate whether more detail on current spend could be included in future Portfolio Performance and Resources reports.

·         Members requested more information on the £25,000 which had been earmarked to fund major events in Stockport. It was clarified that this related to culture, museums and leisure events. If necessary, the heading of this budget line should be re-worded.

·         A Member raised performance indicator SP.01 and the difficulty of maintaining the percentage of parks and open spaces assessed as satisfactory when the number of staff were being reduced, for example at Torkington Park in Hazel Grove.

·         The mitigation and complementary measures for the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road were already being taken into account in certain planning applications. Complementary measures should not be taken into account as they had not yet been agreed. Mitigation measures were where an increase in traffic was expected and complementary measures were where a decrease in traffic was expected.

 Thriving Economy

·         The deficit being shown by the Stockport Business and Innovation Centre was highlighted. This would hopefully be countered in the future by letting individual units.

·         The Townscape Heritage Stage 1 bid for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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

The report provides an update on employment and skills data, and issues in Stockport. The report covers the current key data on Stockport’s labour market and benefit claimants, outlines local context and provides information on employment and skills initiatives in Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to consider and comment on the data and issues in the report.

Officer Contact: Richard Mortimer on 0161 474 3864 or email: richard.mortimer@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on employment and skills data, and issues in Stockport. The report covered the current key data on Stockport’s labour market and benefit claimants, outlined local context and provided information on employment and skills initiatives in Stockport.

The Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy) (Councillor Patrick McAuley) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Clarification was provided that the Stockport Central area referred to in the report was the Priority 1 Central Stockport area.

·         Members commended the reduction in the percentage of 16-18 year olds Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs) in all the Neighbourhood Management Areas.

·         A Member requested information on the reduction of the 16-18 year olds who were NEETs and why this had reduced. It was noted that this figure was now higher in the Central Stockport area than Brinnington.

·         A Member enquired whether there was any analysis of whether the NEET cohort had moved into the Priority areas or whether they had been resident in those areas from a younger age.

·         The Employment Premium sought to address the issue of transport being a prohibitive factor in people getting to work

·         The Local Employment and Skills Agreement for the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road scheme had just started and there were currently six apprentices employed.

·         The large number of small and medium-sized enterprises in Stockport was highlighted.

·         A Member requested information on the number of care leavers obtaining employment.

RESOLVED – (1) That the data and issues contained in the report be noted.

(2) That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on the overall reduction in the percentage of 16-18 year olds who were Not in Education, Employment or Training, the increase in the Central Stockport area and the reduction in Brinnington.

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

The report provides an update on progress with the development of the proposed transport interchange scheme in Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report.

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) and made a presentation updating the Scrutiny Committee on progress with the development of the proposed transport interchange scheme in Stockport.

The replacement of the existing bus station in Stockport Town Centre by a Transport Interchange had been recognised to be a key element in the overall masterplan for improving the town centre. The Stockport Interchange Scheme had been identified as a Greater Manchester priority for delivery as part of the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan and funding for the scheme had been identified in the Greater Manchester Growth Deal with an allocation of £41.7m for delivery between 2015 and 2020.  Transport for Greater Manchester was the lead authority for the project and was working in partnership with the Council on the development of the interchange which included funding for the scheme, improvements to links with the railway station, a new bridge across the River Mersey, enhanced public realm in Mersey Square, a cycle hub and associated highway improvements. 

The scheme accommodated the proposals in the Stockport Rail Strategy for Metrolink/tram train in Stockport and the bridge over the River Mersey had been designed to accommodate the potential future needs of Metrolink.

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Scrutiny Committee welcomed the report, contents of the presentation and the outline proposals to improve the facilities for passengers. However, the detailed design of the new bus station was of vital importance.

·         A request was made for more seats in the covered passenger concourse.

·         The Council and Transport for Greater Manchester were currently exploring potential residential, commercial and other development opportunities which might be appropriate for construction in conjunction with the new interchange. However, the initial planning application would solely be for the interchange.

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted the problems in constructing a new bus station whilst the current one remained in operation.

·         A request was made for public art to be included as part of the scheme.

·         A route for Metrolink was protected with the proposals and there could be a possible stop for a Metrolink service on Swaine Street adjacent to the bus station.

RESOLVED – That the Scrutiny Committee welcomes the outline proposals for the new Stockport Transport Interchange.

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

The report provides an opportunity for the Area Committee to comment on the proposed Stockport Town Centre (TCAP) Phase 2 schemes and also provides an update on the progress with the Phase 1 schemes.

The Area Committee is requested to comment on the proposed schemes to be included in the Town Centre Access Package Phase 2 final business case.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) and made a presentation on the proposed Stockport Town Centre Access Plan (TCAP) Phase 2 schemes and also provided an update on the progress with the Phase 1 schemes. TCAP was one of the Greater Manchester Growth Deal major transportation schemes. The package of schemes had been designed to improve access and connectivity to and around Stockport town centre by all modes of transport. The total package had a budget allocation of £73.2m.

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

Members were encouraged to respond to the consultation expressing their comments on the detailed proposals.

The following general comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The number of roads which were being built offered the opportunity to name the roads after people from Stockport such as William and Arthur Scott (who lost their lives in World War One and were buried at Willow Grove cemetery), Joseph Whitworth, Fred Perry and Alan Newton.

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted the problems in the number of construction works taking place in the Town Centre at the same time.

·         A Member expressed concern about the number of proposed signal controlled junctions on Wellington Road South.

·         Traffic congestion was still an issue on Newbridge Lane after the widening of the pavement.

·         A Member opposed the proposal for a new bus lane in the southbound direction on Wellington Road South (Longshut Lane to Greek Street).

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out a draft Sustainable Modes of Travel to School Strategy which the Council is required to publish under the Education and Inspection Act 2006.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the draft strategy.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or 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) setting out a draft Sustainable Modes of Travel to School Strategy which the Council was required to publish under the Education and Inspection Act 2006.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting to be held on 17 November 2015.

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

 The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Members of the Scrutiny Committee supported the strategy, but requested that a further report be submitted in six months’ time on its implementation.

·         Members commended Cale Green Primary School on the award which it had recently won for children who walk or cycle to school.

·         The Council was taking a stronger approach with drivers who risked children’s safety by parking, stopping or waiting on the yellow zigzags outside schools during the busy school run. The Council already issued penalty charge notices to drivers who disregarded the regulations and now a penalty charge notice would be served by post if a car was driven away whilst the Civil Enforcement Officer was in the process of issuing a ticket.

·         Concern was expressed that if the Council charged for advice on School Travel Plans then it would reduce the number of schools who implemented them.

·         Concern was expressed that there was no target for the implementation of School Travel Plans.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Executive be advised that this Scrutiny Committee supports the Sustainable Modes of School Travel Strategy.

(2) That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee in six months’ time on the implementation of the Sustainable Modes of School Travel Strategy , the work undertaken at schools on road safety and cycle training, and the work undertaken at Cale Green Primary School on encouraging children to walk or cycle to school.

(2) That a report on a full evaluation of the Sustainable Modes of School Travel Strategy 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 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 reported that Paul Lawrence, Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration, would be leaving the employment of the Council on 27 November 2015 to take up the post of Executive Director – Place with the City of Edinburgh Council. Members expressed their thanks to Mr Lawrence for his work on behalf of both the Scrutiny Committee and the Council, and offered their best wishes in his new post.