Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 July 2016.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 21 July 2016 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 whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of agenda item 7 which contains information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED – That agenda item 7 ‘Key Projects Position Statement’ be considered in public.

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

The report updates the Task Force on occupancy levels, vacancies and lettings in the town centre and the strategy to improve occupancy.

The Task Force 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) updating the Task Force on occupancy levels, vacancies and lettings in the town centre and the strategy to improve occupancy.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Car parking remained a problem in the town centre, especially since the Bridgefield Street Car Park had been closed due to the Redrock development. In addition, there was examples of cars queuing on St. Petersgate to enter the Merseyway Car Park either due to the barrier problem at the car park or the car park being busy.

·         The main issue in the town centre with regard to occupancy remained the offer and in particular the size of the units, the need to develop the mid-market offer, build up the independent sector and improve signage and the street scene.

·         The Task Force would be advised of progress on the Merseyway Shopping Centre at its next meeting.

·         As vacancy levels were far higher outside the Merseyway Shopping Centre than in the centre of Stockport, there could be a link between footfall and vacancy rates.

·         Of particular concern was the overall value of the floorspace that was empty.

·         The recent revaluation of business rates had led to a 35% reduction and this was an issue which needed to be considered.

·         The effect of internet shopping on the town centre was another issue to be considered.

·         The use of franchises inside a major retailer’s premises could be considered.

·         The use of digital or electronic noticeboards and social media to access businesses and other networks was encouraged.

·         The Council was trying to secure key businesses in the town centre as building blocks around which other businesses would be established.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration to report

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration updated the Task Force on progress with the Town Centre Access Plan

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         There were significant problems caused by the delay to the works on St Mary’s Way and it was imperative that the Council did everything it could to speed up the main barriers to progress on the scheme.

·         The work on the retaining wall at St. Mary’s Way needed to be expedited as soon as possible

·         The current prohibition of left and right hand turns onto Newbridge Lane from St Mary’s Way were adding to the congestion.

·         Consideration would be given to the focus and timings of the Member briefings on the Town Centre Access Plan in order to attract more Members to attend, and a greater emphasis should be put on obtaining feedback from the Area Committees.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration to report.

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration updated the Task Force on the A6 Corridor Study.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The new green directional signs on the A6 in the town centre were complimented.

·         The Task Force was updated on the current situation with regard to the former Royal Mail building on Exchange Street.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides a summary position statement for the key town centre growth projects and supporting activity.

The Task Force is requested to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: George Perrin on 0161 474 4510 or email: george.perrin@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) and made a presentation providing a summary position statement for the key town centre growth projects and supporting activity.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A Member requested a map of what the Council currently owned on the Underbanks.

·         A Member enquired whether HS2 could be used to gain leverage for greater investment by Network Rail in Stockport Railway Station.

·         The Task Force was updated on the phased development of Stockport Exchange.

·         The Task Force was updated on the work being carried out with market traders and the consultants appointed by the Council.

·         A Member enquired whether St Peters Square could be used as an event space.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.