Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Chair, it was:-

RESOLVED - That Councillor Tom McGee be elected Chair for the duration of the meeting.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 February 2021.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 15 February 2021 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

Personal and Prejudicial Interests

It was noted that the Standards Committee had approved a dispensation to enable those councillors who were members of the Board of the Stockport Town Centre West Mayoral Development Corporation and who would otherwise have a personal and prejudicial interest in the matter being discussed to take part in the debate and vote at the meeting.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of agenda items 4, 5 and 6 which contain information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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 it is in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of the following agenda items which contain information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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):-

Item 4 – Levelling Up Fund

Item 5 – Future High Streets Fund

Item 6 – Town Centre Programme Update

To consider a presentation by the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive made a presentation on the Government’s Levelling Up Fund which had been announced in the Spring Budget and rolled together new rounds of Future High Street Fund, Towns Fund and Local Pinch Point funding. The focus was on high value, local infrastructure.

RESOLVED – That the presentation be noted.

To consider a presentation by the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Development and Regeneration

The Director of Development and Regeneration made a presentation on the Future High Streets Fund (copies of which had been circulated) which had been launched by the Government in 2018 with the aim of renewing and reshaping town centres and high streets in a way that improved experience, drove growth and ensured future sustainability. The fund had a focus on repurposing vacant retail space.

RESOLVED – That the presentation be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive

The report sets out an update on the Town Centre projects since the last meeting of the Task Force. In addition, the Business Improvement District (BID) Draft Business Plan is attached.

Officer Contacts: Caroline Simpson/Paul Richards on 0161 218 1940/0161 474 2940 or email: caroline.simpson@stockport.gov.uk/paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the Town Centre Programme since the last meeting of the Task Force. In addition, the Business Improvement District (BID) Draft Business Plan had been attached to the report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.