Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 October 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 21 October 2020 were approved as a correct record.

Councillors and Officers to be invited to declare any interest that they may have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and Officers were invited to declare any interests which they may have had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive

The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) has been the subject to two previous drafts in 2016 and 2019 which have been the subject of extensive evidence gathering and consultation. This report sets out some background information in respect of the GMSF and why it is being produced. It refers to the strategic context which the plan sits within whilst referencing the plan making process to date.

The report explores the proposals in a Stockport context, in particular having regard to the need to proceed with the provision of an updated planning framework to support inclusive and sustainable growth.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated Members on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members questioned the line in the report which read ‘In the event that Stockport sought to proceed with a Local Plan and depart the GMSF, it would not be possible to simply utilise all of the evidence which has been collected to support the GMSF’ and wanted to know why this was the case.  In response, Members were advised that much of the evidence had been jointly commissioned and as such any evidence that was relied upon would need to be repeated.

·         Members commented that the affordable housing requirement levels appeared quite low.  In response, Members were advised that part of the work that underpins the GMSF is a viability study and it would be necessary to demonstrate that the plans are deliverable.  Members expressed concerns that developers may be able to avoid providing affordable housing.

·         How did the Council propose to engage with residents who did not have internet access?  Members were advised that this would be a challenge.  Discussions with neighbourhood forums were ongoing but it will be necessary to find a way to engage with all members of the public given the current restrictions.

·         Members felt that neighbourhood forums should not be the only source of trying to engage with residents.

·         Members asked about potential changes to the GMSF in terms of the increased need for housing in various parts of the Borough.

·         Members acknowledged that whilst it might be extremely challenging to develop a Stockport specific Local Plan, this does not necessarily mean it is impossible.

·         At Members’ request, Officers confirmed that the targets in the GMSF were set by the government and not by Councillors or Officers.

·         Members noted that because neighbouring Local Authorities had offered to take 5% of Stockport’s housing allocation, this mitigated the need to build on the green belt.  It was also noted that by working together, all the GM Authorities were benefitting.

·         A short discussion took place relating to employment and the impact that COVID will have had especially on small businesses.  It was confirmed that the plan does involve some flexibility to cope with changes in circumstance.

·         If Members wished to send in any comments they should do this via the online portal and these would then be forwarded to the GMCA.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive

The report provides details of the content and publication arrangements for the refreshed Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040, Our Five Year Delivery Plan (2020-2025) and Local Implementation Plans.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited 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 & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated Members on the Greater Manchester 2040 Transport Delivery Plan and Stockport District Local Implementation Plan.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members commented on the Highway Trees Improvement Programme and the Road Safety Around Schools programme stating that nothing appears to have been done in relation to these issues.  In response, Members were advised that there had been delays due to COVID.  More trees were now being replanted and the Council was looking to plant trees in new places.

·         Members expressed concerns relating to cyclists’ safety, road safety and congestion.

·         A short discussion took place relating to entry points into the Clean Air Zone.

·         Members commented that there was a great deal in the plan and asked how integral the plan was to GMSF.  In response, Members were advised that the plan had been designed with GMSF in mind and were a key part of ensuring that the GMSF was deliverable.

·         Members questioned what would happen to the transport plan if the GMSF was not adopted.  In response to this Members were advised that without the GMSF it would be very difficult to justify why a transport infrastructure would be required.  Without a plan, Stockport would not be a priority within Greater Manchester.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive

The report sets out an addendum to the Stockport Statement of Community Involvement which details how the Council will engage local communities and other interested parties in producing its Local Plan and determining planning applications.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated Members on the details relating to how the Council would engage local communities and other interested parties in producing its Local Plan and determining planning applications.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members commented that it was vital that those members of the community who were not online were fully consulted and engaged with.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.