Agenda item

The Mayor provided an update to Members on the Town Centre Challenge initiative.

Members were updated that the Stockport MDC had now been formally constituted with the Mayor acting as Chair for the initial meetings. It was noted that he will eventually pass this role on to an independent Chair. A masterplan for development of Town Centre West was noted as being completed and it was felt that this had already had a significant impact in gathering national attention.  It was highlighted that Stockport was the first MDC focused on a town centre regeneration area.  Members were informed that there was a healthy pipeline of support for Stockport to achieve its goal of 3500 new homes which will largely be high-density and affordable.  The town Centre will be massively remodelled to accommodate age friendly properties, and will also be zero carbon with a redesigned transport interchange and integrated walking and cycling infrastructure.   The Mayor highlighted that other districts care very welcome to adopt the MDC.

Members enquired how funding streams and regeneration were envisaged to work for

smaller boroughs in Greater Manchester. It was updated that town centre challenge progress reports were available for all towns, with all moving forward.  The Mayor was confident this was the right approach and that demonstrating delivery in town centres can relieve pressure on greenbelt.

Members wanted to ensure that any quantum growth in Town Centres was able to offset greenbelt risks through the GMSF. The importance of having a secure robust 5 year delivery plan for housing was highlighted. The Stockport pipeline plan was noted as being helpful and adding credibility to the 5 year delivery plan.    

Member were updated that Government have today published 2019/20 housing build figures with GM having a net of 11,500 which was the highest second highest ever trend in the City Region.

In terms of monitoring land supply at a GM level, Members were reassured that a group of the 10 Districts were coming together to monitor this information.  This keeps visibility of available land, what was imminently coming forward, planning permission status and also incorporates the Town Centre Challenge.

Members highlighted the importance of engaging with a cross section of stakeholders over the changes implemented as part of the MDC, such as SMEs to make sure they were not displaced and were supported through change. The Mayor highlighted that if used correctly, the MDC can be a great vehicle for redevelopment.  It was stated that the cross party representation and remediation mechanisms and public engagement mechanisms need to function correctly so that all small businesses and stakeholders can have a voice to feedback issues.  The intention by Stockport was to build an all generation neighbourhood with infrastructure to benefit all.   

In terms of land supply, the Mayor felt that there needs to be a shift in thinking to accept that town centres need to be fundamentally different from the last century with a move away from focusing solely on employment and retail developments.

ACTION: Members to receive a copy of the Mayor’s update on the Town Centre Strategy and receive further monitoring reports as appropriate.

RESOLVED/-

That Members note and comment on the report and request further updates as appropriate.