Date: 16 Jan 2019 Version 1.0 Approved by KB 1

ECONOMY AND REGENERATION – PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW Portfolio Summary This year’s Quarter 3 report is the first one reflecting a newer style of reporting activity “by exception”. This doesn't mean there will be any less scrutiny. We are still reporting on the same measures, but the new format should make it easier to identify where there are significant differences, good and not so good, between the targets we set at the start of the year and our current performance.

Though I included this in my last report, it’s worth mentioning again that Quarter 3 saw the opening of the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road, which now provides a vital road link across Stockport, Manchester and East Cheshire.

The Work and Skills Board, established following the Work and Skills Commission that took place in 2018, held its first meeting in October 2018 and it meets again in February. The Board is focussing in particular on how it can help some of our most disadvantaged residents to access work.

Progress with the Working Well (Work & Health Programme) has been limited however and it is very unlikely that we will hit the 2018/19 targets set for job starts associated with the programme. The programme provider and Jobcentre Plus are working hard to address this and we expect performance to improve significantly in 2019/20. We will continue to scrutinise this work very closely.

The proposed Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) is set to move a step closer to being realised in January when Andy Burnham will launch a consultation on creating an MDC to lead the regeneration of Town Centre West.

Stockport’s Cultural Network has been working to develop a Cultural Strategy framework for the Borough intended to facilitate access to external funding that will help to enhance the Borough’s cultural offer. For its part, the Council has bid for DCMS funding to develop digital arts spaces, primarily in the Market & Underbanks area. We should know the outcome of our bid in February 2019.

As well as this potential development, facilities in the Market and Underbanks area are continuing to be improved. Market Place Management took on full responsibility for running the Market on January 1st, the Angel Inn and Blackshaws Café opened in December and the Produce Hall is scheduled to reopen in February. Encouragingly, footfall in Market Place increased this quarter, reversing recent trends, and we are confident that the enhanced facilities in the area will see these positive trends continuing.

Finally, I wanted to mention the event on 7th January 2019 that marked the launch of a radical revision of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework. The area of green belt proposed for development in this revised version is less than half that originally proposed – the latest iteration of the document places far more emphasis on development in town centres, on brownfield sites and on other sustainable locations. Consultation on this draft runs to 18th March 2019. Another draft and consultation on that will follow and the intention is that it will be formally adopted sometime in late 2020 or early 2021.

Cllr Kate Butler - Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration 2

1. ECONOMY AND REGENERATION PORTFOLIO DELIVERING OUR PRIORITIES

PI Status - Key

2018/19 actual / forecast is significantly below target

2018/19 actual / forecast is below target but within acceptable tolerance range

2018/19 actual / forecast is on or above target or within target range

Priority 1 - Inclusive growth Highlights and Exceptions from Q3 Delivery Projects

 The creation of new co-working and additional flexible workspace for new businesses was completed at Stockport Business and Innovation Centre (SBIC) during Quarter 3. Six co- working desks will be available from January 2019. All three incubators are let and occupied, as is one ‘grow-on’ unit for an existing digital business. Monthly business planning and budget management continues. The centre now houses 53 small businesses across a range of sectors.

 The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) for 2018 was published this quarter alongside the annual brownfield land register update.

 During 2018, the Stockport Work and Skills Commission identified the need for a new strategic partnership body for work and skills in Stockport. In response to this, following the conclusion of the Commission, a new Stockport Work and Skills Board was established. A senior business leader from Stockport chairs the Board and its membership includes representatives from other Stockport businesses (including SMEs), Council members and officers, education, skills, training and employability providers. The quarterly cycle of meetings for the Board started in October 2018 and the next meeting is set for 06/02/19. The Board has been looking at how employers can offer “good work” in line with the newly proposed GM Good Employer Charter, which will improve access to work for the most disadvantaged people in Stockport. In addition to this, the Board is looking at refining the work and skills priorities identified by the Work and Skills Commission to produce a realistic and manageable set of key actions to take forward.

Wider Context and Challenges

Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) At an event on 7th January 2019, Mayor Andy Burnham and the Leaders of GM councils presented the revised draft of the GMSF. It is radically different from the original draft in that it places far more emphasis on use of brownfield sites, prioritising redevelopment of town centres and other sustainable locations. This revision proposes a net loss of green belt which is less than half that proposed in the original draft. The plan has a minimum target of 50,000 additional affordable homes, 30,000 of which will be social housing, over the next 20 years. The draft includes a summary of proposed developments in each of the GM districts. Stockport has eight allocations, providing land for 3,700 homes and 90,000 square metres of industrial and warehouse floor space.

These are:

 Bredbury Park Industrial Estate Expansion.  Former Offerton High School.  Gravel Bank Road / Unity Mill.  Heald Green.  High Lane.  Hyde Bank Meadows / Oak Wood Hall.  Griffin Farm, Stanley Green.  Woodford Aerodrome.

Consultation on the draft GMSF is open until 18th March 2019. Following this round of consultation, a further draft plan will be produced for consultation in the summer of 2019. This will be subject to approval by GMCA and all 10 GM Councils. It is anticipated that final plan will be submitted for examination in early 2020 and adopted late 2020/early 2021. Measuring Performance and Reporting Progress

Good 2017/18 2018/19 PI Code PI Name perform- Status ance Actual Q3 Actual Forecast Target Number of breaches of 39.6% 45.6% planning control E&R1.1 Low 603 C 147C 44.4% 40.0% discovered as a % of 239 B 67B complaints received. Cumulative totals in Quarters 1-3 are 482 complaints and 214 breaches. Compared with Quarter 1, the number of complaints has reduced and the proportion of breaches remains at 44%. The forecast outturn therefore is 44.4% - above the 40% target. Number of breaches 90% 93% E&R1.2 resolved by negotiation, High 95% 80% (217) (62) and % of total breaches. Number of breaches where formal action was taken (including notices except for a Planning E&R1.3 Contravention Notice and Low N/A 5 (7%) 20 (5%) 20% prosecutions that have not resulted from a notice – i.e. trees, listed buildings etc.) % occupied managed workspace and incubator E&R1.4 floor space actively High 83.0% 87.0% 90.0% 91.0% managed for start-up/ micro-businesses

Occupancy at SBIC rose to 90% in December following the occupancy of four newly divided units in a former larger and unlettable unit. The average over the quarter was 87% but it is hoped 90% or more will be sustained throughout Quarter 4. Pioneer 10 took place in November, with the winning business "Wattl" receiving space in the centre and support from partner businesses.

Good 2017/18 2018/19 PI Code PI Name perform- Status ance Actual Q3 Actual Forecast Target 118,312 Square feet of office, retail (465,814 E&R1.7 and industrial space let or High 1,034,994 800,000 800,000 year to sold to new occupiers. date)

Number of FTE jobs 390 created in relation to floor E&R1.8 High 2060 (839 year 1,200 1,500 space let or sold to new to date) occupiers. Numbers of jobs created as a result of investment is projected to be lower than 17/18 and is unlikely to reach the full year forecast as there will be no developments as substantial as Stockport Exchange, Aurora or Redrock. Net number of business 2018 outturn will be Aim to E&R 1.9 start-ups – i.e. business High -145 available during maximise “births” minus “deaths”. 2019/20 Quarter 3 ONS survey data released during Quarter 3 indicates more business "deaths" than "births" in Stockport during 2017. This is a reflection of the trend nationwide during 2017 (reduction in business births and increase in business deaths). The ONS cites economic uncertainty as a possible reason, but it could also be a symptom of more people returning to positions of employment rather than self-employment. (Please note, the ONS periodically amends these figures as it incorporates some estimates, so the net figure may change). This data should be considered as an indicator and not in isolation of the broader range of economic data available. 2018 outturn will be Business start-up survival Aim to E&R 1.10 High 61.5% available during rates after 3 years (%). maximise 2019/20 Quarter 3 The ONS survey results released during Quarter 3 showed that 61.5% of businesses that started in 2014 were still operating three years later in 2017. This is up slightly from the 61.4% of businesses starting in 2013 that were still operational in 2016.

Priority 2 - Tackling youth unemployment Highlights and Exceptions from Q3 Delivery Projects

 GMCA has approved a proposal from the Council to use underspend from previous youth employment GM funding for Stockport. This will seek to provide funded paid work placements with employers of up to 6 months, for around 30 young unemployed people from the target cohorts of young people with SEND needs and care leavers. This is due to start in 2019/20.

 The Council has also been involved in developing partnership working with Stockport Homes and the operators developing the Produce Hall Food & Beverage offer to ensure young people benefit from the employment and skills opportunities being created. Measuring Performance and Reporting Progress

Good 2017/18 2018/19 PI Code PI Name perform- Q3 Status Actual Forecast Target ance Actual Numbers of new clients supported E&R2.1 High 70 67 80 70 by Council-run Work Clubs. Working Well (Work & Health Programme) – % of forecasted Not E&R2.3 High - 10% 100% work related outcomes in available Stockport to date achieved. Data to the end of October is available, by which time of 24 earnings outcomes had been forecast for Stockport. None were actually achieved however, and only 12 were achieved across GM (against a forecast of 295). This reflects much lower referral and starts on the Work & Health Programme across the UK. The need to increase numbers of both starts and referrals significantly has been raised with the GM Work & Health Programme provider and Jobcentre Plus, both at GM level and here in Stockport, and this will be closely scrutinised. Whilst job starts are starting to increase, it is unlikely this will have a significant impact on earnings outcomes for rest of 2018/19 - hence earnings outcomes are unlikely to meet this year’s targets, though this should improve in 2019/20 as more people enter work for sustained periods. Number of customers supported E&R2.5 by Troubled Families Employment High 14 23 30 15 Advisers starting employment % of unemployed 18-24 year olds Aim to E&R2.6 Low 3.3% 3.0% 3.1% in the Borough1. minimise Aim to E&R2.7 % unemployed overall (18-64)1. Low 3.9% 1.8% 1.9% minimise 2018/19 data will be Number of Stockport residents E&R2.8 High 2,550 available in 2,600 starting Apprenticeships December 2019. Figures relating to the number of starts for 2017/18 (2,550) were released during the quarter. Though this is down 8.6% compared with 2016/17, this compares with a much higher (24%) reduction nationally. Due to greater flexibility recently announced in use of the Apprenticeship Levy to encourage more SME starts, as well as a wage incentive scheme to be introduced in GM and greater promotion of Apprenticeships among employers, young people, parents and schools, levels are expected to stabilise in 2018/19. Note however that 2018/19 data will not be known until December 2019.

1 Based on November 2018 data which is the latest available. 6

Priority 3 - Cultural Improvement Plan Highlights and Exceptions from Q3 Delivery Projects

 The Stockport Cultural Network met during Quarter 3 to pull together a Cultural Strategy framework for Stockport that is led and owned by the voluntary cultural sector. This will act as a mechanism for helping cultural organisations in Stockport to align with each other and benefit from external funding streams to extend the scope and reach of their work.

 Development work continues in relation to the legacy of the Strawberry Studios exhibition and the idea of a possible Underbanks festival.

 The Stockport Remembers event attracted 2,000 visitors into Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery on Remembrance Day and higher than average daily visitors for the remainder of November.

 The Council submitted a c£5m bid to Department of Culture, Media, and Sport’s Cultural Development Fund October focusing on creating a cluster of digital arts spaces across nine properties primarily in the Market & Underbanks area but including space in Merseyway. This has significant potential to promote creative digital enterprise in Stockport Town Centre and provide a fundamentally new addition to the employment and reputational offer. Successful bids are expected to be announced in February 2019. Measuring Performance and Reporting Progress

Good 2017/18 2018/19 PI Code PI Name perform- Status ance Actual Q3 Actual Forecast Target Number of visits 34,904 E&R3.1 to Stockport High 131,379 134,000 130,000 (year to date 104,049) museums.

Priority 4 - Stockport Town Centre regeneration Highlights and Exceptions from Q3 Delivery Projects

Town Centre West Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) During Quarter 3, work to create an MDC to lead the regeneration of Town Centre West progressed at pace. Work has started on a masterplan for the area and the additional feasibility work to test the proposal (requested at the September GMCA) is complete. As a result, the GM Mayor will launch the statutory consultation on creating an MDC at the January GMCA meeting.

Capital projects

 Stockport Exchange: Construction work on Phase Three of Stockport Exchange has progressed throughout Quarter 3. Completion is scheduled for February 2020. Significant interest is already being shown in letting space in the Phase 3 building. Delivery on the temporary car park on the site is expected to begin in the next few months.

 Redrock: Heads of terms were agreed with The Light Cinema for letting Unit 7 to provide an additional bar area and two extra screens. These should open in late spring/early summer 2019.

 Stockport Interchange: The planning application for the Interchange scheme was submitted at the end of October and work progressed throughout Quarter 3 to procure a main construction contractor and investment partners for the scheme. The scheme received an additional boost through an increase in the Housing Infrastructure Fund award from Homes England.

Merseyway Following Cabinet approval in November, work has progressed on a range of projects to redevelop and improve Merseyway. Due to the letting to Tessuti, occupancy of Merseyway has risen to 93% (measured as a percentage of the units) and 89% (measured by total floor space). These figures purposely do not include temporary lettings over the Christmas period. Some pressure on occupancy levels is expected next quarter as a result of recent announcements from HMV and Mothercare, but new deals in the pipeline for 2019 should help mitigate that risk.

Market Place & Underbanks

 Stockport Market: A phased handover of the market has been taking place with the new market operator, Market Place Management. They will take full responsibility for the operation of the indoor and outdoor market from 1st January 2019 with a full relaunch planned for spring.

 Produce Hall and Blackshaws: The new food and beverage offers at Produce Hall and Blackshaws both made good progress during the quarter. Blackshaws Café opened on 17th December and initial feedback has been encouraging. Contractors started on site at the Produce Hall in mid-November with its opening expected in February.

 The Angel Inn in Market Place opened during the quarter.

 Town Centre Living: Construction work on The White Lion continued, with delivery expected by June 2019. Marketing four key properties is complete and a developer will be recommended shortly to deliver a new mixed-use development in the area with up to 50 new homes.

Wider Context and Challenges

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government’s “Future High Streets” fund opened on 26th December and will support local authorities to invest in their town centres with co-funding to consolidate properties on the high street, improve transport and access into town centres and converting retail units into new homes.

Measuring Performance and Reporting Progress

Good 2017/18 2018/19 PI Code PI Name perform- Status ance Actual Q3 Actual Forecast Target % of occupied retail, commercial and business E&R4.1 premises within the High 91.0% 93.0% 91.0% 91.0% Merseyway Shopping Centre. Footfall in Market Area: Change from Previous Year in Footfall (quarterly High E&R4.2 figure will reflect change (and -3.0% 2.7% 2.0% 5.0% compared to the positive) equivalent Quarter in 2017/18). Footfall to the Market Area has increased by 2.7% (386,866 people movements past counters in comparison to 397,473 people movements past counters) on the same period last year indicating that new openings around the Market Place are improving footfall levels overall. The increases relate to the regular market as footfall to Foodie Friday remains broadly stable. The Makers Market held on the second Saturday of each month boosts footfall by an average of 3.5% in comparison to a regular market offer. % of occupied retail, commercial and business E&R4.3 High 77.0% 69.7% 77.8% - - premises in Stockport Town Centre. Number of independent E&R4.4 businesses in Stockport High 325 292 292 - - Town Centre. This data was previously obtained via visual surveys undertaken by Council Officers. As this facility is no longer available, data is now obtained from the Local Data Company (LDC). Though the methodologies used by the Council and LDC for undertaking the surveys are broadly consistent, data is not entirely equivalent and comparisons involving data from these two different sources is not appropriate. Targets and RAG ratings have therefore been removed. Further work will be undertaken to fully understand and cleanse the data and to ensure baselines are set for 2018/19 and that they enable consistently reliable and valid quarterly comparisons from 2019/20 onwards. Square feet of office, retail and industrial space 29,962 E&R4.5 let or sold to new High 182,776 (71,886 100,000 100,000 occupiers in Stockport year to date) Town Centre.

Priority 5 - Transport priorities to 2040 Highlights and Exceptions from Q3

Delivery Projects

 The A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road opened to traffic in October 2018. Construction started in March 2015 and has included 10km of new single and dual carriageway, substantial ecological mitigation works, 1.2 million m3 of earthworks, 4 rail structures, 7 other bridges and 6 substantial retaining walls.

 Work to produce a business case for a bus rapid transit scheme between Manchester Airport and Hazel Grove is ongoing, alongside work with TfGM to review the business cases for tram train and new rail stations.

 Work has also continued to access funding for cycling and walking schemes via the GM Mayoral Challenge Funding, with three schemes approved for programme entry to date.

Performance Measures

 E&R5.1 (CO2 emissions (metric tonnes per capita) within the scope of influence of local authorities). This is the one KPI associated with this priority. Data is reported annually (and two years retrospectively). Data for 2016 will be available during Quarter 4.

2. ECONOMY AND REGENERATION FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND MONITORING

Financial Summary - Cash Limit & Capital

Revenue Budget (Forecast) Capital Programme

£000 Cash Limit 2,668 Outturn 2,668 £000 (Surplus)/Deficit 0 2018/19 Capital Budget 67,818 2019/20 Capital Budget 62,082 Approved use of reserves 1,051 2020/21 Capital Budget 31,603 Utilisation of approved use of 401 reserves Balance remaining of approved 650 use of reserves

2.1 Revenue – Cash Limit

Previously Increase Budget at Reported (Reduction) 31 Dec 2018 (PPRR Q2) £000’s £000’s £000’s Cash Limit 2,668 0 2,668

There have been no budgetary movements since Quarter 2.

The Economy & Regeneration Portfolio contains pressures in relation to income generation, but forecast surpluses in other areas of the portfolio means that the portfolio is expected to balance overall. 2.2 Earmarked Reserves

Reserve / Planned Balance of Approved use of Reserve / Use Reserves / “Approved Balance “Approved Use” Use” Reserve 2018/19 Category Reserve Narration To be used for £000 £000 £000 Directorate

Reserves Directorate Directorate Flexibility Town Centre Living 69 69 0 Reserve Reserve - Place F&B Sector Directorate Directorate Flexibility Development 23 23 0 Reserve Reserve - Place Support

Corporate Reserves Legislative and Development of a Corporate Statutory new Local Plan 228 0 228 Reserves Requirements approved by the Reserve Executive Reserve Transformation - Markets Linked to Invest to Save 53 53 0 Consultation Budget Reserve Reserve Transformation - Regeneration Linked to Invest to Save 26 26 0 Projects Budget Reserve Reserve Transformation - Linked to Invest to Save HLF Bramall Hall 163 87 76 Budget Reserve Strategic Capital Programme Walking & Cycling Priority 18 18 0 Investment Reserve Projects Reserve Strategic Stockport Place Capital Programme Priority Marketing and 75 75 0 Investment Reserve Reserve Communications Strategic Capital Programme Interchange and Priority 299 299 Investment Reserve College Feasibility Reserve Strategic Capital Programme Stockport Priority 97 50 47 Investment Reserve Exchange Phase 3 Reserve Total 1,051 401 650

2.3 Portfolio Savings Programme All savings are on target.

2.4 Capital Finance Update and Outlook

*Expenditure 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 as at Scheme Programme Programme Programme 31 Dec 2018 £000 £000 £000 £000 Highways Capital Asset Maintenance 424 Street Lighting 582 560 560 8,485 Highways Investment Programme 11,690 12,482 12,551 151 Highways Drainage 394 250 250 150 Pot Hole Programme 1,094 0 0 179 Highways Structures 1,008 688 788 254 Town Centre Structures A6 Viaduct 502 0 0 430 Town Centre Structures Merseyway 620 4,120 0 152 Flood Risk Management 542 300 300 79 Flood Damage Infrastructure Programme 79 0 0

Asset Development & Improvement

Schemes 16,469 SEMMMS Relief Road 19,336 4,548 5,416 12,779 Town Centre Access Plan 14,119 8,725 3,155 1,248 Interchange Bridge 1,782 656 308 207 Roscoe Roundabout 700 3,171 0 1,696 LTP and SEMMMS Integrated Transport 4,443 1,056 30 28 District Centres 300 300 300 0 Road Safety Near Schools 372 100 100 72 Road Safety 50 50 50 8 PROW 116 100 100

Planning-related Schemes 990 Section 278 and Section 106 schemes 2,277 2,000 2,000

Other Highway Programmes 0 Studies and Transport Minor Schemes 54 30 30 5 Air Quality Grant 5 96 0 28 Car Parking 102 0 0 43,834 Highways sub-total 60,167 39,232 25,938

Non-highways 908 Stockport Exchange (Phase 3) 2,644 14,610 665 500 Redrock Development Scheme 3,141 793 0 (60) Aurora Stockport (formerly Gorsey Bank) (40) 659 0 405 Markets and Underbanks 800 2,296 2,000 3 Brownfield Site Schemes 10 992 0 230 Merseyway Redevelopment 500 3,500 3,000 596 Daw Bank - Stagecoach Building 596 0 0 2,582 Non-highways sub-total 7,651 22,850 5,665

46,416 TOTAL 67,818 62,082 31,603

2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 Resources £000 £000 £000 Capital Grants 45,414 23,550 11,970 Directly Funded Borrowing 7,641 21,827 5,665 Unsupported Borrowing 11,880 12,099 11,968 Capital Receipts 10 1,023 0 External Contributions 115 0 0 Commuted Sums 2,252 2,000 2,000 Revenue Contributions (RCCO) 506 1,583 0 TOTAL 67,818 62,082 31,603

Programme Amendments – Rephasing

2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 Funding Scheme Reason £000 £000 £000 Source Highways Drainage 100 0 0 Grant Additional DfT funding Additional DfT funding & Pot Hole Programme 380 0 0 Grant virement of LTP financing Detailed programme level allocation of Pot Pot Hole Programme (650) 0 0 RCCO Hole Revenue Reserve Funding Highways Structures 200 0 0 Grant Additional DfT funding Town Centre Structures A6 Virement of match (200) 200 0 USB Viaduct funding Town Centre Structures Grant / (1,397) 1,397 0 Scheme Rephasing Merseyway USB Flood Risk Management 250 0 0 Grant Additional DfT funding SEMMMS Relief Road 3,894 2,029 42 Grant Scheme Rephasing Interchange Bridge (412) 104 308 Grant Scheme Rephasing Additional DfT funding Roscoe Roundabout (178) 228 0 Grant and scheme rephasing LTP and SEMMMS Integrated Additional DfT and other 800 1,026 0 Grant Transport funding Adjustment to phasing of District Centres (130) 0 0 Grant LTP financing Additional DfT funding & PROW (3) 0 0 Grant adjustment to phasing of LTP financing Section 278 and Section 106 25 0 0 Grant Additional DfT funding schemes Air Quality Grant (96) 96 0 Grant Scheme Rephasing Stockport Exchange (Phase 3) (1,356) 691 665 DFB Scheme Rephasing Redrock Development Scheme (793) 793 0 DFB Rephased to 2019/20 Aurora Stockport (formerly (659) 659 0 DFB Rephased to 2019/20 Gorsey Bank) Markets and Underbanks (189) (1,811) 2,000 DFB Scheme rephasings Capital Markets and Underbanks (31) 31 0 Rephased to 2019/20 Receipts Merseyway Redevelopment (500) 500 0 DFB Rephased to 2019/20 TOTAL (945) 5,943 3,015

Scheme Commentary

 Street Lighting Planned Programme - The programme includes the structural replacement or repair of columns that are reaching the end of their life. The work programme is on track to deliver all the scheduled replacements/repairs for 2018/19.

 Highway Investment Programme – This is year 5 of a 9 year £100m Highway Investment Programme. Preventative footway and carriageway work started early in the financial year, and the 2018/19 programme is on course to be delivered within original timescales.

 Drainage Planned Programme - Drainage investigations/repairs continue to take place ahead of carriageway resurfacing work in the HIP programme. During 2018/19 works have been delivered on Etchells Road culvert, at Belmont Way and on sections of London Road, Hazel Grove

 Pot Hole Programme – The programme of patching/resurfacing stretches of highway following highway safety inspections is progressing well and will be completed by the end of 2018/19. Programmes of work to address pot holes on Public Rights of Way will take place in Quarter 4, with some having completed in Quarter 3.

 Highways Structures - 54 Principal Inspections and 49 General Inspections were completed in Quarter 3. Cheadle Lane Culvert is programmed to commence in January 2019.

 Stockport Town Centre Structures - Strengthening of the A6 Viaduct Steps has been completed with the treads and hand-railing to be completed in January 2019. 3D BIM Level 2 scanning of the structure is to be completed in February 2019. Principal Inspection of the Merseyway substructure portal frames has been completed.

 Flood risk management - LLFA review of major developments is continuing and developer advice is being progressed. Flood risk mitigation plans are continuing to be developed and actioned for the 2016 floods. Leaflets providing information for riparian ownership and maintenance responsibilities are being developed.

 A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road - Opened to traffic on 15/10/18 and the package of mitigation measures is complete. Complementary measures for Hawk Green, Hazel Grove, Bramhall and Heald Green were developed and will be constructed when funding is confirmed.

 Stockport Town Centre Access Plan - Construction works are progressing well with major highways improvements completed at St Mary’s Way, Great Egerton Street and Knightsbridge. Further major highways improvements are ongoing at:  Travis Brow (new link road between the A6 and M60 Junction 1);  Hollywood Way Junction 1 (improved access to the motorway junction);  Brighton Road / Didsbury Road (access into a new development); and  King Street West Gyratory (improved north-south flows west of the town centre).  A new cycle/footway/bridleway at Woodbank Park has commenced.

 Cycling, Walking and Safety Schemes - Work in Ladybrook Valley is complete and a crossing on Ladybridge Road became operational during Quarter 3. Crossing and cycling improvements in Cheadle Hulme and Bramhall will be constructed in Quarter 4. Programme entry approval has been received for the Mayor’s Walking and Cycling Challenge Fund for improvements on Gillbent Road, Brinnington Tunnel links, and in Hazel Grove. Further bids will be submitted in January 2019. 15

 National Productivity Investment Fund (Roscoe Roundabout) - Work commenced in Quarter 3 in Abney Hall Park, and will commence at Manchester Road/High Street Cheadle in Quarter 4.

 Road Safety Near Schools - To date: 10 improvement packages have been completed on site; 3 are waiting for legal adverts before work can begin on site; 3 are awaiting approval following public consultation; 2 are in consultation with Members and Schools; and 5 are at design stage. Work on other schools (there are 40 in total) are at earlier stages.

 Public Rights of Way - Detailed design and scheduling of the programme of improvements is currently underway.

 Section 278 Schemes - five schemes have been initiated and one has been completed during Quarter 3.

 Studies and Transport Minor Schemes - 3 areas of work are underway (SEMMMS Refresh, Stockport Station Growth Strategy and SEMMMS Bus Rapid Transit business case) and the Council is contributing to a number of TfGM-led studies.

 Air Quality Grant - the Council is using some of the Air Quality Grant to support pilot projects looking at ways to improve local air quality e.g. relating to the uptake of electric vehicles in the taxi trade and the impact of green infrastructure on air quality around schools.

 Stockport Exchange (Phase 3) – Phase 3 of the Stockport Exchange scheme (incorporating Cineworld demolition, Office building and neighbouring public realm) was granted Cabinet Approval on 15th August 2017 (E&R13), with a maximum expected cost of £18.226m, which will be funded by Prudential Borrowing. GMI were recently appointed as the contractor for the scheme, with works commencing 5th November 2018 and expected to complete in early 2020.

 Redrock Development Scheme – The Cinema and F&B led scheme completed in 2017/18. Costs incurred in 2018/19 include retention payments and incidental construction costs on units to better attract potential tenants. £0.793m has been carried forward to 2019/20 pending confirmation of final outturn figures. The cinema continues to outperform its original projections, and is in the process of letting unit 7 in order to expand its offer.

 Aurora Stockport – Anticipated financial performance is very much in line with expectations, albeit two units currently remain unlet. During Quarter 3, a partial refund of the management fee of £0.100m was received, with £0.629m anticipated to be carried forward to 2019/20 for potential expenditure relating to snagging and works to attract potential future lettings.

 Markets & Underbanks – Regeneration strategy to support the redevelopment, promotion and repurposing of the area to bring in a critical mass of people to the area.

 Merseyway Development – Cabinet approved a package of works to redevelop the Merseyway Centre on 13th November 2018. A delivery strategy for the works is currently being prepared with £0.500m anticipated to be expended in 2018/19 with the majority being spent on fees. The phasing of the programme will be updated as necessary going forward.

 Daw Bank – Stagecoach Building – Building acquired as part of the Stagecoach letting on Stockport Exchange Phase 2. The purchase has now been completed.