Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee - Thursday, 13th January, 2022 2.00 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, Level 2, Town Hall Extension. View directions

Contact: Michael Williamson 

Note: This meeting can be viewed on Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/662224345 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 305 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2021 .

Minutes:

Decision

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2021 were approved as a correct record.

2.

Updates on Sub Strategies of the City Centre Transport Strategy pdf icon PDF 368 KB

Report of the Director of City Centre Growth & Infrastructure and the Director of Highways

 

This report provides an update on the progress on a number of the sub strategies contained within the City Centre Transport Strategy.  It also includes an update on the activities undertaken to promote active travel and connectivity across the city.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Director of City Centre Growth and Infrastructure and Director of Highways that provided an update on the progress of sub strategies and other activities within the City Centre Transport Strategy including an update on active travel plans and wider connectivity issues across the city.

 

Key points and themes in the report included:

 

·                Updates on active travel schemes being developed and delivered;

·                An overview of work planned for 2022 to develop strategy and investment plans to continue improving walking (which refers to wheelchair and all other pedestrian users) and cycling in Manchester; and

·                Updates on other measures to improve connectivity including improving public transport and other mobility for the city.

 

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

 

·                The need to ensure active travel schemes, such as cycle paths were developed in an integrated and holistic way and the need to reduce the number of severance points to ensure they were fully connected;

·                The need to ensure public transport was affordable for residents of the city;

·                How were the schools selected to participate in the School Streets scheme;

·                The need to consider safety concerns was walking at night time;

·                Consideration needed to be given to removing physical barriers, such as redundant phone boxes and A boards to ensure people can use the pathways safely and without obstruction;

·                More needed to be done to increase cycle parking facilities and safe and appropriate cycle storage, noting the distinct difference between the two;

·                Anti-social driving and inconsiderate pavement parking needed to be addressed;

·                Noting that there was often a conflict between the bus system and active travel plans, especially in the Piccadilly Gardens area of the city centre;

·                Supporting the work of the Highways Access Group;

·                The need to improve communications with Members so that they are fully aware of developments and planned activity so that they could relay information to their residents and local interested groups;

·                The need to deliver a cycle scheme that connects the north of the city to the city centre;

·                Noting that mobility for residents is often an issue and calling for improvements to the footways; and

·                The need to ensure any published information relating to schools was correct.

 

The Head of Environment Planning and Infrastructure stated that the issue of severance points was acknowledged and provided the context and approach adopted as to the delivery of early schemes. He informed the Members that an audit of the existing schemes was to be undertaken to identify the gaps with the intention was to use future funding to bridge these gaps. He further commented that an audit of the Bee Network would also be undertaken by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), adding that he would relay the comments from this meeting to colleagues at TfGM. The Strategic Director of Growth and Development suggested that a map could be provided to Members that highlighted the existing active travel schemes and the planned projects to connect these. The Committee welcomed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Economy COVID19 Sit Rep Report pdf icon PDF 587 KB

Report of the Director of City Centre Growth and Infrastructure and Director of Inclusive Economy attached

 

This report provides Committee Members with a further update summary of the current situation in the city in relation to COVID-19 and an update on the work progressing in Manchester in relation to areas within the remit of this Committee.  Further detail on specific issues will be available as required.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Growth and Development, which provided a further update of the current situation in the city in relation to COVID-19 and an update on the work progressing in Manchester in relation to areas within the remit of the Committee.

 

Decision

 

The Committee notes the report.

4.

Overview Report pdf icon PDF 377 KB

Report of the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit

 

This report provides the Committee with details of key decisions that fall within the Committee’s remit and an update on actions resulting from the Committee’s recommendations. The report also includes the Committee’s work programme, which the Committee is asked to amend as appropriate and agree.

Minutes:

The report of the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit which contained key decisions within the Committee’s remit and responses to previous recommendations was submitted for comment. Members were also invited to agree the Committee’s future work programme.

 

Decision

 

The Committee note the report and agree the work programme, noting the recommendations arising from consideration of the previous agenda items.