Report of the Strategic Director (Growth and Development) attached

This report provides update on the outcome of a public consultation exercise with local residents, businesses and stakeholders, on the draft Withington Village Framework and seeks approval by the Executive of the Framework.

The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director – Growth and Development, which informed Members of the outcome of a public consultation exercise with local residents, businesses and stakeholders, on the draft Withington Village Framework.

Key points and themes in the report included:-

·                Withington Village was a key District Centre in south Manchester which served the Withington and Old Moat population, providing a hub for the community and a range of services;

·                The draft Framework identified a vision for the Village as a liveable place that met the needs of its diverse community;

·                It built on its cultural, physical and heritage assets and sought to develop these further;

·                New public spaces were proposed along with an improved street environment and movement for pedestrians and cyclists;

·                The Framework was developed through a series of public workshops and stakeholder interviews held in 2019;

·                An overview of the consultation process and consultation responses centred around:-

·                Movement in and around the village;

·                Public Space;

·                Heritage and Streetscape;

·                Governance Arrangements; and

·                Next steps

The report would also be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 17 March 2021.

The Committee heard from Dave Payne, Chair of Withington Village Regeneration Partnership Group, who was supportive of the proposals within the report.

The Committee next heard from Councillor Wills, Ward Councillor for Withington and Councillor White, Ward Councillor for Old Moat, who both spoke in support of the Framework.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committees discussion were:-

·                Endorsing the report and welcoming the positive engagement between residents, local Members, the local Member for Parliament and officers to progress this work;

·                Commenting that this represented an exemplar programme of resident engagement and community led initiatives to drive change and deliver improvements;

·                The learning from the activity should be understood and used to inform projects and engagement activity in other wards;

·                Noting that the proposals delivered a road map for the post Covid recovery;

·                Welcoming the commitment to improving walking and cycling routes, adding that consideration needed to be given to reducing the use of advertising A boards outside of commercial properties;

·                Consideration needed to be given to removing the guard rails between the pavement and the highway;

·                Welcoming the proposals to improving the Copson Street area; and

·                Whilst acknowledging and welcoming the level of community engagement were there any groups whose views it was felt were not fully represented.

The Strategic Lead Neighbourhoods advised it was recognised that further engagement work with young people was required to ensure their views were captured and taken into consideration as this work progressed, and consideration was being given to addressing this.

The Chair in moving the recommendations stated that it was important that if approved the Licensing Committee, in addition to the Planning and Highways Committee take the framework update into account as a material consideration when considering planning applications for the area.

Decisions

The Committee:-

(1)      Endorse the recommendations that the Executive:

·                Note and comment on the outcome of the public consultation on the draft Withington Village Framework.

·                Approve the Withington Village Framework and request that Planning and Highways Committee and Licensing Committee take the framework update into account as a material consideration when considering planning applications for the area.

(2)     Request that the Executive note the views of the Committee insomuch that Members feel this project should be held as an example of good practice for future projects.