The Housing, Economy & Environment Scrutiny Committee met to discuss several key initiatives, including an update on the Stockport Local Plan, the Stockport Homes Delivery Plan, an Allocations Policy Review, homelessness and housing needs, and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The committee also reviewed the Stockport Town Centre East Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) and the proposed expansion of the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC).

Stockport Town Centre East Strategic Regeneration Framework

The committee reviewed the Stockport Town Centre East Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF), a plan to guide long-term investment in the eastern side of Stockport Town Centre. The SRF sets out three distinctive neighbourhoods: Goyt Riverside, the Historic & Civic Heart, and Hillgate. The framework aims to deliver a minimum of 4,000 new homes, support health and wellbeing, promote sustainability, support economic growth, integrate neighbourhoods, and protect local character, the natural environment and heritage.

The committee was informed that a public consultation on the draft SRF was held over a six-week period, and that 153 responses were received. Key messages from the consultation included:

• Support for green spaces and improved access to nature
• Support for building more homes, including affordable housing
• Concerns about traffic congestion and limited parking
• Support for new community facilities

The committee was informed that the SRF had been updated to reflect the consultation feedback. The committee was asked to comment on the proposed changes prior to consideration by the Housing Cabinet Sub-Committee.

UKSPF Allocations 2025 Update

The committee received an update on the UKSPF, for which Stockport is to receive £1.38 million in funding as part of the new Integrated Settlement from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). The funding is to be directed towards supporting workspace for local businesses and improvements in the town and district centres and high streets.

The committee was informed that there had been strong interest in the funding round, with 80 bids received requesting a total of £2.5 million. The 22 highest scoring bids were to be offered funding, with 20 providing a borough wide participation and reach with their projects, and the remaining 2 providing specific benefit for Cheadle Heath and the Heatons.

The committee was also informed that eight bids had been received for the funding for new work space to support local businesses, with a total ask of £1.4m for the £300,000 available. The Cityheart Homes bid for the Cheers & Smith building at Stopford Park was recommended to be funded.

A summary of the successful project bid proposals with funding allocations was provided in the Appendix 1 Bid Summary Report July 2025.

The committee was asked to note and comment on the report.

Outcome of the Public Consultation on the Proposal to Create an Expanded Mayoral Development Corporation Covering Stockport Town Centre

The committee considered a report on the outcome of the public consultation on the proposal to expand the Mayoral development area covered by Stockport Town Centre West Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to include the area 'Stockport Town Centre East'.

The committee was informed that the consultation received 32 responses, with 78% of respondents agreeing that expansion was the best way to drive forward long term regeneration for the whole of the town centre. 69% agreed that the proposed new boundary was appropriate.

The committee was asked to note and comment on the report.

Allocations Policy Review

The committee considered a report providing an update and proposed amendments to the Allocation Policy following its last review in 2021. The review takes into account government announcements and new guidance in relation to armed forces, victims of domestic violence, and eligible relevant and former care leavers. It also considers how to maximise the use of any available empty properties, against a growing demand and reducing supply.

The proposed amendments relate to:

• An increased focus on tackling fraud.
• Priority for applicants with children residing with them on a permanent basis over those with limited care arrangements.
• Increasing the number of direct offers to resolve homeless cases.
• Increasing flexibility where people have past rent arrears.
• Changing the age restriction waiver for 60+ age restricted properties from 5 to 10 years.
• Introducing an income threshold beyond which applicants would no longer be eligible for social housing.
• Offering additional priority linked to bereaved spouses/partners of armed forces applicants.
• Increasing priority for delayed discharges from hospital and care homes.
• Changing the children at height priority to applicants with children under 12 years rather than 18 years.
• Removing automatic eligibility for the offer of accommodation where there is a relationship breakdown in a council/SHL tenancy.
• Extending local connection to applicants with a homeless duty; those fleeing domestic violence; eligible and relevant former care leavers and applicants from the Armed Forces.
• Creating a single review process where applicants disagree with allocation decisions.
• Strengthening the approach to Local Lettings policies/approaches with enhanced wording.

The committee was asked to comment on the proposed changes prior to consideration by the Housing Cabinet Sub-Committee.

Homelessness and Housing Need

The committee considered a report providing a progress report on the Out of Borough Placement Pilot to fulfil the council's homeless duties by making a final offer of suitable accommodation outside of Stockport where necessary and appropriate.

The committee was informed that Stockport saw the highest ever level of homelessness presentations in 2024/25 with 2757 households seeking assistance, an increase of 7% on the 2569 seen the previous year and 44% higher than in 2021/22.

The committee was asked to consider and note the report on homelessness and housing need, and the progress on the Out of Borough Placement Pilot.

Delivery Plan Outcomes Report 2024-25

The committee considered a report providing assurance that Stockport Homes Group is delivering against the agreed objectives and providing a range of information to demonstrate outcomes from the wide range of services delivered.

The committee was asked to comment on and note the report.

Draft Stockport Local Plan Update

The committee considered a joint report providing an update on the progress of the Draft Stockport Local Plan.

The committee was asked to note the report.

Work Programme

The committee considered a report setting out the work programme of the Scrutiny Committee and detailing forward plan items that fell within the remit of the committee for information.

The committee agreed to consider the information in the report and put forward any agenda items for future meetings of the committee.