Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 30 May 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

Personal & Prejudicial Interest

To receive any announcements from the Chair about local community events or issues.

No announcements were made.

Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise ‘Neighbourhood Policing’ issues with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Sergeant Smith (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the area represented by Heatons & Reddish Area Committee.

The following issues were raised/ comments made:-

·         A reminder not to leave valuables on show in vehicles.

·         Whilst targets remained extremely challenging, domestic burglary rates had reduced.

·         Patrols during the school holidays and plans for dealing with anti-social behaviour when schools break up for the summer.

·         Additional patrols in Thornfield and Heaton Mersey Parks.

RESOLVED – That Sergeant Smith be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair of the Area Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice (Questions must be submitted prior to the commencement of the meeting on the cards provided. These are available the meeting and at local libraries and information centres.  You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

No public questions were submitted.

The local Public Realm Inspector will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at the last committee meetings. Councillors and Members of the public are invited to raise issues affecting local environmental quality and the condition of the highway.

Robin Boardman and Janet Sadgrove (Public Realm Service) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from councillors and members of the public in relation to public realm issues within the area represented by the Heatons & Reddish Area Committee.

The following issues were raised/ comments made:-

·         The benefits associated with Estate walkabouts.

·         Painting of the lines at the Morrison’s junction was complete.

·         The grass verges on Simon Freeman Close were the responsibility of Persimmon Homes.

·         All highway inspections in the Heatons were complete.

·         Damage to footways resulting from tree roots.

·         Planned work at the Lancashire Hill roundabout.

·         The poor state of Priestnall Fields – litter and dog fouling.

·         Overgrown hedges on the highway.

·         Gully cleansing and maintenance.

·         The role of the District Steward.

·         Graffiti and vandalism at the former College site on Buckingham Road.

RESOLVED – That Robin Boardman and Janet Sadgrove be thanked for their attendance.

To receive petitions from members of the public and community groups.

No petitions were submitted.

Neighbourhood Actions Plans

To consider a report of the West Area Housing Manager (Stockport Homes Limited)

The report provides the Area Committee with an update on progress in the delivery of Stockport Homes (SHL) Neighbourhood Action Plans.

The Area Committee is requested to consider on and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Maria Lindars on 474 4371 or email: maria.lindars@stockporthomes.org

Neighbourhood Action Plans

A representative of the Chief Executive (Stockport Homes) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Area Committee with an update on progress in the delivery of Stockport Home (SHL) Neighbourhood Action Plans.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

·         The role of the Customer Involvement Team

·         Marbury Road Play area fun day would be held on the 17^th August 2012.

·         The current level of one bedroomed provision amongst the housing stock and the potential impact of proposed Welfare reforms.

·         The current tenancy programme and the downsizing scheme / role of the Allocations Team.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the turnover of officers who deal with the Didsbury Road Estate.

·         The role that Stockport Homes will play for promoting the change to Individual Electoral Registration.

·         The assisted gardening scheme.

RESOLVED – That the representative of the Chief Executive (Stockport Homes) be thanked for her attendance and report.

To consider any applications for Area Flexibility Funding or to receive feedback from organisations who have received funding.

(i)            Tai Chi for Health

(ii)          Hatton Hilltop Sancutuary

Tai Chi for Health

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted an application for Area Flexibility Funding from Tai Chi for Health for funding toward on-going projects associated with the running of the group.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make a grant of £500 (to be divided depending on which ward the members of the group reside) towards on-going projects associated with the running of the group.

Hatton Hilltop Sanctuary

With the consent of the Area Committee, this application was withdrawn.

The following development applications will be considered by the Area Committee:-

(a) DC049146           154 Manchester Road, Hetaon Norris, Stockport

Retention of Static Hot Box to store hot Asphalt onsite (retrospective)

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

(b) DC049254           Williamson House, Williamson Street, North Reddish

Redevelopment of Williamson House to provide 6 no residential properties, including raising of ridge height to provide first floor and associated access and landscaping.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission subject to the conditions outlined in the report.       

(c) DC049730           Land Adjacent to 4 Hamilton Close, Heaton Chapel

Proposed development of three number bedroom five person houses with associated parking.

The Area Committee is recommended to refuse planning permission.

(d) DC049782           68 Wittenbury Road, Heaton Norris

Two storey rear extension.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

Four development applications were submitted.

(NOTE: Full details of the decisions including conditions and reasons for granting or refusing planning permission and imposing conditions are given in the schedule of plans. The Corporate Director of Place is authorised to determine conditions and reasons and they are not therefore referred to in committee minutes unless the committee makes a specific decision on a condition or reason. In order to reduce printing costs and preserve natural resources, the schedule of plans is not reproduced within these minutes. A copy of the schedule of plans is available on the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/planningdecisions  Copies of the schedule of plans, or any part thereof, may be obtained from the Place Directorate upon payment of the Council’s reasonable charges).

In respect of plan no.49146 for retention of static hot box to store hot Asphalt onsite (retrospective) at 154 Manchester Road, Heaton Norris,

the applicants agent spoke in support of the application,

it was then

REOSOLVED – That consideration of the application be deferred to allow for further information to be submitted.

In respect of plan no. 49254 for redevelopment of Williamson House to provide 6 no. residential properties, including raising of ridge height to provide first floor and associated access and landscaping at Williamson House, Williamson Street, North Reddish,

the applicants agent spoke in support of the application,

it was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted.

In respect of plan no. 49730 a proposed development of three number five person houses with associated parking at land adjacent to 4 Hamilton Close, Heaton Chapel,

a representative of the applicant spoke in support of the application,

it was then

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be requested to grant planning permission.

In respect of plan no. 49782 for two storey rear extension at 68 Wittenbury Road, Heaton Norris,

a member of the public spoke against the application and

the applicants agent spoke in support of the application,

it was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted subject to an additional condition relating to obscure glazing.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Development)

The report outlines the development of an Enforcement Development Plan Document (DPD) to provide the borough-wide framework for the Council when taking formal planning enforcement action.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on  the report.

Officer Contact: Dave Westhead on 474 3520 email: dave.westhead@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Place Development) (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the development of an Enforcement Development Plan Document (DPD) to provide the borough-wide framework for the Council when taking formal planning enforcement action.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services).

The report summarises recent appeal decisions; lists current planning appeals and dates for local enquiries; informal hearings for planning appeals, and enforcement action within the Heatons and Reddish Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Joy Morton, 0161 474 3217, joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Legal & Democratic Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements with the area represented by Heatons & Reddish Area Committee.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) will attend the meeting and provide an update in respect to the work of the Dog Warden Service.

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) attended the meeting and provided an update in relation to the work and activities of the Dog Warden Service.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The submission of a petition relating to dog fouling in Heaton Mersey Park and plans to work with the Friends Group to raise awareness amongst dog walkers.

·         The budget resource available to the Service when compared to other Greater Manchester Authorities.

·         The process involved when issuing fixed penalty notices and statistics for the period 2009-2012.

·         Concern was expressed that Police Community Support Officers were not utilising their powers to issue penalty notices.

·         The potential of implementing Dog Control Orders for specific areas or parks.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Service Director (Place Management) be requested to circulate further information relating to Dog Control Orders and to provide statistics relating to Dog Fouling in the Heatons and Reddish areas.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The report details an application to run fitness sessions in Heaton Moor Park from July 2012 to July 2013.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant the application.

Officer Contact: Jonathan Long on 474 3088 email:jonathan.long@stockport.gov.uk

RESOLVED - That the Service Director (Place Management) in consultation with the Chair be authorised to determine the application subject to further clarification in respect to how often the fitness sessions will be held and the number of people who are able to participate.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The report provides the results on an investigation into Limited Waiting parking on Gorton Road.

The Area Committee is requested to consider whether they wish to recommend that the Executive Councillor introduces the order as detailed in thereport.

Officer contact: Max Townsend on 474 4861 email: max.townsend@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Place Management) (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to give consideration to providing  Limited Waiting parking on part of Gorton Road.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Transportation) be requested to approve the following:-

Gorton Road

Limited Waiting Monday to Saturday 8am-6pm 1 Hour no return within 1 hour – East side from a point 4 metres South of the projected Northerly kerb line of Belfield Road for a distance of 27 metres in a northerly direction.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Alexander Ganotis.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Alexander Ganotis.

Councillor Ganotis outlined his concerns in respect to road safety in the vicinity of Tithe Barn Primary School. He introduced Mike Fitzjohn, Chair of Governors and Michael Shaw, Head teacher at Tithe Barn Primary School who made a presentation to the Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the Service Director (Place Management) be requested to investigate as a matter of urgency road safety concerns in the vicinity of Tithe Barn School and submit a report to the October meeting of the Area Committee.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Education).

The Area Committee is requested to provide political nominations for the Authority vacancy at

Officer contact: Libby Evans on 474 3847 or email: libby.evans@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Education) (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to make nominations and a number of re-appointments to schools in their area.

RESOLVED – That the following re-appointments be approved:-

Name                                     School                                   Nominating Group

Mrs R Jones                          Mersey Vale                          Conservative

Mr R Twigg                            Norris Bank                           Labour          

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report provides an update on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and details the current position on area flexibility funding. The report also includes the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton, 0161 474 stephen.fox@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee, the current position on Area Flexibility Funding and the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budget.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Service Director (Place Management) be informed that the Area Committee supports the proposal  to install grit bins on St Martins Avenue and Bluestone Drive.

(3) That the Service Director (Place Management) be requested to contact the relevant ward councillors to make arrangements to visit the sites with then where it has been recommended that grit bins should not be provided.

(Note: The Chair was of the opinion that this item although not included on the agenda should be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B 4 (b) of the Local Government Act 1972 to enable the Area Committee to promptly consider an application for the use of a local park)

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Place Management) (copies of which were circulated) requesting the Area Committee to consider an application for the use of Grafton Street Play area for a Family Fun Day on 4 August 2012.

RESOLVED – That the application for the use of Grafton Street Play area for a Family Fun Day on 4 August 2012 be approved.

RESOLVED - That the following items be included on the agenda for the next meeting:-

·         An update from Boroughcare

·         Commuted Sums