Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 4 November 2013 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

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

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

With the consent of the Area Committee, this item was withdrawn.

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.

Member of the public were invited to submit questions to the Chair of the Area Committee on matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

One question was submitted in relation to a proposal to remove car parking places from outside the shops on School Lane, South Reddish.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be requested to attend the next meeting of the Area Committee to discuss the issues raised by the questioner.

The Public Realm Officer 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.

Janette Sadgrove and Robin Boardman (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 Heatons and Reddish Area Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Footway improvements on Mauldeth Road, Heaton Moor and proposed footway repairs on Sevenoaks Avenue, Heaton Moor.

·         Footway improvements on Briarfield Road, South Reddish and estate walk abouts on the Ruskin Road Estate and the Coronation Street Estate.

·         The Council’s policy for the use of A-Boards.

RESOLVED – That Janette Sadgrove and Robin Boardman be thanked for their attendance and presentation and the Democratic Services Manager be requested to circulate to members the most up to date council policy of the use of A-boards.

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

No petitions were submitted.

In accordance with the Code of Practice no organisation has indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

Representatives of the Friends of South Reddish Station attended the meeting and made a presentation in respect to on-going projects at the station and on their desire to expand the use of the station.

RESOLVED – That the representatives of the Friends of South Reddish Station be thanked for their attendance and presentation.

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

a)    LBB (Leicester, Bispham & Beresford)

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted an Area Funding application on behalf of the Leicester, Bispham and Beresford Group (copies of which had been circulated) requesting funding towards the purchase of benches.

RESOLVED – That the ward councillors be requested to inform the Democratic Services Manager at the earliest opportunity the amount that they would wish to grant to the group.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

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 for Place Management and Regeneration 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 Services to Place Directorate upon payment of the Council’s reasonable charges).

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

Fourteen new residential dwellings with associated off road parking and gardens.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee grants planning permission.

In respect to plan no. 53682 for fourteen new residential dwellings with associated off road parking and gardens at Longford Road West, North Reddish, it was

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted.

Dropping of kerb to enable car access.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

In respect to plan no. 53711 dropping of kerb to enable car access at 65 Moorside Road, Heaton Mersey, it was

RESOLVED –  That planning permission be granted.

Change of use of ground floor from vacant offices (Use Class B1) to coffee bar/café (Use Class A3) and use of front curtilage for seating area (resubmission of DC05926)

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

In respect of plan no. 53810 for change of use of ground floor from vacant offices (Use class B1) to coffee bar/café (Use class A3) and use of front curtilage for seating area (resubmission of DC05926) at Emery House, 192 Heaton Moor Road,

a member of the public spoke against the application, it was then

RESOLVED – That the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee be requested to undertake a site visit to consider the impact of the proposed development on the residential amenity of local residents, the potential impact on parking, to consider potential future hours of operation and deliveries should planning permission be granted.

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 Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services (copies of which had been circulated) summarising recent appeal decisions, listing current planning appeals and dates for local enquires, informal hearings for planning appeals and enforcement action within the Heatons and Reddish Area Committee area.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Tom McGee.

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

Councillor McGee explained that he anticipated the number of members of the public who attend the St John’s Church Remembrance Service to increase next year and that he thought it was appropriate that the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration give consideration to the possible closure of part of the road during the service. Councillor David Sedgewick suggested that this course of action may also be appropriate for the Services which effect Heaton Moor and Didsbury Roads.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be requested to investigate the possibility of road closures associated with the Remembrance Services in the Heatons.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be requested to report to a future meeting outlining the costs for the cleaning of war memorials and on the costs for the purchase of poppy seeds which could be distributed to community groups.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report outlines a proposal to remove flags and replace with bitmac on Handforth Road from Broadstone Hall Road South to Alderley Road at an approximate cost of £12,000.

The Area Committee are recommended to approve the proposals contained in the report.

Officer Contact: Chris Pollitt on Tel: 474 2419 or email: chris.pollitt@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report on behalf of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) outlining a proposal to remove flags and replace with bitmac on Handforth Road from Broadstone Hall Road South to Alderley Road at an approximate cost of £12,000.

RESOLED – That the following be approved at an approximate cost of £12,000 to be funded via the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budget (Reddish South ward allocation):-

Handforth Road from Broadstone Road South to Alderley Road

Remove flags and replace with bitmac.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report requests the Area Committee to consider the use of commuted sums towards future improvements to play equipment.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the proposal contained in the report.

Officer Contact: Ian Walmesley on Tel: 474 4382 or email: ian.walmesley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to consider the use of commuted sums towards future improvements to play equipment.

RESOLVED – That £1,338.48 be allocated for use at Houldsworth Park play area.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy, Policy, Partnerships & Transformation)

The report seeks the Area Committees views on the proposed polling arrangements within the area in order to inform the Council Meeting’s determination of polling districts, polling places and polling stations for forthcoming elections.

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

Officer Contact: Steve Callender on Tel: 474 3268 or email: steve.callander@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy, Policy, Partnerships and Transformation)(copies of which had been circulated) seeking the Area Committee views on the proposed polling arrangements within the area in order to inform the Council Meeting’s determination of polling districts, polling places and polling stations for forthcoming elections.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and any further comments be forward to the Elections Manager prior to the report being considered by the Executive.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report provides details of a recent consultation exercise with residents regarding a proposal to introduce a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) approves the proposals contained in the report.

Officer Contact: Jon Gudgeon on Tel: 474 4857 or email: jon.gudgeon@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) providing details of a recent consultation exercise  with residents regarding a proposed traffic regulation order.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) be recommended to approve the proposals contained in the report.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report describes the “Enforced Sales Procedure” (ESP) and advises of the intention to use the ESP to acquire No 34 Kentstone Avenue, Heaton Mersey, Stockport SK4 3RE to recover the debt and to bring the property back into beneficial residential use.

The Area Committee is requested to consider and comment on the report and instruct the Corporate Director for Place Management on how they wish him to proceed.

Officer Contact: Kate Fitzsimons on Tel: 474 4806 or email: kate.fitzsimons@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the Enforced Sales Procedure (ESP) and advising the Area Committee of the intention to use ESP to acquire 34 Kenstone Avenue, Heaton Mersey and to recover the debt and bring the property back into beneficial residential use.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be informed that the Area Committee supports the proposed course of action as detailed in the report.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.                                                                       (To Follow)

Officer Contact: Nigel Elliott on Tel: 474 4928 or email: nigel.elliot@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) informing the Area Committee of a proposal to improve cycle network connections within the Mersey Valley. The proposals had been developed in partnership with Sustrans and would be part funded through £115,000 Department for Transport Links to Communities grant subject to a signed Memorandum of Understanding.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be authorised to determine how to proceed with the proposals once he has met on site and consulted the ward councillors.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Education)

The report requests the Area Committee to exercise its delegated power to provide political nominations for Local Authority Governor vacancies.

That the report be noted.

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

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Place Management) of the Service Director (Education) (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to give consideration to Local Authority Governor vacancies in local schools.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) be requested to approve the following re-appointment:-

Name                                     School                                   Nominating Group

Cllr David Wilson                 St Elizabeth’s                       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: Stephen Fox on Tel: 474 3206 or email: 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 and on Area Flexibility Funding.

RESOLVED – (1)That the report be noted.

(2) That the Chief Executive of Stockport Homes be requested to attend the next meeting of the Area Committee to explain the company’s Maintenenance and Repairs Charging Policy and to outline how the company interacts with local community groups.