Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 December 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 19 December 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to Minute 15 ‘Nomination of Authority Governors’ being amended to read “Mr L Judson.”

The following interest was declared:-

Personal 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.

Inspector Jonathan Kelly (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 discussed/comments made:-

·         Theft from motor vehicles continued to be a major concern. Both plain clothes and uniformed officers were making significant efforts to tackle the problem and a repeat of Operation Super Vortex, a special day of action, would be held on March 11, 2012 addressing vehicle crime and licenced premises.

·         Burglary dwelling had seen a significant reduction when compared to last year.

·         The employee arrested at Stepping Hill Hospital whilst from the Heatons and Reddish area was currently residing outside of the borough.

·         Travellers on Jersey Road/Sandy Lane, Reddish.

·         The Gorton Street/ Nicholson Street area of Reddish was particularly susceptible to theft from motor vehicles.

·         Problems associated with anti-social behaviour in the Somerford Road area.

·         An update was requested in respect to actions taken by the Police to address anti-social behaviour issues on Alan Road, Heaton Moor.

·         Staffing and the recruitment of additional PCSOs.

·         Youths congregating in the St Andrew’s Road area in Heaton Moor.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and Inspector Kelly 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 on the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/areacommittees).

No public questions were submitted.

The local Area Conditions Officer and the Highways 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.

(a)  Peter Loughlin (Area Conditions Officer) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to environmental issues within the area represented by Heatons & Reddish Area Committee.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

·         Two abandoned vehicles had been removed.

·         There had been a dramatic decrease in fly posting with no reported cases.

·         31 cases of fly tipping had been reported some of which remained on-going.

·         In recent months there had been a dramatic increase in the number of instances of graffiti, however there had been only eleven instances in the last month, all of which were non-offensive.

·         50 jobs had been received for advancement – seven notices had been issued for this offence.

·         One Section 92a Notice had been issued.

·         Changes to the regulations associated with the issuing of Section 46 Notices.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and Peter Loughlin be thanked for his attendance.

(b)  Chris Pollitt (Highways Officer) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to highway issues within the area represented by the Heatons & Reddish Area Committee.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

·         Highways and Street Lighting officers had now reverted back to the Council and were no longer employed by SK Solutions.

·         An explanation as to how officers respond to complaints about blocked gullies and the maintenance schedule for gully cleansing – the associated inspection regime and guidelines from the code of practice.

·         The ‘reactive maintenance’ policy.

·         Problems associated with water pooling on Heaton Moor Road.

·         Water pooling as a result of a blocked gully on Gorton Road.

·         The need to repair faulty street lights on Lancashire Hill.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and Chris Pollitt be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

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

No petitions were submitted.

FLAG – For Local Advice and Guidance

A representative of the organisation will attend the meeting and make a presentation.

FLAG – For Local Advice and Guidance

Julia Hewer, FLAG, attended the meeting and made a presentation in respect to the FLAG project which was funded by Stockport Council, through Synergy Stockport Ltd

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

·         FLAG launched in 2010 and was based in the centre of Stockport although the service on offer was available to all residents of the borough.

·         The organisation offers confidential, free and independent local advice and guidance about adult health and social care services.

·         During 2011, the organisation had dealt with in excess of 3000 enquiries which included offering  support to more than 2,200 new customers.

·         147 separate Advice Sessions had been provided across the borough and the organisation had attended 48 further promotional events.

·         2012 would see continued efforts to promote and raise awareness about the service that FLAG provides and there would be an increase in the number of outreach sessions.

·         Funding was secure through to April 2013.

·         The interaction between FLAG and other organisations such as Signpost and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

·         The impact of the Personalisation agenda and the importance of maintaining independent advice and guidance.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and Julia Hewer be thanked for her attendance and presentation.

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

There were no Area Funding applications to consider.

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

(i)            DC047428     Land to the rear of 208-214 Heaton Moor Road, Heaton   

                     Moor 

Outline planning permission for the erection of four studio apartments.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

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

A development application was 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, Services to 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 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.

In respect of plan no. 47428 for the erection of four studio apartments at land to the rear of 208-214 Heaton Moor Road, Heaton Moor,

the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed the report and a further condition be added relating to the access rights of the adjoining retail units.

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 within the area represented by the Heatons & Reddish Area Committee.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

This is an information item to draw Councillors attention to the preparation of the Council’s revised Sustainable Design & Construction Supplementary Planning Document and Employment & Skills Training Supplementary Planning Document. The deadline for public consultation on the two documents is 20 February 2012.

The Area Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Angie Jukes on Tel: 474 4385 or email: angie.jukes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Place Management) drawing to the Area Committee’s attention the on-going consultation on the Sustainable Design & Construction Supplementary Planning Document and the Employment & Skill Training Supplementary Planning document. The deadline for the public consultation on the two documents would be 20 February 2012.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There are currently no vacancies to consider.

There were no vacancies to consider.

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 and the current position on Area Flexibility Funding.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make the necessary arrangements to hold a ‘Pride in the Heatons & Reddish Awards’ ceremony in September or October 2012 and that each ward allocate £250.00 from their Area Flexibility Fund to support the event.