Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 August 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 5 August 2013 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 Interest

Personal & Prejudicial Interest

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

No announcements were made.

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.

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Chair of the Area Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee.

One question was submitted relating to a reduction in funding in the region of £35,000 from the St Thomas’ Church of England School budget. The questioner asked who had made the decision and an explanation as to the rationale.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director Services to People be requested to provide a written response within seven days and that the response be circulated to Councillors for information.

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.

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:-

·         The poor state of Didsbury Road following recent resurfacing works. It was agreed that officers would meet with Councillors on site.

·         Problems associated with overgrown vegetation on the footpaths near Belmont Street.

·         Councillors expressed concern at the Contact Centre response times. Examples were provided where it had taken in excess of two weeks to act upon reports from Councillors. As the Council places great reliance on the Contact Centre the growing backlog was unacceptable and Councillors were seriously concerned at the deterioration in the services.

·         Stockport Homes Estate walkabouts on Disburry Road, Blackbrook and the Marbury Road Estate.

·         Highway safety inspections had been completed on the annual yellow routes for both the Heatons and Reddish.

RESOLVED – (1) That Robin Boardman and Janette Sadgrove be thanked for their attendance.

(2) That the concerns of the Area Committee in respect to the Contact Centre be drawn to the Executive Councillor (Customer Focus) and the Assistant Chief Executive (Communications) and that they be requested to take immediate action to address those concerns.

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

No petitions were submitted.

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

i)             Heaton Norris Pavilion Community Centre

ii)            Reddish Band

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted the following applications (copies of which had been circulated) requesting funding from the Area Flexibility Fund.

a) Heaton Norris Pavillion Community Centre

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make a grant of £275 (to be divided between the four wards based of a postcode analysis or where people who attend the event reside)

b) Reddish Band

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make a grant of £300 (to be divided equally between Heatons North, Reddish North and Reddish South wards)

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.

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

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).

Retention of extraction plant to remove wood and panel waste for recycling (retrospective)

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

In respect of Plan no. 052814, the retention of extraction plant to remove wood and panel waste for recycling (Retrospective) Unit 4A Crossley Park, Crossley Road, Heaton Chapel, it was

RESOLVED – That the update to the report be noted.

Demolition of existing buildings, residential development comprising 69 dwellings with associated green space including 2 local areas for play (LAP and LEAP) and site entrances.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission subject to the completion of a section 106 agreement is respect to affordable housing and a commuted sum payment towards highway works and open space provision.

In respect of plan no. 052816 for demolition of existing buildings, residential development comprising 69 dwellings with associated green space including two local play areas for play (LAP and LEAP) and site entrances at Stockport College, Heaton Moor Campus, Buckingham Road, Heaton Moor, it was

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted subject to the completion of a section 106 agreement in respect to affordable housing (25 % provision) and a commuted sum payment towards off site highway works and the provision of off site open space.

Single storey rear extension.

The Area Committee is recommended to refuse planning permission.

In respect of plan no. 053145 for single storey rear extension at 14 Bispham Avenue, North Reddish,

A member of the public spoke against the application and the applicant spoke in support of the application,

It was then

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration, in consultation with the Vice Chair, be authorised to determine the application.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out the results of a consulation with local residents concerning a proposal to use the former grazing land within Bowerfold Openspace, Heaton Norris. The report also contains a view from the Council Solicitor and Secretary.

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

Officer Contact: Jonathan Long on Tel: 4747 3088 or email: jonathan.long@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) requesting the Area Committee to give consideration to the proposal to lease the former grazing land within Bowerfold openspace, Heaton Norris to a local dog walking company.

RESOLVED – That given the advice provided by the Council Solicitor and Environmental Health officers, the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be informed that the Area Committee does not support the proposal to lease the former grazing land on Bowerfold open space.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration will attend the meeting and provide an update in respect to issues relating to Unit 4a, Crossley Park, Crossley Road.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration attended the meeting and provided and update in respect to environmental health and enforcement issues in the Crossley Road, Heaton Chapel area.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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 for play provision in the Heatons and Reddish Committee area and to approve the location of the play area where those sums are to be spent.

The Area Committee is requested to consider the use of commuted sums for play provision in the Heatons and Reddish Committee area and to approve the location of the play area where those sums are to be spent.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to give consideration to the use of commuted sums for play provision in the Heatons and Reddish Area Committee area.

RESOLVED – That the commuted sums listed be spent at the following play areas:

-       Manchester Road Recreation Ground - £334.64

-       North Reddish Park - £1,338.48

-       Thornfield Park - £334.24

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

The report outlines the findings of a consultation exercise with residents and to seek approval for the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO’s).

The Area Committee are requested to consider the proposals contained within the report and determine if they wish to approve the Traffic Regulation Orders.

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 & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the findings of a consultation exercise with residents and seeking approval for the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders.

RESOLVED – That the traffic regulation orders as detailed at Appendix 2 to the report be approved at an approximate cost of £2000 to be funded via the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budget. (Heatons South ward allocation)

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

The report informs members of the proposal to widen and re-mark the carriageway of Sandy Lane to increase capacity and reduce congestion at Lancashire Hill Roundabout as shown in Plan 5003/LHR/Sandy Lane Approach Rev A attached.

The Area Committee is recommended to request the Executive Councillor to approve the proposals contained in the report.

Officer Contact: Neville Kay on Tel: 07800618216 or email: neville.kay@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director of Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) informing the Area Committee of a proposal to widen and re-mark the carriageway on Sandy Lane to increase and reduce congestion at the Lancashire Hill roundabout as detailed in appendix 1 of the report.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) be recommended to approve the proposals as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

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

The report outlines objections made to a proposed Traffic Regulation Order at Whitehill Street West, Heaton Norris.

The Area Committee are recommended to approve the order as advertised.

Officer Contact: Zoe Allan on 0161 474 3138 or email zoe.allan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a joint report of the Council Solicitor and the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to give consideration to objections received to a proposed traffic regulation order at Whitehill Street West, Heaton Norris.

RESOLVED – That the order be made as advertised.

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

The report outlines the results following a consultation exercise carried out in March 2013, it is proposed to introduce waiting restrictions on Brompton Road, Heyscroft Road, Carlton Road and Curtis Road, Heaton Mersey; as shown in Appendix A of the report.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the traffic regulation orders as detailed in the report.

Officer Contact: Neville Kay on Tel: 0780061826 or email: Neville.kay@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) requesting the Area Committee to give consideration to the introduction of waiting restrictions on Brompton Road, Heyscroft Road, Carlton Road and Curtis Road, Heaton Mersey as shown on Appendix A to the report.

RESOLVED – That the traffic regulation orders as detailed at Appendix A of the report be approved at an approximate cost of £750 to be funded via the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budget (Heatons South ward allocation).

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 a nomination to the vacancy at St John’s CE Primary.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillors (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) be requested to approve the following nomination:-

Name                         School                                   Nominating Group

Mr R Lasance           St Johns CE                         Conservative

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report requests the Area Committee to appoint Councillors to lay wreaths on behalf of the Council at Remembrance Day Services at Heaton Mersey War Memorial, Reddish War Memorial and at St Paul’s Church, Heaton Moor on Sunday 10 November 2013.

The Area Committee is requested to make nominations.

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) requesting the Area Committee to appoint Councillors to lay wreaths at Remembrance Day Services at Heaton Mersey War Memorial, Reddish War Memorial and at St Paul’s Church, Heaton Moor.

RESOLVED – That the following Councillors be nominated to lay wreaths at the Remembrance Day Services indicated:-

Heaton Mersey War Memorial – Councillor Tom McGee

Reddish War Memorial – Councillor Tom Grundy

St Pauls Church – Councillor David Sedgwick

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Colin Foster.

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

Councillor Foster outlined his concerns about the status of a small piece of land in the vicinity of Green Lane/ Alexandra Road, Heaton Norris. Councillor Foster explained that the land in question had been included in the Green Lane conservation area since 2005 and that he was of the view that as the Council had been maintaining the land for in excess of 10 years the Council should pursue legally the possibility of adverse possession with a view to taking ownership of the land. Failing that the Council should investigate taking ownership of the land as an asset of community value under Community Right to Bid legislation.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Council Solicitor be requested to investigate as a matter of urgency options available for the Council to pursue an order to take ownership of the piece of land in question and submit a report to a future meeting.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management an Regeneration be requested to investigate as a matter of urgency the removal of the fence from the piece of land.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Colin Foster.

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

Councillor Foster reported that this issue had been dealt with earlier in the meeting during the consideration of the public realm update.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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 on Area Flexibility Funding.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.