Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 June 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 5 June 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject, under Minute 10, to the amendment of those members appointed to the Barrack Hill Educational Trust to delete Councillor Christine Corris and replacer therefor Councillor Stuart Corris.

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

No declarations of interest were made.

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

The Chair announced that the Chadkirk Chapel well dressing celebrations were due to take place on Saturday, 29 July 2017 between 12 noon and 4pm.

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.  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.

Robin Boardman (Public Realm Inspector) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to environmental and highways issues within the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed that resurfacing works had taken place simultaneously at both ends of Romiley which had caused significant disruption and should be avoided in the future.  In response, it was stated that outstanding programmed works on district distributor roads had been expedited in advance of the planned closure of the A6 through the centre of Stockport which had meant the phasing of these works could not always be planned to avoid such clashes.

·         A trailer filled with rubbish had been left on Springwood Crescent, Romiley since the Easter period and needed to be removed.

·         The mosaic at the entrance to the Cherry Tree Estate, Romiley had become overgrown with weeds.

·         A number of flagstones on Cherry Tree Road, Romiley had been removed and needed to be replaced.

·         Members had previously raised the issue of overgrown shrubbery on George Lane, Bredbury.  It was started that half of the affected area had since been suitably pruned, however the remaining half in private ownership was yet to be completed.  It was requested that further contact be made with the owners to request that the remaining work be completed.

·         It was commented that a number of residents had complained in relation to the quality of the surface dressing which had been completed on Compstall Road, Romiley.  In response, it was stated that the materials used often took time to wear in following the completion of the works and it was suggested that the Council could improve its communication with residents to advise them of this prior to works taking place.

RESOLVED – That Robin Boardman be thanked for his attendance.

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.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that no organisations had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

To consider an application received on behalf of Romiley Traders Association for a grant of ward flexibility funding of £1,000 towards the cost of purchase of gazebos.

Nick Corlett attended the meeting and submitted an application on behalf of Romiley Traders Association for ward flexibility funding towards the cost new gazebos.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the award of a grant of £1,000 from the Ward Flexibility Budget to the Romiley Traders Association as a contribution to the cost of new gazebos.

To consider an application for purchase of two Christmas Nativity Cribs (one located within the Werneth Area Committee area and one to be located in the Marple Area Committee area) to replace existing ones.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted an application received for ward flexibility funding as a contribution to the cost of a replacement Christmas crib and figurines.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the award of a grant of £500  from the Ward Flexibility Budget as a contribution to the cost of a replacement Christmas crib and figurines.

There are no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

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 Werneth Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Paul Cassidy on 474 5388 or email: paul.cassidy@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place management & Regeneration.

The report details a proposal for the relocation of an existing Street Lighting column from the boundary of properties 95 and 97 to outside 97 and the replacement of a lighting column outside 83 to maintain lighting levels. Both lighting columns will be upgraded with energy efficient lanterns.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the relocation of an existing Street Lighting column from the boundary of properties 95 and 97 to outside 97 and the replacement of a lighting column outside 83 Lyme Grove at a cost of £2,100 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget.

Officer contact: Andy Jopling on 0161 474 2414 or email: andy.jopling@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) detailing a proposal for the relocation of an existing Street Lighting column from the boundary of properties 95 and 97 to outside 97 and the replacement of a lighting column outside 83 to maintain lighting levels.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the relocation of an existing Street Lighting column from the boundary of properties 95 and 97 to outside 97 and the replacement of a lighting column outside 83 Lyme Grove at a cost of £2,100 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocation).

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

The report details a proposal for the introduction of No Waiting At Any Time traffic regulation orders on Castle Hill and Ashton Road, Bredbury following the receipt of complaints from Allied Bakeries of the difficulties the drivers of their Heavy Goods Vehicles had experienced with access and egress at their Castle Hill site, due to parked vehicles.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing gives approval to the statutory advertising of the following scheme, at a cost of £600 to be funded from the Strategic Budget, and subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days, the subsequent making of the Order:-

Proposed No Waiting at Any Time

Castle Hill - West side, from its intersection with Ashton Road, for a distance of 34 metres in a north easterly direction.

Castle Hill - East side, from its intersection with Ashton Road, for a distance of 49 metres in a northerly easterly then north westerly direction.

Ashton Road - North West side, from its intersection with Castle Hill for a distance of 16 metres in a north-easterly direction.

Officer contact: Eraina Smith on 0161 474 4911 or email: eraina.smith@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) detailing a proposal for the introduction of ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ traffic regulation orders on Castle Hill and Ashton Road, Bredbury following the receipt of complaints from Allied Bakeries of the difficulties the drivers of their Heavy Goods Vehicles had experienced with access and egress at their Castle Hill site, due to parked vehicles.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing gives approval to the statutory advertising of the following scheme, at a cost of £600 to be funded from the Strategic Budget, and subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days, the subsequent making of the Order:-

Proposed No Waiting at Any Time

Castle Hill - West side, from its intersection with Ashton Road, for a distance of 34 metres in a north easterly direction.

Castle Hill - East side, from its intersection with Ashton Road, for a distance of 49 metres in a northerly easterly then north westerly direction.

Ashton Road - North West side, from its intersection with Castle Hill for a distance of 16 metres in a north-easterly direction.

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

This report is part of the Executive’s continued Stockport wide response to road safety around schools, with the purpose of ensuring our children are safe walking to and from school. Some wards have already invested in the purchase and management of a Mobile Speed Indication Device. To that extent, where it has not already been facilitated, Area Committees are requested to consider their role in promoting road safety around schools and to indicate if this is an option they would like to pursue.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: David Warburton on 0161 474 2078 or email: david.warburton@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) requesting area committees to consider the purchase and management of a Mobile Speed Indication Device with the purpose of ensuring our children are safe walking to and from school.

It was reported that this Area Committee had already agreed to the purchase of a Mobile Speed Indication Device at its meeting on 15 December 2016.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council; the Portfolio Holder for Reform and Governance and Portfolio Holder for Economy and Regeneration.

The purpose of the report is to outline emerging community engagement and conversation activity taking place throughout the course of this year and to consider opportunities for Area Committee led engagement during this period.

The Area Committee are asked to consider options for local engagement and identify any preferred approach(es) they may wish to explore further.

Officer Contact: Steve Skelton on Tel: 474 3174 or email: steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members for Reform & Governance and Economy & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on emerging community engagement and ‘conversation’ activity taking place throughout the course of the year and inviting the Area Committee to consider opportunities for it to lead engagement during this period.

It was commented that the Werneth Area Committee had a long history of piloting new ways of engaging with members of the public.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides details of those maintained schools which have Local Authority Governors vacancies and requests that the Area Committee gives consideration to making nominations to fill those vacancies.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Pam Dunham on 0161 474 3914 or email: pam.dunham@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for People (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Area Committee with details of those maintained schools that had Local Authority Governor vacancies and requesting nominations to fill them.

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: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email: damian.eaton@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 on decisions taken by the Area Committee since the last meeting and the current position on the Area Flexibility and the Delegated budget.

It was commented that with regard to the outstanding schemes on Cherry Tree Lane, Romiley and Carlton Avenue, Romiley, the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration should be advised that the Area Committee was satisfied that the proposals should be progressed to the next stage.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a proposal to change the name of the Werneth Area Committee to the Bredbury, Romiley & Woodley Area Committee.

At the 14 March 2017 meeting of the Executive, approval was given to the change of the name of the Werneth Area Committee to the Bredbury, Romiley & Woodley Area Committee.  This was subsequently published as an Executive Decision (ED1899) which was then ‘called-in’ following concern that the decision in relation to the proposed name changes of area committees had not followed the usual practice of consultation with affected area committees prior to a decision being made. 

The matter was referred back to the Executive on 25 April 2017 who agreed to consult the Area Committee on the proposed change of name prior to a final decision being taken by the Cabinet on 18 July 2017.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on the proposed change of name of the Werneth Area Committee to the Bredbury, Romiley & Woodley Area Committee.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email: damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that at the 14 March 2017 meeting of the Executive, approval was given to the change of the name of the Werneth Area Committee to the Bredbury, Romiley & Woodley Area Committee.  This decision was subsequently then ‘called-in’ to the relevant scrutiny committee following concern that the decision in relation to the proposed name changes of area committees had not followed the usual practice of consultation with affected area committees prior to a decision being made.

The matter was referred back to the Executive on 25 April 2017 who agreed to consult the Area Committee on the proposed change of name prior to a final decision being taken by the Cabinet on 18 July 2017.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         One member spoke in support of the proposed change of name, and it was commented that area committees should be readily identifiable through their name as representing a clear geographical area and in that regard the current name of the Area Committee was an anachronism.

·         Four members spoke in opposition to the proposed change of name:-

o   It was suggested that rationale for the change of name was flawed in that Werneth had been used as a general description of the locality since 1974 and was represented in the names of local geographical features, road names and schools.

o   The proposed change of name did not encompass the wide range of local communities represented by the Werneth Area Committee and was therefore deficient in meeting its principle aim.

o   There had been no demand from local residents to change the name of the Area Committee and this was not considered an area of high concern or priority by them.

RESOLVED – That the comments of the Area Committee be referred to Cabinet for consideration.