Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and order that the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2020 be signed.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 20 July 2020 were approved as a correct record.

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.

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

The Chair reported that Northern Trains had confirmed that they proposed to suspend train services on the line between Manchester Picadilly and Rose Hill Marple via Romiley and Woodley railway stations with effect from 12 September 2020.  The Chair encouraged any concerned residents to support the petition that was being circulated in the community to bring pressure on those responsible for the decision to reconsider the matter.

The Chair then stated that a number of libraries in the borough had now started to reopen, but that this had not yet included Bredbury Library.  The Chair requested that the Cabinet Member for Citizen Focus & Engagement be informed of this area committee’s view that in the light of the fact that the library was a well-used and valued community asset, consideration be given to the reopening of Bredbury Library at the earliest possible opportunity.

It was further reported that a consutlation was shortly due to get underway in relation to the proposed ‘Romiley Active Neighbourhood’for streets north of Compstall Road with the aim of creating improvements for pedestrians in the village centre as well as providing parklets for the community to enjoy along with a safe cycle route to Stockport Town Centre.

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 via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters in the powers or duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out within the Code of Practice.

One public question was submitted relating to the proposed suspension of rail services on the Rose Hill line serving Woodley railway station.

In response it was stated that the proposal by Northern Trains was to suspend rail services on the Rose Hill line from the middle of September to the middle of December and this was a significant concern for many in the local community and in particular those that relied on the line.  It was stated that a petition in the community had generated over 5,300 signatures so fare, and that the eleven Liberal Democrat councillors representing those areas affected by the withdrawal of services had written to the Secretary of State for Transport asking for the matter to be reconsidered and had been in touch with Transport for Greater Manchester, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Mayor of Greater Manchester.

It was further stated that Transport for Greater Manchester had made a number of alternative submissions that would have allowed at least a skeleton service along the line, which were all rejected by Northern Trains.

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

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive reported on the receipt of a petition signed by 20 signatories requesting the installation of a third road traffic calming measure on Quarry Road, Romiley and the implementation of a 10mph speed restriction on the adopted part of Quarry Road.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to Traffic Services for investigation.

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 Deputy Chief Executive 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 from the Salvation army (Stockport Citadel) for a grant of £1,050 from the Ward Flexibility Budget (£100 from this area committee) towards the cost of holding a virtual community carol concert.

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive reported on the receipt of an application received on behalf of the Salvation Army (Stockport Citadel) for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of holding a virtual community carol concert.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from the Salvation Army (Stockport Citadel) for a grant of £100 from the Ward Flexibility Budget  towards the cost of holding a virtual community carol concert.

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

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 for Place Management & 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 Place Directorate upon payment of the Council’s reasonable charges).

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

Demolition of the existing buildings and remedial ground works.

NOTE: This application proposal previously came to committee in July and committee resolved to grant planning consent.  However, due to technical difficulties, the opportunity for residents to make representations on the proposal to the committee did not take place.  In order to ensure the interests all parties are not prejudiced the application has been brought back to committee for Members to consider afresh and to permit parties on both sides to express their views on the application during public speaking.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

Officer contact: Karyn Clarke on 0161 474 3551 or email: karyn.clarke@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. DC076532 for the demolition of the existing buildings and remedial ground works at Further Hey, 41-43 Werneth Road, Woodley,

a member of the public spoke against the application; and

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

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted.

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: Vicki Bates on 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive 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 Werneth Area Committee.

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 since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and the current position on Area Flexibility Funding.

It was requested that a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee detailing the data obtained from Mobile Speed Indicator Devices located in the Werneth area since the area committee last received such a report, including an analysis from Traffic Services of that data and whether any interventions may be required.

It was further requested that members be provided with an update on the progression of measures to protect the footway at Briarley Gardens, Woodley.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.