Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 20 June 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

The Chair reported that the Proud of Stockport Awards would be held on Tuesday, 7 February 2012 in the ballroom in Stockport Town Hall and that the final date for nominations was Friday, 28 October 2011.

It was further reported that a local community organisation had now become a keyholder at Bredbury Green Civic Hall which would open up the facility to new community uses and that stakeholders would be conducting a clear-up of the site and its locality on Friday, 2 September 2011.

Finally, the Area Committee was also asked to note that a ‘Friends of Romiley Railway Station’ group had recently been established and local residents and rail users were encouraged to join the group to further improve the station environment and to work to promote services from the station.

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

Inspector Brendan O’Brien (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the Werneth area.

The following issues were raised/ comments made:-

·         There had been a recent increase in the level of domestic burglary and vehicle crime in the Werneth area and resources were now being reallocated to tackle this issue.

·         Attention was being focussed on the proliferation of controlled drugs in the area, and work was being done to tackle the source of the problem which had included the execution of search warrants and the seizure of cannabis and cocaine.

·         A number of unauthorised devices had been placed on cash machines in the Werneth area in an attempt to obtain money from users, and residents were urged to use caution when using the machines and report any suspicious devices to the police.

·         A resident reported problems with a potential obstruction of the highway on Mill Lane caused by parking of commercial vehicles.

RESOLVED – That Inspector O’Brien be thanked for his attendance.

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 at the meeting and on the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/areacommittees).

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, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

Three public questions were submitted relating to (a) litter bins on Bowland Road and Charnwood Road, Woodley; (b) the condition of the pavements on Charnwood Road, Woodley; and (c) the condition of the Mill Lane Estate, Woodley.

The questions were answered at the meeting.

The local Area Conditions Officer and the Highways Officer will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at previous committee meetings. Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise issues affecting local environment quality.

(a) Kay Williams (Area Conditions Officer) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to environmental issues within the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.

The following issues were raised/ comments made:-

·         A campaign had recently been undertaken on Peak Bank, Romiley and Meadow Walk, Bredbury to reduce the number of refuse bags being left out for collection.  There had been considerable success at Peak Bank, however it would be necessary to progress Meadow Walk to phase two of the campaign and issue enforcement notices.

·         There had been a recent joint initiative with the police and Environmental Health and Trading Standards in respect of rogue traders operating in the east of the Borough which had resulted in 30 vehicles being stopped and nine notices being issued in relation to Waste Carriers’ Licences.

·         Unauthorised signage was being erected on street furniture by kitchen sales companies over weekends, and work was needed to address this problem.

RESOLVED – That Kay Williams be thanked for her attendance.

(b) Stephen Lawson (Highways Officer) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to highways issues within the area represented by Werneth Area Committee.

The following issues were raised/ comments made:-

·         Following concerns expressed at the last meeting of the Area Committee, Broad Hey, Romiley had now been resurfaced and Lyme Grove, Romiley would be repaired within the next month.

·         There were a significant number of blocked gullies on Greave and Sandy Lane, Romiley which required immediate attention to avoid flooding of nearby properties.

·         Following the submission of a petition for residents’ parking on Oak Avenue, Romiley it had now been confirmed that a scheme would be progressed for half of the road.  Concern was expressed that the proposals were inadequate to sufficiently ameliorate the problems being experienced in that area and that any scheme should cover the full length of Oak Avenue.

RESOLVED – That Stephen Lawson 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.

No organisations had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

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

Woodley Precinct

Mr Eric Brown attended the meeting to report on the use of funding granted by the Area Committee at its meeting on 23 May 2011 which had been provided to assist with the cost of hanging baskets for Woodley Precinct.

RESOLVED – That Mr Brown be thanked for his attendance.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides a picture of the whole range of services provided in the area committee wards by the Children and Young People's Directorate and to provide members with the management information on the performance of children's Services at a local and national level.

The Area Committee is requested to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Rebecca Eddleston 0161 474 3845 email: Rebecca.eddleston@stockport.gov.uk

Representatives of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a picture of the whole range of services that had been provided by the former Children and Young People Directorate in the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee, and providing the Area Committee with management information on the performance of Children’s Services at a local and national level.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The Werneth area had the second highest number of children in poverty which was reflected in a number of figures presented throughout the report.

·         The number of children registered at Children’s Centres in the Werneth area appeared to be quite low and additional work needed to be done to reach vulnerable families.

·         A lot of the information provided in the report would not be statistically significant, however it would be useful to see the raw data where possible to see the exact numbers of individuals being discussed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There are currently no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal & 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 Werneth 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 Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services) (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 Service Director (Place Development).

The report outlines the proposed arrangements for the Annual Review of Outcomes Tour and requests the Area Committee to submit their recommendations for a completed development site within their area to be included on the list of sites to be inspected by the Tour delegates. In addition the Area Committee is asked to provide nominations for delegates to attend.

The Area Committee is recommended to:-

(1) Nominate a completed development site to be included on the list of sites to be inspected on the Annual Review Tour.

(2) Nominate Members to attend the Annual Review Tour on October 14 2011.

Officer contact: Kevin Brooks on 474 4905; email: Kevin.brooks@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Place Development) (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals to hold the Annual Review of Outcomes Tour on Friday, 14 October 2011 and requesting the Area Committee to submit a recommendation for a completed development site within the Werneth area to be included on the list of sites to be inspected by the Tour delegates.  In addition the Area Committee was also asked to provide nominations for delegates to attend.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Annual Review of Outcomes Tour be requested to inspect the development at the site of the former Sportsmans Rest, Higher Bents Lane.

(2) That Councillor Hazel Lees be nominated to attend the Tour.

To consider a joint report of the Service Directors (Place Management) and (Legal & Democratic Services).

The report details an application under Section 118 of the Highways Act 1980 for the extinguishment of sections of footpath 113 and part of footpath 114, Bredbury and Romiley.

The Area Committee is recommended to make an Order under Section 118 of the Highways Act 1980 to extinguish footpath 113 and that part of footpath 114 marked Y-E on the map attached at Appendix 1.

Officer contact: Ernest Nama on 474 4595; email: ernest.nama@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services) (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application made under Section 118 of the Highways Act 1980 to extinguish sections of footpath 113 and part of footpath 114, Bredbury and Romiley.

RESOLVED – That an Order be made under Section 118 of the Highways Act 1980 to extinguish footpath 113 and that part of footpath 114 as marked Y-E on the map attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

To consider a joint report of the Service Directors (Place Management) and (Legal & Democratic Services).

The report details proposals for the diversion of part of footpath 112 Bredbury and Romiley from a point 22.7 metres north of Mill Lane (Point A) for a distance of 270m to a point, 3.1 metres east of bridleway 64a Bredbury and Romiley (Point G) 20 metres north of Turner Lane, to a line from point A through points J, K and L to point G on the plan attached at Appendix 1.

The Area Committee is recommended to make an Order under Section 119 of the Highways Act 1980 diverting footpath 112 Bredbury & Romiley at Mill Lane playing fields from its current line A-X-G to a line A-J-K-L-G on the plan attached at Appendix 1.

Officer contact: Ernest Nama on 474 4595; email: ernest.nama@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services) (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application made under Section 119 of the Highways Act 1980 to divert part of footpath 112, Bredbury & Romiley from a line crossing fields to a line following the perimeter of fields at Woodley Sports Centre.

RESOLVED – That an Order be made under Section 119 of the Highways Act 1980 to divert footpath 112, Bredbury & Romiley at Mill Lane playing fields from its current line A-X-G to a line A-J-K-L-G as detailed on the plan attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

To consider a report of the Managing Director, NPS.

The report details proposals to permit the transfer of surplus land from the Contour Housing Association’s site at School Brow to the proposed privately owned care home site that adjoins.

The Area Committee is requested to recommended that the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services instructs NPS to negotiate suitable terms with the parties to transfer the subject land as described in the report and for the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services to use his delegated powers to approve those terms.

Officer contact: Chris Harney on 495 6091; email: chris,harney@nps.co.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Managing Director, NPS (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals to permit the transfer of surplus land from the Contour Housing Association’s site at School Brow to the proposed privately owned care home site that adjoined.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be recommended to instruct NPS to negotiate suitable terms with the parties to transfer the subject land as detailed in the report and for the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services to use his delegated powers to approve those terms.

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 on 0161 474 3204, 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 Area Flexibility and the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budgets.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Service Director (Place Management) be advised that in the light of the relative isolation of Overdale Recreation Ground and its consequent inability to attract commuted sum allocations from nearby developments, the view of the Area Committee was that the £2,007.72 commuted sum be allocated to Overdale Recreation Ground and that the Service Director (Place Management) be requested to investigate ways in which this outcome could be achieved.