Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 3 June 2013 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

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

The Chair reported that Mrs Anne Wallace, proprietor of Taylors Fish and Chips in Woodley Precinct had been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to adult and community learning following the establishment of ‘Startpoint’ - a coffee shop and centre for adult education in a vacant unit in Woodley Precinct.

It was further reported that Andrew Stunell, Member of Parliament for the Hazel Grove constituency had been knighted for public and political service.

Finally, it was stated that NHS Stockport and Stockport Council would be conducting a series of roadshows, challenging local people to ‘Rise To The Challenge’ and make small lifestyle challenges that would improve their health and wellbeing.  The next such session was scheduled to be held on Friday, 12 July 2013 at 9.00 am at Marple Senior Citizens Hall in Marple Memorial Park.

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

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that a representative of Greater Manchester Police had been unable to attend the meeting.

The Chair reminded the Area Committee that Chief Superintendent Sykes had recently written to all Councillors informing them that a representative of the Police would no longer be able to attend each Area Committee meeting.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to write to Chief Superintendent Sykes requesting that a representative of Greater Manchester Police attends the Area Committee on a quarterly basis.

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.

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 the highways and local environmental quality.

Alan Whitfield (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:-

·         A number of enforcement notices had been served been under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

·         Resurfacing works were scheduled to take place from 23 July 2013 for a period of five days at the junction of Ashton Road and Whitefield Road, Bredbury.

·         Higher Bents Lane, Bredbury was scheduled for resurfacing from 28 July 2013 for a three week period.

·         It was requested that particular attention be given to the removal of diversion signs following the completion of any resurfacing works.

RESOLVED – That Alan Whitfield 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 any applications for Area Flexibility Funding or to receive feedback from organisations who have received funding.

There were no applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Development).

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

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 Place Management and Regeneration 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.

Demolition of existing conservatory and its replacement with a new conservatory which projects 1 metre further than the present conservatory.

The Area Committee is recommended the grant planning permission subject to conditions.

Officer contact: Dave Westhead on 474 3520 or email: dave.westhead@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. 52367 for the demolition of an existing conservatory and its replacement with a new conservatory which projected one metre further than the present conservatory at 24 Henbury Drive, Woodley,

a member of the public spoke against the application,

and

the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – (Four for) That the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to undertake a site visit in view of the Area Committee’s concerns over the impact of the proposed development on the residential amenity of adjoining properties and that the proposed development may constitute overdevelopment.

Erection of a detached single-storey dwelling to the rear of the site.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission subject to conditions.

Officer contact: Jane Chase on 474 3550 or email: jane.chase@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. 52638 for the erection of a detached single-storey dwelling to the rear of the site at 52 Osborne Street, Bredbury,

the applicant’s agent spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted.

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

The report details proposals to make changes to the Council’s Application Validation Checklist (AVC) for the validation of planning applications, and a new supporting document ‘Explanatory Notes for the National and Local Information Requirements for the Validation of Planning Applications’.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on and note the proposals.

Officer contact: Chris Smyton on 0161 474 3657 or email: chris.smyton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals to make changes to the Council’s Application Validation Checklist for the validation of planning applications, and a new supporting document ‘Explanatory Notes for the National and Local Information Requirements for the Validation of Planning Applications’.

RESOLVED - That the Area Committee expresses its support for the proposed changes to the Council’s Application Validation Checklist.

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 Werneth Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Joy Morton on 0161 474 3217 or email: joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report of the Council Solicitor (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 Chief Executive of Stockport Homes.

The report provides an update on the progress of the delivery of the Stockport Homes Neighbourhood Action Plans and seeks feedback on the draft 2012/13 action plans.

Neighbourhood Action Plans are used by Stockport Homes to bring together in one holistic plan, a range of housing issues, and wider sustainability issues that impact on the quality of life for residents living in neighbourhoods, such as the quality of the local environment, anti-social Behaviour, community safety, worklessness and help to identify future investment and make managerial decisions. 

The Area Committee is recommended to note the outcomes of the earlier Neighbourhood Action Plans and comment on the draft plans for 2012/13.

Officer contact: Rebecca Cullen on 474 2944 or email: rebecca.cullen@stockporthomes.org

A representative of the Chief Executive of Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the progress of the delivery of the Stockport Homes Neighbourhood Action Plans and seeking feedback on the draft 2013/14 action plans.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The work being undertaken by Stockport Homes to ameliorate the impact of changes to the payment of housing benefit resulting from the under-occupancy of accommodation was welcomed.

·         It was suggested that Stockport Homes could work with other social landlords on estates to form joint residents’ associations to enable a more joined-up approach to the further development of housing estates.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management).

The report details proposals to compulsory purchase long term vacant property, 5 Hall Lane, Woodley, Stockport.  The property is a Grade II listed property believed to have been built in the 17^th Century and has been empty since approximately 1999.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) gives approval to the proposed compulsory purchase.

Officer contact: Samantha McNichol on 474 4242 or email: samantha.mcnichol@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals to compulsory purchase a long term vacant property at 5 Hall Lane, Woodley, Stockport.  The property was a Grade II listed property, believed to have been built in the 17th Century, and had been empty since approximately 1999.

RESOLVED - That the Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) be recommended to give approval to the proposed compulsory purchase of the property at 5 Hall Lane, Woodley, Stockport.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management).

The report details proposals for a package of road safety improvements near Romiley Primary School.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to that part of the proposals detailed in Part A of the report and recommend that the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) gives approval to those proposals in Part B of the report.

Officer contact: Max Townsend on 474 4861 or email: max.townsend@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Place Management) (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals for a package of road safety improvements near Romiley Primary School.

The cost of the proposals would be funded by the developer of new residential units adjacent to Romiley Primary School on Sandy Lane.

It was commented that notwithstanding any approval authorised or recommended by the Area Committee in respect of this scheme, it was suggested that the Service Director (Place Management) give further consideration to:-

·         Extending the operation of the proposed No Waiting At Any Time restrictions to seven days a week. 

·         Introducing 20mph speed restrictions on Sandy Lane outside Romiley Primary School.

·         Re-evaluating the restrictions following twelve months of operation.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to the following scheme:-

No Waiting at Any Time

Heyworth Avenue – Both sides from a point 15 metres East of the Easterly kerb line of Sandy Lane for a distance of 10 metres in an Easterly direction.

No Waiting Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm

Park Avenue - Both sides from a point 15 metres West of the Westerly kerb line of Sandy Lane for a distance of 20 metres in a Westerly direction.

(2) That the Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) be recommended to give approval to the following:-

Revoke No Stopping Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm on School

Markings

Sandy Lane - East side from a point 11 metres South of the projected Southerly kerb line of Park Avenue for a distance of 10 metres in a Southerly direction.

Revoke No Waiting Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm

Sandy Lane - West side from a point 22 metres South of the Southerly kerb line of Park Avenue in a Northerly direction for a distance of 37 metres.

Park Avenue - Both sides from the Westerly kerb line of Sandy lane for a distance of 13 metres in a Westerly direction.

No Waiting at Any Time

Sandy Lane - East side from a point 2.5 metres North of the projected Northerly kerb line of Park Road in a Southerly direction for a distance of 45 metres in a Southerly direction.

Heyworth Avenue - Both sides from the Easterly kerb line of Sandy Lane for a distance of 15 metres in an Easterly direction.

Park Road - Both sides from the Westerly kerb line of Sandy Lane for a distance of 15 metres in a Westerly direction.

No Waiting and No Loading at Any Time

Sandy Lane - East side from a point 11 metres South of the projected Southerly kerb line of Park Avenue for a distance of 10 metres in a Southerly direction.

No Waiting Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm

Sandy Lane - West side from a point 30 metres South of the Southerly kerb line of Park Avenue in a Northerly direction for a distance of 45 metres.

Park Avenue - Both sides from the Westerly kerb line of Sandy lane for a distance of 15 metres in a Westerly direction.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Education).

The Area Committee is requested to provide political nominations for the Authority vacancy at Bredbury Green Primary School and make the reappointments as detailed in the report to the governing bodies of Werneth School and Bredbury Green Primary School.

Officer contact: Libby Evans on 474 3847 or email: libby.evans@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Education) requesting the Area Committee to provide nominations for an Authority Governor vacancy at Bredbury Green Primary School (Conservative Group nomination) and make the reappointments as detailed in the report to the governing bodies of Werneth School and Bredbury Green Primary School.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning and Achievement) be recommended to approve the appointment of Mrs Sally Bennett to the governing body of Bredbury Green Primary School (Conservative Group).

(2) That the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning and Achievement) be recommended to approve reappointments to governing bodies as follows:-

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 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 requested to submit a report to a future meeting of the Area Committee detailing the work undertaken to date and that programmed for the future to address the Area Committee’s concerns relating to the surface adhesion problems on the footway outside the NatWest Bank in Romiley District Centre.