Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 August 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 17 August 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interest

Personal & Prejudicial Interests

To report that on 7 September 2020 the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chair of the Area Committee, took urgent action under the Constitution to allocate £15,000 from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (£7,500 from each of the Bredbury & Woodley and Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocations) towards the cost of funding the provision of an alternative rail service on the Rose Hill (Marple) to Guide Bridge railway line for a temporary one week period.

The officer decision and a copy of the urgent action notice were published on the Council’s website on 8 September 2020 and are available to view here http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4629

It was reported that on 7 September 2020 the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chair of the Area Committee, took urgent action under the Constitution to allocate £15,000 from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (£7,500 from each of the Bredbury & Woodley and Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocations) towards the cost of funding the provision of an alternative rail service on the Rose Hill (Marple) to Guide Bridge railway line for a temporary one week period.

RESOLVED – That the urgent decision be noted.

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

The Chair reported and thanked everyone in the Community to petition and save Rose Hill Station.

The Chair also reported on the Romiley Active Neighbourhoods Consultation which had begun seeking local residents views on making Romiley a safer place to walk, cycle and live. The consultation would conclude on the 23^rd October 2020 and local residents could access the consultation by using the following website  www.romiley.commonplace.is or by calling 0161 217 6043 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).

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 questions was submitted as follows: -

·         Relating to the flooding on Cherry Tree during the flood event of late July / early August 2019 and why had it been left out of the draft flooding report by Mott McDonald when the Friends of Tangshutt passed on details of the flooding issues on Cherry Tree to Mott McDonald and United Utilities at the Council’s organised drop in session.

In response, it was stated that the draft report was to ensure that local residents and the committee could comment on the report while it was in draft format and an assurance was given that the details raised in the question would be included in the final version of the report.

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.

Councillor Smart enquired about previous meetings when either a written report was submitted or an officer was in attendance and it was disappointing that neither had been done for this meeting as either was welcomed and appreciated by the Committee.

A request was made for the waste bins to be checked in the public spaces in the Bredbury and Romiley Ward for the replacement of street furniture.

A request was made for the Public Realm Team to visit:

·         Otterspool Road and to check the overgrown grass on the footpaths and cycle paths and the littering on the streets from the takeaway shops.

·         The footpaths in Romiley Ward in the vicinity of Stockport Road and Urwick Road and Urwick Road to Chadkirk Road for overgrown nettle.

RESOLVED – (1) That a written report relating to the Public Realm be submitted to future meetings.

(2) The following issues raised be forwarded to the Public Realm team for action accordingly: -

·         Waste bins to be checked in both wards of the Area Committee for potential replacement of street furniture that was no longer deemed usable.

·         Otterspool Road and to check the overgrown grass on the footpaths and cycle paths and the littering on the streets from the takeaway shops.

·         The footpaths in Romiley Ward in the vicinity of Stockport Road and Urwick Road and Urwick Road to Chadkirk Road for overgrown nettle.

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 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 for Ward Flexibility Funding received on behalf of Woodley and Romiley Towpath Team for a grant of £770 towards the cost of erecting signage.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted an application received on behalf of Woodley and Romiley Towpath Team towards the cost of erecting signage.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from the Woodley and Romiley Towpath Team for a grant of £770 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of erecting signage.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee.

A request was made for an update on the Tree Replacement Notice to be submitted to the next meeting.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That an update on the Tree Replacement Notice be submitted to the next meeting.

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

On the last week of July and first week of August 2019, extreme rainfall events hit parts of north-west England and the south Pennines, with flooding observed across Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The main event day was 31st July 2019.

This report presents the various aspects of the flood events in July and specifically incorporates the draft Independent Section 19 Investigation Report in accordance with the Flood & Water Management Act (FWMA) 2010 on the investigation into the flooding events undertaken independently by Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers.

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

fficer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk or Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the various aspects of the flood events that occurred on the last week of July and first week of August 2019 and specifically incorporated the draft Independent Section 19 Investigation Report in accordance with the Flood & Water Management Act (FWMA) 2010 on the investigation into the flooding events that had been undertaken independently by Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was suggested that once the Appendices were completed that it should be submitted to the Area Committee for consideration.

·         It was noted that work was already underway in Layfield Avenue to alter the ‘curb’, but it was suggested that the local residents be engaged and informed of the process involved to avoid any complaints relating to the work being undertaken.

·         Members welcomed the report and the references to the blocked gullies in Romiley as a reasons for some of the flooding as it would mean that there would now be scheduled cleaning to avoid any future flooding.

·         It was noted that there was a reference on page 72 of the report to the ‘cistern draining’ into the Etherow. It was suggested that this be amended to correctly read “cisterns draining into the Goyt”.

·         It was suggested that there was no mention of the University Estate in the report despite the problems with flooding in the area. In response, it was noted that there were different problems associated with the site and the issues raised were already being discussed with the estate and that if there are no references in the Appendices to the site, then this would be noted.

·         There also needed to be included in the report the issues with Werneth Low due to the increased rainfall and the flooding on Werneth Road.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Appendices once completed would be submitted to the Area Committee for consideration.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report requests the Area Committee to nominate Councillors to lay wreaths at Remembrance Day Services at Bredbury War Memorial and Romiley War Memorial on 8 November 2020.

The Area Committee is requested to nominate Councillors.

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

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to appoint Councillors to lay wreaths at Remembrance Day Services at Bredbury and Romiley War Memorials on Sunday, 8 November 2020.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the appointment of the following Councillors to lay wreaths on Sunday, 8 November 2020:-

Bredbury War Memorial      - Councillor Chris Gordon

Romiley War Memorial        - Councillor Angie Clark

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

NOTE: This item has been placed on the agenda following a recommendation of the Communities & Housing Scrutiny Committee.

The Council placed a moratorium on the introduction of any new resident parking schemes in 2019 to enable a full review of the existing approach to be taken. This review was required as elements of the existing policy were not working effectively and were not meeting the needs of residents. There were also concerns relating to the impact of schemes on local services and the town and district centres. In order to ensure a coordinated approach, it was agreed that all policies and procedures relating to residents parking, including the Town Centre, would be reviewed.

In light of the above, the purpose of this paper is:

·         To seek comments on the proposed revised principles to guide future parking policy decisions

·         To seek feedback on the proposed changes to resident parking policy and town centre parking policy to reflect the revised principles.

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

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposed revised principles to guide future parking policy decisions and seeking feedback on the proposed changes to resident parking policy and town centre parking policy to reflect the revised principles.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         It was suggested that the proposal to provide councillors with a free permit covering all residents parking zones in their wards and cabinet members to park across the borough should be removed from the proposed scheme.

·         Members welcomed the flexible approach adopted in the report by balancing the needs of the various road users and officers being able to apply their discretion, rather than a one size fits all across the borough.

·         Clarification was sought regarding the list of medical, paramedics and carers permits and the costs of the permit. In response, it was noted that carers rely on the ‘visitors permit’ with limited timeframes and it was being looked at in terms of the options and what works well and best managed.

·         Concern was expressed regarding the increase in charges and the potential discrimination that could be shown against low income families who could not afford off road parking and may need a vehicle for work e.g. delivery and taxi drivers.

·         It was commented that the moratorium on the residents parking schemes would be welcomed once the policy is in place.

·         It was suggested that disabled bays was not addressed in the report and some consideration should be given to residents parking bays and blue badge users and the monitoring of the enforcement in those areas. In response, it was noted that the issue raised regarding the disabled bay was also being considered, but due to the legislation there was very little that could be done.

·         It was noted that the increase in charges should not be doubled in one go, it should be phased in over two or three years. In response, it was noted that the Cabinet Member responsible was still considering the increase in charges and the concerns that had been raised and the outcome would be reported to the Committee at a future meeting.

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 Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) 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.

A request was made for a report relating to Mill Lane and Rodney Drive being submitted to the next meeting.

A request was made for official Council notices to be displayed in the wards to advertise the funding options that were available from the Council for those experiencing difficulties and for businesses re-opening.

RESOLVED –  (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a report relating to Mill Lane and Rodney Drive be submitted to the next meeting.

(3) That a request be made for official Council notices to be provided to the ward councillors to advertise the various funding options to local residents and businesses to assist their re-opening and for local residents experiencing difficulties during the pandemic.