Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 May 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 23 May 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.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

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 events took place as part of the national ‘Big Lunch’ campaign in Woodley on 5 June 2011 and in the Cherry Tree area on 11 June 2011.  The events were a success and well attended despite the inclement weather.

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.

It was reported that following a successful participatory budgeting event in the Offerton area of the Borough, it was hoped to extend this scheme to communities within the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.  Inspector O’Brien advised the Area Committee that as part of this initiative nominations were being sought for councillors to act as ‘community champions’ for the development of a ‘You Say, We Pay’ scheme within the area.

RESOLVED – (1) That Inspector O’Brien be thanked for his attendance.

(2) That Councillor Kirkham and Lees be nominated to act as ‘community champions’ for the development of a ‘You Say, We Pay’ scheme within the area.

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 on any matters within the powers or duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

One public questions was submitted in relation to the ongoing works to Romiley Railway Bridge.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to respond to the questioner in writing within seven days.

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) Stephen Lawson and Daniel Meadowcroft (Highways Officers) 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.

Councillors expressed their concern at the poor condition of the road surfacing on Broad Heys, Romiley which the Area Committee had previously identified as being in need of repair.

RESOLVED – (1) That Stephen Lawson and Daniel Meadowcroft be thanked for their attendance.

(2) That the Service Director (Environment) be requested to undertake a site visit to Broad Heys, Romiley to evaluate the condition in view of the Area Committee’s concerns over the recent and rapid deterioration of the condition of the road.

(3) That the Service Director (Environment) be recommended to include Broad Heys, Romiley within the Highway Maintenance Programme for the 2011/12 financial year.

(b) 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.

RESOLVED – That Kay Williams be thanked for her attendance.

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

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that no petitions had been submitted.

Councillor Lloyd requested an update in respect of the petition submitted at the 21 March 2011 meeting of the Area Committee in relation to the provision of one hour free parking at the Romiley Forum car park.

The representative of the Democratic Services Manager confirmed that the petition had fed into a wider review of parking provision in all district centres and was being considered in the context of this review.  The outcome of this review would be reported to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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.

Birch Avenue Allotments Association

Birch Avenue Allotments Association

A representative of Birch Avenue Allotments Association attended the meeting and answered Councillors’ questions in relation to an application for Area Flexibility Funding towards the cost of the provision of new equipment for the maintenance of the allotments at Birch Avenue.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make a grant of £495 towards the cost of the provision of new equipment for the maintenance of the allotments at Birch Avenue.

There are currently no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal & Democracy)

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 & 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 Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd

The report provides an update on progress in the delivery of Stockport Homes Neighbourhood Action Plans.

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

Officer contact: Maria Lindars, 0161 474 2965 email: maria.lindars@stockport.homes.org

A representative of the Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress in the delivery of Stockport Homes’ Neighbourhood Action Plans.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was encouraging to see Woodley Precinct being used for regular housing surgeries.

·         Further information on the use of the Riversdale View play area was requested.

·         It was commented that the upper part of the Woodley Precinct comprising the maisonettes would benefit from some further maintenance.

·         There were problems with parking on Gotherage Lane which had in the past been attempted to be addressed through the provision of additional parking spaces, which had been refused planning permission.  The Area Committee requested that further consideration be given to pursuing this option again.

·         Community groups would find the provision of banners to assist in the advertisement of local events useful in generating public interest and support in working together to improve the local area.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report details proposals for the use of new commuted sums for play provision in the Werneth Area and locations of the play areas where these sums are to be spent.

The Area Committee is recommended to determine and give approval to the allocation of commuted sums, as detailed in the report and appendix, as follows:-

(1)       The use of £334.62 at Bredbury Recreation ground play area, towards the development of a natural play area to link the toddler and junior play area

(2)       The allocation of the sums at 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 as detailed in the report.

Officer contact: Vanessa Brook on 474 4446, email: vanessa.brook@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Communities) (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals for the use of new commuted sums for play provision in the Werneth area and locations of the play areas where these sums are to be spent.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the following allocations of commuted sums for the Werneth area:-

·         £334.62 at Bredbury Recreation Ground play area towards the development of a natural play area to link the toddler and junior play area.

·         £416.47 at Overdale Recreation Ground to complement the Playbuilder junior play area.

·         £836.55 at Smithy Green, Woodley for the improvement of the play area.

·         £2007.72 at Overdale Recreation Ground subject to confirmation that this allocation met the necessary criteria for the use of the commuted sum.

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

The report details the findings of a consultation exercise with residents adjacent to the junction of Hyde Road, Springbank Road and Poleacre Lane, Woodley and to seek approval for the introduction of Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Executive Councillor (Transportation) gives approval to the following:-

No Waiting at Any Time

Hyde Road, Woodley, south east side from the north westerly kerb line of Springbank Road for a distance of 10 meters in a north westerly direction.

Springbank Road, Woodley, south west side, from the south easterly kerb line of Hyde Road for a distance of 14 meters in a south easterly direction.

Poleacre Lane, Woodley, north west side from the north westerly kerb line of Hyde Road for a distance of 10 meters in a north easterly direction.

SLOW Markings

2 SLOW carriage way markings to be laid on Hyde Road, Woodley.

Proposed Bollards

2 Morpeth Bollards to be erected on footway at dropped crossing point on Hyde Road/Springbank Road junction.

School Warning Sign

1 SCHOOL sign to be erected under existing School Warning Sign.

Officer contact: Andrew Varey on 474 4809, email: andrew.varey@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Environment) (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the findings of a consultation exercise with residents adjacent to the junction of Hyde Road, Springbank Road and Poleacre Lane, Woodley and to seek approval for the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Transportation) be recommended to give approval to the following:-

No Waiting at Any Time

Hyde Road, Woodley, south east side from the north westerly kerb line of Springbank Road for a distance of 10 meters in a north westerly direction.

SpringbankRoad, Woodley, south west side, from the south easterly kerb line of Hyde Road for a distance of 14 meters in a south easterly direction.

PoleacreLane, Woodley, north west side from the north westerly kerb line of Hyde Road for a distance of 10 meters in a north easterly direction.

SLOW Markings

2 SLOW carriage way markings to be laid on Hyde Road, Woodley.

Proposed Bollards

2 Morpeth Bollards to be erected on footway at dropped crossing point on Hyde Road/Springbank Road junction

School Warning Sign

 1 SCHOOL sign to be erected under existing School Warning Sign.

There are currently no vacancies to consider.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that since the publication of the agenda, a governing body vacancy had arisen at St Mark’s CE Primary School as follows:-

RESOLVED – That the position 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, 0161 474 3207, 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.

It was commented that in respect of the introduction of 20mph speed restrictions on Sandy Lane, Romiley, the £2,000 cost of this scheme should be met from the central budget rather than the Area Committee’s Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management Delegated Budget.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the venue for future meetings of the Area Committee.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that Romiley Primary School would be unavailable for the next two meetings of the Area Committee and requested the Area Committee to give consideration to alternative venues in the area.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make arrangements for the meetings of the Area Committee on 25 July and 22 August 2011 to take place at Woodley Civic Hall.