Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 13 February 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

The following interests were declared:-

Personal & Prejudicial Interests

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

Councillor Gordon reported that this would be the last meeting of the Area Committee to be attended by Councillor Stella Humphries following her retirement from the Council after the local elections held on 3 May 2012.

Members of the Area Committee paid tribute to Councillor Humphries’ thirty years of service and contribution to the work of the Council and for local residents.

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

Inspector Paul Bray (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:-

·         The Werneth area had seen an overall reduction of 6.6% in the level of reported crimes during 2011/12, which compared favourably to the 4.6% reduction seen across Stockport as a whole.

·         Vehicle crime remained an area of concern with a rise of 25% in reported crimes and additional resources were being allocated to target this.

·         Work was being undertaken in licensed premises to identify illegal drug use which had been well received by most patrons and premises licence holders.

·         A Neighbourhood Watch event had recently been held at which over 100 local neighbourhood watch members and coordinators had been present and during which details of the new ‘Ringmaster’ initiative which aimed to disseminate information relating to criminal activity to local people was provided.

·         The theft of lead roofing materials was discussed, and it was reported that work was progressing with local scrap dealers which had assisted in the achievement of a 50% reduction in such thefts.  It was noted that in many cases, lead was being replaced with alternative suitable materials following thefts.

RESOLVED – That Inspector Bray 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 the meeting and on the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/areacommittees).

No public questions were submitted.

The local Area Conditions Officer and the Highways Officer 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.

Alan Whitfield (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 and highways issues within the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Work was ongoing with regard to the removal of litter, flytipping and graffiti from land adjacent to Peak Bank, Romiley.

·         The access route to Romiley Railway Station from Chichester Road,, Romiley was subject of a project to remove flytipping and overgrown vegetation.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to dog fouling at a number of locations in Bredbury.

RESOLVED – That Alan Whitfield be thanked for his attendance.

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

No petitions were submitted.

Community Safety Unit

Representatives from the Community Safety Unit (Stockport Council) will attend the meeting to provide an update on the activities of the Unit within the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.

Community Safety Unit

RESOLVED – That consideration of this item be deferred in order to facilitate a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of an updated Community Safety Unit presentation across all area committees in June 2012.

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

(i)         Friends of Romiley Park

To consider an application for £300.00 for funding towards the cost of providing attractions, refreshments, publicity materials and a public address system at a ‘Pass the Baton’ greenspace event on 7 July 2012.

(ii)        Romiley Rise and Shine Group

To consider an application for funding towards the cost of providing activities to prevent social isolation amongst the elderly and fostering closer friendships in the community.

(iii)       Woodley Allotment Association

To consider an application for £800 for funding towards the cost of starting up the organisation and the purchase of materials.

(a)       Friends of Romiley Park

The Area Committee considered an application from Mr Alan Smith on behalf of the Friends of Romiley Park for Area Flexibility Funding towards the cost of providing attractions, refreshments, publicity materials and a public address system at a ‘Pass the Baton’ greenspace event on 7 July 2012.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make a grant of £300 to the Friends of Romiley Park towards the cost of providing attractions, refreshments, publicity materials and a public address system at a ‘Pass the Baton’ greenspace event on 7 July 2012.

(b)       Romiley Rise and Shine Group

Mr Alan Goff attended the meeting and submitted an application on behalf of Romiley Rise and Shine Group for Area Flexibility Funding towards the cost of providing activities to prevent social isolation amongst the elderly and fostering closer friendships in the community.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make a grant of £500 to the Romiley Rise and Shine Group towards the cost of providing activities to prevent social isolation amongst the elderly and fostering closer friendships in the community.

(c)        Woodley Allotment Association

Representatives of Woodley Allotment Association attended the meeting and submitted an application for Area Flexibility Funding towards the cost of starting up the organisation and the purchase of materials.

RESOLVED - That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make a grant of £800 (£500 from the Kick-Start Allocation and £300 from the General Allocation) to Woodley Allotment Association towards the cost of starting up the organisation and for the purchase of materials.

There are no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

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, 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 Management).

The report details an application from Cheshire Wildlife Trust for the use of Etherow Country Park on 10 June 2012 for a Wildlife Discovery Day.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant the application.

Officer contact: Time Devine on 474 4419 or email: tim.devine@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 an application from Cheshire Wildlife Trust for the use of Etherow Country Park for a Wildlife Discovery Day on 10 June 2012.

RESOLVED – That the application for the use of Etherow Country Park on 10 June 2012 for a Wildlife Discovery Day be granted.

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, 0161 474 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 – That the report be noted.