Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 December 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 19 December 2011 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 this meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal and Prejudicial Interests

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

Councillor Gordon reported that the Adswood Household Waste Recycling Centre now accepted donations of unwanted furniture for re-use.  The donated furniture would be collected by The Furniture Station which would then be reused by individuals and families in need within Stockport.

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

Sergeant Jim Lockett (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 were ongoing problems with parking on Osborne Street, Bredbury which was being addressed through work with Arden Primary School which had included leaflets being sent to all parents.  Additional traffic enforcement was also taking place at this location to reinforce the message that inconsiderate and illegal parking would be tackled at this location.

·         It was noted that the biggest area of concern in the Werneth area involved car crime, and in particular with vehicles which had been left unlocked.

·         Concern had been expressed by local residents in relation to suspicious activity on the passageway between Peak Bank, Romiley and Old Bank Close, Bredbury.

RESOLVED – That Sergeant Lockett 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:-

·         An increase in the amount of fly-posting taking place within the Werneth area had been observed in recent months, and the public were requested to report to the Council any posters which were attached to public property, such as lampposts and railings in order that they could be promptly removed.

·         Flooding had been reported on driveways of properties at the bottom of George Lane where it met Stockport Road as a result of gullies which were not draining surface water efficiently.  It was requested that the gullies at this location be investigated to ensure that they were free-flowing and unobstructed.

·         A number of gullies on Compstall Road from Romiley District Centre to Links Road, Romiley were blocked.

·         It was noted that when patch repairs to reported pot holes were taking place, no consideration was being given to repairing those pot holes in the immediate vicinity but which had not been specifically reported.  It was requested that when crews undertake such repairs in the future, instructions be given that where repairable carriageway defects were observed nearby, those should also be undertaken at the same time.

·         At the meeting of the Area Committee on 24 October 2011, members had commented on the poor condition of the carriageways of Beech Lane, St Chad’s Avenue and Oakwood Road, Romiley and it was stated that this had to date still not been rectified. 

·         A storm drain at the junction of Broad Hey and Barlow Fold Road, Romiley was overflowing during periods of heavy rain.

·         The Council now offered a ‘Looking Local’ mobile application for many internet enabled mobile telephones which allowed residents to report dumped rubbish, graffiti, street lighting faults, street furniture damage, abandoned vehicles and anti-social behaviour ‘on the go’.

·         The recycling bins in Woodley were overflowing and required emptying on a more regular basis.

RESOLVED – That Alan Whitfield be thanked for his attendance.

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

No petitions were submitted.

FLAG – For Local Advice and Guidance

A representative of ‘FLAG – For Local Advice and Guidance’ will attend the meeting and make a presentation on the work of the organisation in providing free, impartial information and advice in relation to adult health and social care services in Stockport, and in particular, in the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.

FLAG – For Local Advice and Guidance

Wayne Morrison (FLAG) attended the meeting and made a presentation on the work of the organisation in providing free, impartial information and advice in relation to adult health and social care services in Stockport, and in particular, in the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.

The following issues were raised/ comments made:-

·         FLAG was an organisation wholly funded by Stockport Council to provide advice and support services.

·         It was not currently possible for FLAG to offer support in residents’ homes, although it was often possible to redirect service users to alternative providers who could offer this facility.

·         The service did not recommend any particular independent providers, but would signpost service users to a range of alternative services that they may wish to consider.

·         Feedback from service users had been overwhelmingly positive.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and Wayne Morrison be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

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:-

A development application was 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 of Place 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 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.

Alterations and extensions to the existing vacant Yew Tree Public House, into an educational and childcare centre for 90 children including the redesign of the existing car park area.

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

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

In respect of plan no. 46174 for alterations and extensions to the existing vacant Yew Tree Public House, into an educational and childcare centre for 90 children including the redesign of the existing car park area at the Yew Tree Hotel, Osborne Street, Bredbury,

Councillor Gordon spoke against the application; and

the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted subject to conditions.

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 Service Director (Place Development) 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).

This report details the ongoing preparations for the Council’s revised Sustainable Design & Construction Supplementary Planning Document and Employment & Skills Training Supplementary Planning Document.  The deadline for public consultation on the two documents is 20 February 2012.

The Area Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Angie Jukes on Tel: 474 4385 or email: angie.jukes@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 the ongoing preparations for the Council’s revised Sustainable Design & Construction Supplementary Planning Document and Employment & Skills Training Supplementary Planning Document.  

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There are currently no vacancies to consider.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that since the publication of the agenda, a request to reappoint Mr D Fitton as a governor at Werneth School had been received.

RESOLVED - That the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) be recommended to make the following reappointment:-

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.

Councillor Gordon commented that the discussions in relation to the making up of Dark Lane, Bredbury referred only to that park of Dark Lane that extended from Osborne Street to the gates of Bredbury Hall Hotel and did not include that part which had been designated a bridleway.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.