Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – That in the absence of the Chair and Vice Chair, Councillor Oliver Johnstone be elected Chair of the Area Committee for the duration of the meeting

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 12 December 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

The following interest was declared:-

Personal & Prejudicial Interest

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

No urgent decisions were reported.

The Chair will present certificates to local people who have been nominated by members of the public for their hard work and contributions to the community.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that awards would be presented to ‘Community Hero’ to celebrate the achievements of residents who ‘went the extra mile’ but often went unrecognised.

The following were recognised at the meeting:-

·         June Heywood had been nominated by Lilly as a community hero in the ‘Volunteering to promote independence in a community’ category;

·         Panicos Yusuf had been nominated by Mike Dagkey in the ‘port and exercise contributing to health and wellbeing in a community’ category;

·         The Platt-Chance family had been nominated by Daniel Oliver in the ‘Borough Heroes’ category; and

·         Dialstone Lane Methodist Church had been nominated by Daniel Oliver in the ‘Borough Heroes’ category.

The Chair presented an award in the form of a framed certificate signed by the Mayor to each winner along with along with a pass to attend Stockport’s museums and cultural attractions as a token of appreciation.

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

No announcements were made.

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.  You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Chair and members of the Area Committee subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

Four questions had been submitted relating to the United Utilities infrastructure adjacent to Boothby Street play area.

With the agreement of the questions, the Chair agreed to consider these questions as part of the Open Forum item later in the meeting (see Minute 5 (viii).

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.

Carolyn Turner, Public Realm Inspector, attended the meeting to answer questions from councillors and members of the public in relation to highway and environmental quality issues within the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

The following additional update was provided:-

·         The Great British Spring Clean event was planned for the weekend of 2/4 March 2017 and the Public Realm would support local litter picks. The Council website was being updated and further communications were planned about how the public could engage and support the campaign.

·         The Community Payback crew had cleared vegetation at Trawden Green to try to address problems with pests. The crew had also done work at Castle Farm Lane and the paths across the railway.

·         The Gully Cleansing team had cleared the main Offerton routes and had moved onto Hazel Grove main routes. Ad-hoc cleansing had been done as appropriate at individual sites, including Marsham Road and Hazelwood Road.

·         As part of a campaign to tackle dog fouling “We are watching you” signs had been erected at several locations, including Queens Road, Chapel Street, Grove Street, Hazelwood Road, Torkington Road, Aldwyn Crescent, Cow Lane, Berkely Road. The signs would be rotated around other sites in the coming weeks. The Greenspace team were planning to erect signs in Torkington Park.

·         A Street Cleaning inspector was doing regular patrols of the A6 through Hazel Grove and Great Moor and identifying sites requiring specific attention, in addition to standard cleaning schedules. Temporary Sunday steward capacity had been deployed to litter pick the A6 as part of the 2 days per week allocation.

·         Highways works had recently been completed on Hillcrest Road, Offerton. Ongoing footway reconstruction was ongoing at Broadway, Offerton and Beech Rd, Hazel Grove.

·         Carriageway resurfacing was planned on Torkington Road/ London Road junction.

·         Extensive patching would take place section of Penrhyn Crescent between Denbigh Close & Conway Drive

·         An assessment for structural and preventative works was in progress in the Stepping Hill ward.

·         A Community Protection Warning Letter had been served in relation to land in Hazel Grove due to fly-tipped waste on the site.

·         Noise monitoring equipment had been installed in a property in Hazel Grove to monitor an alleged noise nuisance.

·         A Formal Notice had been served on a property in Hazel Street, Hazel Grove regarding waste fly-tipped at the Commercial Road ‘Bring’ site.

·         The resurfacing of the grass verge on Dial Park Road was expected to be completed in mid-February.

The following additional issues were raised:-

·         The surface of Bean Leach Road was deteriorating at the point passed the pinch point on the way to Hazel Grove. It was also suggested that graffiti could be removed from the bridge whilst resurfacing work was being done to minimise the disruption.

·         There were a number of potholes on Shearwater Road from Turnstone Road to Bean Leach Road, as well as Sundial Road.

·         The artesian well on Marple Road had begun to leak again causing the carriageway to break up.

·         Officers were thanked for removing fly-tipping on Cow Lane, and regular monitoring was suggested.

·         Residents had expressed thanks for work to clear rubbish from Trawden Green.

·         There were a number of non-functioning street lights, as well as missing or incorrectly spelled street name signs on the new estate at Mirlees.

·         A large pothole on the Woodsmoor Lane Bridge was reported.

·         The new dog fouling signage was welcomed and Eyam Road (near the entrance to Norbury Primary) and on Beech Avenue were suggested for future deployment.

·         An evaluation of the additional Sunday cleansing in Hazel Grove was suggested.

·         There was a discussion about the painting of dog fouling. It was suggested that this was permitted but only in particular types of paint.

RESOLVED – That Carolyn Turner be thanked for her attendance and report.

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

There were no petitions to consider.

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

An application has been received from Moorfield Primary School seeking funding toward the cost of developing Forest School facilities in the school grounds.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted an application for Flexibility Funding (copies of which had been circulated) submitted from Moorfield Primary School requesting a grant to support the expansion of their Forest School Programme.

It was reported that representatives of the school were unable to attend the meeting but had submitted additional information in support of their application (copies of which had been circulated)

RESOLVED – (1) That an award of £1000 be made from the Area Flexibility Fund to Moorfield Primary School as a contribution to developing outside Forest Schools learning space.

(2) That Moorfield Primary School be informed that the Area Committee would welcome an invitation to view the completed Forest School project.

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.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.

Representatives of United Utilities have been invited to the meeting to discuss concerns about the functioning on their sewage infrastructure located adjacent to the Boothby Street play area.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Mark Weldon.

Rebecca Hughes and Tony Lowles from United Utilities had attended the meeting to respond to concerns from residents about smells and other emissions from the United Utilities sewage infrastructure that had been installed on the open space on Boothby Street, adjacent to the play area.

By way of background to the installation the Area Committee was informed that the retention tank had been installed to protect properties in the area from sewer flooding. Since the infrastructure was installed in 2015 it had successfully prevented the flooding. It was acknowledged that there had been some ongoing issues in the area and work with residents was ongoing. United Utilities was confident that the facility was operation appropriately, and that it had been built in accordance with the planning permission applied for and granted.

A number of concerns had been raised with United Utilities relating to odours from the infrastructure; the location of the various aspect of the infrastructure and ancillary equipment and the impact this was having on the usability of the open space; ongoing surfacing flooding caused by changes to the water table.

A number of questions were asked and answered, including:-

·         Did the tank hold sewage? Not as a matter of course. The tank was to provide capacity during a storm event when the sewage system was under pressure. The amount of time any sewage would be in the tank would be very limited.

·         Did the facility need to be near a play area? The area had been moved to accommodate the facility which was needed to relieve the problem.

·         After previous enquiries from Councillor Weldon about the possibility of moving the concrete and wooden posts he had been told it was to do so. Was it financially or technically unviable? These posts were needed for access and to protect the safety of staff. Moving the play area was needed to facilitate this.

·         Was there anything that could be done to disguise or remove the hardstanding from the grassed area? The hard standing was required to facilitate the equipment needed on site to access so it was unlikely anything could be done to remove it.

·         Was it feasible to treat the hardstanding with a green resin that would allow it be played on? That could be investigated.

·         Were there any further plans to address other flooding issues? There were 13 gardens that required work to rectify water table issues and for which United Utilities were taking responsibility. Agreements were being drawn up between United Utilities, residents and the Council.

·         How often was the retention tank used? It had occasionally been used, but had never been full as this would only be the case in the event the network had been overwhelmed.

·         How did the system clear or flush? It was designed to be self-cleansing but there were a series of pumps at the base of the tank to ensure its content was taken away.

·         Was it possible to surface the tank to allow it to be played on? This could be investigated, but nothing could be done that would impact on the ability to access the tank.

·         Could the ‘manhole’ cover be recessed? That could be investigated.

Four public questions had been submitted in advance on behalf of local residents.

The first question asked for a suitably qualified contact within the Council with whom residents could contact for support about flooding and associated works to address it.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager undertook to provide appropriate details.

The second question referred to the Vent Stack from the retention tank located on the boundary with Boothby Street Park and 45 Bonis Crescent and unpleasant smelling gas being emitted over the adjacent gardens as well as the Park, prevented the use of these areas. It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.(viii)

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

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

Development applications were considered.

(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 & 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 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.

Application to remove condition 5 of DC/064639. This states "No work shall take place in respect to the improvement of the site's existing car park, until a detailed drawing showing proposals to resurface Ash Street (and provide associated drainage) between Cooke Street and the site access and a long term maintenance and management regime for the resurfaced part, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall not be occupied until the street has been improved in accordance with the approved details and is available for use, and the approved maintenance and management regime shall subsequently be implemented.

The Area Committee is recommended to refuse planning permission.

In respect of plan no. 67631 for the removal of condition 5 of DC/064639 at 128-130 London Road, Hazel Grove

a member of the public spoke against the application on behalf of local residents

and

the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be refused on the grounds that the development would not be acceptable without Condition 5, namely that it would not comply with Policies SIE-1 'Quality Places', CS9 'Transport and Development' and T-3 'Safety and Capacity on the Highway Network' of the Stockport Core Strategy DPD.

(Note: Councillor Lord Goddard was not present at the commencement of this item and took no part in the deliberation, discussion or vote).

Single storey side and rear extension, patio area to rear/side and refurbishment of existing veranda.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve planning permission.

In respect of plan 67021 for a single storey side and rear extension, patio area to rear/side and refurbishment of existing veranda at 28 Davenport Park Road, Davenport

a member of the public spoke against the application on behalf of local residents, and

the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

MOVED AND SECONDED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee undertake a site visit.

In favour of the motion four, against three.

MOTION NOT CARRIED

FURTHER MOTION MOVED AND SECONDED – That planning permission be granted subject to appropriate conditions.

In favour of the motion three, against three, one abstention.

Upon there being an equality of votes, the Chair exercised his casting vote in support of the motion.

MOTION CARRIED

It was then

RESOLVED – (4 in favour, 3 against, 1 abstention) That planning permission be granted subject to appropriate conditions.

Rear and side ground floor extension and a side first floor extension.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

In respect of plan no. 67803 for the rear and side ground floor extension and a side first floor extension at 48 Bowerfield Avenue, Hazel Grove

a member of the public spoke against the application, and

the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted with appropriate conditions.

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 Stepping Hill Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Paul Cassidy on 474 5388 or email: paul.cassidy@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and the Head of Legal & Democratic Governance.

The Council has received an application to divert the footpath from the owner of the land, Man Diesel & Turbo UK Limited. The section of the existing footpath currently follows the line of a metal fence to a footbridge. The diverted line follows a more open aspect and is considered to be aesthetically a more pleasing path for the public than the existing line. The diverted line is also shorter and the diverted line will benefit from some work to provide an improved and more commodious surface.        

The Area Committee is requested to consider whether to authorise the diversion of a section of footpath 126 Stockport from a route shown as a black solid line between Points A – B – C – D – E to a route shown in broken black lines between Points A – X – Y – Z – E, as shown on the plan attached at Appendix 1.

Officer contact: Ernest Nama, 0161 474 4595, ernest.nama@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a a joint report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and the Head of Legal & Democratic Governance (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider an application from Man Diesel & Turbo UK Limited to divert a portion of footpath 126 on land it owned. The section of the existing footpath currently followed the line of a metal fence to a footbridge but the proposed diverted line would follow a more open aspect.  

RESOLVED – That the diversion of a section of footpath 126 Stockport from a route shown in Appendix 1 of the report as a black solid line between Points A – B – C – D – E to a route shown in broken black lines between Points A – X – Y – Z – E, be approved.

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

The report sets out an objection received to the proposed Permit Parking Scheme on Green Lane, Hazel Grove.

The Area Committee is recommended to make the Order as advertised.

Officer contact: Max Townsend, 0161 474 4861, max.townsend@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider an objection received to a proposal to amend existing waiting restrictions on Green Lane, Hazel Grove.

RESOLVED – That, notwithstanding the objection received, the Metropolitan Borough Council of Stockport (Green Lane, Hazel Grove) (Residents Permit Parking Places) (Prohibition and Restriction of Waiting And Limited Waiting) Order 2017 be made as advertised.

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

The report sets out an objection received to the proposed Permit Parking Scheme on Ripley Avenue, Great Moor.

The Area Committee is recommended to make the Order as advertised.

Officer contact: Max Townsend, 0161 474 4861, max.townsend@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider an objection received to a proposal to replace an existing Permit Parking Scheme with a new paid for scheme on Ripley Avenue, Great Moor.

RESOLVED – That, notwithstanding the objection received, the Metropolitan Borough Council of Stockport (Ripley Avenue, Great Moor) (Residents Permit Parking Places) and (Revocation) Order 2017 be made as advertised.

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

The report sets out a proposals to extend No Waiting at Any Time restrictions on part of Newby Road in Hazel Grove.

The Area Committee is asked to approve the legal advertising of the following Traffic Regulation Order and subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date the following order can be made:

No Waiting at Any Time:

Newby Road

North East side from a point 5 metres South East of the (projected) South Easterly kerb line of Watchgate for a distance of 25 metres in a North Westerly direction.

Officer contact: Max Townsend, 0161 474 4861, max.townsend@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider a proposal to extend No Waiting at Any Time restrictions on Newby Road Industrial Estate to provide further protection for the junction of Newby Road and Watchgate.

RESOLVED – That the following Traffic Regulation Order, to be funded at a cost of £500 from the Area Committee Delegated Budget (Stepping Hill Ward allocation) be approved for legal advertising and subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date the following order can be made:

No Waiting at Any Time:

Newby Road

North East side from a point 5 metres South East of the (projected) South Easterly kerb line of Watchgate for a distance of 25 metres in a North Westerly direction.

To report on the investigation into extending parking restrictions on Trinity Gardens.

The Area Committee is asked to decide whether to approve the following Traffic Regulation Order and subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date the following orders can be made:

Extend No Waiting at Any Time:

Trinity Gardens

North East side from a point 8 metres South East of the South Easterly kerb line of Bramhall Lane for a distance of 17 metres in a South Easterly direction.

Officer contact: Max Townsend, 0161 474 4861, max.townsend@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider a proposal to extend No Waiting at Any Time restrictions on Trinity Gardens at the junction with Bramhall Lane to improve access for motorists.

RESOLVED – That the following Traffic Regulation Order, to be funded at a cost of £550 from the Area Committee Delegated Budget (Stepping Hill Ward allocation) be approved for legal advertising and subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date the following order can be made:

Extend No Waiting at Any Time:

Trinity Gardens

North East side from a point 8 metres South East of the South Easterly kerb line of Bramhall Lane for a distance of 17 metres in a South Easterly direction.

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

The Area Committee is recommended to approve an application to hold the Woodsmoor Classic Car Show at Woodsmoor Playing Fields on Monday 27th August 2018.

Officer contact: Jacky Budd, 0161-474-3332, jacky.budd@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider an application for the use of Woodsmoor Playing Fields.

RESOLVED – That the application from the Woodsmoor Classic Car Show for the use of Woodsmoor Playing Fields on 27 August 2018 be approved, subject to the receipt by the Council of al appropriate paperwork and licenses at least one week prior to the event.

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: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@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 with decisions taken at previous meetings and the current position on the Area Committee’s delegated budgets.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide a written response to ward councillors in relation to progress with implementing the previous decision to install an uncontrolled crossing on Bean Leach Road in the vicinity of Braemar Close.

(3) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide an update on investigations on traffic calming measures on Woodsmoor Lane.