Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 24 September 2019 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.

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

The following interests was declared:-

Personal Interest

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

Councillors reminded the public of Remembrance Services taking place across the area on Sunday, 10 November 2019.

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

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive reported that two questions had been submitted by a member of the public who wished to receive written responses to his questions.

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 areas represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

The following issues were raised:-

·         Carriageway preventative works were taking place on Macclesfield Road, with further works planned for Hillcrest Road and on Bean Leach Road.

·         Footway resurfacing work was due to take place on The Crescent and was due to last 16 weeks. Ensuring the protection of highway trees was highlighted.

·         Cleansing routines were now addressing leaves. Due to the different routines these could take longer than the usual 14 days. A first round of cleansing had taken place in this area.

·         Bulb planting was planned for the A555, including at the Woodford and the Hazel Grove access points, and the new section of Buxton Road.

·         Operation Treacle, the seasonal campaign with GMP, GM Fire Service and the Council’s Public Protection Service, had been a success with significant reductions in problems reported in this area.

·         Two notices had been served on a business on Dean Lane due to waste accumulation.

·         A warning had been issued to the resident on Bakewell Road for waste related issues.

The following additional issues were raised:-

·         Concern was expressed that leaves were being swept but left piled rather than removed from Mellor Court and this was causing concern for elderly residents. In response it was commented that some sections of the Court were un-adopted.

·         There had been reports of falling branches from trees behind the Britannia Hotel, Dialstone Lane onto properties and the highway on Knypersley Avenue.

·         A tree on Bean Leach Avenue near to Brookside Farm was falling over causing a potential hazard.

·         There were loose paving slaps on footways in Great Moor local centre that needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

·         A request was made to lower the 20mph roundel signs at the entrances to The Crescent to make them more visible to motorists.

·         A further letter was requested to be sent to properties on Dean Lane to remind residents and occupiers not to park on the grass verge.

RESOLVED – That Carolyn Turner be thanked for her attendance.

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

No petitions were submitted.

Hazel Grove Carnival Association have given notice that they wish to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements to highlight the success of recent events.

Mr Richard King, of the Hazel Grove Carnival Association, attended the meeting on behalf of the Carnival Committee to express their gratitude to the Council and the Totally Local Company for their support with making the Carnival a success. Mr King stated that the Carnival Committee was currently preparing for the 2020 event.

Councillors expressed their thanks to the Carnival Committee, all the volunteers and to Mr King in particular, for their contribution to the Hazel Grove Community, and beyond, with organising the Carnival.

It was reported that efforts were underway to re-establish the Stockport Carnival and the expertise of the Hazel Grove Carnival Association would be welcomed.

RESOLVED – That Mr Richard King be thanked for his attendance.

(Note: the Chair was of the opinion that this item, although not included on the agenda, should be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) in order that the Area Committee could consider the issues raised)

Mr Chris Batchelor, representing the Stepping Hill Neighbourhood Action Group (SNAG) attended the meeting to advise the Area Committee of the group’s concerns about a forthcoming Council consultation on proposals to address residents’ concerns about long-stay on-street parking on residential roads by staff associated with Stepping Hill Hospital. Mr Batchelor stated that following meetings between SNAG, the Council and the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, the Council was preparing to consult the public on a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) that would include short-term paid for on street parking. The scheme proposals, while not published, were understood by SNAG to be similar to a CPZ developed for the Cale Green area. SNAG had concerns about such a scheme because they believed the two areas differed in important ways and the situation caused by the hospital was not comparable with the situation in Cale Green.

Furthermore, SNAG was concerned that the imposition of a chargeable permit scheme and paid for on street parking would unfairly financially penalise residents and place restrictions on their activities by imposing charges on visitors rather than address the need for additional parking capacity on the hospital site or provide improved public transport alternatives. Concerns were also raised about the frequency of enforcement of any parking restrictions.

In response, some councillors expressed misgivings about the potential CPZ and paid-for on street parking, and agreed that it would be worthwhile considering the SNAG suggestion of limited-waiting restrictions on affected roads to reduce the amount of long-term parking while protecting short term visitors to residential properties or the hospital.

The Chair cautioned that no proposals had yet been published and the detail of the consultation was not yet known by councillors, including the frequency of any enforcement regime, but clarified that the charging attached to any scheme was necessary for the Council to cover the cost of its implementation and enforcement and was not to generate revenue as this was prohibited in law. The Chair also suggested that consultation was likely to be further delayed by the impending general election ‘purdah’ restrictions.

RESOLVED – (1) That Chris Batchelor and the Stockport Neighbourhood Action Group be thanked for their attendance.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide councillors with:-

·         a timescale for the proposed consultation on the Stepping Hill Hospital area Controlled Parking Zone;

·         details of the costings of any scheme, including possible contributions from the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, and ongoing revenue requirements to provide enforcement.

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

There were no applications to consider.

There are 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 Stepping Hill Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates, 0161 474 3219, vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) summarising recent appeal decisions, current planning appeals and enforcement action within the Stepping Hill Area Committee area.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Deputy Chief Executive be requested to provide councillors with further details in respect of the enforcement action relating to 36 The Crescent.

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

The report sets out the outcome of a consultation exercise for proposals as part of the Road Safety Around Schools initiative for Fairway Primary School. The report also seeks approval for the introduction of speed cushions, Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), associated signage and widened footways with dropped pedestrian crossing points.

The Area Committee is asked to consider and approve the proposals for the Road Safety around Schools – The Fairway Primary School scheme as shown on drawing no. D/0305/2400/001-02 and the additional proposals as shown in Drawing No. D/0305-32/2400/001-01 to be implemented as funding allows and 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 orders set out in the report being made.

Officer contact: Pam Hibbert, 0161 474 4840, pam.hibbert@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider the outcome of a further public consultation on proposals for additional road calming measures on The Fairway, Offerton.

Councillors expressed disappointment that the proposals had taken a considerable length of time to come forward and that there was now insufficient funding to implement them in full, but expressed the hope that the works would be programmed as soon as possible.

RESOLVED – (1) That in relation to the Road Safety around Schools – The Fairway Primary School scheme

a)            the outcome of the consultation exercise be noted;

b)            the scheme measures as shown on drawing no. D/0305/2400/001-02 and the additional proposals as shown in Drawing No. D/0305-32/2400/001-01 be approved forimplementation as funding allows;

c)            approval be given to the legal advertising of the following Traffic Regulation Order and subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date the Orders being made:

Revocation Of ‘No Waiting, Monday – Friday, 8.15 – 9am, 3.00 – 3.45pm School Term Time Only’

The Fairway, Offerton – North west side

From a point 14.5 metres north-east of the projected north-easterly kerbline of Dovedale Road at its northern junction for a distance of 42.5 metres in a north-easterly direction.

The Fairway, Offerton – South east side

From a point 13 metres north-east of the projected north-easterly kerbline of Radford Close for a distance of 134 metres in a north-easterly direction.

Proposed ‘No Waiting, Monday – Friday, 8.15 – 9am, 3.00 – 3.45pm’

The Fairway, Offerton – North west side

From a point 14.5 metres north-east of the projected north-easterly kerbline of Dovedale Road at its northern junction for a distance of 59.5 metres in a north-easterly direction.

The Fairway, Offerton – South east side

From a point 13 metres north-east of the projected north-easterly kerbline of Radford Close for a distance of 143.5 metres in a north-easterly direction.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide ward councillors with details of the timescales for implementation of the scheme.

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

The reports sets out proposals for the construction of a walkway over a grass verge on Broadway in Offerton to improve accessibility for residents. The scheme is projected to cost £970 to be funded from the Area Committee’s delegated budget.

The Area Committee is invited to consider the proposals set out in the report and the attached plan.

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

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) seeking the consent of the Area Committee for the construction of a walkway over a grass verge on Broadway in Offerton and the replacement of a street nameplate on Knypersely Avenue.

RESOLVED – That approval be given for the construction of a walkway over a grass verge on Broadway in Offerton and the replacement street nameplate on Knypersely Avenue at a cost of £960 to be funded from the Area Committee Delegated Budget (Offerton Ward).

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

The reports set out a proposal to upgrade the decorative lanterns on Nelson Street, Hazel Grove at a cost of £2,263.41 to be funded from the Area Committee delegated budget.

The Area Committee is invited to consider funding the upgrade scheme.

Officer contact: Andy Jopling, 0161 474 2414, andy.jopling@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) seeking the consent of the Area Committee to install decorative lighting columns on Nelson Street, Hazel Grove to be in keeping with the conservation area status.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to upgrade three Street lighting columns along the front of Nelson Street using a decorative LED lantern at a cost of £2,263.41 to be funded from the Area Committee Delegated Budget (Hazel Grove Ward allocation).

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

The report sets out proposals to extend No Waiting at Any Time restrictions on Wensley Drive in Hazel Grove in order to reduce conflict between traffic turning in / out of Chester Road at the same time. The proposal would cost £760 from the Ward Delegated Budget.

The Area Committee is asked to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport 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:

Extend No Waiting at Any Time:

Wensley Drive

Both sides from a point 10 metres from the Easterly kerb line of Chester Road for a distance of 5 metres in an Easterly direction.

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

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a proposal to extend existing restrictions on Wensley Drive to reduce conflict with traffic on Chester Road.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport be recommended 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 being made:

Extend No Waiting at Any Time

Wensley Drive

Both sides from a point 10 metres from the Easterly kerb line of Chester Road for a distance of 5 metres in an Easterly direction.

(2) That the £760 cost of the scheme be funded from the Area Committee Delegated Budget (Hazel Grove Ward allocation).

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The Area Committee is invited to nominate a councillor to lay a wreath on behalf of the Council at Hazel Grove War Memorial on Sunday, 10 November 2019.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to appoint a councillor to lay a wreath at the Hazel Grove War Memorial on 10 November 2019.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Charles Gibson be appointed to lay a wreath on behalf of the Council at the Hazel Grove War Memorial on 10 November 2019.

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 Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on progress with decisions taken at previous meeting and the current positions on the Area Committee’s delegated budget.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide an update on the construction of additional laybys on Lisburne Lane.

Councillor Dawson advised the Area Committee that this would be the last meeting supported by Jonathan Vali of Democratic Services before he left the employment of the Council to take up a post with Stockport Homes.

Councillors thanked Mr Vali for his services to the Council and this Area Committee over a number of year and wished him well for the future.