Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 June 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 6 June 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interest

Personal & Prejudicial Interest

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

One questions was asked.

The question asked for detail about any proposals, or expressions of interest, the Area Committee were aware of concerning the possible sale for development of Torkington Lodge in Torkington Park.

In response representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that the Council was considering possible options for the future use of the site. He further clarified that any future use of the listed building would require full planning permission.

Councillor Julian Lewis-Booth further answered that the Stockport Housing Commission had considered the site as part of a report on possible housing sites and it had been identified as a possible affordable housing/ share ownership site.

A further question was submitted by a member of the public who was not present at the meeting. It was confirmed that, in accordance with the Code of Practice a written response would be provided.

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.

Chris Pollitt, Senior 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 update was provided:-

·         Extensive drainage investigation and survey work continued to be carried out along London Road, Hazel Grove. This work included de-silting works on the surface water main, condition assessments, a planned trial dig at the junction of Lever Street and the possible installation of an access chamber. It was anticipated that during these works there would be a nearside northbound lane closure in place between the junctions of Hatherlow Lane and Hope Street between Saturday 22 July to Sunday 23 July. A temporary closure of Lever Street at the junction of London Road would also be needed whilst these works took place, with appropriate diversions.

·         A condition survey of London road, Hazel Grove and the adjacent side streets had been undertaken to address issues relating to the Public Realm. Various issues were noted during the inspection and have been referred to the relevant service areas for attention.

·         There had been a number of inspections on Turnstone Road, Offerton to monitor litter levels and any fly tipping. Although no issues were noted on these inspections the situation would be monitored as part of routine cleansing rounds.

·         Repair works had been completed on Mile End Lane at the junction of Buxton Road, Great Moor following a carriageway collapse caused by a culvert.

·         The carriageway collapse on Marple Road at the junction with Lisburne Lane, Offerton (right hand turn lane) had been repaired.

·         A trial dig was due to take place on Sandhurst Road, Mile End to address a small void.

·         There was on-going gas alliance works on Lake Street, Great Moor at the junction of Buxton Road. A section of damaged culvert needed to be repaired before the gas works could be completed.

·         Highway drainage repairs and improvement works were due to take place on Bramhall Moor Lane, Hazel Grove, between the junctions of Newby Road and Stepping Hill Hospital between 7 July and 16 July and which would require the use of temporary traffic signals at various times during this period.

·         The carriageway had been resurfaced on Chester Road from the A6 to Grundy Street.

·         Footway patching has been undertaken in preparation for slurry seal treatment, and the top end turning circle carriageway has also been resurfaced on Berkeley Road, Hazel Grove.

·         Footway patching had taken place in preparation for slurry seal treatment on Butley Street, Hazel Grove.

·         Footway resurfacing works were on-going on Buxton Road, Great Moor from Southwood Road to Woodsmoor Lane.

·         Since the last Area Committee there had been 18 reports of abandoned vehicles, one of which had been passed to the DVLA for removal; 31 reports of fly-tipping; EPA 1990 Section 80 Abatement Notices served on a commercial premises and a domestic premise in Hazel Grove in relation to an accumulation of waste, and an EPA 1990 Section 80 Abatement Notice served on a domestic property in Hazel Grove in relation to smoke nuisance as a result of the burning of waste in the early hours of the morning.

Councillors thanked Public Realm Officers for their hard work to address a series of issues.

The following additional issues were raised:-

·         There were malfunctioning street lights on Lyme Road and Sheply Avenue, Hazel Grove

·         There was a pothole on Braemar Road near the junction with Hazelwood Road.

·         The surface of Garthland Road at the cul-de-sac end was very broken and needed addressing.

·         Cobbles had become exposed on Station Street near junction with Chester Road.

·         A new street sign was needed on Taunton Close.

·         Overgrown hedges needed cutting back along the passage between Tauton Close and Torkington Road.

·         The weight restriction signage on Windsor Road was facing the wrong direction.

·         There remained waste left by travellers at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.(iii)

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

No petitions were submitted.

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.

The Chair reported that no organisation 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.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager confirmed that there were no outstanding applications to consider.

It was further reported that Dial Park Primary School had recently completed their Restorative Garden Project, for which they received a grant from the Area Committee in December 2016, the formal opening of which a number of councillors had attended.

Councillor Meikle reported that Help for Hatters, who received a grant from the Area Committee in January 2017 had recently opened the Stockport County Museum and it had received its first visitors.

In relation to previous discussions about the creation of a fund and governance arrangement for considering applications for funding for borough-wide events or projects, a representative of the Democratic Services Manager confirmed that the Leader of the Council had now formally approved that process and that £300 per ward had been reallocated to this central fund. Chairs of area committees would be invited to make recommendations on the funds use to the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance.

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 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 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.

The part demolition of the existing Early Years Facility, the refurbishment of its remaining part and the erection of a new building, and the re-arrangement of the car parking layout. The proposal comprises 6 new classrooms, a nursery, 2 teaching areas, a hall with changing rooms and an outside play area.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

In respect of plan no. 63824 for the part demolition of the existing Early Years Facility, the refurbishment of its remaining part and the erection of a new building, and the re-arrangement of the car parking layout. The proposal comprises 6 new classrooms, a nursery, 2 teaching areas, a hall with changing rooms and an outside play area at Stockport Grammar School, Buxton Road, Great Moor

the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions.

27 affordable houses, associated roads and infrastructure.

The Area Committee is recommended to invite the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee to grant planning permission subject to conditions and the completion of a legal agreement to secure the heads of terms as detailed in the report.

In respect of plan no. 63988 for the erection of 27 affordable houses, associated roads and infrastructure on land at Blackstone Road, Offerton

the applicant’s agent spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions and the completion of a legal agreement to secure the heads of terms as detailed in the report.

Formation and retention of a temporary topsoil mound for a limited period (maximum period 18 months) and then removal and re-instatement of area back to original condition in conjunction with development under planning application ref: DC/063988 (Re-submission).

The Area Committee is recommended to invite the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee to grant planning permission subject to appropriate conditions.

In respect of plan no. 65155 for the formation and retention of a temporary topsoil mound for a limited period (maximum period 18 months) and then removal and re-instatement of area back to original condition in conjunction with development under planning application ref: DC/063988 (Re-submission) on land at Blackstone Field, Offerton, it was

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions.

Full planning application for the change of use of the former Dial Park School site from education use (Use Class D1) to public open space (Use Class D2) together with associated operational development.

The Area Committee is recommended to invite the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee to grant planning permission subject to appropriate conditions.

In respect of plan no. 65730 for full planning permission for the change of use of the former Dial Park School site from education use (Use Class D1) to public open space (Use Class D2) together with associated operational development at the site of the Dial Park School Primary School, Blackstone Road, Offerton, it was

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions.

There are no outstanding appeals or enforcement matters.

There are no outstanding appeals or enforcement matters.

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

This report is part of the Executive’s continued Stockport wide response to road safety around schools, with the purpose of ensuring our children are safe walking to and from school. Some wards have already invested in the purchase and management of a Mobile Speed Indication Device. To that extent, where it has not already been facilitated, Area Committees are requested to consider their role in promoting road safety around schools and to indicate if this is an option they would like to pursue.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: David Warburton on 0161 474 2078 or email: david.warburton@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) informing the Area Committee of measures that were being taken to ensure road safety around schools, and inviting the area committees to consider the possible purchase of Mobile Speed Indicator Devices. This Area Committee had previously agreed to the purchase of such a Device and it had already been deployed in the area.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be recommended to include the following sites in the programme for deployment of the Area Committee’s Mobile Speed Indicator Device:-

·         Commercial Road, Hazel Grove – approaching Bosden Fold and in the vicinity of St Simon’s School

·         Woodsmoor Lane, Woodsmoor

·         Knypersly Avenue, Offerton

·         The Fairway, Offerton

·         Arundel Avenue, Hazel Grove

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

To consider proposals to upgrade the existing free permit scheme on Ripley Avenue to a charged scheme.

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 the feedback from a consultation with residents on proposals to convert the existing free permit parking scheme on Ripley Avenue, Great Moor to a paid scheme. The consultation had produced only 50% response rate in favour of the proposal, but at the request of Ward Spokespersons the report had been submitted to seek Area Committee support to request approval to waive the 51% support requirement contained in the Council’s policy.

Councillors expressed concern that this proposal was being made in light of the Council’s policy requirement for 51% support for the introduction of a permit parking scheme. It was suggested that the reasons to change the existing scheme to a paid for scheme was to ensure that disabled residents were able to park within the scheme. Councillors queried whether this was approach was the most appropriate means of ensuring access for disabled residents.

RESOLVED – (1) That no further action be taken in respect of the proposal to revoke the existing permit parking scheme Traffic Regulation Order and introduce a new paid for scheme Order on Ripley Avenue, Great Moor on the grounds that the proposal was not in accord with Council policy.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide a representative at the next meeting to outline the reasoning for the proposed waiving of Council policy and what other options were considered to achieve improvement in parking arrangements for residents.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council; the Portfolio Holder for Reform and Governance and Portfolio Holder for Economy and Regeneration.

The purpose of the report is to outline emerging community engagement and conversation activity taking place throughout the course of this year and to consider opportunities for Area Committee led engagement during this period.

The Area Committee are asked to consider options for local engagement and identify any preferred approach(es) they may wish to explore further.

Officer Contact: Steve Skelton on Tel: 474 3174 or email: steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members for Reform & Governance and Economy & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on emerging community engagement and ‘conversation’ activity taking place throughout the course of the year and inviting the Area Committee to consider opportunities for it to lead engagement during this period.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The ward committees that covered the area committee area provided an immediate form of engagement for residents.

·         Ward councillors were well engaged with local groups and activities.

·         Rather than ask councillors, the views of residents should be sought on how they wished to engage.

·         There were opportunities to engage with young people through school councils.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides details of those maintained schools which have Local Authority Governors vacancies and requests that the Area Committee gives consideration to making nominations to fill those vacancies.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Pam Dunham on 0161 474 3914 or email: pam.dunham@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for People (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Area Committee with details of those maintained schools that had Local Authority Governor vacancies and requesting nominations to fill them.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That Councillor Mark Weldon be nominated for consideration for the vacancy at Great Moor Junior School.

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 implementing decisions taken by the Area Committee and the current position on the Area Flexibility and delegated budgets.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide a written explanation for the delays in implementing the decision of the Area Committee to install a non-signalised pedestrian crossing point on Bean Leach Road, Offerton.