Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 23 September 2013 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

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

There were no Chair’s announcements.

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 at local libraries and information centres.  You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

No public questions were submitted.

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.

Kay Williams (Public Realm Inspector) attended the meeting to answer questions from councillors and members of the public in relation to local environmental quality and highway issues within the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

The following issues were raised/ comments made:-

·         Three Section 34 Notices had been issued to businesses without appropriate waste disposal arrangements (all of which had since complied) and one Section 46 Notice had been issued for inappropriate placement of refuse. Two interviews under caution had taken place in relation to fly-tipping.

·         Ongoing problems with litter associated with a particular business in Great Moor and likely enforcement action being undertaken.

·         Community Payback schemes to clean up Occupiers Lane had been undertaken and one was planned for the Newby Road area.

·         There had been an increase in the number of fridges being fly-tipped following their reclassification as hazardous waste. Residents were reminded of the need to ensure these were disposed of properly and to ensure that anyone who offered to remove waste for them had appropriate licenses. Councillors suggested including an item in a future edition of ‘The Review’ to highlight this issue.

·         Councillors expressed concerns about the length of time taken to address the road collapse on Marple Road opposite Shearwater Road. It was stated that the road closure on Shearwater was being ignored leading to dangerous driving, and diversion signs had not been secured adequately so that motorists were being misdirected.  Clarification was also sought on whether the pedestrian crossing point on Marple Road near the closure could be relit to improve visibility for motorists and pedestrians and if not, that the crossing point be closed/blocked off as unlit it was dangerous.

·         Resurfacing work that had taken place on Braemar Road, Hazel Grove had covered the roots of new highway trees which were now dying off for lack of water.

·         There were problems with drainage and pooling water on Turnstone Road outside the shops which may be caused by blocked gulleys. Gulleys on Sisken Road may also be blocked.

·         Options for local highway schemes in the Stepping Hill Ward were discussed.

·         There were problems with drainage on Cavendish Road, Hazel Grove.

·         Overgrown vegetation was obscuring signage on Torkington Road which was causing safety concerns.

RESOLVED – (1) That Kay Williams be thanked for her attendance.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide an update on introducing additional signage on Bean Leach Road.

(3) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to expedite the adoption of Peter Street, Hazel Grove with a view to ensure the measures were in place before the Christmas period if possible.

(4) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and the Democratic Services Manager be requested to arrange for representatives of United Utilities to attend the next meeting of the Area Committee to respond to councillors’ concerns about the works to repair Marple Road at its junction with Shearwater Road.

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

The Area Committee is invited to consider two options for resurfacing work on Wensley Drive, Hazel Grove

-       To resurface the footway with bitmac the full length and new kerb line where required. Estimated costs £23,200.

-       To resurface the carriageway with bitmac the full length. Estimated costs £29,500.

The current balance available is £38,150.

Officer contact: Chris Pollitt, 0161 218 1492, chris.pollitt@stockport.gov.uk  

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out two options for highway maintenance schemes on Wensley Drive, Hazel Grove, one for the resurfacing of the footway and one for the resurfacing of the carriageway.

RESOLVED – That the following scheme (referred to as option 2 in the report) be approved, at a cost of approximately £29,500 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management Delegated Budget (Hazel Grove Ward allocation):-

Wensley Drive, Hazel Grove

Resurface full length of carriageway with bitmac (3 months’ notice for Utilities).

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Kevin Hogg.

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

The Chair invited Mr Biggs, a resident of Bosden Hall Road, Hazel Grove to submit a petition calling on the Council to extend the existing 20mph speed limit on Chapel Street to include Bosden Hall Road because of problems with vehicles increasing speed approaching the road. The road was heavily used by pedestrians, including children on their way to school.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to investigate the speed of vehicles on Bosden Hall Road and surrounding roads with a view to extending the existing 20mph zone to include Bosden Hall Road.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to investigate the condition of the carriageway at the end of Bosden Hall Road.

To consider a joint report of the Council Solicitor and the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The report sets out objections received to the proposed Traffic Regulation Order at Newby Road, Hazel Grove and the response of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration to the issues raised in the objections.

The Area Committee is invited to consider the report and the agree to make the Order as advertised.

Officer contact: Zoe Allan, 0161 474 3138, zoe.allan@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Council Solicitor and the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) summarising two objections received to proposals to introduce waiting restrictions on the Newby Road Industrial Estate to improve traffic movements and access to the commercial properties.

RESOLVED – That, notwithstanding the objections received, the Order be made as advertised.

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

The report seeks the views of the Area Committee on proposals to introduce a pedestrian refuge island and associated waiting restrictions on Marple Road in proximity to Hillcrest Road, Offerton to improve road safety for nearby residents, particularly those at Vernon Court.

The Area Committee is invited to consider the proposals and, if approved, to recommend that the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) agrees to the proposal as the crossing facility is on a Strategic Route.

Officer contact: Graham Price, 0161 474 4893,

graham.price@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 proposals to improve safety for pedestrians by the introduction of a pedestrian refuge and associated waiting restrictions on Marple Road in the vicinity of its junction with Hillcrest Road.

Councillors queried the levels of parking associated with the Vernon Court apartments, and the impact the proposed refuge might have to traffic flows when a bus was stationary at the nearby bus stop.

RESOLVED – That in order to improve safety for pedestrians crossing Marple Road, Offerton in the vicinity of Hillcrest Road, the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) be recommended to approve the introduction of a pedestrian refuge on Marple Road, Offerton, as detailed in plan no. 5015 attached to the report, and to approve the associated Traffic Regulation Order as detailed below:-

No Waiting At Any Time

Marple Road, Offerton

The north east side from a point approx. 18 metres south east of the projected south eastern kerb line of Hillcrest Road for a distance of 46 metres in a south easterly direction (to tie in with existing no waiting at any time).

The south west side from a point approx. 18 metres south east of the south eastern kerb line of Hillcrest Road for a distance of approx. 20 metres in a south easterly direction (to tie in with existing no waiting at any time and bus stop clearway).

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

The report details proposals for traffic management improvements along the Torkington Road and Offerton Road in Hazel Grove to improve road safety. These include additional signage and No Waiting Restrictions.

The Area Committee is invited to consider the proposals and approve those elements of the proposed Traffic Regulation Order that fall within its remit (Part I) and recommend to the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) that he approves Part II and the non-regulatory improvements contained in the report.

Officer contact: Max Townsend, 0161 474 4861, max.townsend@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 proposals to improve safety on Torkington Road through a range of measures, including additional waiting restrictions at the junction with Offerton Road and in the vicinity of the pedestrian refuges, and to improved signage.

Councillors discussed whether the proposed extent of the waiting restrictions was excessive and whether any reduction in the proposals would reduce its efficacy.

RESOLVED – That in order to improve safety on Torkington Road/ Offerton Road, Hazel Grove,

(i) the following elements of a Traffic Regulation Order be approved, to be funded from the Strategic Budget:

No Waiting at Any Time

Torkington Road

Both sides from a point 15 metres South East of the South Easterly kerb line of the Torkington Road / Offerton Road corridor for a distance of 15 metres in a South Easterly direction.

and

(ii) the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) be recommended to introduce the non-regulatory improvements on Torkington Road/ Offerton Road as detailed in the report, and to approve the following elements of the same Order:-

No Waiting at Any Time

Torkington Road / Offerton Road Corridor:

North side from a point 4 metres West of the projected boundary line between No 69 and Woodbury Park Flats in an Easterly then North Easterly direction to a point 10 metres North East of the entrance to Woodbury Park Flats.

South side from a point 4 metres West of the projected boundary line between No 69 and Woodbury Park Flats in an Easterly then North Easterly direction to a point 15 metres North of the North Easterly kerb line of Torkington Road.

Torkington Road

Both sides from the South easterly kerb line of the Torkington Road / Offerton Road Corridor for a distance of 15 metres in a South Easterly direction.

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

The report details proposals to introduce parking restrictions on parts of Green Lane, Mount Pleasant and Neville Street in Hazel Grove to improve safety.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the following Traffic Regulation Order:

(i)         No Waiting at Any Time:

Green Lane

North West side from the South Westerly kerb line of Mount Pleasant for a distance of 5 metres in a South Westerly direction.

South East side from a point 3 metres South West of the South Westerly kerb line of Mount Pleasant for a distance of 5 metres in a South Westerly direction (to tie in with existing).

South East side from a point 7 metres North East of the North Easterly kerb line of Neville Street to a point 5 metres South West of the South Westerly kerb line of Neville Street.

Mount Pleasant

South West side from the North Westerly kerb line of Green Lane for a distance of 5 metres in a North Westerly direction.

Neville Street

Both sides from the South Easterly kerb line of Green Lane for a distance of 5 metres in a South Easterly direction.

ii) The addition of No.75 Bramhall Moor Lane, Hazel Grove, to the list of addresses eligible for a permit for use in the Permit Parking Zone which consists of Grenville Road, Green Lane and Norman Avenue

Officer contact: Max Townsend, 0161 474 4861, max.townsend@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 proposals to introduce parking restrictions on parts of Green Lane, Mount Pleasant and Neville Street, Hazel Grove, to improve safety of road users by preventing parking on the junctions.

RESOLVED – (1) That the following Traffic Regulation be approved, at a cost of £500 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management Delegated Budget (Hazel Grove Ward allocation):-

No Waiting at Any Time

Green Lane

North West side from the South Westerly kerb line of Mount Pleasant for a distance of 5 metres in a South Westerly direction.

South East side from a point 3 metres South West of the South Westerly kerb line of Mount Pleasant for a distance of 5 metres in a South Westerly direction (to tie in with existing).

South East side from a point 7 metres North East of the North Easterly kerb line of Neville Street to a point 5 metres South West of the South Westerly kerb line of Neville Street.

Mount Pleasant

South West side from the North Westerly kerb line of Green Lane for a distance of 5 metres in a North Westerly direction.

Neville Street

Both sides from the South Easterly kerb line of Green Lane for a distance of 5 metres in a South Easterly direction.

(2) That No.75 Bramhall Moor Lane, Hazel Grove, be added to the list of addresses eligible for a permit for use in the Permit Parking Zone which consists of Grenville Road, Green Lane and Norman Avenue.

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 since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and the current position on the Area Flexibility and Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budgets.

Councillors expressed disappointment that the traffic count for Moorland Road, Great Moor had taken place during school holidays despite the express request that this not happen. In response, a representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration stated that a number of similar requests had been passed to TfGM and not been completed but that these roads would be resurveyed.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

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

·         confirm for Ward Councillors the dates for the introduction of waiting restrictions on Dialstone Lane from Cherry Tree Lane to the A6;

·         ensure that the requested traffic count on the Fairway, Offerton be completed as soon as possible; and

·         provide an update on the status of requests for residents permit parking detailed at Appendix C, in particular those for Aber Avenue and Ripley Avenue, once the revisions to the Permit Parking Policy had been considered by the Executive.

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

The report outlines a proposal to revoke the existing restrictions on Amlwch Avenue and introduce new restrictions as part of the Offerton Precinct Redevelopment.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the proposals detailed in the report.

Officer Contact: Max Townsend on Tel: 474 4861 or email:max.townsend@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 revised proposals for the waiting restrictions on Amlwch Avenue, Offerton in connection to the Offerton Precinct Redevelopment. The proposals had previously been considered by the Area Committee at its last meeting but due to errors in the drafting of the report incorrect measurements had been included.

RESOLVED – That the previously agreed Traffic Regulation Order for Amlwich Avenue be rescinded and the following revised proposal be approved, the cost of which would be met by the Developer of the former Offerton Precinct as part of the Developer Agreement:-

Revoke No Waiting Monday to Saturday 8am – 6.30pm:

Amlwch Avenue

All parts of the order relating to the previous layout of Amlwch Avenue.

Introduce No Waiting at Any Time:

Amlwch Avenue

North side from the Easterly kerb line of Lisburne Lane for a distance of 12 metres in an Easterly direction and from a point 26.5 metres East of the Easterly kerb line of Lisburne Lane for a distance of 16 metres in an Easterly direction.

South side from the Easterly kerb line of Lisburne Lane for a distance of 42.5 metres in an Easterly direction.

Lisburne Lane

East side from the Northerly kerb line of Amlwch Avenue in a North Easterly direction to the start of the lay-by fronting No. 128 (a distance of approx. 10 metres).

Introduce Limited Waiting 1 Hour 30 Minutes Monday to Saturday 8am – 10pm and Sunday 9am – 5pm No Return within 1 Hour (6 Parking Bays, 2.4 x 5 metres, Perpendicular to the kerb):

Amlwch Avenue

North side from a point 12 metres East of the Easterly kerb line of Lisburne Lane for a distance of 14.5 metres in an Easterly direction.

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

This item had been considered in conjunction with item 6 above.

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.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that no organisations 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.

There were no outstanding applications to consider.

There are no development applications to consider.

DC053378 - Brookside Farm, Torkington Road, Hazel Grove

Demolition of building and erection of a single dwelling

The Area Committee is recommended to refuse planning permission on the grounds that the proposals is considered inappropriate development which would be harmful to the openness of the Green Belt.

Officer contact: Karyn Clarke, 0161 474 3551, Karyn.clarke@stockport.gov.uk

RESOLVED – With the consent of the Area Committee this item was withdrawn.

To consider a report of the Council Solicitor.

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: Joy Morton, 0161 474 3217, joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report details the findings of the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee Review of Outcomes Tour held on 15 March 2013. The Review visited a number of sites across the Borough, as recommended by area committees. This Area Committee had recommended the new building at Stockport Grammar School for inclusion on the Tour.

The Area Committee is invited to note the report.

Officer contact: Kevin Brooks, 0161 474-4905, kevin.brooks@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) detailing the findings of the 2013 Annual Review of Outcomes Tour undertaken on 15 March 2013.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

The report seeks the views of the Area Committee on the current polling arrangements within the area in order to inform the Polling District review currently underway. The any comments received will be incorporated final proposals which will be submitted to the Area Committee in December 2013.

In particular, the Area Committee is invited to consider the following prompts:-

·         Are the existing buildings used as polling stations within you wards convenient to electors within the polling district?

·         Are there any issues with accessibility to any of the polling stations currently used in your ward?

·         If a polling station is not convenient to electors within the polling district are you aware of any other potentially suitable buildings.

·         Are the boundaries of the polling districts well-defined – are there any obstacles to electors reaching their polling station? (NB The review is only concerned with polling districts – the Council has no power to amend ward boundaries which are a matter for the Boundary Commission for England.)

The views of the Area Committee are sought on the existing polling arrangements. Any comments or suggestions will then be considered and a recommended scheme brought back to the Area Committee in December for consideration prior to submission to the Executive and full Council on 23rd January 2014.

Officer contact: Steve Callender/ Karen Randles on 0161 474 3268, steve.callender@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) seeking the views of the Area Committee on the current polling arrangements within the Stepping Hill Area Committee area in order to inform the current Polling District Review.  The report also detailed the current polling places within the Hazel Grove, Offerton and Stepping Hill Wards along with the size of the electorate as at October 2013 and the number of electors that would be eligible to vote in person.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·                Changes in the accommodation used at Hazel Grove Primary School had been a cause of concern as the Station was now located to the rear of the school, making access more difficult for older people and those with disabilities.

·                There were problems with the locking of the School gates at St Simon’s Catholic Primary School which hampered access by voters. Arrangements needed to be made to ensure these remained open during polling hours.

·                Better signage was needed for the Polling Station at Offerton Fire Station on Lisburne Lane.

·                Siting the Station at the front of Dial Park Primary School or at Lisburne School would be preferable to the location at the rear of the school site used previously as this made access more difficult for older people and those with disabilities, in particular because of the poor lighting in the evening.

·                Voters at the southern end of Lisburne Lane had expressed concern about the additional distance they now needed to travel to the polling station at the Fire Station following the closure of the Dialstone Centre.

·                Concerns were expressed about the distance for voters from the ‘Cherry Tree Estate’ in Hazel Grove to the polling station at the scout hut.

·                The Polling Districts of TA and TC in the Stepping Hill Ward should be combined.

RESOLVED – That the comments of the Area Committee be submitted to the Chief Executive for consideration as part of the Review of Polling Districts.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Education).

The Area Committee is invited to provide a nomination for the vacancy at Stockport School (Labour Group nomination).

Officer contact: Libby Evans, 0161 474 3847, libby.evans@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Education) (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to make a nomination to a Local Authority Governor vacancy at Stockport School.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.