Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 9 December 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair, subject to the amendment under Minute 11 of the first line to include the following:-

“to be advertised in conjunction with the Traffic Regulation Order on Norbury Crescent, Hazel Grove to reduce costs”

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

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

Personal & Prejudicial Interests

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

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

With deep regret, the Chair referred to the recent death of Councillor Mike Wilson, former Mayor of Stockport.

All those present stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to Councillor Wilson.

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

One question was submitted by a questioner who was not present at the meeting. The Chair reported that, in accordance with the Code of Practice, the questioner would be provided with a written response.

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.

Adam Cunningham, Public Realm Enforcement Officer, attended the meeting to answer questions from councillors and members of the public about local environmental and highway quality issues.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Dialogue was ongoing with Sainsbury’s Supermarket, Hazel Grove to improve environmental quality around the supermarket site.

·         Enforcement action was being taken in respect of Lancaster House, Hazel Grove.

·         Problems were continuing with blocked drains or gullies on the A6 at its junction with Torkington Road that was leading to pooling/ freezing of standing water at this location.

·         Untidy land near the junction of the A6/ Bramhall Moor Lane needed addressing.

·         Further updates were requested in relation to (i) vermin on Lisburne Lane, (ii) untidy pruning of hedges on Marple Road, and (iii) uneven surfacing on the footway between Old Hall Drive and Half Moon Lane, Offerton (see Minute 4(iv) of 9 December 2014).

RESOLVED – That Adam Cunningham be thanked for this attendance.

To report on the receipt of a petition signed by approximately 133 signatories requesting the following:-

“We the undersigned are extremely concerned about the number of times the crossing patrol at Moorfield Primary School is left unmanned. We urgently request the Town Hall/Council address this issue.

Enclosed is a copy of the covering letter submitted with the petition setting out the background to the issue.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted the details of a petition received by the Council relating to the school crossing patrol at Moorfield Primary School, Hazel Grove.

Mrs Jane Robinson, the petition organiser, attended the meeting to outline to the Area Committee the problems encountered by parents and pupils caused by not having a permanent crossing guard for the school. She emphasised that parking on the junctions of Lyndhurst Avenue made crossing potentially dangerous and the presence of a crossing patrol guard helped to discourage some inconsiderate and unsafe parking.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager read a statement from the Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) prepared in response to the petition. In summary, the response stated that:-

·         there were a number of vacancies for School Crossing Patrol Guards in Stockport and regular recruitment was undertaken. Positions could only be filled once stringent checks on applicants had been undertaken;

·         although a mobile crossing patrol guard was employed to cover absences, this was prioritised in accordance with nation guidance to ensure that the crossings of highest need were covered;

·         irrespective of the presence of a crossing guard, the responsibility for a child’s safety when travelling to school remained with the parents.

Councillors expressed concern that although there was sufficient risk to pupils to warrant a crossing patrol guard the Council was not able to provide consistent cover for this position.

RESOLVED – (1) That the petition from parents at Moorfield Primary School in relation to the School Crossing Patrol be noted and Mrs Jane Robinson be thanked for her attendance and presentation.

(2) That the response of the Executive Coucnillor (Communities & Sustainability) in relation to the petition be noted, and that the Executive Councillor be requested to:-

·         ensure that all available steps were taken to provide a crossing patrol at Moorfield Primary School;

·         in the event the temporary vacancy at this location becomes a permanent one, ensure that this employment opportunity is advertised locally, including working with the school to advertise it to parents;

·         ensure that while the vacancy remained that the area was subject to inspection by Civil Enforcement Officers at the beginning and end of the school day, but that they be instructed to attend closer to school start times when parking problems were most acute.

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 organisation had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

To consider an application from Manchester Rugby Club seeking funding toward the cost of vertidrainer (Supplementary information on the profile of users will be provided prior to the meeting).

Mr Neil James of Manchester Rugby Club attended the meeting to answer questions from the Area Committee in relation to an application for Area Flexibility Funding seeking a contribution toward the cost of the purchase of a vertidrainer for the club. The purchase would allow the club to more efficiently maintain the rugby pitches, thereby enabling their more sustained use during the winter and enable more people to participate in rugby matches.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £500 to the Manchester Rugby Club toward the cost of a vertidrainer.

To consider an application from Chelwood Baptist Church seeking funding toward the cost of the Foobank’s transport.

Mr Steven Hough, representing Chelwood Foodbank Plus attended the meeting to answer questions from the Area Committee in relation to an application for Area Flexibility Funding seeking a contribution toward the running costs of the organisation’s minibus.

Councillors informed Mr Hough that although they were supportive of the aims of the organisation, the application currently under consideration did not meet the Area Flexibility Fund criteria as it was seeking funding toward revenue costs.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended not to make a grant to Chelwood Foodbank Plus on this occasion, but that the organisation be encouraged to submit a further application in relation to the capital costs for the Edgeley Foodbank.

To consider an application from the Stockport District Scouts seeking funding toward the cost of a delegation to the Scout Jamboree 2015.

Mr Paul Barnes attended the meeting to answer questions from the Area Committee in relation to an application for Area Flexibility Funding seeking a contribution toward the cost of a trip by a local scout, Liam Barnes, to the World Scout Jamboree to be held in Japan in June 2015.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £500 to Mr Barnes toward the cost of the trip to the World Scout Jamboree and that the applicant be strongly encouraged to report back to the Area Committee after his trip.

To consider an application from the Friends of Torkington Park seeking funding for the planting of additional trees in the Secret Garden.

Mrs Gill Clarke and Mr Richard King representing the Friends of Torkington Park, attended the meeting to answer questions from the Area Committee in relation to an application for Area Flexibility Funding funding toward the cost of additional planting in the Secret Garden to mitigate the effect of the recently constructed building adjacent to it, and to enhance the seclusion and character of the Garden.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £300 to the Friends of Torkington Park as a contribution toward the cost of planting in the Secret Garden.

There are no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

There are no outstanding planning appeals or enforcement matters to consider.

There were no outstanding appeal decisions, planning appeals or enforcement activities to consider.

To consider a joint report of the Deputy Chief Executive and the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

RESOLVED – That with the consent of the Area Committee, this item was withdrawn.

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

The Area Committee is invited to approve an event application from Stockport Cats Protection for an event on 1st August 2015 at Torkington Park.

Officer contact: Sharon Duke, 0161 474 3289, Sharon.duke@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 from Stockport Cats Protection for the use of Torkington Park on 1 August 2015. 

RESOLVED – That the application from Stockport Cats Protection for the use of Torkington Park on 1 August 2015 for a Family Fun Day event be approved, subject to the receipt of appropriate supporting documentation from the applicant.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The Area Committee is invited to consider the reappointment of Mrs J Johnston to Great Moor Infant School (Non Party Political nomination).

Officer contact: Pam Dunham, 0161 474 3847, pam.dunham@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider the reappointment of Mrs J Johnson as a Non-Party Political governor at Great Moor Infant School.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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 on decisions taken by the Area Committee since the last meeting 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 seek to expedite the work to provide a Park & Ride facility at Melford Road, Hazel Grove.