Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 December 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 20 December 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal 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.

·         Start of consultation on the Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Document and Employment & Skills Training Supplementary Planning Document, details available at www.stockport.gov.uk/spd

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager announced that consultation had started on two Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs), a revised Sustainable Design & Construction SPD and a new Employment & Skills Training SPD. The consultations would run from 9 January to 20 February 2012 and further details were available on the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/spd

Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise ‘Neighbourhood Policing’ issues with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Inspector Paul Bray (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public on neighbourhood policing matters within the area covered by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         There were continuing reductions in the overall level of crime.

·         Operation Focus had begun that sought to address the recent increase in vehicle crime. The Police were also working with local petrol stations to reduce ‘drive offs’ from forecourts.

·         Successful partnership working had helped reduce anti-social behaviour over the Christmas and New Year period.

·         The continued work to implement Operation Alloy to reduce metal thefts. An accreditation scheme for scrap dealers was being considered as part of this. Councillors welcomed the increased priority given to this issue as the results of these thefts were often dangerous to the public and costly to repair.

·         Investigations were continuing in relation to a recent spate of car fires in the Manor and Offerton area and an arrest had been made.

·         Members of the public had welcomed the increased public profile of the Police in recent weeks.

RESOLVED – That Inspector Bray be thanked for his attendance.

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 on the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/areacommittees).

No public questions were submitted.

The local Area Conditions Officer and the Highways Officer 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 (Area Conditions Officer) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to environmental and highway issues within the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

The following issues were issued:-

·         There was damaged street furniture on Bean Leach Road near the junction with Shearwater Road (bollard); Shearwater Road (speed sign); Dorchester Road (illuminated bollards) and at the junction of Pennine Road and Dorchester Road (illuminated signage).

·         It was suggested that the hedges on Marple Road on the approach to ’17 Windows’ should be cut back to prevent them becoming a hazard during the spring.

·         Since the December meeting there had been 70 area condition enquiries relating to the area, mostly regarding advanced refuse and fly tipping.

·         There had been successful work with the Restorative Justice Team and it was hoped to extend the activities further in the future.

·         The Area Conditions Team was working with Greater Manchester Police to assist with Operation Alloy.

·         There had been continuing problems with domestic refuse being deposited in the litter bin outside the Chemist on Arundel Avenue.

·         Residents were reminded of the need to ensure that their waste was disposed of correctly and they were encouraged to ask to see the Waste Carriers License if they were paying for their waste to be removed.

·         Concern was expressed about the level of response to the collapse of a man-hole on the A6 over the Bank Holiday period.

RESOLVED – That Adam Cunningham be thanked for his attendance.

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

No petitions were submitted.

FLAG – For Local Advice and Guidance

A representative of Flag (For Local Advice and Guidance) will attend the meeting and make a presentation on the work of the organisation in providing impartial information and advice in relation to adult health and social care services in Stockport.

Margaret Newton (FLAG) attended the meeting and made a presentation on the work of FLAG (For Local Advice and Guidance) in the last twelve months. FLAG provided confidential, free and independent advice to residents about adult health and social care services. In 2011 the service had provided advice to 2200 customers, approximately 16% of whom were from the Stepping Hill Area Committee area, across a range of age groups and on a variety of issues, not exclusively related to social care and health services. Over 20% of enquiries from residents in the area had been about finance and benefits, followed by enquires about disability issues and carers or caring.

Councillors welcomed the service provided by FLAG and commented on the breadth of topics on which advice was provided.

RESOLVED – That Margaret Newton be thanked for her attendance and presentation.

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.

This item has been placed on the agenda with the agreement of the Chair.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority (GMFRA) is currently consulting on its Corporate Plan for 2012-15 which provides details of the changes proposed to its operational arrangements, ensuring that it can deploy its resources flexibly, and can continue to provide an effective service to the people of Greater Manchester.

The plan offers a suggestion to how the GMFRA might deal with the challenging financial climate, which includes a reduction of between 25% and 40% over the next four years. These figures translate to funding cuts of between £18 and £25 million.

Details of the Plan can be found on the GMFRA website at:

http://www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/about_us/policies_and_publications/corpplan_2012_2015.aspx

The Area Committee is invited to consider whether it wishes to make a collective response to the consultation.

Officer contact: Stephen Fox, 0161 474 3206, Stephen.fox@stockport.gov.uk

Bill Harrop (Stockport Borough Manager, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service) attended the meeting to provide a summary and answer questions on the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority Plan for 2012-15 as part of the public consultation. The Plan had been developed in the context of reductions in funding of £18-25m over the next four years and sought to ensure that resources were deployed flexibly across Greater Manchester to ensure a effective service continued to be provided.

Between 2008/9 and 2010/11 there had been reductions of 31% in unwanted fire signals, 13.5% reduction in deliberate fires and nearly 17% for primary fires. This was due in part to the effective preventative work of the Fire Service but also more effective partnership working to reduce risk and to reduce antisocial behaviour which lead to fires.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         References in the plan to maximum response times could be misleading as it gave the impression that this was the target response time.

·         The calculation of ‘risk’ in the plan in relation to the wards in Stockport was based on a number of factors. This helped target preventative work and resources more effectively.

·         There had been improvements made to the work around non-domestic fires and advising landlords on how to prevent fires in decommissioned or vacant commercial or industrial premises.

·         Stockport had low incidences of fires, both domestic and non-domestic and this was due to good preventative work by the Fire Service in conjunction with partners.

RESOLVED – That Bill Harrop be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Development).

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

A development application was 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 of Place 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).

Proposed single storey rear extension.

The Area Committee is invited to recommend that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grant planning permission.

In respect of plan no. 48694 for a proposed single storey rear extension at 88 Woodsmoor Lane, Woodsmoor, it was

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services).

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 Service Director (Legal & Democratic Services) (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcement within the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of Director of Housing Management (Stockport Homes Limited) and Chair of Offerton Neighbourhood Management Board.

The report provides details of the work being undertaken by the Offerton Neighbourhood Management Board since it was established in November 2010, including progress with the implementation of an action plan to tackle eight key objectives.

The Area Committee is invited to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Carolyn Anderson, 07800 617588, carolyn.anderson@stockport.gov.uk  

A representative of the Chair of the Offerton Neighbourhood Management Board submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) summarising the work of the Offerton Neighbourhood Management Board, established in September 2010 to provide a co-ordinated partnership approach to addressing issues of deprivation and improving community cohesion. The report included details of actions and projects undertaken within the two lower super output areas which form part of the Offerton Estate.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         All those involved in the work of the Board should be commended for their hard work and success.

·         There had been an inclusive approach to community working encompassing all age groups in the area. Work with young people on weekend evenings had been particularly welcome as had the increased focus on activities for older people.

·         The change in the atmosphere of the area had been noticeable, with increased cooperation between residents and partners.

·         It was hoped that the physical regeneration of the area would build on the achievements in improving the community cohesion of the area.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the success of the Neighbourhood Management Board for Offerton be welcomed.

The report outlines further proposals to improve safety, following concerns from residents and Councillors about the HGV roll over incidents on Offerton Road. The provision of a new refuge island is proposed to manage large vehicle approach speeds to the bends and to assist pedestrians crossing Torkington / Offerton Road.

The Area Committee is invited to note the report and support the action proposed, and recommend that the Executive Councillor (Transportation) approves detailed design and consultation.

Officer contact: Richard Clark, 0161 474 4837, richard.clark@stockport.gov.uk

Representatives of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to introduce improved road safety measures on the A627 Offerton Road at its junction with Torkington Road following the completion of a study into the road traffic accidents associated with the sharp bend at this junction.

Councillors discussed the possible location of a pedestrian refuge or raised parapit outside No. 2 Torkington Road to encourage motorists to slow as they approached it. It was commented that the visability for pedestrians at this location was poor given the speed of vehicles.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Executive Councillor (Transportation) be recommended to approve the proposed additional road safety measures (additional pedestrian island outside No. 84 and upgrade of existing refuge island) on the A627 Offerton Road at its junction with Torkington Road subject to the:

·         completion of surveys after installation to determine the effectiveness of the measures at reducing speeds and to determine whether an additional refuge could then be safely installed in the vicinity of No. 2 Torkington Road;

·         introduction of trief kerbing on the approach to the junction to highlight to HGV drivers the danger of the junction, and

·         cowling of any lighting on the refuges to minimise the impact on residential properties.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Communities)

The report sets out a request from Circus Starr to use Torkington Park on 5 March 2012 for a Circus.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant the application.

Officer contact: Tim Devine, 0161 474 4419, tim.devine@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Communities) (copies of which had been circulated) summarising an application from Circus Starr to use Torkington Park for a Circus.

RESOLVED – That the application from Circus Starr for the use of Torkington Park on 5 March 2012 for a circus be approved.

There are currently no vacancies to consider.

There were no vacancies to consider.

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 Budget and Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budget.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Service Director (Place Management) be requested to submit to the next meeting on 14 February 2012:-

·         a report on the outstanding requests of the Area Committee in relation to Chester Road, including what response, if any had been received from the Department of Transport in relation to the installation of non-standard signage;

·         an update on the reasons for the partial implementation of the Traffic Management Scheme in the Commercial Road area of Hazel Grove, including a timetable for completion of the scheme and the regularisation of carriageway lining at the former entrance to the car parks on Commercial Road.

·         an update on progress with investigating parking restrictions on Hazelwood Road, Hazel Grove;

·         clarification on the Council’s procedures for checking on the quality of highway works to ensure they meet the Council’s standards.

(3) That the Executive Councillor (Transportation) be informed of the Area Committee’s concerns about the delay in receiving a report on the results of the consultation on the proposed route treatment on Dialstone Lane.