Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 27 February 2013 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interest

Personal and Prejudicial Interest

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

No announcements were made.

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

With the consent of the Area Committee, this item was considered in conjunction with Agenda Item 4(vi) ‘Open Forum – Neighbourhood Policing and Community Safety Unit Annual Report’.

Inspector Steve Palmer (Greater Manchester Police) and Karen Pimlott (Community Safety Operations Manager, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to make a presentation in respect of the work of the Safer Stockport Partnership to reduce crime in 2012/13 and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the Marple area.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The police were promoting the use of social media to increase awareness and publicity around the activities of local policing services.

·         Local residents expressed concern in relation to impact of a proposed music festival in Compstall which was being promoted over the internet.  In response it was stated that any such events would require a Temporary Events Notice to which the police would have the opportunity to object if there were any concerns and the public were encouraged to contact the police to put forward their objections.

RESOLVED – That Inspector Palmer and Karen Pimlott be thanked for their 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 at local libraries and information centres.  You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

Members of the public were 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.

Two public questions were submitted.

The first question related to objections to a proposed link route to the Chadkirk Bridge Connect 2 Project.  In response it was stated that members of the Area Committee would meet with the questioner on site to assess the impact of altering the link routes.

The second question related to the rationale behind the allocation of commuted sums to particular play areas.  In response it was stated that commuted sums needed to be allocated to a play area within a set distance of the development from which it was collected.

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.

Rachel Bingham (Public Realm Inspector) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to environmental and highways issues within the area represented by the Marple Area Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Resurfacing work was due to be undertaken on Brookside Lane, High Lane.

·         Station Road from its junction with Arkwright Road to Hollins Lane was scheduled to be resurfaced.

·         Church Road, Mellor from its junction with Longhurst Lane to the bridge was also due to be resurfaced.

·         Officers from the enforcement team were due to meet with representatives of the Canal and Rivers Trust to discuss issues of flytipping in the vicinity of Sandhill Lane.

·         The work of the Public Realm team to address pot holes in the Marple Area was welcomed.

RESOLVED – That Rachel Bingham be thanked for her attendance.

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

No petitions were submitted.

Neighbourhood Policing and Community Safety Unit Annual Report

A representative of Greater Manchester Police and the Community Safety Unit will attend the meeting and present their annual report.

The Chair reported that the Open Forum in respect of the ‘Neighbourhood Policing and Community Safety Unit Annual Report’ had been considered in conjunction with Agenda Item 4(ii).

Stockport Greenspace Forum

Peter Fuller (Secretary of the Stockport Greenspace Forum) attended the meeting to address the Area Committee in relation to the potential impact of any reductions in the budget allocation for parks and greenspace in the Borough, with particular reference to the Marple area.

In response it was stated a comprehensive consultation was being undertaken on a range of proposals for changing how the Council deliver services that will help make savings over the next two years.  Proposals relating to parks and open spaces formed a part of this, and members of the public were encouraged to submit their responses to the consultation through the Council’s website.

RESOLVED – That Peter Fuller be thanked for his attendance.

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

(a)  Friends of Marple Memorial Park – Skate Park Refurbishment & Extension.

(b)  The Fete Committee, St Thomas Church, Mellor

(i)         Friends of Marple Memorial Park – Skate Park Refurbishment & Extension

Mark Whittaker of the Friends of Marple Memorial Park attended the meeting to answer questions from councillors on the group’s application for funding toward the cost of upgrading and extending the existing skate park facilities.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make a grant of £1,000 (£500 from the Marple North ward allocation and £500 from the Marple South ward allocation) to the Friends of Marple Memorial Park toward the cost of upgrading and extending the existing skate park facilities.

(ii)        The Fete Committee, St Thomas Church, Mellor

The Area Committee considered an application received from The Fete Committee, St Thomas Church, Mellor for funding toward the cost the provision of a tent.

RESOLVED - That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make a grant of £300 (Marple North ward allocation) to The Fete Committee, St Thomas Church, Mellor for funding toward the cost the provision of a tent.

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

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

DC051796 – 4 Ley Hey Road, Marple

Ground Floor extension, improvements to access and parking.

The Area Committee are recommended to grant planning permission.

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).

In respect of plan no. 51796 for a ground floor extension, improvements to access and parking at 4 Ley Hey Road, Marple,

a member of the public spoke against the application; and

the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted.

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 Marple 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 Service Director (Place Development) submitted a report of the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services) (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by the Marple Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The report requests the Area Committee to request the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) to approve the proposals contained in the report to be funded from the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budget.

The Area Committee is requested to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Graham Price on Tel: 474 4893 or email: graham.price@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals to introduce a ‘Prohibition of entry except authorised vehicles’ Traffic Regulation Order on Elmfield Drive, Marple.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Economic Development and

Regeneration) be recommended to give approval to the following scheme at a cost of £900 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budget (Marple North ward allocation):-

Prohibition of Entry Except for Authorised Vehicles

Elmfield Drive, Marple - From its junction with Stockport Road for the entire length.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The report highlights proposed changes to the current pay and display tariff through the introduction of an hourly charge and highlights the likely effects of this change. This hourly charge will enable visitors to easily extend their parking time in one hour increments. This will enable people to spend more time in the boroughs car parks and on street parking if needed and encourage them to spend more time in the boroughs centres and so support their economies.

The Area Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on Tel: 474 3451 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining proposed changes to the current pay and display tariff through the introduction of an hourly charge and highlighting the likely effects of this proposed change.

It was reported that the hourly charge would enable visitors to easily extend their parking time in one hour increments. This would enable people to spend more time in the borough’s car parks and on street parking if needed and encourage them to spend more time in the borough’s centres and so supporting their economies.

It was commented that the introduction of a one hour parking tariff set at a level of 20p would assist in encouraging an increase in footfall in Marple District Centre.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The report seeks the Area Committees comments on proposals to make changes to the Council’s residential parking policy.

The Area Committee is requested to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on Tel: 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals to make amendments to the Council’s residential parking policy and seeking the comments of the Area Committee on the proposed changes.

It was commented that further consideration needed to be given to the potential level of income that would be raised through the enforcement of parking restrictions which did not appear to be accounted for within the report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The report requests the Area Committee to comment on the proposed introduction of play streets in Stockport.

The Area Committee is requested to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on Tel: 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals for the introduction of play streets in Stockport following a number of expressions of interest in the potential for closing roads for the purposes of children being able to play out near their homes.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides the Area Committee with an update on progress made with the review of the local list of buildings of local architectural or historic interest within the Marple area.

The Area Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Paul Hartley on Tel: 474 4563 or email: paul.hartley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Development) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress with the review of the local list of buildings of local architectural or historic interest within the Marple area.

It was noted that the Area Committee would receive a further report detailing the draft list of potential sites for local listing prior to final consideration by the Executive Councillor (Regeneration).

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The report requests the Area Committee to consider the use of commuted sums for play provision in the Marple Area Committee area and to approve the location of the play areas where those sums are to be spent.

The Area Committee is requested to consider the proposals contained in the report.

Officer Contact: Ian Walmsley on Tel: 474 4382 or email: ian.walmsley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Place Management) (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals for the use of new commuted sums for play provision in the Marple area and locations of the play areas where these sums are to be spent.

RESOLVED – That consideration of this item be deferred pending the receipt of further information on the proposed use of the commuted sums allocated to parks in the Marple area as identified in the report.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The report requests the Area Committee to consider an application to hold the Marple Carnival and Fair in Marple Memorial Park on Saturday 15^th June 2013.

The Area Committee is requested to determine the application.

Officer Contact: Amanda Evans on Tel: 218 1177 or email: amanda.evans@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Place Management) (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application received from Marple Carnival Committee to hold the Marple Carnival and Fair at Marple Memorial Park on 15 June 2013.

RESOLVED – That the application for the use of Marple Memorial Park for the Marple Carnival and Fair on 15 June 2013 be approved.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The report requests the Area Committee to consider an application to hold a traditional funfair in Brabyns Park in association with Marple Carnival On 15^th June. This is a traditional funfair with rides and stalls. It has taken place in conjunction with the carnival for many years.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant the application.

Officer Contact: Amanda Evans on Tel: 218 1177 or email: amanda.evans@stockport.gov.uk

(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) of the Local Government Act 1972 in order that the Area Committee could give consideration to the application in advance of the date of the event)

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Place Management) (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application received from Marple Carnival Committee to hold a traditional funfair in Brabyns Park on 15 June 2013.

RESOLVED – That the application for the use of Brabyns Park to hold traditional funfair on 15 June 2013 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: Stephen Fox on Tel:474 3206 or email: stephen.fox@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 Area Flexibility and the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budgets.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.