Agenda and minutes

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

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 9 July 2014 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.

(a)  The Chair reported that the Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) had recently approved the allocation of additional resources to replace play equipment removed from local play areas earlier in the year because of safety concerns. £18,000 had been allocated to Windlehurst Park, with further resources for play areas at Mill Brow, Cote Green Lane and Compstall. Further details were available on the Council website at http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1588

(b)  The Chair reported that he had sought an update from the Council’s Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration in relation to ASDA’s plans for the supermarket site currently occupied by the Co-op. As yet, no information had been provided by ASDA.

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.

No public questions were submitted.

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.

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.

1.    Marple Business Forum – Christmas Cracker Event

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted an application (copies of which had been circulated) for Area Flexibility Funding on behalf of Marple Business Forum to support a Christmas Cracker event.

RESOLVED – That consideration of the application be deferred and the Democratic Services Manager be requested to invite the applicant to amend the application to provide greater detail in relation to the use of any grant money.

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.

Wayne Bardsley (Public Realm) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to highway and environmental quality issues within the area represented by Marple Area Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Works had commenced on resurfacing schemes on Church Lane and Lower Fold.

·         United Utilities were undertaking works on Windlehurst Road during August.

·         Concern was expressed about planned works on Brickbridge Road.

·         Officers were thanked for efforts to resolve flytipping in the area.

·         Efforts in relation to business waste contracts were discussed.

·         Overgrown vegetation on Middlewood Way was discussed.

RESOLVED – (1) That Wayne Bardsley be thanked for his attendance.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to investigate the appropriateness of HGVs parking on Arkwright Road and other narrow side roads in Marple and report back to the Highway & Traffic Ward Spokesperson.

(3) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide an update to Councillors in relation to the maintenance of vegetation along the Middlewood Way.

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

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 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.

In connection with erection of sports hall and changing facilities with replacement local open space and amendments to car park.

In respect of plan no. 055729 for the erection of sports hall and changing facilities with replacement local open space and amendments to car park at Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College, Buxton Lane, Marple,

a member of the public spoke against the application on behalf of local residents, and

a representative of the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted subject to appropriate conditions and an informative in relation to improved security of the site.

To consider a report of Head of Legal and Democratic Governance.

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 Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) listing outstanding and recently determined planning appeals and enforcement action within the area represented by the Marple Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report outlines an application from Marple Guides and Scouts to hold their annual Bonfire and Fireworks Display in Brabyns Park on Saturday 8th November 2014.

The Area Committee is requested to determine the application.

Officer Contact: Jane Bardsley on Tel: 474 2279 or email: jane.bardsley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to consider an application for the use of Brabyns Park on 8 November 2014 for a bonfire and firework display be approved.

RESOLVED – That the application from Marple Guides and Scouts for the use of Brabyns Park on 8 November 2014 for the annual Bonfire and Firework Display.

There are no vacancies to consider.

There were no vacancies to consider.

To consider a report of the East Area Housing Manager (Stockport Homes Ltd)

The report provides an update on progress in the delivery of the Stockport Homes Neighbourhood Action.

The Area Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Rebecca Cullen on Tel: 474 4372 or email: rebecca.cullen@stockporthomes.org

A representative of the Chief Executive, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress in the delivery of the Stockport Homes Neighbourhood Action Plans.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Stockport Homes had recently employed an Older Persons Housing Officer to provide greater support to older tenants, which would be particularly beneficial for the Marple area.

·         Stockport Homes now had a dedicated Anti-Social Behaviour Officer to respond more promptly to problems.

·         Work undertaken to improve the appearance of an unused plot of land on Carver Road and its inclusion in future maintenance schedules. Councillors welcomed these improvements.

·         There was discussion about a number of plots of land in the Marple area that were within the control of Stockport Homes and about the need to ensure that public land in general was properly documented.

·         Councillors expressed their gratitude to the local Housing Team for their hard work and the excellent service they provided to tenants and the support they provided to local councillors.

·         Clarity was sought on the responsibility for the Flower Beds to the rear of Hollins Terrace.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That Stockport Homes be thanked for their hard work and service to their tenants in the area covered by the Marple Area Committee.

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 since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and on Area Flexibility Funding.

A representative of the Friends of Cromwell Avenue Park attended the meeting to thank local Councillors and the Council for their support in acquiring funding for new play equipment in the park, which had now been installed and was already well used. Councillors also paid tribute to the Group for their commitment and hard work.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to confirm when the Church Lane/ Waterside Traffic Regulation Order would become operative.