Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 December 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 21 December 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interest

Personal & Prejudicial Interests

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

The Chair informed Councillors that the ‘Pride in Marple Awards 2012’ would be held in October and further information would be provided over the forthcoming months.

Councillor Craig Wright announced that Rosehill Station had been awarded “Cheshire Best Kept Station” at the annual Cheshire Best Kept Station Awards. On behalf of the Area Committee the Chair congratulated the Friends of Rosehill Station for all their hard work and effort in achieving the award.

Councillor Andrew Bispham reported that the surgery held on Monday 16 January 2012 with residents to discuss the implications of the consultation on the PDP for Marple had been a worthwhile exercise and he thanked Planning Policy Officers for the support they provided.

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

Inspector Bray and PC Rigg (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer any questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the area represented by Marple Area Committee.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

·         There had been a 9.3% reduction in crime overall with notable decreases in burglary reduction and theft.

·         Theft from motor vehicles remained a major problem and the public needed to ensure that their vehicles were locked.

·         There had been a number of raids in relation to Cannabis production.

·         On-going work with Children’s Care Homes both to address the safety of children but also to combat anti-social behaviour.

·         “Cold Calling” computer fraud.

RESOLVED – That Inspector Bray and PC Rigg be thanked for their attendance and presentation

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).

Four public questions were submitted relating to:

a)    The Children’s play area on Cromwell Avenue

b)    The erection of a village sign in Compstall

c)    A meeting of the Governing Body at Cheadle and Marple 6^th Form College

d)    A report submitted at a previous meeting by Marple In Action.

Questions a) c) and d) were answered at the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to liaise with representatives of Compstall Community Council in order to provide them with assistance in their efforts to erect a village sign in Compstall.

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.

(a) Alan Whitfield (Area Conditions Officer) attended the meeting to

answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to environmental issues within the area represented by Marple Area Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         An increase in instances of flyposting over the last month.

·         The removal from car parks of cars which did not have road tax.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

(b) Rachel Bingham (Highways Officer) attended the meeting to answer

questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to highway issues within the area represented  by Marple Area Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Problems associated blocked gullies on Church at the junction with Empress Avenue

·         On-going works to address flooding

·         Road improvements on Longhurst Lane

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported the receipt of a petition from residents of Hollingworth Drive, Marple. A representative of the residents attended the meeting and explained that the petition had been produced to represent the concerns of residents regarding the owner of an adjacent field claiming a right of access across a footpath on Hollingworth Drive which was not owned by him.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to the Service Directors (Place Management) and (Legal & Democratic Services) for consideration and that they be requested to report to a future meeting of the Area Committee addressing the issues contained in the petition.

FLAG – For Local Advice and Guidance

A representative of FLAG will attend the meeting and make a presentation.

FLAG – For Local Advice and Guidance

Beverley Hart, FLAG, attended the meeting and made a presentation in respect to the FLAG project which was funded by Stockport Council, through Synergy Stockport Ltd.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

·         FLAG launched in 2010 and was based in the centre of Stockport although the service on offer was available to all residents of the borough.

·         The organisation offers confidential, free and independent local advice and guidance about adult health and social care services.

·         During 2011, the organisation had dealt with in excess of 3000 enquiries which included provided support to more than 2,200 new customers.

·         147 separate Advice Sessions had been provided across the borough and the organisation has attended 48 further promotional events.

·         2012 would see continued efforts to promote and raise awareness about the service that FLAG provides and there would be an increase in the number of outreach sessions.

·         Funding was secure through to April 2013.

·         The interaction between FLAG and other organisations such as Signpost and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and Beverley Hart 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 Area Flexibility Fund applications to consider.

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

The report outline proposals to improve safety, following concerns from residents and Councillors about the recent road traffic incidents on Glossop Road and Lower Fold between the Lane Ends and Ludworth School.

The Area Committee is recommended to:-

(i)            Request that the Executive Councillor (Transportation) approves the safety improvement proposals outlined in the report; and

(ii)          Request the Executive Councillor (Transportation) approves that the proposals be funded from the 2012/13 budget (subject to available funds and the results of the public consultation.

Officer Contact: Richard Clark on Tel: 0161 474 4837 or email: richard.clark@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining a proposal to improve safety, following concerns expressed by local residents and Councillors about recent road traffic incidents on Glossop Road and Lower Fold, between Lane Ends and Ludworth School.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Transportation) be recommended to approve the following:

·         The detailed design and consultation proposals

·         The improvements to the road surface outlined in the report for implementation in the 2012/13 financial year; and

·         The provision of an interactive sign and road markings (subject to the results of the public consultation)

To consider a joint report of the Service Directors (Place Management) and ( Legal and Democratic Services)

The report requests the Area Committee to consider objections to a proposed traffic regulation order in the Rose Hill Primary School area, Marple.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the proposals contained within the report.

Officer Contact: Graham Price on Tel: 0161 474 3138 or email: graham.price@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to consider objections to a proposed traffic regulation order in the Rose Hill Primary School area, Marple.

RESOLVED – That no action be taken at the present time and consideration of the implementation of the proposed traffic regulation order be deferred until the end of 2012 to enable the Service Director (Place Management) to monitor the current parking situation in the vicinity of the School.

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

 (i)        DC046188     Werneth Hall Barn, Cowlishaw Road, Romiley

 Conversion and extension of an existing hay barn into a four bedroom holiday   

 let. 

 The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

 (ii)      DC048510     1, Fieldhouse Lane, Marple

 Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of single building to  

 accommodate 6 No. apartments.

 The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

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

Development applications were 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)

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager outlined the procedure for public speaking on planning applications.

In respect of plan no. 46188 for conversion and extension of an existing hay barn into a four bedroom holiday let at Werneth Hall Barn, Cowlishaw Road, Romiley, it was

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in the report.

In respect of plan no. 48510 for the demolition of existing bungalow and erection of single building to accommodate 6 apartments at 1 Fieldhouse Lane, Marple

a member of the public spoke against the application,

the applicant spoke in support of the application,

It was then                

RESOLVED – That the Planning and Highways visiting team be requested to undertake a site visit to assess the impact of the proposed development on neighbouring properties and the street scene, to assess the impact f the proposed development on parking in the area and that the Committee be requested to give consideration to the accessibility model information as detailed in the report.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

This is an information item to draw Councillors attention to the preparation of the Council’s revised Sustainable Design & Construction Supplementary Planning Document and Employment & Skills Training Supplementary Planning Document. The deadline for public consultation on the two documents is 20 February 2012.

The Area Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Angie Dukes on Tel: 0161 474 4385 or email: angie.jukes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted of report of the Service Director (Place Development) drawing Councillors attention  to the preparation of the Council’s revised Sustainable Design & Construction Supplementary Planning Document and Employment & Skills Training Supplementary Planning Document. The deadline for the public consultation on the two documents is 20 February 2012.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There are currently no vacancies to consider.

There were no vacancies to consider.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.

The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority are currently consulting on their Corporate Plan 2012-15. Councillors have previously been sent information relation to this in the Friday E-bulletin. However, the Chair suggested that the Area Committee may wish to provide a collective response.

The consultation document can be viewed at:

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

Officer Contact: Stephen Fox on Tel: 0161 474 3206 or email:stephen.fox@stockport.gov.uk

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 reminded the Area Committee that the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority were currently consulting on their Corporate Plan. The Chair reported that the proposed Fleet/ Appliance Deployment in Marple would see the introduction of a Smaller Fire Unit in addition to the existing Fire Engine.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to reply to the consultation on behalf of the Area Committee outlining its supports for the proposals contained in the Corporate Plan 2012-15.

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: Damian Eaton, 0161 474 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, the current position on Area Flexibility Funding and the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budget.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Service Director (Place Management) be requested to provide an update as a matter of urgency in respect to progress made in investigating the introduction of permit parking on East Drive , Marple.