Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 26 September 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 interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of Agenda Item 6(i) – ‘Plan no. 52800 - Prospect House, 20a Mellor Road, Cheadle Hulme’ as the appendix to the report contains information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED – That notwithstanding the submission of information included in the Appendix to plan no. 52800 – ‘Prospect House, 20a Mellor Road, Cheadle Hulme’ which had been classified as ‘Not for Publication’ by virtue of it containing information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority), the Area Committee was satisfied that unless it was necessary for this information to be heard openly during the proceedings, the public not be excluded from the meeting.

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

The Chair announced that services would be held on Remembrance Sunday at Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme and Woodford War Memorials.

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.

No public questions were submitted.

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.

Carolyn Turner (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 Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The levels of reported gully blockages and street lighting faults had seen an increase since the last meeting, although it was anticipated that this was largely the result of more observations of problems being made due to the darker evenings and wetter autumn months.

·         Complaints relating to pot holes and overgrown vegetation had levelled off.

·         There were ongoing problems with flyposting along the A34 and A555 which were in the process of being addressed.

·         It was requested that members be provided with an update on the current position with regard to the transfer into the ownership of the Council of all open areas of the Eden Park Estate, Cheadle Hulme.

·         It was requested that the thanks of Nevill Road Primary School be passed on following the prompt and effective work by the Council to clear graffiti from the school.

·         It was requested that pressure be maintained on Electricity North West to ensure that their electricity substations were promptly cleared of graffiti and appropriately secured to prevent future incidents.

·         The footpath from Moor Lane to Chester Road, Woodford was heavily overgrown with vegetation which made it difficult for pedestrians to safely walk along. This problem was compounded by a faulty lighting column at that location.

·         Church Lane, Woodford continued to suffer from flooding during inclement weather despite previous work at that location.

RESOLVED – That Carolyn Turner be thanked for her attendance.

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.

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

PC Carl Cummings and PCSO Maureen Crehan (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South area.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Despite a number of recent arrests, domestic burglaries were a significant concern for the police across Stockport.

·         The police would be supporting the Remembrance Services at Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme and Woodford War Memorials.

·         The Mobile Police Station would be at various locations in Bramhall North and Bramhall South wards over the coming days.

·         Anti-social behaviour committed by young people was a rising concern which was in the course of being tackled by the police and partner agencies.

RESOLVED – That PC Cummings and PCSO Crehan be thanked for their attendance.

To consider an application for Area Flexibility Funding from the Friends of South Park for £650 towards the cost of advertising and creating a ‘Winter Wonderland’ experience for local children.

Natalie Hughes attended the meeting and submitted an application on behalf of the Friends of South Park for Area Flexibility Funding towards the cost of advertising and creating a ‘Winter Wonderland’ experience for local children.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make a grant of £650 to the Friends of South Park towards the cost of advertising and creating a ‘Winter Wonderland’ experience for local children.

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

The following development application 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 and 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 Management and Regeneration 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.

A three storey apartment building comprising of eleven no. two bedroom apartments (re-submission of DC051689).

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

(NOTE:  This item contains a confidential appendix which has been circulated to members of the Area Committee only)

Officer contact: Dominic Harvey on 474 3544 or email: dominic.harvey@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. 52800 for a three storey apartment building comprising of eleven no. two bedroom apartments (re-submission of DC051689) at Prospect House, 20a Mellor Road, Cheadle Hulme,

the applicant’s agent spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted.

To consider a report of the Council Solicitor.

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 Werneth Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Joy Morton on 0161 474 3217 or email: joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report of the Council Solicitor (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by the Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report details the findings of the 2013 Annual Review of Outcomes Tour undertaken on 15 March 2013.

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

Officer contact: Kevin Brooks on 474 4905 or email: kevin.brooks@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the findings of the 2013 Annual Review of Outcomes Tour undertaken on 15 March 2013.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report details a number of objections to a proposed Traffic Regulation Order at St James Way, Cheadle Hulme.

The Area Committee is recommended to make the Order as advertised subject to further consideration being given to the potential to ameliorate residents’ concerns relating to a lack of on street parking by adopting ‘Option B’ detailed at Appendix 1 to the report.

Officer contact: Zoe Allan on 474 3138 or email: zoe.allan@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) detailing a number of objections to a proposed Traffic Regulation Order at St James Way, Cheadle Hulme.

It was commented that members of the public had expressed concerns in advance of the meeting with regard to a number of issues which did not relate specifically to the introduction or otherwise of Traffic Regulation Orders on St James Way, Cheadle Hulme and that these would be pursued separately.

Councillors then gave consideration to the comments that had been received as part of the formal consultation on the proposed Traffic Regulations Orders and gave particular regard to those objections relating to the lack of on street parking provision for residents.

RESOLVED – That, in the light of the objections raised by residents relating to on street parking provision, the original Order be amended to delete from the proposals that element of the scheme introducing ‘No Waiting Monday-Friday’ 8am-9.30am and 3pm-4.30pm restrictions and that approval be given to the following revised scheme identified as ‘Option B’ within the report:-

No Waiting at Any Time

St James Way, Cheadle Hulme, both sides from the northerly kerb line of Stanley Road for a distance of 15 metres in a northerly direction.

Stanley Road, Cheadle Hulme, north side, from a point 12 metres west of the westerly kerb line of St James Way to a point 8 metres east of the easterly kerb line of St James Way.

St James Way, Cheadle Hulme, east side, from a point 43 metres north of  the northerly kerb line of Stanley Road for a distance of 17 metres in a northerly then north westerly direction.

To consider a report of the Returning Officer.

The report seeks the views of the Area Committee on the current polling arrangements within the Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South area in order to inform the current Polling District review.  The report also details the current polling places within the Bramhall North, Bramhall South and Cheadle Hulme South wards along with the size of the electorate as at October 2013 and the number of electors that would be eligible to vote in person.

The Area Committee is requested to comment on the existing polling arrangements.

Officer Contact: Steve Callender on 474 3268 or email: steve.callender@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) seeking the views of the Area Committee on the current polling arrangements within the Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South area in order to inform the current Polling District review.  The report also detailed the current polling places within the Bramhall North, Bramhall South and Cheadle Hulme South wards along with the size of the electorate as at October 2013 and the number of electors that would be eligible to vote in person.

Concern was expressed in relation to lack of shelter for tellers at a number of polling stations, with particular regard to that at Bramhall High School.  It was further stated that Presiding Officers were inconsistent with regard to the application of the rule requiring tellers to remain outside the polling place.

It was suggested that there needed to be better signage at Hursthead Infant and Junior Schools to differentiate the two polling stations at those locations as in previous years there had been complaints that electors had been turned away as they had attended the wrong polling station.

RESOLVED – That the Chief Executive be recommended to give consideration to the comments of the Area Committee as part of the review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations.

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

The Chair reported that this item was placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Bellis.

Councillor Bellis reported that he had been approached by representatives of HIMOR Group, the owners of the Bramhall Village Square Precinct, with a view to entering into an agreement with the Council to demolish the public conveniences adjacent to the precinct to improve pedestrian access from the car park.

The representative of the Democratic Services Manager provided an update with regard to the current status of the public conveniences.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

There are currently no vacancies to consider.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that since the agenda had been produced, a vacancy had arisen at Queensgate Primary School (Liberal Democrat nomination) and that a nomination for this vacancy had been received in the name of Catherine Calton.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning and Achievement) be recommended to approve the appointment of Catherine Calton to the governing body of Queensgate Primary School (Liberal Democrat vacancy).

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 3207 or email: damian.eaton@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 budget.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.