Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chair of the Area Committee until the next Annual Council Meeting.

RESOLVED -That Councillor Charlie Stewart be elected Chair of the Area Committee for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

To appoint a Vice-Chair of the Area Committee until the next Annual Council Meeting.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Philip Harding be appointed Vice-Chair of the Area Committee for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 19 April 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and Officers were invited to declare any interests 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the consideration of Appendix 2 to Agenda Item 11 – ‘Land adjacent to Rock Row, Stockport’ which contains information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of the any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ appendix to agenda item 11 ‘Land adjacent to Rock Row, Stockport’ in the event that the appendix was discussed.

No urgent decisions were reported.

No announcements were made.

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.

The local Public Realm Inspector will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at previous committee meetings. Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise issues affecting local environment quality.

Mark Calderbank, 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 public realm issues within the area represented by the Central Stockport Area Committee. A written summary was also provided of the work carried out by the Public Realm Service.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A Member enquired when the clean up around Daresbury Close, Stockport would take place.

·         The increase in fly tipping in the Edgeley and Cheadle Heath Ward was highlighted.

·         A Member requested information on the definition of caravans and trailers in the context of the abandoned vehicles legislation.

RESOLVED – That Mark Calderbank be thanked for his attendance and the work which he carries out.

Sergeant Philip Lowe attended the meeting to report on neighbourhood policing issues.

The following comments were made/issues raised.

·         Anti-social behaviour issues in the Davenport and Cale Green Ward, including off road bikes and quad bikes being ridden in residential areas causing problems to people’s safety, were highlighted.

·         The Police were thanked for the success of Operation Barometer and the multi-agency approach to problems of anti-social behaviour, particularly in the Edgeley and Cheadle Heath Ward.

·         The issues of off road bikes in the Edgeley and Cheadle Heath Ward was raised, particularly on Edgeley Road.

·         Davenport and Cale Green Ward Councillors requested an update on  an incident in Adswood Park where some people had been injured.

·         A Councillor representing the Manor Ward requested information on trends for crime before a community meeting on crime to be held on 14 June 2018 at Woodbank Community Centre. Sergeant Lowe confirmed that the Police would be represented at that meeting.

RESOLVED – That Sergeant Philip Lowe be thanked for his attendance.

(i)            The Quadrant, Offerton

A petition has been received from twenty seven signatories as follows:-

‘We, the undersigned want the Council to look at the passages on The Quadrant. We want serious consideration to closing these passages or installing lockable gates. This is in order to prevent anti-social behaviour and opportunist crime by people using our roads as a cut through and the passages as an escape route’.

(ii)          To consider any other petitions received from members of the public and community groups.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported on the submission of two petitions as follows:-

(i)            The Quadrant, Offerton

A petition from twenty seven signatories requesting that the Council look at the passages on The Quadrant, Offerton and give consideration to closing the passages or installing lockable gates in order to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.

(ii)          Lowfield Road, Stockport – One Way System

A petition from eight seven signatories requesting that a one way system be introduced on Lowfield Road, Stockport.

RESOLVED – That the petitions be referred to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration for investigation.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Chris Murphy

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Chris Murphy.

With regard to the petition previously submitted to the Area Committee (Minute 7(v)(ii) refers), Councillor Murphy reported that he had received a number of requests from local residents for a one way system on Lowfield Road, Stockport in order to alleviate traffic problems on Lowfield Road and Range Road.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be requested to consult residents on a number of roads in the local area in the Brinnington & Central and Davenport & Cale Green Wards on the proposal to make Lowfield Road, Stockport a one-way road.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that no organisation had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

In the light of changes to the Council’s Constitution last year, the Area Committee will need to agree to delegate the determination of applications for Ward Flexibility Funding for the Municipal Year 2018/19 to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with Ward Councillors, should the Area Committee wish to continue with its current practice doe determining applications for funding.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that, following changes to the Constitution last year, it was necessary for the Area Committee to consider its current practice for determining applications for Ward Flexibility Funding.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to delegate the determination of applications for Ward Flexibility Funding for the Municipal Year 2018/19 to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with Ward Councillors.

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

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

(to begin no earlier than 6.30pm)

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 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 Directorate upon payment of the Council’s reasonable charges).

The Chair outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

Full application for the conversion and external alterations to Stockport Sorting Office to accommodate 117 apartments over five storeys, 943 sqm of B1 office floorspace and 211 sqm of A3, A4 or A5 floorspace or a combination of such over lower ground and ground floors.

The Planning and Highways Regulation Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

Officer contact: Chris Smyton on 0161 474 3657 or email: chris.smyton@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. 68017 for a full application for the conversion and external alterations to Stockport Sorting Office to accommodate 117 apartments over five storeys, 943 sqm of B1 office floorspace and 211 sqm of A3,A4 or A5 floorspace or a combination of such over lower ground and ground floors at the former sorting office, 1 Exchange Street, Stockport

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

It was then

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

Redevelopment of existing building, including partial demolition, to create a mixed-use commercial (A1 or A2) and residential scheme comprising 14 apartments.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission and delegate the decision to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration pending completion of the Section 106 Agreement to secure a commuted sum to meet the formal recreation and children’s play needs of future residents.

Officer Contact: Daniel Hewitt on 0161 218 1989 or email: daniel.hewitt@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. 68530 for the redevelopment of the existing building, including partial demolition, to create a mixed-use commercial (A1 or A2) and residential scheme comprising 14 apartments at 1 Wellington Road South, Stockport

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

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted and the decision delegated to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration pending completion of the Section 106 Agreement to secure a commuted sum to meet the formal recreation and children’s play needs of future residents.

Continued use of the site as a transfer station for inert and non-inert waste (change of use for a temporary period permitted by DC/011898 and timeframe for use extended by DC/028768) for a further temporary time period of 5 years (Variation of condition 1 of DC028768).

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission, subject to the Environment Agency and environmental Health section raising no objection.

Officer Contact: Pippa Brown on  0161 474 3531 or  email: pippa.brown@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. 68948 for the continued use of the site as a transfer station for inert and non-inert waste (change of use for a temporary period permitted by DC/011898 and timeframe for use extended by DC/028768) for a further time period of five years (variation of condition 1 of DC028768) at Unit 24, Adswood Industrial Estate, Adswood Road, Adswood, it was:-

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted for five years and the decision delegated to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration should the Environment Agency and Environmental Health section raise no objections.

Temporary (for one year) siting of three 10 feet metal containers and refuse bins on the forecourt of the premises.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

Officer Contact: Pippa Brown on 0161 474 3531or email: pippa.browm@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. 68996 for the temporary (for one year) siting of three 10 feet metal containers and refuse bins on the forecourt of the premises at Units 8 to 11 Lindsays Industrial Estate, Oakfield Road, Davenport, it was:-

RESOLVED - That planning permission be granted for one year, subject to suitable screening of the containers and refuse bins from the public highway.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

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 Central Stockport area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcement activity within the area represented by the Central Stockport Area Committee.

The Area Committee was advised that the appeal had been withdrawn against the refusal of consent for three signs to highlight that the business was open to the public at Terrys Fabrics, 296 Edgeley Road.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

In November 2017, Cabinet reviewed and agreed Stockport’s transport priorities following the outcomes of the South East Manchester Multi Modal Strategy (SEMMMS) Issues and Options consultation.

Work has been progressing since this agreement was reached, to translate these priorities into a draft SEMMM Strategy document ready for public consultation prior to its final adoption by both Stockport and Cheshire East Councils.

A public consultation on the draft Strategy commenced on Monday 21st May and is due to run for a 6 week period. Following the consultation, the draft Strategy will be reviewed and revised in light of the feedback received and a final version will be submitted for consideration by the Council later this year.

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

Officer contact Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a draft South East Manchester Multi Modal Strategy which set out the priorities for the SEMMMS area up to 2040 and presenting what the delivery of the strategy in its entirety could mean for the SEMMMS area. Whilst the delivery of the package of schemes would be subject to further investigations to evaluate the technical feasibility and commercial viability of individual schemes, the draft Strategy presented the priorities for the SEMMMS area which should be explored further and progressed by the Council, its partners and wider stakeholders.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• The objectives in Section 4 ‘Vision and Objectives’ of the consultation draft needed to be re-ordered insofar as an increase in the use of sustainable transport needed to precede the tackling of congestion.
• The enhanced highways programme referred to in Section 5.1 ‘Developing the Interventions  – Strategic Approach’ was out of kilter with the key priorities .The only solution to traffic problems was improved public transport.
• The Committee was supportive of Metrolink coming to Stockport and comments were made about the possible routes for it. 
• There was a balance between ensuring that there was a safe environment where people could walk and cycle, and firms moving goods by lorry to facilitate their business.
• In the Brinnington and Central Ward, schemes for the Heaton Norris Bridge and the Brinnington Tunnel were important and Ward Members requested updates on them.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report advices the Area Committee of the availability of large poppies which can be erected on lighting columns in November to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the end of the Great War.

The Area Committees is requested to consider if they wish to erect commemorative poppies on lighting columns in accordance with guidance and if so to advise the Director of the number of poppies that they wish to display. 

Officer Contact: Nick Whelan on Tel: 0161 474 4907 or email: nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) advising the Area Committee of the availability of large poppies which could be erected on lighting columns in November 2018 to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration, in consultation with the Ward Highway Spokespersons, be authorised to determine the number of large poppies that should be purchased for the Brinnington & Central, Davenport & Cale Green, Edgeley & Cheadle Heath and Manor Wards.

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

The report seeks the views of the Area Committee on the proposed disposal of land at Rock Row to enable its redevelopment.

The Area Committee is requested to comment on the proposed land disposal set out in the report.

Officer Contact: Paul Edgeworth on 0161 218 1934 or email: paul.edgeworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking the views of the Area Committee on the proposed disposal of land at Rock Row to enable its development.

Concern was raised about the effect of the proposed development on events that took place in St. Peter’s Square and on people living in the town centre, and these issues would be discussed further with Officers.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director Place Management and Regeneration.

The report details a proposal to market for potential future sale the former Ritz Cinema site between Piccadilly and Fletcher Street for residential development in line with the Council’s Town Centre Living and Brownfield First priorities.

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

Officer contact: Paul Richards on 0161 474 2940 or email:  paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to market for potential future sale the former Ritz Cinema site between Piccadilly and Fletcher Street for residential development in line with the Council’s Town Centre Living and Brownfield First priorities.

Members requested that the ownership of the pedestrian footway from the existing car park on the former Ritz Cinema site to the casino on Wellington Street be investigated.

RESOLVED – That the proposal be supported.

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

The report provides Members with general information about events in Stockport town centre.

The Area Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Graeme Vout on 0161 474 4562 or email: graeme.vout@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing Members with general information about events in the town centre.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• Whether the number of people who attended the events was being monitored.
• Foodie Friday should be added to the list of events on the list.
• The aim should be to facilitate more events taking place in Stockport Town Centre.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Area Committee is invited to nominate Ward Spokespersons with whom the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration can consult on highway Maintenance and traffic management matters.

A copy of the Ward Spokesperson Protocol approved by the Area Committee at its meeting held on 23 May 20111 is attached for information.

The Area Committee is recommended to nominate Ward Spokespersons in accordance with the Protocol.

The Area Committee was invited to nominate Ward Spokespersons with whom the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration could consult on highway maintenance and traffic management matters.

RESOLVED – That the following Councillors be appointed as Ward Spokespersons for highways and traffic issues in the Central Stockport area for 2018/19:-

Brinnington and Central Ward – Councillor Chris Murphy

Davenport and Cale Green Ward – Councillor Dickie Davies

Edgeley and Cheadle Heath Ward – Councillor Richard Coaton

Manor Ward – Councillor Charlie Stewart

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report requests the Area Committee to consider appointments of representatives on Outside Bodies.

The Area Committee is requested to make nominations for appointments on Outside Bodies.

Officer Contact: David Clee on 0161 474 3137 or email:

david.clee@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to nominate representatives of the Council for appointment to local outside bodies.

RESOLVED – That the following representatives of the Council be nominated for appointment to the following outside bodies for 2018/19:-

Cheadle Heath Community Association

Councillor Sheila Bailey

Councillor Richard Coaton

Councillor Philip Harding

Woodbank Community Association

Councillor Patrick McAuley

Councillor Amanda Peers

Councillor Charlie Stewart

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 ward flexibility funding. The report also includes the current position on the ward delegated budgets.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer Contact: David Clee on 0161 474 3137 or email: david.clee@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 Ward Flexibility Funding. The report also included the position on the ward delegated budgets.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.