Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 5 February 2015  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.

Personal Interest

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.

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.

Four public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to consultation on the diversion of Footpath 112, Stockport in connection with the approved development application DC056554 – land to the north of Blackberry Lane, Brinnington, Castle Hill School and Lapwing Centre, Lapwing Lane, Brinnington, land at Lapwing Lane, Brinnington and former storage area, Truro Avenue, Brinnington.

It was reported that the residents of Blackberry Lane, Brinnington, together with both the Tame Valley Defence Group and Friends of Reddish Vale, had been consulted directly about the planning application. In terms of the footpath diversion application itself, no residents or community organisations had been consulted as public consultation did not from part of the process if, and until, the Area Committee agreed to make the Order. The applicant, Countryside Properties, had, however informed all relevant statutory organisations including the Ramblers Association and Peak and Northern Footpath Society.  If the Committee agreed to make the Order a notice would then be displayed in the local press and at each end of the footpath in accordance the statutory process. The notice would advise that objections to the Order were to be made within 28 days.

The application to divert the footpath was to allow development under Section 257 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and as such the development must have full planning consent before the footpath diversion could be implemented. The application was not, therefore, premature but would not be confirmed unless, or until, the judicial review submitted by a resident of the borough had been resolved in favour of the development.

·         Relating to the licence given by the Council to Countryside Properties to commence felling trees on land at Blackberry Lane, Brinnington.

It was reported that on 18 February 2015 the Council had granted a licence to Countryside Properties to allow an ecological assessment and subsequent tree removal work to be carried out on land at Blackberry Lane, Brinnington. The work was required to facilitate future development of the site and was timed to take place prior to the bird nesting season.

On 25 February 2015 the Council had become aware that a resident of the borough had submitted an application to the High Court for a judicial review of the Council’s resolution to grant planning permission for development, including land at the Blackberry Lane site.

Whilst the licence had been issued by the Council as landowner and was not part of the planning process, the Council had decided that it was no longer appropriate to permit Countryside Properties to proceed with these works pending the outcome of the application for judicial review.  As such the developer had been instructed to put on hold any further works other than works necessary to leave the site in a safe condition and the felling of the trees had ceased on 3 March 2015.

·         Relating to the version of the Council’s Constitution on the website bearing a future date.

It was reported that for technical reasons the Constitution had to bear the date when the revised Constitution would be agreed at the next Annual Council Meeting.

·         One further public question was submitted regarding the Council’s policy on land disposal.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to respond in writing to the public question regarding the Council’s policy on land disposal.

The Public Realm Officer will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at previous committee meetings. Councillors and members of thepublic 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 (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED – That Mark Calderbank be thanked for his attendance and the Committee’s thanks passed on to the Public Realm Inspectors and Enforcement Officers who supported the Central Stockport area.

No petitions were submitted.

Geraldine Flanagan and Rick Jones will attend the meeting and make a presentation to members about Stockport District Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and the Stockport Advice and Information for Life project that the CAB is leading on.

Geraldine Flanagan and Rick Jones attended the meeting and made a presentation to Members about the Stockport District Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and the Stockport Advice and Information for Life project that the CAB was leading on.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Members expressed appreciation for the work carried out by the Citizens Advice Bureau and for its good working relationship with the Council and Stockport Homes.

·         The Citizens Advice Bureau was working closely with Stockport Homes with regard to where the kiosks would be placed and when they would be available.

·         The demand for face to face meetings with staff from the Citizens Advice Bureau had increased significantly.

RESOLVED – That Geraldine Flanagan and Rick Jones be thanked for their presentation and for the work which they carried out with some of the most vulnerable people in the borough.

There are no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive

The report summarises recent appeal decisions, current planning appeals and enforcement activity within the area represented by the Central Stockport Area Committee.

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 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.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out a proposed diversion order to enable the development of the site on land to the north of Blackberry Lane, Brinnington (planning application DC056554) to take place.

 The Area Committee is requested to approve the making of a diversion order of part of Footpath 122, Stockport under Section 257 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1980.

Officer Contact: Thomas Purcell on 0161 218 1555 or email: thomas.purcell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a joint report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration and Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a proposed diversion order to enable the development of the site on land to the north of Blackberry Lane, Brinnington (planning application DC056554) to take place.

The Area Committee debated the item in the light of the judicial review of the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee's decision to approve the planning application for the proposed development, the fact that the planning decision notice had not been issued and the additional legal information provided at the meeting setting out the process including the advertising of the Order for twenty eight days with the opportunity for representations to be made and the situation should objections be received if the Area Committee agreed to make the Order.

It was then

MOVED AND SECONDED

1. That the report be deferred until the next meeting of the Area Committee on 16 April 2015.
2. That the additional legal information provided orally at the meeting be incorporated into the report setting out the situation should objections be received if the Area Committee agrees to make the Order.
3. That consultation take place with members of the public and the outcome of the consultation incorporated into the report to be submitted to the next meeting of the Area Committee.

For the motion 8, against 0

MOTION CARRIED

It was then

            RESOLVED - (1) That the report be deferred until the next meeting of the Area Committee on 16 April 2015.

(2) That the additional legal information provided orally at the meeting be incorporated into the report setting out the situation should objections be received if the Area Committee agrees to make the Order.

(3)That consultation take place with members of the public and the outcome of the consultation incorporated into the report to be submitted to the next meeting of the Area Committee.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People

The report provides an update on the impact of the closure of Offerton School and the effect on pupils.

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

Officer Contact: Alan Beswick on 0161 474 3918 or email: alan.beswick@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the impact of the closure of Offerton School and the effect on pupils.

It was reported that a range of strategies to support the smooth transfer and transition of the former Offerton cohort into Marple Hall School and Stockport School had been implemented. These included the appointment of additional teaching staff, a designated teacher with responsibility for supporting the cohort during transition, Year 7 induction days, meetings with parents and support for Key Stage 4 students with regard to their option choices and specific curriculum requirements.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services

The report provides information regarding the re-build of Bridge Hall Primary School under the Priority Schools Building Programme.

The Area Committee is requested to note and provide comments on the report.

Officer Contact: Murray Carr on 0161 474 3019 or email: murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services (copies of which had been circulated) advising the Area Committee about the re-build of Bridge Hall Primary School by a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract under the Priority Schools Building Programme. In accordance with the programme the School’s Governing Body would enter into a Private Finance contract for 25 years and would pay a revenue charge towards the life cycle costs of the building.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be requested to provide details of the financial implications of the PFI Contract on the school’s budget.

(3) That the report be re-submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee with the information requested in (2) above and a representative of the Corporate Director for People requested to attend the meeting to provide more details of the Priority Schools Building Programme and how schools in the Central Stockport area are affected.

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

To report seeks comments regarding the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders required to implement the Stockport Exchange development in accordance with planning permission DC/054978. This application comprised a hotel, office buildings, retail and restaurant uses. There are also significant areas of Public Realm improvements outside the Railway Station which requires severance of the Railway Road/Station Road loop.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) approves the legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders contained in the report and, subject to no objections being received within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the Order be made.

Officer Contact: Mark James on 0161 474 2077 or email: mark.james@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking comments regarding the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders required to implement the Stockport Exchange development in accordance with planning permission DC/054978. This application comprised a hotel, office buildings, retail and restaurant uses. There were also significant areas of Public Realm improvements outside the Railway Station which required severance of the Railway Road/Station Road loop.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) be recommended to approve the legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders contained in Appendix A required to implement the Stockport Exchange development and, subject to no objections being received within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the Orders be made.

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

The report considers proposed Traffic Regulation Orders associated with the Stockport Town Access Plan schemes around the King Street West and Wood Street areas.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) to approve the statutory legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders contained in the report and, subject to no objections being received, the Orders be made.

Officer Contact: Mark James on 0161 474 2077 or email: mark.james@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking approval for the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders associated with the Stockport Town Centre Access Plan around King Street West/Wood Street areas of Edgeley.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) be recommended to approve the legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders contained in Appendix A associated with the Stockport Town Centre Access Plan around the King Street West/Wood Street areas of Edgeley and, subject to no objections being recived within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the Orders be made.

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

The report considers an objection received to a proposed Traffic Regulation Order at Orchard Street and Lavenders Brow, Stockport.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that, notwithstanding the objection received, the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) approves the implementation of the Traffic Regulation Order as originally advertised.

Officer Contact: Vivian Butterworth on 0161 474 4848 or email: vivian.butterworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a joint report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration and the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Servoces (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to consider an objection to a proposed Traffic Regulation Order at Orchard Street and Lavenders Brow.

RESOLVED – That, notwithstanding the objection received, the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) be recommended to request the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration to make the Order as advertised.

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

The report sets out the result of an investigation into the difficulties caused by parked vehicles at the junction of Dorrington Road and Stockport Road, Cheadle Heath.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability)  to approve the legal advertising of the revocation of the existing Traffic Regulation Order for No Waiting At Any Time and replace it with a Traffic Regulation Order for No Waiting/No Loading At Any Time on Dorrington Road, Cheadle Heath.

Officer Contact: Vivian Butterworth on 0161 email: vivian.butterworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking approval to revoke the existing Traffic Regulation Order for No Waiting At any Time and replace it with a Traffic Regulation Order for No Waiting/No Loading At Any Time on Dorrington Road, Cheadle Heath following the results of an investigation into the difficulties caused by parked vehicles at the junction of Dorrington Road and Stockport Road, Cheadle Heath.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) be recommended to approve the legal advertising of the following Traffic Regulation Order and, subject to no objections being received within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the Order be made:-

Proposed Revocation of Traffic Regulation Order – No Waiting At Any Time

Dorrington Road, Cheadle Heath – both sides, from the north westerly kerbline of Stockport Road for a distance of 10 metres in a north westerly direction.

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – No Waiting/No Loading At Any Time

Dorrington Road, Cheadle Heath - both sides, from the north westerly kerbline of Stockport Road for a distance of 10 metres in a north westerly direction.

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

The report sets out the results of an investigation into the difficulties caused by parked vehicles at the junction of Mile End Lane and Seymour Road, Great Moor.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the statutory legal advertising of the proposed No Waiting At Any Time on Mile End Lane, Great Moor and, subject to no objections being received within the statutory period, the Order be made.

Officer Contact: Vivian Butterworth on 0161 474 4848 or email: vivian.butterworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the results of an investigation into the difficulties caused by parked vehicles at the junction of Mile End Lane and Seymour Road, Great Moor.

RESOLVED – (1)  That the Area Committee be minded to approve the following Traffic Regulation Order for No Waiting At Any Time, subject to the outcome of the statutory consultation, at an approximate cost of £550 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget for 2015/16 (Manor Ward allocation):-

No Waiting At Any Time

Mile End Lane – north west side, from the south westerly kerbline of Seymour Road for a distance of 10 metres in a south westerly direction.

(2) That approval be given to the statutory legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Order and subject to no objections being received within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the Order be made.

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

To report the outcome of an investigation of the difficulties caused by parked vehicles at the junction of Marsland Terrace and Hempshaw Lane, Offerton.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the statutory legal advertising of a proposed No Waiting At Any Time Traffic Regulation Order on sections of Marsland Terrace and Hempshaw Lane, Offerton and, subject to no objections being received within the statutory period, the Order be made.

Officer Contact: Vivian Butterworth on 0161 474 4848 or email: vivian.butterworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding the outcome of an investigation into the difficulties caused by parked vehicles at the junction of Marsland Terrace and Hempshaw Lane, Offerton.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Area Committee be minded to approve the following Traffic Regulation Order for No Waiting At Any Time on Marsland Terrace/Hempshaw Lane, Offerton, subject to the outcome of the statutory consultation, at an approximate cost of £550 to be funded from the Town Centre Access Plan budget.

No Waiting At Any Time

Marsland Terrace – both sides, from the northerly kerbline of Hempshaw Lane for a distance of 10 metres in a northerly direction.

Hempshaw Lane – north side, from a point 10 metres west of the westerly kerbline of Marsland Terrace to a point 10 metres east of the easterly kerbline of Marsland Terrace.

(2) That approval be given to the statutory legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Order and subject to no objections being received within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the Order be made.

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

The report considers the results of an investigation into the difficulties caused by parked vehicles on Old Chapel Street, Edgeley.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the statutory legal advertising of a proposed No Waiting At Any Time Traffic Regulation Order on sections of Old Chapel Street, Edgeley and, subject to no objections being received within the statutory period, the Order be made.

Officer Contact: Vivian Butterworth on 0161 474 4848 or email: vivian.butterworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding the results of an investigation into the difficulties caused by parked vehicles on Old Chapel Street, Edgeley.

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RESOLVED – That approval be given to the following Traffic Regulation Order for No Waiting At Any Time, subject to the outcome of the statutory consultation, at an approximate cost of 500 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Edgeley and Cheadle Heath Ward allocation):-

No Waiting At Any Time

Old Chapel Street – south east side, from a point 10 metres north east of the easterly kerbline of York Street for a distance of 57 metres in a north easterly direction.

Old Chapel Street – south east side and cul de sac end, from a point 80 metres north east of the easterly kerbline of York Street for a distance of 4 metres in a north easterly direction and then 9 metres in a north westerly direction and then approximately 4 metres in a south westerly direction.

(2) That approval be given to the statutory legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Order and subject to no objections being received within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the Order be made.

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

The report considers the use of the former Booth Street depot site in Edgeley following a request from a self-store business which currently operates in the borough to use the site for this purpose.

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

Officer Contact: Murray Carr on 0161 474 3019 or email: murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services (copies of which had been circulated) regarding the use of the former Booth Street depot site in Edgeley following a request from a self-store business which currently operated in the borough to use the site for this purpose.

The Ward Councillors for the Edgeley and Cheadle Heath Ward expressed concern about the residential amenity of local residents should this use be approved for the site, the lack of detail contained in the report and expressed a wish that the site be developed for housing. In addition, they expressed a wish that the masterplanning exercise for this locality be commenced as soon as possible and that the self-store business be located elsewhere in the borough.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be advised that the Area Committee does not support the proposal for a self-store business to use the former Booth Street depot site.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services

 The report sets out a proposal to dispose of an area of Council owned land for development Turncroft Lane, Offerton.

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

Officer Contact: Murray Carr on 0161 474 3019 or email: murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk

With the agreement of the Committee, this item was withdrawn

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services

 The report sets out a proposal to dispose of land adjacent to 4 Glebe Street, Offerton to the adjoining private resident.

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

Officer Contact: Murray Carr on 0161 474 3019 or e mail: murray.carr@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) regarding a proposal to dispose of land adjacent to 4 Glebe Street, Offerton to the adjoining private resident.

It was reported that this issue had been deferred at the meeting of the Area Committee held on 11 December 2014 in order for Members to be provided with further financial information regarding the proposal, clarification regarding access to the site and whether residents adjacent to the passageway had been consulted.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be advised that the Area Committee supports the proposal to dispose of land adjacent to 4 Glebe Street, Offerton to the adjoining private resident.

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

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

Councillor Rowles reported that the Ward Councillors for the Brinnington and Central Ward had concerns about how the hours to community groups would be allocated at the new leisure centre in Brinnington, particular the number of hours offered to a local boxing club. However, following discussions with Stockport Homes, it had become apparent that another venue may be available.

RESOLVED – That a representative of Life Leisure be invited to a future meeting of the Area Committee to discuss leisure provision in the Brinnington and Central Ward.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The Area Committee is requested to provide political nominations for the Authority vacancy at Cheadle Health Primary School .

Officer Contact: Pam Dunham on 07800 617940 or email: pam.dunham@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for People (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to provide a nomination for the Authority Governor vacancy at Cheadle Heath Primary School.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report considers an application from Sustrans to hold a family event “Project Wild Thing” in Heaton Norris Park on 9 May 2015.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application, subject to the production of the appropriate paperwork.

Officer Contact: Josephine Holmes on 0161 474 3278 or email: josephine.holmes@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) regarding an application from Sustrans to hold a family event “Project Wild Thing” in Heaton Norris Park on 9 May 2015,

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application from Sustrans to hold a family event “Project Wild Thing” in Heaton Norris Park on 9 May 2015, subject to the production of the appropriate paperwork.