Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 8 July 2014 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 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 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.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Chair advised the meeting on progress with regard to the repairs to the war memorial on Cheadle Green, Cheadle.

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 Area Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee.

One public question was submitted from a member of the public enquiring whether the Pavilion Building in Abney Park would be open to general lease in the near future.

The Chair advised that a report with regard to whether to extend the existing lease on the Pavilion Building in Abney Park would be considered during a subsequent item on the agenda for the meeting (Minute 9 refers).

The 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.

David Wilson (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 Cheadle Area Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The trees and vegetation which were obstructing the path from the main car park at Bruntwood Park to the end of Bruntwood Lane needed to be cleared.

·         Whether action would be taken against fly tipping and people who had deposited litter and glass in Cheadle Hulme Precinct

·         Litter bins were required at the car park and recycling facilities at Heald Green Village Hall.

RESOLVED – That David Wilson be thanked for his attendance.

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

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported on the receipt of an e petition containing 174 signatures requesting the Council to extend the current lease of the Pavilion Changing Rooms in Abney Hall Park to Abney Garden Teas. A further hard copy petition which had been started in 2012 and contained 250 signatures, including 71 signatures since 1 August 2014, was also submitted at the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the e petition and hard copy petition be considered in connection with the subsequent item on the agenda for the meeting regarding the renewal of a lease in respect of the Pavilion Building, Abney Park (Minute 9 refers).

Representatives from the Community Safety Unit (Stockport Council) and Greater Manchester Police will attend the meeting to provide an update on their activities within the area represented by the Cheadle Area Committee.

Sergeant Greg Morgan (Greater Manchester Police), Rachel Smith (Community Safety Operations Manager, Stockport Council) and Elaine Alkin (Neighbourhood Officer, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to make a presentation in respect of the work of the Safer Stockport Partnership to reduce crime in 2013/14 and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the Cheadle area.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The increasing prevalence of cyber crime and the need for residents to be vigilant. Increasingly the Police used social media to convey messages, either via twitter or facebook.

·         Some motorists did not adhere to the one way nature of the stretch of the Councillor Lane service road from Brookhead Drive and this traffic order needed to be enforced.

·         Motorists continued to ignore the no right turn from Massie Street Car Park, Cheadle onto the High Street and this needed to be enforced.

·         Victim-based crime, theft, violence, robbery, burglary and vehicle crime had all increased in the Cheadle area between 2012/13 and 2013/14.

·         There needed to be improved linkages between the street lighting section of the Council and the police in situations where the absence of an illuminated street light was pertinent to a crime having been committed.

RESOLVED – (1) That Sergeant Greg Morgan, Rachel Smith and Elaine Alkin be thanked for their attendance.

(2) That the Area Committee be provided with information on the level of communication between the street lighting section of the Council and the police.

To consider a report of the West Area Housing Manager (Stockport Homes Limited)

The report updates Members on progress in the delivery of Stockport Homes Neighbourhood Action Plans.

The Area Committee is requested to note and comment on the progress relating to the Neighbourhood Action Plans, in particular Members’ views are sought on further issues that the Neighbourhood Action Plans might embrace in 2014-15 and priorities for 2015/16 which will be formulated later on this year.

Officer Contact: Maria Lindars on 0161 474 4371 or email: maria.lindars@stockporthomes.org

A representative of the Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress in the delivery of Stockport Homes Neighbourhood Action Plans. The report also requested Councillors to comment on further issues which the Action Plans may address in 2015/2016.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         A Member welcomed the continued support by Stockport Homes to customers through Welfare Reform changes and the move to Universal Credit once this was ‘rolled out’ in November 2014.

·         Concern was expressed about anti-social behaviour and fly tipping at York Close and The Cloisters, Cheadle.

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

·         The improvements to the accommodation at York Close, Cheadle was commended.

·         Older residents needed protecting from anti-social behaviour in flats where the age limit had been lowered.

·         The need to collaborate with other providers of social housing on the same estate continued to remain an important issue.

·         Multi-agency working with residents who had mental health problems was raised.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Mr John Leatherbarrow, Co-ordinator for Shopmobility in Stockport, will report on the activity of the organisation.

Mr John Leatherbarrow, Co-ordinator for Shopmobility, addressed the Area Committee on the work of the organisation. He reported that Shopmobility provided scooters, wheelchairs and sighted guides to take people to wherever they wanted to go in and around Stockport. It cost £10 a year or £20 for life membership, and offered independence for over 1,500 people who used the service.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The feedback from Disability Stockport was that the access problems caused by advertising boards had improved considerably.

·         Those present at the Area Committee were encouraged to attend Stockport Disability Day in Mersey Square on 12 August 2014.

RESOLVED – That John Leatherbarrow be thanked for his presentation and the services provided by Shopmobility.

To consider any applications for Ward Flexibility Funding or to receive feedback from organisations who have received funding.

There were no funding applications to consider.

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

Erection of lighting columns to the upper floor of the multi-decked car park.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

In respect of plan no. 55502 for the erection of lighting columns to the upper floor of the multi-decked car park at Park Square, Bird Hall Lane, Cheadle Heath, it was:-

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

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 Cheadle 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 enforcements within the area represented by the Cheadle Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor John Pantall

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

Councillor Pantall reported that the residential development at the Demmings, Cheadle (now named Wentworth Gardens) was nearing completion and it was important that the issues arising out of the development were managed efficiently. In addition to ensuring that the planning conditions were adhered to, there were issues regarding the restoration of the bridleway, the reinstatement of the grass verge on Oakmere Drive, repairs on Old Wool Lane in order to ensure that the road was brought up to an acceptable and sustainable standard, and landscaping works, including the provision of trees.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration reported that:-

·         All pre-commencement conditions had been agreed;

·         The measures to limit vehicular access to the bridleway had been implemented;

·         The grass verges had been reinstated;

·         In order to avoid further damage to the road surface, works to reinstate the road surface would be undertaken following completion of the development, with the works programmed to start in September this year and completed in October;

·         The Local Area for Play (LAP) would be provided in October this year. It was understood that the developer had been waiting for the planting season;

·         Trees removed from the bridleway were located outside the application site.

RESOLVED – That reports be submitted to the next meeting of the Area Committee on 23 September 2014 with regard to the planning conditions that are required to be adhered to and other related issues, together with timetables for their resolution, in particular:-

·         the restoration of the bridleway to its previous condition;

·         the reinstatement of the grass verge on Oakmere Drive; and

·          repairs on Old Wool Lane in order to ensure that the road is brought up to an acceptable and sustainable standard; and

·         landscaping works, including the provision of trees.

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

The report considers a proposal to extend the lease on the Pavilion Building in Abney Park to allow the occupants time to apply for planning permission, to develop their business model and to permit on-going monitoring of the lessee.

The Area Committee is requested to provide any comments on granting an extension to the existing lease for a further a year until September 2015.

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 (copies of which had been circulated) regarding a proposal to extend the lease on the Pavilion Building in Abney Park to allow the occupants’ time to apply for planning permission in order to develop their business model and to permit on-going monitoring of the lessee. Members were reminded that at the meeting of the Area Committee held on 9 April 2013 they had recommended that the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be recommended to grant a 1 year lease to Abney Park Tearooms CIC to operate from the Pavilion Building, Abney Park.

The Area Committee commented on the proposal and was generally in support of granting an extension to the lease for a further year (to September 2015), subject to the continued monitoring of comments from users of the park.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be advised of the Area Committee’s comments.

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

The report considers the findings of a consultation exercise following an investigation into parking at the junction of Councillor Lane and its service road adjacent to 47 Councillor Lane, Cheadle.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) is recommended to approve a Traffic Regulation Order on Councillor Lane and the Councillor Lane Service Road, Cheadle, as detailed in the report

Officer Contact: Andrew Varey on 0161 474 4809 or email: Andrew.varey@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) outlining the findings of a consultation exercise following an investigation into parking at the junction of Councillor Lane, Cheadle and its service road, adjacent to 47 Councillor Lane.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) be recommended to approve the following Traffic Regulation Order on Councillor Lane and Councillor Lane Service Road, Cheadle at an approximate cost of £550 to be funded from the Strategic Route Budget:-

Revocation of No Waiting Mon – Fri 8.30 – 9.00am, 11.30am – 2.00pm & 3.15pm – 4.30pm

Councillor Lane, Cheadle - east side, from its junction with its service road (adjacent to No’s 49 – 51) for a distance of 10 metres in a southerly direction.

Proposed No Waiting at Any Time

Councillor Lane, Cheadle - east side, from its junction with its service road (adjacent to No’s 49 – 51) for a distance of 10 metres in a southerly direction.

Councillor Lane Service Road, Cheadle - east side, from a point 10 metres south of the southerly kerb line of Councillor Lane for a distance of 35 metres in a north, then north westerly direction (entering Councillor Lane).

Councillor Lane Service Road, Cheadle - west side, from its junction with Councillor Lane for a distance of 10 metres in a southerly direction.  

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

The report sets the findings of a consultation exercise following concerns with regard to parked vehicles on Park Road, Gatley close to its junction with Cranston Grove.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability is recommended to approve a No Waiting At any Time Traffic Regulation Order on Park Road and Cranston Grove, Gatley.

Officer contact: Andrew Varey on 0161 474 4809 or email: andrew.varey@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) setting out the findings of a consultation exercise following concerns with regard to vehicles on Park Road, Gatley,close to its junction with Cranston Grove.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) be recommended to approve the following No Waiting At Any Time Traffic Regulation Order on Park Road and Cranston Grove, Gatley at an approximated cost of £525 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Cheadle and Gatley Ward allocation):-

Proposed No Waiting at Any Time

Park Road, Gatley - south west side, from a point 10 metres south east of the south easterly kerb line of Cranston Grove to a point 10 metres north west of the north westerly kerb line of Cranston Grove.

Cranston Grove, Gatley - both sides from the south westerly kerb line of Park Road for a distance of 10 metres in a south westerly direction.

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

The report considers a request for the introduction of an A Frame to prohibit motorcycles using a footpath between Lavington Avenue and Minster Drive, Cheadle.

The Area Committee is requested to approve the supply and installation of a frame and pedestrian guard rail at the entrance to the footpath on Lavington Avenue, Cheadle.

 Officer Contact: Andrew Varey on 0161 474 4809 or email: andrew.varey@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 request for the introduction of an A Frame to prohibit motorcycles using a footpath between Lavington Avenue and Minster Drive, Cheadle.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the supply and installation of an A Frame and Pedestrian Guard Rail at the entrance to the footpath on Lavington Avenue, Cheadle at an approximate cost of £1,800 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Cheadle Hulme North Ward allocation).

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

The report considers an application to hold a Community Fun Day and Dog Show in Abney Hall Park on 21 September.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application to hold a Community Fun Day and Dog Show in Abney Hall Park on 21 September 2014, subject to the production of appropriate papers and event plans.

Officer Contact: Iain Bate on 0161 474 4421 or email: ian.bate@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 to hold a Community Fun Day and Dog Show in Abney Hall Park on 21 September 2014.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application from Kate Peacock and Rebecca Greenhough to hold a Community Fun Day and Dog Show in Abney Hall Park on 21 September 2014, subject to the production of appropriate papers and event plans, cars being prohibited from parking in the vicinity of  the second hand car sales garage on Newland Road, fly posters for the event being prohibited by the roadside and litter being cleared from the park after the event.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The Area Committee is invited to provide a nomination for the Governor vacancy at Bolshaw Primary School and recommend the following reappointments:-

Councillor Sylvia Humphreys – Bolshaw Primary School

Mrs A Thompson – The Kingsway School

Mr D Brook-Ray – Lum Head Primary School

Mrs A McMillan – Outwood Primary School

Officer Contact: Pam Dunham on 07800 617 940 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 consider various reappointments to Governing Bodies.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning and Achievement) be recommended to approve the following reappointments:-

Name                                     School                                   Party Affiliation

Councillor Sylvia                 Bolshaw                            Independent Ratepayers

Humphreys                         Primary School                                                             

Mrs A Thompson                The Kingsway                   Independent Ratepayers

                                            School

Mr D Brook-Ray                 Lum Head Primary            Conservative

                                    School                  

Mrs A McMillan                  Outwood Primary              Independent Ratepayers

                                                School