Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 22 November 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair, subject to clarification in Minute 9 ‘Palmer Avenue, Cheadle’ and Minute 10 ‘Demmings Road, Cheadle’ that the schemes would be funded from the Area Committee’s Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management Delegated Budget (Cheadle Hulme North Ward allocation).

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 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: David Clee, 0161 474 3137, 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, the current position on Ward Flexibility Funding and the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budget.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

There were no announcements by the Chair.

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

Sergeant Gareth Davies (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the area represented by the Cheadle Area Committee.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

•           the success of Operation Treacle in reducing anti-social behaviour associated with bonfire night.

•           The increase in the number of metal thefts.

•           The arrest of a number of offenders as a result of Business Watch on the High Street in Cheadle, and the development of Business Watch in Heald Green.

•           The work of Pub Watch  with a number of landlords in the area. It was also clarified where the scheme was currently not operating. Off licences could be invited to become part of the scheme.

•           The opening of a new, manned police station in Cheadle.

•           The increase in the theft of car number plates.

•           The current situation at Brookhead Arcade.

•           Parking problems on Beech Road when sporting activities were taking place in the nearby fields

RESOLVED – That Sergeant Gareth Davies be thanked for his 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).

No public questions were submitted.

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) David Wilson (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 the Cheadle Area Committee.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

•           the incorrect presentation of trade waste by householders.

•           The removal of graffiti and fly posting.

•           The work of the community payback team in Cheadle and Gatley.

•           Litter bins were being emptied in the vicinity of Finney Lane in Heald Green on Fridays, and not Sundays as previously reported.

•           The dropping of litter outside takeaways.

•           Consideration would be given to putting in more litter bins where the bins were overflowing with rubbish.

•           The accumulation of rubbish at various United Utilities Sub-Station sites.

RESOLVED – That David Wilson be thanked for his attendance.

(b) David Wilson also reported on highway issues within the area represented by the Cheadle Area Committee.

The following issue was raised/comment made:-

•           the new system for reporting street lights which were not working with the Contact Centre.

RESOLVED – That a written response be sent to all Members of the Area Committee on the new system for reporting street lights which were not working with the Contact Centre.

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

Two petitions were presented to the Area Committee as follows:-

(1)       The first petition related to a request from 16 residents of Depleach Road, Cheadle for the Council to investigate the need for a permit parking scheme on Depleach Road, Cheadle.

(2)       The second petition related to a request from 8 residents of Kingsway on the South Park Road Estate in Gatley objecting to the proposal to introduce traffic calming measures. This would be considered under item 12 on the agenda for this meeting regarding ‘South Park Road Area – Proposed 20mph Speed Limit and Traffic Calming’.

RESOLVED – That the Service Director (Place Management) be requested to investigate the request for a permit parking scheme on Depleach Road, Cheadle and report back to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

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 organisation had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements

To consider any applications for Area Flexibility Funding or to receive feedback from organisations who have received funding:-

·         Cheadle (Kingsway) Sports Club Ltd.

The Area Committee considered an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from the Cheadle Kingsway Sports Club for £1,000 towards the purchase of a lawn mower to improve the playing areas for junior cricket and adults cricket for safety reasons, and so that the pitches are of a suitable standard for league cricket.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make a grant of £1,000 (£500 from the Cheadle and Gatley ward allocation and £500 from the Cheadle Hulme North ward allocation) towards the purchase of a lawn mower to improve the playing areas for junior cricket and adults cricket for safety reasons, and so that the pitches are of a suitable standard for league cricket.

There are currently no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

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

This report proposes a carriageway resurfacing scheme on Buckingham Road, Cheadle Hulme.

The Area Committee is requested to approve the proposal as outlined in the report.

Officer contact: Carl Taylor on 0161 474 5771, e mail: carl.taylor@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) proposing a carriageway resurfacing scheme on Buckingham Road, Cheadle Hulme.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to a carriageway resurfacing scheme on Buckingham Road, Cheadle Hulme to be funded from the Area Committee’s Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management Delegated Budget (Cheadle Hulme North Ward allocation) at an approximate cost of £21,000 as follows:-

Buckingham Road, Cheadle Hulme – carriageway resurfacing to a section of the road between approximately Balmoral Avenue and Queens Road.

To consider a report of the West Area Housing Manager, Stockport Homes.

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

The Area Committee is requested to comment on progress to date and any future actions for inclusion in the 2012-2013 action plans.

Officer Contact: Maria Lindars on 0161 474 2965 or e mail: maria.lindars@stockport.homes.org

A representative of the Chief Executive, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on progress in the delivery of Stockport Homes’ Neighbourhood Action Plans.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•           The need to join up plans for Stockport Homes’ properties and those properties owned by Mossbank Homes in order to provide a holistic plan for a particular area, for example Councillor Lane.

•           The installation of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels had generally been welcomed by tenants.

•           The predominantly elderly tenants at Queens Gardens had welcomed assistance from Stockport Homes in ensuring that the road surface was improved.

•           Whether the new gate was being locked at Hathaway Close in order to stop young people congregating in the area.

•           Problems in certain areas where properties had a communal entrance, as well the entrance to the property.

•           When the garages would be improved at Avon Drive in Heald Green.

•           The timescale for the installation of railings around blocks of flats in the area.

•           The provision of skips had been very beneficial in helping to clear up areas.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

This item was requested by the Area Committee at its last meeting.

Representative of the Chief Executive, Stockport Homes to report on the age restriction on tenants living in certain Stockport Homes’ properties in the Cheadle area.

Following a request at the last meeting of the Area Committee, representatives of the Chief Executive, Stockport Homes and the Service Director (Place Development) reported on Stockport Homes’ gradual review of the age restrictions on tenants living in Stockport Homes’ flats. Members were advised that approximately 40% of Stockport Homes’ properties were flats, most of which had some age restriction apart from the multi-storey blocks in the town centre and Brinnington. As a result there were a lot of people on the waiting list for Stockport Homes’ flats who were prevented from applying for the tenancy of a flat near to where they lived because of the age restriction. In addition, a number of the flats had become difficult to let because of the age restriction.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•           No sheltered accommodation would be looked at as part of the review.

•           The age restriction would not necessarily be removed, but lowered and consultation would be undertaken with residents in a sensitive way.

•           People’s perception that only young people carried out ant-social behaviour were not borne out by the facts. A risk assessment was undertaken before allocating a property to somebody and support offered, as appropriate.

•           A Member suggested that Stockport Homes should write again to all residents in flats in the vicinity of Oak Road, Cheadle in order to clarify the situation.

•           An increase in car usage and possible parking problems was another potential difficulty caused by lowering the age restriction on certain flats.

•           Tenants had not downsized from houses because of the problem of moving into flats governed by age restrictions.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report reports the comments of the Committee regarding the propsed traffic signals at the junction of the M60 Junction 3 and the A34 Kingsway.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Executive Councillor (Transportation) approves the implementation of the proposed traffic signals outlined in the report.

Officers contact: Sean Ellison, Highways Agency, on 01925 859250, e mail:sean.ellison@aone.uk.com or Nick Whelan on 0161 474 4907, e mail: nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking the comments of the Committee regarding the proposed traffic signals at the junction of the M60 Junction 3 and the A34 Kingsway, with the aim of reducing traffic queues on the M60 exit slip roads tailing back to the M60 mainline and where they merge with the A34. Motorists were also crossing the solid hatch marking in order to jump queues.

Traffic modelling was presented to the Area Committee, including a demonstration of the micro simulation traffic mode. This included the operation of the A34/A560 Gatley Road traffic signals.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Executive Councillor (Transportation) be recommend to approve the implementation of traffic signals at the end of the M60 slip road and on the A34 southbound, providing three lanes on both approaches, and the implementation of a TOUCAN (cycle/pedestrian) crossing and a shared footway/cycleway, as illustrated on drawing No. 53004/3/000/001GA in Appendix A to the report.

(2)That consideration be given to putting ‘KEEP CLEAR’ markings on the carriageway for traffic exiting the South Park Road estate.

(3)That the traffic signs be reviewed, and consideration be given to introducing speed cameras.

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

This report advises Members of a recent consultation exercise carried out with residents in August/September 2011.

The Executive Councillor (Transportation) is recommended to approve the measures proposed in Option 2 of the report, together with the supporting schedule of Traffic Regulation Orders, as detailed in Appendix 3.

Officer contact: Neville Kay on 07800 618 216, e mail: neville.kay@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) advising Members of a recent consultation exercise carried out with residents in August/September 2011 giving the choice of five options to address the issues associated with non-residential traffic using the area as a short cut to the A34/M60. The Committee was advised of the contents of a petition received from eight residents living on Kingsway on the South Park Road Estate who were opposed to the installation of traffic measures on Kingsway.

RESOLVED –  (5 for, 0 against) (1) That the Executive Councillor (Transportation) be recommended to introduce a wider 20mph speed limit throughout the area as follows:-

Kingsway, Gatley (access road in front of nos. 162 to 188) – from its       junction with South   Park Road to its junction with the A34 (a distance of approximately 310 metres in a southerly direction)

     South Park Road – for its entire length.

     Mardale Road – for its entire length.

     Lynden Gardens – for its entire length.

     Braystan Gardens – for its entire length

     Coniston Road – for its entire length

     Brentwood Drive – for its entire length

     Brogden Drive – for its entire length;

and that the 20mph speed limit be signed at three entry points and repeater signs located at intervals along the affected roads.

(2) That no traffic calming measures be introduced on Kingsway, Gatley.

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

This report seeks approval to the introduction of give way priorities on St. Ann’s Road North, Heald Green.

The Area Committee is requested to approve the erection of give way markings with give way triangles on St. Ann’s Road North, Heald Green, and the disconnection and removal of ‘road narrows’ warning signs.

Officer contact: Andrew Varey on 0161 474 4809 or e mail: andrew.varey@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking approval to the introduction of give way priorities on St. Ann’s Road North, Heald Green.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to the introduction of Give-Way priorities on St. Ann’s Road North, Heald Green and the following proposals, as outlined on plan NM18/5409/1 & NM18/5409/2:-

      (a)       The manufacture and erection of:-

                 7 x traffic signs illustrated in diagrams 615 and 615.1

                 7 x traffic signs illustrated in diagrams 811 and 811.1

     (b)        7 x Give Way Markings with Give Way Triangles

(c )     12 x disconnection and removal of Road Narrows warning signs    (re-use 4 number wide base poles).

(2) That the works be funded at an approximate cost of £20,082.44 from the Area Committee’s Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management Delegated Budget as follows:-

      Heald Green Ward

      £14,298.15 (including electrical disconnection for existing signs)

Cheadle & Gatley Ward

£5,784.29

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

To consider an application from St. Cuthbert’s Church requesting permission to hold a nativity/carol service at diamond Jubilee Park on 24 December 2011.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application.

Officer contact: Tim Devine on 0161 474 4419 or e mail: tim.devine@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Place Management) regarding an application from St. Cuthbert’s Church to hold a nativity/carol service at Diamond Jubilee Park on 24 December 2011.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the application from St. Cuthbert’s Church to hold a nativity/carol service at Diamond Jubilee Park on 24 December 2011.

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

To consider an application from Cheadle Village Partnership requesting permission to hold a Festival (Diamond Jubilee Celebrations) at Diamond Jubilee Park on  2 June 2012.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application.

Officer contact: Tim Devine  on 0161 474 4419 or e mail: tim.devine@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Place Management) regarding an application from Cheadle Village Partnership to hold a Festival (Diamond Jubilee Celebrations) at Diamond Jubilee Park on 2 June 2012.

RESOLVED – That authority be delegated to the Service Director (Place Management), in consultation with the Chair of the Area Committee, to determine the application from Cheadle Village Partnership to hold a festival (Diamond Jubilee Celebration) on 2 June 2012, subject to:-

(a)       confirmation being received that the venue for the event is Jubilee Park, Grange Park Road, Cheadle; and

(b)       clarification on the estimated number of vehicles at the event.

There are currently no vacancies to consider.

There were no vacancies to consider.