Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chair of the Ward Committee for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Jon Twigge be elected Chair of the Ward Committee for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 13 March 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The following announcements were made:-

·         The resurfacing of Beech Avenue had been included in the Council’s Highway Investment Programme. Confirmation was awaited for a commencement date for this work.

·         Hazel Grove Carnival was due to take place on Saturday, 15 July 2017.

·         Friends of Torkington Park would be hosting a ‘Duck Race’ on Sunday, 25 June 2017.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to include a digest of decisions of the Stepping Hill Area Committee relating to the Hazel Grove Ward.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair of the Ward Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Ward 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 on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

A number of questions were asked in relation to the following:-

·         Concerns about the obstruction of a Right of Way on Daniel Street.

·         Imminent redevelopment of the former Royal Oak Public House and current insecurity of the site.

·         An update on the possible creation of a new car park on Beech Avenue. In response Councillors stated that this was an option being investigated by the Council.

·         Clarification sought on responsibility for maintaining the Gardens outside Beech House Clinic.

·         An update was requested on efforts to address parking problems for residents in Hazel Grove. In response Councillors stated that options were being explored, but that a balance needed to be struck between the needs of residents, local businesses and the need to maintain unrestricted access along the highway. Residents were encouraged to respond to any consultation material sent by the Council in the coming months.

·         The possibility of providing a Multi-Storey Car Park (MSCP) in Hazel Grove. In response Councillors reported that the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust had explored options for providing additional MSCP capacity on their site, but that this would be dependent on other factors. Councillors also stated that they continued to work with Trust to address the challenges around staff and visitor parking but that there were limited options available to either the Trust or Council.

·         Action was requested in relation to pothole on Chester Road, Napier Street and Hope Street.

·         Clarification was sought on the use of resources in the Hazel Grove area. Councillors undertook to provide information to the next meeting.

·         The suggestion was made that Mirrlees Fields be released for development of car parking facilities. In response Councillors stated that this site was designated as Open Space that prevented certain type of development. It was also clarified that the site was not in Council ownership.

·         An update was requested on the development of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework. In response Councillors stated that due to the high volume of responses from the public and the recent election of a new Mayor for Greater Manchester a further version of the Framework was expected later in the year.

·         Concerns were expressed about the length of time taken to complete pavement repairs, in particular the recent works outside the Vernon Building Society.

·         Concerns were raised about flooding that regularly takes place outside The Grapes Public House. In response Councillors stated that works were planned to address this.

Councillors undertook to pursue the matters raised in these questions with Council Officers, where appropriate.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to:-

a)         refer concerns relating to the obstruction of Daniel Street to the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration;

b)         refer concerns about the security of the former Royal Oak Public House to the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration;

c)         invite a representative of the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust to a future ward meeting;

d)         provide details of expenditure of delegated funding expenditure within the Hazel Grove Ward.

No petitions were submitted.

Councillors discussed the arrangements for future meetings.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with Ward Councillors, be requested to make arrangements for further meetings of the Ward Committee and to undertake appropriate publicity.