Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2018 (copies of which had been circulated) were approved as a correct record.

Councillors and Officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and Officers were invited to declare any interests which they may have had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of agenda items 4-7 which contain information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest,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 Agenda Items 4,5 and 6.

To consider a report from the Chief Planning Officer.

The issues consultation was carried out to ensure that the public had the opportunity to consider and make comments on the highlighted areas and principles at the earliest possible stage of developing a new local plan.

The Working Party is requested to note the report.

Officer contact: Emma Curle Tel 474 3542 Email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated).  The report provided Members with an update on the Issues Paper Consultation Responses.

The issues consultation was carried out to ensure that the public had the opportunity to consider and make comments on the highlighted areas and principles at the earliest possible stage of developing a new local plan.

Members were advised that a successful event had been held which generated approximately 2000 responses.  Officers had wanted to engage with the public at an early stage to coincide with the interest that the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework had initiated.  Officers were now moving towards the publication of a draft report on the local plan which was expected in the summer.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members commented that what had worked in areas such as Reddish was a combination of straightforward language and a relaxed environment.  Members of the public appreciated the effort that officers had gone to in order to explain things to them, they felt welcomed and included.

·         Members questioned whether there were enough comments.  In response, Members were advised that more comments are always wanted, but more were expected at the next stage of the process.

·         Officers were asked if they would consider doing things differently.  Members were advised that Annexe B in the pack listed all the communication activities that were undertaken to try and capture as many comments as possible.  The local knowledge of Members of the Council would be very useful along with increased usage of social media.

·         Members asked about involving local community groups and were advised that if groups register on the database then they will automatically be informed of any potential meetings.

·         It was strongly felt that residents appreciated getting a response even if that response was not what they wanted to hear.

·         Other methods of communication were suggested such as newspapers or notice boards in local supermarkets.

·         Members considered that local residents had spent a lot of time and investment on this issue.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer.

The report provides Members with an update on Stockport’s Local Plan.

The working party is requested to note the report and offer comments.

Officer contact: Emma Curle Tel 474 3542 Email: Emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Members with an update on Stockport’s Local Plan.

Members were advised that the following had been achieved in terms of progress on the Local Plan: Some policies were being refined, sites had been looked at in terms of their potential for allocations, constraints and opportunities had been considered, as had the evidence of need.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members asked whether any of the policies would be new or refining of existing policies.  In response Members were advised that it was a bit of a mix.  Officers would be looking at what was still valid, what works, and the context of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework Plan for the development and sustainability of Stockport.  Officers would be looking at as many policies and issues that they possibly could, which they then hope to feed through the Local Development Framework Working Party sooner rather than later.

·         Members considered that the crucial element was that this is a long term plan and it was not easy to create due to amount of detail to consider.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer.

The report sets out how the Council will engage with the public during consultation on planning issues, both in the plan making process but also in determining planning applications.

The Working Party is asked to note the report and offer any comments.

Officer contact: Emma Curle Tel 474 3542 Email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which set out how the Council will engage with the public during consultation on planning issues, both in the plan making process but also in determining planning applications.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members were advised that there are several general updates which are required in order to reflect the organisational and structural changes within the Council, as well as refreshing the document to reflect legislative changes, to encourage the use of online resources and to capture updates in respect of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and neighbourhood planning.

·         Members felt that a more succinct document in straightforward language would be very helpful.

·         It was felt that Stockport was well in advance of many other Local Authorities in this matter.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.