Agenda and minutes

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

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

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 February 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 16 February 2015 were approved as a correct record.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interest

To receive any announcements from the Chair of the Joint Ward Committee.

The Chair reported that offensive messages had been posted online and intimidating phone calls had been made to Brinnington Councillors following their decision to support a recent planning application for new housing, which intrinsically linked to the building of a new Leisure Centre, in Brinnington. The abuse that the Brinnington and Central Councillors had suffered had been from residents outside of their ward and not from residents within their ward. The Brinnington Ward Councillors wished to thank the residents of their ward for their continued support.

Members of the public felt as strongly about many issues as Councillors did, and when they disagreed with a particular decision they were often disappointed, and sometimes angry about the situation. That was to be expected. However, this did not mean that they were entitled to be abusive and offensive towards others, including Councillors.

Whilst the Labour Group had never hidden the fact that there was a difference of opinion in the group about the particular issue, there was absolutely no difference in the complete support for colleagues in Brinnington in condemning those who were involved in the act. Brinnington Councillors always had, and always would, act in the best interests of their community, and they had an unequivocal right to continue to do so.

Councillors from all parties had a duty and a responsibility to represent the best interests of their electorate. Sometimes that duty resulted in Councillors from the same party disagreeing with each other and taking views that differ from one another.

In these instances all views and opinions would not be satisfied, and clearly not all people would be pleased with the outcome of every decision. It was sometimes impossible to reach a consensus. When this happened, whilst the group may not agree with a particular point of view, the right of fellow Councillors to make whatever decision they considered to be in the best interests of the residents they represented is supported.

However what should not have been expected is that Councillors be subjected to abuse, intimidation or harassment, whether this be online, by email or by phone.

Stockport Labour Group would never condone any such action towards Councillors, Council Employees or members of the public.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair 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 card provided.  These are available at the meeting. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

One question was submitted in relation to potential funding for signage on entrances to Reddish Vale Country Park.

RESOLVED – That Jane Bardsley be requested to liaise with Ward Councillors regarding the potential use of the Highway Maintenance and Local Initiatives Delegated Budget for the signage works and report back to the next meeting.

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

No petitions were submitted.

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

No ward funding applications were submitted.

To consider any applications for funding from the Frank Bramwell Legacy Fund or to receive feedback from organisations who have received funding.

No Frank Bramwell Legacy Fund applications were submitted.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration will attend the meeting and provide an update on issues affecting the management of Reddish Vale Country Park.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration attended the meeting and provided an update on issues affecting the management of Reddish Vale Country Park.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Work was due to commence on 6 July 2015 to carry out essential river revetment works that were affecting high pressure gas mains that run through the park and across the river;

·         United Utilities had confirmed that the water leak to the clean water main situated in the Brinnington Beach required major repairs, however the Network Asset team hadn’t yet confirmed when the work would be carried out;

·         There was visible wear and tear on the Sunnyside Pond dipping platform and Northern Divers were to carry out a full survey of the structure to find out what is required moving forward;

·         The gate on Brindale Road leading to the leased area was now locked with the lessee holding the key with conditions in place that had been agreed with Stockport Homes;

·         Pallets had been dumped on the Park behind some houses which needed to be removed;

·         Hollow End car park had been left in a poor state following work on flats.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That Jane Bardsley, Greenspace Project Officer be requested to liaise with Carillion regarding cleaning up Hollow End car park. 

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration will attend the meeting to report on the issue of off-road bikes in the area.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration attended the meeting with Ed Bradbury, the Greater Manchester Police Neighbourhood Police Officer and reported on the issue of off-road bikes in the area.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Authority and Police had made attempts to set up barriers and put up Section 59 notices to entrances to Reddish Vale Country Park;

·         The issue was experienced across the borough however Brinnington & Reddish suffered disproportionately;

·         Officers were not authorised to engage in a chase with off-road bikes therefore intelligence was the key to convicting offenders;

·         The Police and the Authority had been working with Stockport Homes  to issue tenancy warnings to offenders;

·         Standard penalties included vehicle seizures, level 3 fines of up to £2,000, disqualification of insurance and points on licenses.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

A representative of Stockport Homes Ltd will attend the meeting and provide an update on the Youth Provision they are involved with in the area.

A representative of Stockport Homes Ltd attended the meeting and provided an update on the Youth Provision they are involved with in the area.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Stockport Homes had been working closely with partners including Youth Offending, Community Safety, Neighbourhood Management and Life Leisure;

·         They were working with Stockport Action for Voluntary Youth (SAVY) to provide provision in Brinnington to develop young people’s confidence and progression;

·         Members praised the work of youth workers going into the area and requested to be notified of when they are on the streets to enable them to offer any support if required;

·         Detached youth work was expensive and only reached small numbers of children therefore it was being combined with wider youth provision;

·         Youth provision was being targeted in areas where Stockport Homes had lots of stock, but partnerships were being set up to influence support in other areas of the borough;

·         An Education Officer at Stockport Homes worked closely with schools and did talks on anti-social behaviour and homelessness to pupils, as well working closely with HMP to arrange for “prison away days”.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Councillors are invited to suggested items for inclusion on future agendas.

Councillors were invited to suggest items for inclusion on future agendas.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Reddish Vale High School could not attend the June meeting as planned and should therefore be invited to the next scheduled meeting;

·         The Neighbourhood Management team were asked to attend the June meeting however their main report to Area Committees would not be ready until September, therefore they would report to the Joint Ward Committee later in the year;

·         An officer from Community Safety and the Greater Manchester Police Neighbourhood Police Officer could attend the September meeting to provide a further report on off-road bikes following the summer break.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make arrangements for Reddish Vale High School to attend the next scheduled meeting to provide an update on the school.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make arrangements for the Community Safety Team to attend the next scheduled meeting to provide a further report on off-road bikes.