Agenda and minutes

In view of the Chair (Councillor Andy Sorton) not being present at the commencement of the meeting, Councillor Walter Brett was elected Chair for the duration of the meeting.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 21 September 2015 were approved as a correct record.

No declarations of interest were made.

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

No announcements were made.

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 the occupation of a car park in Reddish Vale Country Park by travellers.

A representative of the Chief Executive advised that the occupation of the land had been permitted on a temporary basis and that the travellers were no longer on the site.

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.

A representative of the Chief Executive submitted an application for funding from the Frank Bramwell Legacy Fund from Friends of Reddish Vale Country Park requesting funding towards power tools to enhance the maintenance of the park.

RESOLVED – That a representative of the Chief Executive be requested to make a grant of £3,048 to Friends of Reddish Vale Country Park for funding towards power tools to enhance the maintenance of the park.

Representatives of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and Stockport Homes will attend the meeting to discuss vandalism to a new barrier at the Brindale Road Access area and issues of fly tipping.

Jane Bardsley (Greenspace), April Irwin and Helen Durose (Stockport Homes) attended the meeting to discuss issues relating to vandalism to a new barrier at the Brindale Road Access area and fly tipping.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The second barrier on the track was installed by Stockport Homes to prevent fly tipping and off-road bikes gaining access to Reddish Vale Country Park;

·         An “A-frame” gate was installed to allow pedestrian access, however it had been destroyed within a week of installation;

·         Local cyclists and equestrians were unhappy with the installation of the second gate;

·         A horse stile on the second gate could allow equestrians to pass;

·         Section 59 notices were to be installed at the site to try and address the issue of off-road bikes accessing Reddish Vale Country Park.

RESOLVED – (1) That Jane Bardsley, April Irwin and Helen Durose be thanked for their attendance.

(2) That representatives of Stockport Homes be requested to submit an update report to a future meeting.

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.

Jane Bardsley (Greenspace) attended the meeting and provided an update on issues affecting the management of Reddish Vale Country Park.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Reports of off-road bike incidents had fallen since June and it was hoped additional surveillance on The Clough would further deter off-road biking and fly tipping in the area;

·         Wayne Bardsley had been appointed as the new Greenspace Project Officer;

·         The work on the water leak at Brinnington Beach side had been completed and the contractors working on behalf of United Utilities would come back in the New Year once the weather had improved to top soil and level the area;

·         The revetment work on site had been completed, however it had been identified that there was another area of the river bank that would require an engineering solution. Officers in the Greenspace Team were working with Northern Divers to identify the most economical way forward that would give the longevity that is required;

·         There were a number of sites in the Brinnington & Reddish areas where horses were being tethered. Bailiffs had been instructed to visit those areas to display notices. It was hoped that these would not have an end date on them as was previously the case;

·         Simon Hornby, the SSK site based member of staff at Reddish Vale Country Park had sadly passed away. There was a permanent memorial to Simon in the community garden and his work colleagues from SSK were doing a cycle ride to raise funds for a memorial bench.

RESOLVED – That Jane Bardsley be thanked for her attendance.

To consider a presentation from the Friends of the Vale.

Pamela Jones (Friends of the Vale) attended the meeting and provided a presentation on the work that the volunteers do and their recent “Fun Day.”

The indoor volunteer team worked approximately 84 hours per week to ensure the visitor centre was open 7 days a week from 10am to 4pm. The outdoor volunteer team further worked approximately 80 hours per week to provide park maintenance. Any funds raised by the group were channelled back into the community via free events such as Art in the Park, Fun Days and various wildlife trails.

RESOLVED – That Pamela Jones be thanked for her attendance.

To consider a presentation from Ebony and Ivory Caribbean Organisation Community Group.

Aba Graham (Ebony and Ivory Caribbean Organisation Community Group) attended the meeting to explain the activities of the group.

The organisation aimed to encourage and enable cross-cultural integration amongst young people, particularly those from African and Caribbean descent. The volunteers were already working with other community groups to support young people, however they wanted further referrals to increase their presence in the community.

RESOLVED – That Aba be thanked for her attendance.

To consider a presentation from Brinnington Pop Up Café.

Mary Dutton (Brinnington Pop Up Café) attended the meeting to explain to the committee the current challenges facing the café.

Brinnington Pop Up Café offered a low-cost option for residents and over 500 people per week used the café which was considered a “community hub”. Profits made were funnelled back into the community through funding of community events and volunteers in the café were trained in Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene and aided into paid employment. The café was facing closure at Christmas due to the requirement of planning permission and it was hoped that the café could find a new location.

RESOLVED – That Mary be thanked for her attendance.

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

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

RESOLVED – That the Chair be requested to approach representatives of Reddish Vale High School to discuss the possibility of attendance at a future meeting of the Ward Committee.