Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2016.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 3 October 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

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)

No public questions were submitted.

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.

To receive a presentation from representatives of ARC.

Annette Hilton, Community Outreach Coordinator for ARC attended the meeting to update the Committee on their activities in the area.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         ARC was a creative arts organisation and charity that had been operating in Reddish for over 20 years, as well as working in other areas of the borough including Brinnington, Offerton, Adswood and Heaton Norris.

·         The art programmes were aimed at people in the community who were feeling isolated or suffering with mental health problems.

·         The programmes were volunteer led and participants were often referred from health organisations such as Mind.

·         ARC had been working in consultation with other organisations such as The Wellspring, Refugee Action and the Women’s Centre in order to reach out to different sections of society.

·         Young people could access the programmes though organisations such as Mosaic and Stockport Young Carers, and further programmes were due to commence in 2017 for any young people aged 14-16.

·         The artists were mainly community artists with experience working with vulnerable people.

·         Many participants found that the art courses helped them come out of isolation and were often their first step back into employment.

·         The importance of the role Councillors played in helping with outreach work was stressed.

·         The Mottram Street area had high levels of social isolation and was suggested as an area in which ARC could undertake outreach work.

·         It was reported that Reddish Youth Club required somewhere to refer local young people to and ARC was suggested a possibility.

RESOLVED – That Annette Hilton be thanked for her attendance.

To receive a presentation from Stockport Action for Voluntary Youth (SAVY).

Vicky Bloomfield, Stockport Action for Voluntary Youth (SAVY) Manager and Kenny Stenton, SAVY Youth Work Operational Coordinator attended the meeting to update the Committee on a proposed motorbike pilot.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         SAVY had been commissioned by Brinnington Big Local to find out what young people wanted in the area, and it was discovered that positive diversion activities were a priority, in particular facilities to safely ride motorbikes.

·         Further research had been undertaken by SAVY which found that off road biking was a policing priority in Brinnington, and that Brinnington & Reddish were hotspots for off-road biking incidents in Greater Manchester.

·         A bid for funding was submitted to the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office to undertake an ‘Enabling Youth Through Motocross’ scheme to teach young people how to ride motocross in a safe and supported environment while teaching them about the consequences of illegal riding.

·         £10,000 had been attained in total from Greater Manchester Police, and Stockport Homes had pledged to match fund up to a further £1,000.

·         SAVY were seeking the final £1,000 from the Council and intended to submit an application for Ward Flexibility Funding to the Brinnington & Central, Reddish North and Reddish South wards.

RESOLVED – That Vicky Bloomfield and Kenny Stenton be thanked for their attendance.

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.

Wayne Bardsley, Greenspace Project Officer, 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 had been undertaken at Hollow End car park to improve the visibility of cars from the houses on Hollow End.

·         Improvement work had been completed on an old platform at Tiviot Junction in preparation for an art installation as part of a wider art project organised by the Community Safety Unit. It was suggested that officers could attend a future meeting to discuss the art project.

·         The initial surveying work at Sunnyside Pond had been completed and some of the roots in the drains were too thick and couldn’t be cleared. The drainage company had requested a further £1,800 to finish the hydro cutting and clear the drains up to the farm.

·         Part of the field on Reddish Vale Farm had been concreted over due to health and safety concerns.

·         The boulders outside Brinnington Tunnel had been moved in order to allow wagons through to repair the lights, and officers from Greenspace were requested to ensure the boulders were moved back to prevent off-road bikes gaining access to Reddish Vale Country Park.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be authorised to undertake further restorative work on Sunnyside Pond at an estimated cost of £1,800, to be funded by the Frank Bramwell Legacy Fund, subject to the receipt of a completed application form.

(2) That Wayne Bardsley be thanked for his attendance.

(3) That the Friends of the Vale be thanked for their continued work in maintaining Reddish Vale Country Park.

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

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

RESOLVED – No future agenda items were suggested.