Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 6 February 2013 were approved as a correct record.

No declarations of interest were made.

·         The Chair reported on the ‘Folk Train’ service from Stockport to Stalybridge on Friday 29 March 2013.

·         The Chair reported on the Alzheimer’s Society afternoon walk scheduled to take place every other Thursday in Reddish Vale Country Park and the Brinnington Health Walk scheduled to take place on the 11 April 2013. 

·         It was reported that Retro Railtours had organised a trip to Cardiff.

·         ‘The Friends of the Vale’ newsletter was circulated to Members and members of the public at the meeting.

Sergeant Karl Meedham (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public on neighbourhood policing matters within the area covered by the Brinnington and Reddish Joint Ward Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The continued work to reduce burglary dwellings and increased police officer patrols in Reddish.

·         Antisocial behaviour with off-road bikes in Reddish Vale and bike crusher events.

·         Members of the public were encouraged to report incidents of off-road bikes through Home Watch, Crimestoppers or by calling 101 to report a non-emergency incident or make a general enquiry.  If members of the public experienced delays when calling 101 they should inform their local Neighbourhood Watch Team.     

·         Sheds had been broken into by thieves with the intent on stealing pedal cycles.

·         A request for increased police officer presence in the vicinity of Thornley Lane South, Reddish.

RESOLVED – That Sergeant Karl Meedham be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair of the Joint Ward Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Joint 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 and at local libraries and information centres.  You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

No public questions were submitted.

No petitions were submitted.

In accordance with the Code of Practice no organisation has indicated that they wished to address the Joint Ward Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

No organisation had indicated that they wished to address the Joint Ward Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

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

There were no funding applications to consider.

The Head of Public Realm will attend the meeting to discuss the change to the Public Realm Service and its effect on Reddish Vale Country Park.

As requested by the Committee the report considered by the Executive on Monday, 17 December 2012 regarding the Medium Term Financial Plan - Financial Landscape and Forecasts 2013/14 to 2016/17 (Update) can be accessed via the following link.

http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/documents/g5156/Public%20reports%20pack%2017th-Dec-2012%2018.00%20Executive.pdf?T=10

The Head of Public Realm, Stockport Council and the Business Manager - Environmental & Fleet Services, Solutions SK attended the meeting to discuss the change to the Public Realm Service and the impact of that change on Reddish Vale Country Park.

The following comments were made / issues raised:-

·         Clarification was sought and provided in respect of the operational arrangements between the Council and Solutions SK.

·         The reorganisation of staffing in Reddish Vale Country Park and other parks in the Borough.

·         Concern was expressed regarding the deployment of staff across parks in the Borough and in respect of the continuity of officers and projects at Reddish Vale Country Park, in particular the Frank Bramwell Legacy Project.  Information and knowledge amongst officers regarding particular projects would be transferred and not lost.

·         Councillors highlighted the importance and requirement for a Ranger to be on site full-time at Reddish Vale Country Park due to the size of the park and for health and safety reasons and to prevent the decline of the park.

·         A Councillor requested that Jane Bardsley, Senior Ranger for Reddish Vale Country Park be assigned the Frank Bramwell Legacy project after the redesign of the Public Realm Service and that an officer from the Service be requested to attend future meetings of the Brinnington and Reddish Joint Ward Committee.

·         The range of activities on offer at the Visitors’ Centre for members of the public were highlighted and a resident expressed concern in relation to the perceived reliance on voluntary organisations contributing to Council Services in particular at the Visitors’ Centre in Reddish Vale County Park.

·         The insurance arrangements and training sessions should volunteers run the Visitors’ Centre at Reddish Vale Country Park. 

·         Concern was expressed regarding the timescale of emptying litter and dog bins in the vicinity of Reddish Vale Country Park and that incidences of fly tipping had not been rectified.  Members of the public were advised to report fly tipping to Public Realm.

RESOLVED – (1) That Megan Black and Barry Brockbank be thanked for their attendance and be invited back to the Brinnington and Reddish Joint Ward Committee in six months’ time to report back on the redesign of the Public Realm Service.

(2) That the Service Director (Place Management) be requested to submit a report to the next meeting of the Brinnington and Reddish Joint Ward Committee on insurance arrangements should volunteers run the Visitors’ Centre at Reddish Vale Country Park, the role of volunteers and volunteers’ training.  

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to include the following items on the agenda for the next meeting of the Brinnington and Reddish Joint Ward Committee:-

June 2013 Meeting

Frank Bramwell Update
Historical Bottle Digging - South Reddish
Public Realm Service - Impact of parks in Brinnington and Reddish

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager in consultation with the Chair be requested to identify a suitable date for the next meeting of the Brinnington and Reddish Joint Ward Committee and that the date be circulated to members at the earliest opportunity.