Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 17 July 2013 were approved as a correct record.

No declarations of interest were made.

The Chair reported that a Fun Day was being held at Reddish Vale Country Park on 21 July 2013. 

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 Area 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.

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters in the powers or duties of the Joint Ward Committee, subject to the exclusions set out within the Code of Practice.

Questions were submitted relating to the proposals for the regeneration of Brinnington.

RESOLVED – That the questions be considered as part of agenda item 4 – ‘Update on Brinnington Regeneration’.

No petitions were submitted.

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.

Item placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management submitted a report, copies of which have been circulated, update the Committee on the changes to the proposals on the regeneration of Brinnington.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Most concerns raised by residents in Brinnington had been addressed and further consultations would be held.

·         There were no proposals to build on green belt land in other areas of the borough and the use of it in this case would be defended as due to the specific circumstances of Brinnington.

·         The fact that some of the proposed development was within the boundaries of Reddish Vale Country Park was not highlighted in the original consultation was because the land had been designated as green belt which was, in planning terms, the higher priority.

·         6,000 copies of the report were made for distribution in the borough and the issue was highlighted on the Stockport Council website.

·         Concerns were raised that residents across the borough were not aware of the proposals. The methods of consultation that had been used were discussed, which included the proposals shown to committees of the Council.

·         Whilst they had been considered part of the country park, the Penney Lane Fields site had not been officially incorporated into the by Stockport Council on its definitive map.

·         The proposals were not based on housing need but on the regeneration of the Brinnington area, of which the attraction of new residents was a factor.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The Ward Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer contact: Jane Bardsley tel: 0161 474 2279 email: jane.bardsley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) updating the Committee on the redesign of Public Realm services and the management of Reddish Vale Country Park.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Concerns were raised that volunteers were not able to erect information signs on the part of the Trans Pennine trail that was contained within the park boundaries.

·         Council officers had walked the trail to map defects and improvements would be made using a sum of money from the Friends of Reddish Vale Country Park.

·         It was intended that the infrastructure on the trail be improved to stop motorbikes from gaining access. It was requested that if residents or Councillors witnessed motorbikes using the trail that they contact the Police.

·         It was noted in the report that at times staff were not available for their shifts. This was due to unexpected absences such as sickness.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Ward Committee is requested to agree a date for the next meeting.

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.