Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2018.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2018 were approved as a correct record.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Paul Ankers, David Gosling, Edgar Ernstbrunner, Ian Tate and Chris Walsh.

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

Members of the Forum were invited to declare any interests which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

Forward Plan (Minute 10 of 28 March 2018 refers)

It was reported that the Bridleway Strategy referred to within the Forward Plan had now been drafted following consultation with over 1,000 equestrians that involved a number of meetings and small working groups.  It was confirmed that the British Horse Society had expressed in interest in this work and had proposed to draft an article that would be included in the ‘BHS Magazine’.

Following a comment in relation to quality of the available mapping, it was confirmed that appropriate officers would be put in contact with those developing the Strategy to allow the information within it to be presented in a more intelligible format.

The Head of Highways and Transportation to report at the meeting.

Sue Stevenson (Head of Highways and Transportation, Stockport Council) attended the meeting and provided an update to the Forum on the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

It was reported that the Greater Manchester Combined Authority was taking the lead role in the development of the plan and that it was anticipated that a revised ‘Bee Network’ consultation map and infrastructure plan would be published for further consultation in the Spring of 2019.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The separate Stockport Cycling and Walking Strategy was currently out for consultation.

·         It was a requirement for local authorities to develop a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.  Simultaneously, the Mayor of Greater Manchester had launched the new ‘Bee Network’ approach to cycling and walking in the conurbation, and there was a desire to ensure that the two were fully aligned.

·         In response to question about whether the Bee Network would feature multiuse routes, it was stated that it had been Stockport’s approach to put bridleways in place where this was appropriate.

·         It was commented that consideration should be given to providing pegasus crossings where any new crossing points were proposed as part of the ‘Been network’.  In response it was stated the GM strategy largely involved the introduction of toucan crossings, although it may be appropriate to consider pegasus crossings where this would provide a crossing point between two bridleways.  However, pegasus crossings were land intensive and there were limited locations where it would be possible to provide the holding space necessary to install one.

·         In response, it was stated that the Bridleway Strategy would identify those locations where it would be feasible to provide a pegasus crossing.  However, it was stated that the funding available through the Bee Network project was specifically for walking and cycling schemes.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

This report provides an update on both the strategic framework underpinning the Council’s approach to cycling and walking, and the various programmes of work which are currently being delivered to further support cycling and walking across Stockport.

The Forum is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161-474-4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

This item was considered as part of the discussion on Agenda Item 5 – ‘Local Cycling and Walking Strategy’.

To consider a presentation in relation to the draft Stockport Active Communities Strategy.

Sue Stevenson (Head of Highways and Transportation, Stockport Council) attended the meeting and made a presentation on the Draft Active Communities Strategy that aimed to create a culture of active communities in Stockport where people enjoyed being active with their friends and families and enjoyed and benefited from the cultural offer in Stockport.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The Strategy was being drafted by officers across the Council but was being lead from within the Public Health service.

·         Children and young people needed safe places to play to ensure that levels of activity did not continue to decline.

·         While Stockport was reasonably well provided for with green spaces, consideration needed to be given to the adequate provision for formal sport and play provision.  It was commented that Stockport’s Local Plan was currently under development and part of the Plan would contain a strategy for sports pitches.  It was further stated that the geographical spread of these facilities needed to be evenly distributed across the Borough and that these were in the best and safest locations.

·         It was commented that schools had the largest supply of formal sports provision, however these were now largely fenced off and not available for public use.

·         Concern was expressed that horse-riding had been omitted from the Strategy which was considered to be a significant omission as horse-riding could make a contribution to an active Stockport.

·         It was noted that there was only one mention of bridleways within the Strategy and it was important that other users of the borough’s bridleways were informed that they were likely to encounter horses when using them and the correct way to respond.

·         Some sections of the community had limited access to assets such as cycles which could provide practical solutions to transportation issues as well as contributing to increasing activity,

RESOLVED – That the presentation be noted

At this point in the proceedings (7.00 pm), the Secretary advised the Forum that the meeting had been rendered inquorate by virtue of the number of those members present having fallen below the minimum of four.

The Forum could therefore not lawfully purport to proceed to consider the remaining business on the agenda, and immediately terminated its proceedings.

Notwithstanding the above, the remaining members of the Forum had an informal discussion in relation to those items that remained to be considered, and the following constitutes a note of those discussions, however they do not form part of the formal minutes of this meeting.

To consider a report of the Senior Public Rights Of Way Officer.

This report seeks to provide an update on the work of the Public Rights of Way Team over the current financial year.

The Forum is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Ernest Nama on 0161 474 4595 or email: ernest.nama@stockport.gov.uk

The Head of Highways and Transportation submitted a report of the Public Rights of Way Officer (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the activities of Legal Services towards implementing Definitive Map Modification Orders. of the Public Rights of Way Officer providing an update on the work of the Public Rights of Way Team over the current financial year and then responded to comments received from members of the Forum in relation to ongoing issues with regards to Rights of Way in Stockport.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         With regard to the completion of the first phase of the Ladybrook bridleway works between Queens Road, Cheadle and Ladybridge Road, Cheadle Hulme it was stated that an ‘A’ frame had been installed at the Demmings Road end of the bridleway precluding access by horses.  In response it was stated that the last section of the Right of Way was not a bridleway and that this ended in the adjacent housing estate.  It was commented that the resultant diversion for users of the bridleway significantly detracted from the attractiveness and usability of the route.

·         In response to the statement with the report that drainage and surface improvements had taken place on the section of bridleway linking Arden Bridge, Woodley at the boundary with Tameside, it was stated that users had not noted any infrastructure improvements.  It was clarified that works had taken place to remove accumulated mud and vegetation and install drainage at the side of the bridleway. 

RECOMMENDED – That the report be noted and the responses of the Head of Highways and Transportation be duly noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides an update on the activities of Legal Services towards implementing Definitive Map Modification Orders.

The Forum is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Jackie Connelly on 0161 474 3134 or email: jackie.connelly@stockport.gov.uk

The Head of Highways and Transportation submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the activities of Legal Services towards implementing Definitive Map Modification Orders.

It was commented that the description in the report of those Orders that remained outstanding were difficult to reconcile with members’ understanding of the locations in question.  It was requested that copies of plans associated with the proposed Orders be circulated to members of the Forum.

RECOMMENDED – That the Secretary be requested to circulate copies of plans associated with the proposed Orders to members of the Forum.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.

The Secretary reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.

In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair stated that members of the Forum were of the view that there should be dialogue between the Council and users of Rights of Way in advance of any resurfacing.

In response, the Head of Highways and Transportation reported that it was not practical or appropriate to bring all proposals for resurfacing before the Forum before any works took place as the Council had a statutory duty to maintain Rights of Way, however it was stated that where any significant change was to take place it would be expected that there would be appropriate levels of dialogue.

It was further stated that there were a number of changes taking place with regard to the structure of services within the Council and the Public Rights of Way Team had recently moved back within the Transportation Service. 

RECOMMENDED – That the position be noted.

To agree the dates of future meetings of the Forum.

RECOMMENDED – That meetings of the Forum take place as follows:-

Wednesday, 24 July 2019 at 6.00 pm

Wednesday, 13 November 2019 at 6.00 pm