Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 28 September 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

The Chair will present certificates to local people who have been nominated by members of the public for their hard work and contributions to the community.

The Chair announced that the Council had recently launched a rolling programme of ‘Community Hero’ civic awards to celebrate the achievements of those residents who ‘went the extra mile’ but often went unrecognised.

It was reported that there were nine recipients of a ‘Community Hero’ award within the first tranche of awards from the Central Stockport area who would be duly recognised at the meeting:-

·         ‘Help the Hatters’ had been nominated by John Fitzpatrick as a community hero in the ‘Sport and exercise contributing to health and wellbeing in a community’ category.

·         Andrew Roughley had been nominated by Anne and Ozzy Leyland as a community hero in the ‘Borough Hero’ category.

·         Kath Edwards, Stockport Walkaday Group, had been nominated by John Wilson as a community hero in the ‘Sport and exercise contributing to health and wellbeing in a community’ category.

·         Jackie Axon had been nominated by Kerry Axon as a community hero in the ‘Sport and exercise contributing to health and wellbeing in a community’ category.

·         Roy Welsh, Cheadle Heath Nomads Sports Club, had been nominated by Sylvia Welsh as a community hero in the ‘Sport and exercise contributing to health and wellbeing in a community’ category.

·         Janice Parker had been nominated by Deborah Hind as a community hero in the ‘Volunteering to promote independence in a community’ category’.

·         Jan Barkworth had been nominated by Nicola Mullen as a community hero in the ‘Volunteering to promote independence in a community’ category.

·         Claire Osment had been nominated by Amy Richards as a community hero in the ‘Borough Hero’ category.

·         Natalie and Julie from Fancy Feet Podiatry had been nominated as community heroes in the ‘Promoting Stockport as a place to live and do business’, ‘Contributing to a thriving economy’, ‘Education providers making a difference in a community’, Resilient communities’ and ‘Contributing to health and wellbeing in a community’ categories.

The Chair presented an award in the form of a framed certificate signed by the Mayor to each winner along with along with a pass to attend Stockport’s museums and cultural attractions and an invitation to attend the opening of Redrock in Stockport, as a token of appreciation.

The Chair announced that the forthcoming Saturday (11 November 2017) was Armistice Day and the following day was Remembrance Sunday when a number of services and commemorations would be held, in particular at Stockport War Memorial. He encouraged those present to attend.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair of the Area 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.  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 of the Area Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

A question was submitted requesting the Council to urgently re-commission a comprehensive and inclusive town centre parking audit to permit planning for future public realm that was separate from the traffic realm.

RESOLVED – That a written response be sent to the questioner.

The local Public Realm Inspector will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at previous committee meetings. Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise issues affecting local environment quality.

Mark Calderbank, Public Realm Inspector, attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to public realm issues within the area represented by the Central Stockport Area Committee. A written summary was also provided of the work carried out by the Public Realm Service and Public Protection Enforcement Officers in the Central Stockport area (copies of which had been circulated).

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A request was made for the investigations into waste being left on the Peel Street recycling site to be reported back to the Area Committee.

·         Work continued in the alleyways to investigate waste presented incorrectly in the Edgeley and Cheadle Heath Ward. In the area where a trial was carried out the instances of of waste being presented incorrectly had decreased. The trial would be ‘rolled out’ to other parts of the Ward.

·         A Member enquired whether the Public Realm Team had been involved with the environmental campaigns being carried by the Keep Britain Tidy group.

·         An update was requested when Network Rail had completed its investigations into the flooding last year at Clover Avenue, Culver Road and Adswood Road, Stockport

RESOLVED – That Mark Calderbank be thanked for his attendance.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a petition containing twenty signatures requesting that the Council investigates the need for a Residential Parking Scheme on Neston Grove, Stockport.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration for investigation.

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

The report details the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) and invites the comments of the Scrutiny Committee on the draft plan. The Committee is particularly recommended to give their views on the seven conclusions reached in the plan, and the actions suggested.

For the purposes of the plan a Right of Way is all off road routes that the public are able to utilise legally. Examples include routes in parks, concessionary paths, public rights of way and access space.

The Area Committee is recommended to provide comments upon the draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan in Appendix 1.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 4744351 or email sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan and inviting the comments of the Area Committee on the draft Plan.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The plan referred to the official rights of way in the borough. More ’informal’ paths, tracks and passageways which were well used and had become established in the local area would be referred to in the Council’s walking and cycling strategies.

·         More information was required on the users of public rights of way.

·         The importance of working with relevant members of the community to improve the usability of information on public rights of way for users with specific needs, and identifying access issues and priorities for disabled users was highlighted.

·         The development of a hierarchy of public rights of way, cycle routes and other Council owned rights of way infrastructure to guide inspection was commended.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The following development applications will be considered by the Area Committee:-

(to begin no earlier than 6.30pm)

Development applications were submitted.

(NOTE: Full details of the decisions including conditions and reasons for granting or refusing planning permission and imposing conditions are given in the schedule of plans. The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration is authorised to determine conditions and reasons and they are not therefore referred to in committee minutes unless the committee makes a specific decision on a condition or reason. In order to reduce printing costs and preserve natural resources, the schedule of plans is not reproduced within these minutes. A copy of the schedule of plans is available on the council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/planningdecisions. Copies of the schedule of plans, or any part thereof, may be obtained from the Place Directorate upon payment of the Council’s reasonable charges).

The Chair outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications

Comprehensive redevelopment of existing site comprising erection of 3 blocks of varying heights from 5 to 8 storeys providing 175 apartments together with associated facade retention of selected mill buildings, basement & external car parking, cycle storage, amenity space, landscaping and external works.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee authorises the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration to determine the application pending completion of a Section 106 agreement in respect of affordable housing and off-site open space commuted sums.

Officer contact: Pippa Brown on 474 3531 or email: pippa.brown@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. 64893 for an application for planning permission in support of the comprehensive redevelopment of the existing site comprising the erection of 3 blocks of varying heights from 5 to 8 storeys providing 175 apartments, together with associated façade retention of selected mill buildings, basement and external car parking, cycle storage, amenity space, landscaping and external works at the former Springmount Mill. Brinksway/Northgate Road/Highfield Street, Edgeley

a representative of the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – (1) That The Planning and Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to authorise the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration to determine the application pending the completion of a Section 106 Agreement in respect of affordable housing and off-site open space commuted sums.

(2) That the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to undertake a site visit as the site exemplifies the potential problems of brownfield sites in Stockport.

Boundary fence (resubmission of DC063784)

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions contained in the report.

Officer Contact: Anthony Smith on 0161 474 3659 or email: anthony.smith@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. 66673 for a boundary fence (resubmission of DC063784) at 9 College Close, Heaviley, it was:-

RESOLVED – That the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to undertake a site visit so that the fence could be viewed in situ, given the differing views on highway safety and the difficulty in visualising the proposals from the description in the report.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report summarises recent appeal decisions; lists current planning appeals and dates for local enquiries; informal hearings for planning appeals, and enforcement action within the Central Stockport area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Paul Cassidy on 0161 474 5388 or email: paul.cassidy@stockport.gov.uk

The Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcement activity within the area represented by the Central Stockport Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report presents and seeks feedback on the draft Town Centre Car Parking Strategy which aims to:-

·         Review existing car parking provision within the town centre, including tariffs, payment methods and signage

·         Consider future needs of retail, business, leisure and residential users for town centre parking facilities, including disabled spaces, electric vehicles, and bikes.

·         Consider an approach to on and off street parking and permitting within the town centre, taking account of the impact of known new developments

·         In light of future needs, and the potential impact of new technologies and lifestyle choices, review tariffs, payment methods and associated facilities, including signage, electric vehicle charging etc.

·         Consider and recommend a future parking policy approach for the town centre.

The Area Committee is requested to review and comment on the draft Town Centre Car Parking Strategy.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) and made a presentation on the draft Town Centre Car Parking strategy which aimed to :-

·         review existing car parking provision within the town centre, including tariffs, payment methods and signage.

·         consider future needs of retail, business, leisure and residential users for town centre parking facilities, including disabled spaces, electric vehicles, and bikes.

·         consider an approach to on and off street parking and issuing of permits within the town centre, taking account of the impact of known new developments.

·         in light of future needs, and the potential impact of new technologies and lifestyle choices, review tariffs, payment methods and associated facilities, including signage, charging of electric vehicles etc

·         consider and recommend a future parking policy for the town centre.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A member requested to know how much the Council had paid the consultants for the study.

·         The number of charging points for electric vehicles needed to be increased.

·         Monies that the Council could generate from people parking to use Manchester Airport should be considered.

·         There needed to be a strategy for some of the larger companies to encourage their staff to use public transport.

·         How the Council dealt with proposals for residents parking in the town centre had to be re-examined because of the number of ‘buy to let’ properties in the area.

·         Areas adjoining the town centre like Edgeley and Heaton Norris suffered from people parking on residential streets in order to avoid paying car parking charges in the town centre.

·         It was highlighted that development applications for residential accommodation in the town centre had been submitted to this Area Committee with limited parking spaces included in the applications. A number of the proposals in the strategy were predicated on increased residential development taking place in the town centre.

·         There was a greenspace area off Lancashire Hill which could be considered for a car park. Land next to the ambulance depot on Heaton Lane could also be considered for a car park.

·         The growth of electric vehicles in the future needed to be considered, plus, with an increasingly elderly population, there would be a need for more disabled bays. Bays for electric vehicles and disabled people may need to be shared in the future. The use of electric vehicles needed to be encouraged.

·         The Council could not cater for an ever increasing number of vehicles on the road. There needed to be a clear policy to improve public transport and provide a fully comprehensive and integrated public transport system, and a commitment from Transport for Greater Manchester to expand the Metrolink service to Stockport and Marple, and provide a service from Stockport to Manchester Airport.

·         The use of bicycles in the town centre need to be promoted, including the use of mobikes.

·         A Member queried how increasing car parking charges in the town centre would increase usage when some of the car parks were already operating below capacity.

·         The frequency of car journeys into the town centre needed to be reduced.

·         The report needed to link into the work on brownfield sites earmarked for residential development and how these areas fitted in with greenspace, play areas and car parking provision. Showing these areas on the same map would help people to visualise how the town centre may look in the future.

·         The possibility of the town centre being too overcrowded in the future was a concern.

RESOLVED – (1) That the comments of the Area Committee be forwarded to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration for consideration.

(2) That the revised version of the strategy be submitted to this Area Committee for consideration as well as the Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Planning Management and Regeneration

The report sets out a request to look at measures to stop drivers from parking on the pavement outside of the shops following complaints from a number of residents about continual parking.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend the Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing to approve the installation of 15 no. bollards in front of the shops on Stockport Road which are immediately south west of Edgeley Road.

Officer Contact: Craig Peet on 0161 474 4813 or email: craig.peet@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a request to look at measures to stop drivers from parking on the pavement outside of the shops on Stockport Road, Cheadle Heath, following complaints from a number of residents about continual parking.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing be recommended to approve the installation of 15 no. bollards in front of the shops on Stockport Road, Cheadle Heath, which are immediately south west of Edgeley Road, as shown on Drawing No NM18-6150-01 attached to the report, at an approximate cost of £3,750 to be funded from the Executive Budget.

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

The report outlines an application from Belle Vue Racers, a local community based running club who have applied to use Reddish Vale Country Park on 7th January 2018 for their annual ‘Hit the Trail’ 5 Mile Run. The run will start at Tiviot Way Bridge at 11am and the duration of the run is from 11am until 1pm but access to the site will be required from 9.00am -1.30pm to set up and close down the event.

The report will also be considered by the Heatons and Reddish Area Committee at its meeting to be held on 6 November 2017.

The Area Committee are recommended to approve the application.

Officer Contact: Wayne Bardsley on 0161 218 2588 or email: wayne.bardsley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to consider an application from Belle Vue Racers, a local community based running club, to use Reddish Vale Country Park on Sunday 7^h January 2018 with the site to be available from 9.00am to 1.30pm.

The application had been approved by the Heatons and Reddish Area Committee at its meeting held on 6 November 2017.

RESOLVED – That the application from Belle Vue Racers for the use of Reddish Vale Country Park on Sunday 7 January 2018 between 9.00am and 1.30pm be approved, subject to all appropriate paperwork and licences being submitted to the Council at least one week prior to the event taking place and this being confirmed to the ward councillors, and every effort made to ensure that the paths are not damaged in Reddish Vale Country Park.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report provides an update on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and details the current position on ward flexibility funding. The report also includes the current position on the ward delegated budgets.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer Contact: David Clee on 0161 474 3137 or email: david.clee@stockport.gov.uk

The Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on progress on decisions taken by the Area Committee since the last meeting and the current position on Ward Flexibility funding. The report also included the current position on the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out a proposal to resurfacing the footways on Tewksbury Road (full length) and Hillington Road (full length).

The Area Committee is requested to support the maintenance scheme outlined in the report and the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration to order the work.

Officer Contact: Carl Taylor on 0161 474 2430 or email: carl.taylor@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) regarding a proposal to resurface the footways on Tewksbury Road and Hillington Road, Stockport.

RESOLVED – That the proposal to resurface the footways on Tewkesbury Road (full length) and Hillington Road (full length), Stockport, at an approximate cost of £19,000, be approved, to be funded from the Area’s Committee’s Delegated Budget (Edgeley and Cheadle Heath Ward allocation).

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

The report updates the Area Committee on progress on the proposed residents parking scheme for Stockport road fronting properties 53 - 63 Stockport Road.

The Area Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Vivian Butterworth on 0161 474 4848 or email: vivian.butterworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on progress regarding a proposed residents parking scheme on Stockport Road, Edgeley, fronting property nos. 56-63.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing be requested to determine the request for a residents parking scheme on Stockport Road, Edgeley, fronting property nos. 56-63, at the expiry of the consultation period and statutory legal advertising of the proposal.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be requested to carry out a review of the Council’s process for determining requests for residents’ parking schemes with a view to expediting the requests more speedily and that a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee.