Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 21 June 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

(1)       The Chair provided an update on investigations into drainage problems on the A6 in Hazel Grove. The work was proceeding in a number of phases. The first phase involved the clearing of silt and debris from gulleys and drains and the further work to identify unknown drainage features. Phase 2 would include works to cleanse and repair, followed by Phase 3 to address specific issues in the vicinity of Asda.

(2)       The Chair report that maintenance work was ongoing on Wellington Bridge in the Town Centre but it was anticipated that the A6 would reopen on 14 October 2017.

(3)       The old Royal Oak Public House had been acquired by McCarthy & Stone who would be looking to engage with local residents. The current owners of the site were seeking to clear the site of rubbish and abandoned vehicles.

(4)       Councillor Johnstone reported that the Hazel Grove Carnival Committee Annual General Meeting would be taking place soon and encouraged the public to attend.

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

The following issues were raised:-

(1)       Residents on Battersby Road were struggling to parking on the road, despite there being a car park nearby.

          In response it was stated that Residents Permit Parking could be considered if 51% of households were supportive.

(2)       The open space fronting the Health Centre was overgrown and dangerous and needed addressing.

In response it was stated that the site chad been cleared but that further effort was needed to ensure a sustainable solution to its future condition and maintenance. It was suggested that this might be something that could form part of the A6MARR complementary measures that would shortly be subject of public consultation.

          It was further commented that the A6MARR scheme had been delayed and was due to open in Spring 2018. Complementary measures would be introduced following the introduction of the mitigation measures that were more pressing.

(3)     The current on-street litter bins were often inadequate for the volume of waste left, particular in the District Centre. How often were these emptied?

          In response it was stated that the scheduled emptying was twice per week, although councillors recognised that the bins were often under pressure between Friday and Saturday and a request had been made for Sunday cleansing along the A6.

(4)     Clarification was sought on the future of the disused scout hut on Beech Avenue.

          In response it was stated that the building was in Council ownership but that a previous proposal had not been progressed.

(5)     There was recurrent flooding of the pavement outside the Grapes Public House.

          In response it was stated that Council officers had looked into the problems and undertaken some work to the highway but that due to the overall topography of the road there was no cost effective solution.

(6)     Clarification was sought on whether parking schemes could be considered on part of a longer road, providing sufficient households were in support.

          In response it was confirmed that schemes could be implemented on part of a road, but there area would nevertheless need to meet the other criteria, such as no other options for off-street parking.

(7)     Concerns were raised about double parking on Hazelwood Road, between Beech Avenue and Douglas Road, possibly caused by displaced parking from Douglas Road as a result of new restrictions.

          In response it was stated that these concerns would be discussed with Traffic Services.

(8)     Clarification was sought on who was liable for littering and other detritus left outside retail and food and drink establishments, particularly those along the A6.

          In response it was stated that it was difficult to hold individual premises liable, although there may be provisions in licenses and conditions of planning permissions.

(9)     Concerns were expressed that there was insufficient action to address overgrown highway trees that were damaging properties and negatively impacting on visibility on the highway.

          In response it was stated that there was a lot of pressure on the service, but it was important to report dangerous or obstructive trees.

(10) There was a non-functioning Speed Indicator Sign on Commercial Road.

          In response it was stated that this would be reported back to the appropriate Council Officer.

No petitions were submitted.

Officers from the Council’s Transport Strategy Team will make a presentation outlining the key issues being considered as part of the refreshing of the South East Manchester Multi-Modal (SEMMM) Strategy that will also link in to the development of the Stockport Local Plan.

The Issues and Options Paper is attached for reference.

Further details about the SEMMMS Refresh and the Local Plan, including the online consultation and feedback facilities can be found at www.stockport.gov.uk/localplan

The views of councillors, the public and stakeholders are being sought to inform the development of the refreshed Strategy.

Amy Beasley, Transport Strategy and Growth Manager, attended the meeting to outline the refreshing of the South East Manchester Multi-Modal Strategy (SEMMMS) and seeking input from the public. The refreshed SEMMMS would complement the development of the Council’s emerging Local Plan.

The previous Strategy had been adopted in 2001, and there had been significant changes since that time that meant it was timely to revisit the Strategy. Some of the previous Strategic objectives had now been delivered or were in the process of being delivered, such as the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road (A6MARR) Scheme, but other elements would need re-evaluating.

The following issues were raised:-

·         Clarification was sought on proposed developments in High Lane. In response it was stated that the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework was currently on hold pending a review and a revised proposal was planned to be published in June 2018.

·         Concerns were expressed that a Tram Train between the Airport and Hazel Grove or Metrolink would be very slow unless there was a dedicated line. In response it was stated that the aspiration was to have an orbital Metrolink route that would include the Airport. Provision had been made as part of the development of the Stockport Interchange proposals to facilitate Metrolink in the future, subject to the extensive work needed to agree an expansion of the network.

·         Clarification was sought on whether there would be bus stop provision on the A6MARR. In response it was stated that once complete, there would be specific provision for buses to cross the new road with appropriate bus stop provision to support that.

RESOLVED – That Amy Beasley be thanked for her attendance and presentation.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

In response to the request from the Ward Committee at its previous meeting a digest of decisions made by the Stepping Hill Area Committee relating to Hazel Grove Ward Committee has been prepared. The report also sets out the budgets available to the Area Committee.

The Ward Committee is invited to note the report.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) summarising recent decisions and expenditure by the Stepping Hill Area Committee that related specifically to the Hazel Grove Ward. The report had been prepared following a request from the Ward Committee at its previous meeting.

Councillors highlighted the expenditure made on community grants and clarified that local councillors were consulted on the capital programme for highways.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.