Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and order that the Minutes of the meeting held 22 July 2020 be signed.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 22 July 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive any announcements from the Chair about local community events or issues.

The Chair on behalf of the Area Committee –

·         Invited Councillor Malcolm Allan to update the Marple residents regarding the Rose Hill proposed station closure. Councillor Allan reported the proposed suspension of rail services from Rose Hill Station to Manchester Picadilly via the “Hyde Loop”. It was stated that there were a number of petitions in circulation and local residents could still be involved. It was further stated that the two “Rail Friends Groups” (Rose Hill and Marple) were working hard to keep residents informed and were being supported by the Romiley and Goyt Valley Friends Groups as well. A letter had been sent from the Greater Manchester Transport Committee to the Rail Minister asking for the decision to be changed and local residents were being encouraged to write directly to the Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham asking for the decision to be reviewed.

·         Informed Marple residents that the consultation for the new Marple Pool had now been completed and was currently being collated and that the Marple Area Committee would continue to monitor the results and keep Marple residents informed.

·         Informed Marple residents that the following online surveys were ongoing:

o   Covid-19 Survey – open till the 7^th September 2020

o   Climate Change Survey – open till the 4^th September 2020

o   Stockport Children’s Book Award – open till the 31^st October 2020

·         Informed Marple residents of the campaign to open the toilets in Life Leisure facilities and that the decision had been taken to open the facilities at Grand Central and Romiley from 28^th August 2020.

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 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.

Four questions were submitted relating to the Mill Green development and two questions were submitted relating to the Marple Memorial Park as follows:

Mill Green site: -

·         Adoption of Mill Green roads.

·         Riverbank on Mill Green site.

·         Walling on the embankment.

·         Planning Conditions in relation to the Mill Green site.

In response, it was stated that the local ward councillors would continue to work with the Mill Green Management Company and the “Princess Estate” local residents together with the Marple Area Committee and would monitor the responses from the Highways and Transport officers which would then be shared with the questioner and the Committee.

Marple Memorial Park: -

·         Reopening the park toilets.

·         Emptying the park bins.

In response, it was stated that the issue relating to the park toilets has been raised previously by Councillors with the relevant council department and it was stated that it was being looked at by the Cabinet. The Committee urged the Cabinet to address the issue more urgently as it was a sensitive issue with the local community.

The Committee was also informed that the question relating to the park bins was also being addressed and officers were urged to provide some flexibility with the emptying of the park bins and the grass being cut. A response would be shared with the questioner and the Committee.

To receive petitions from members of the public and community groups.

No petitions were submitted.

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

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive reported that no organisations had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from The Salvation Army – Stockport Citadel – Cheadle Heath for a grant of £100 towards the cost of a Virtual Community Carol Concert, a free event, with a freewill offering to a worthwhile cause. The event is due to take place on 8th December 2020 and will be available as a recording thereafter.

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted an application for Ward Flexibility Funding on behalf of The Salvation Army – Stockport Citadel – Cheadle Heath towards the cost of a Virtual Community Carol Concert, a free event, with a freewill offering to a worthwhile cause. The event is due to take place on 8^th December 2020 and will be available as a recording thereafter.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application from The Salvation Army – Stockport Citadel – Cheadle Heath for a grant of £100 (£50 from each ward allocation) from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of a Virtual Community Carol Concert, a free event, with a freewill offering to a worthwhile cause. The event is due to take place on 8th December 2020 and will be available as a recording thereafter.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from the Compstall Cricket Club for a grant of £1000 towards the cost of purchasing a new outfield mower. Currently the existing mower is very old and in need of repair and we are trying to purchase a John Deere 2653a Mower from Campey Turf Care Systems @ a cost of £4850 + VAT.

The Area Committee considered an application for Ward Flexibility Funding on behalf of Compstall Cricket Club towards the cost of purchasing a new outfield mower.

RESOLVED – That, the application from Compstall Cricket Club for Ward Flexibility Funding on this occasion be declined on the basis that there was a very limited availability of funding remaining in the budget, and the size of the bid that had been made by the applicant would have depleted the budget so significantly and so early in the financial year that it would not have sufficient funding remaining to respond adequately to any further funding applications made by other organisations during the remainder of the year.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from the Marple Sports Club for a grant of £1000 towards the cost of installing much needed cycle and scooter racks at the club, as soon as possible.

The Area Committee considered an application for Ward Flexibility Funding on behalf of Marple Sports Club towards the cost of installing much needed cycle and scooter racks at the club, as soon as possible.

RESOLVED – That, the application from Marple Sports Club for Ward Flexibility Funding on this occasion be declined on the basis that there was a very limited availability of funding remaining in the budget, and the size of the bid that had been made by the applicant would have depleted the budget so significantly and so early in the financial year that it would not have sufficient funding remaining to respond adequately to any further funding applications made by other organisations during the remainder of the year.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Development).

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

A development application was 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 & 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).  

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications. 

Conversion of ground floor from Bank (Use Class A2) to Restaurant/Bar (Use Class A3/A4), together with demolition of existing first floor and replacement with new extension to provide 4 no. apartments at first floor and second floor level.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

Officer contact: Mark Burgess on 0161 474 3659, mark.burgess@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. DC076359 for the conversion of ground floor from Bank (Use Class A2) to Restaurant/Bar (Use Class A3/A4), together with demolition of existing first floor and replacement with new extension to provide 4 no. apartments at first floor and second floor level at Market Street, Marple –

the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be authorised to determine the application subject to, the applicant entering into a Section 106 Agreement to secure the relevant contribution towards open space.

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 Marple Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates, 0161 474 3219, vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by the Marple Area Committee.

It was reported that the Marple Wharf Appeal was now submitted with the questionnaire being completed and would be represented by one of the Ward Councillors.

RESOLVED – That the report and update be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive

The report provides an update on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and details the current position on area flexibility funding. The report also includes the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Charles Yankiah, 0161 474 3206 charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and the current position on Ward Flexibility Funding.

The following updates were provided to the Committee: -

·         The Atkins Report (Atkins were commissioned to undertake a transport study looking at travel and movement in Marple) - Officers were due to receive an updated report from Atkins this week. There was a slight delay as Atkins were asked to review the comments received from members of the public and local WalkRide groups via Commonplace as part of the Safer Streets Save Lives campaign. This provided useful feedback on a number of cycling and walking improvements which would be reviewed as part of this work. Once officers have had a chance to review the report from Atkins it would be proposed that a briefing be set up with members and Marple Neighbourhood Forum representatives to discuss next steps.

·         Oakdene Crescent Speed Indicator Device (SID) data - The SIDS were not improved by being left out for months with flat batteries during lockdown.  Officers currently have two fully operational and eight more which display speeds but don’t record data. Officers have contacted the manufacturers regarding repairs. 

·         Flooding Report – Officers were still awaiting the final draft of the Section 19 Flooding Report for the 2019 floods, however, once officers receive the report it would be submitted to all Area Committees by the autumn.

·         Edwards Way (20mph) – The Edwards Way consultation was estimated to begin by August/September 2020. This would be completed at distance via post and a meeting has been arranged with officers to discuss the new procedures for consultation during COVID19 restrictions. The resume has been updated and Councillors would be notified by email once the letters are out with completion date for consultation.

·         Access Only Signs (Mead Way, Beech Way, Daisy Way & Thorn Way - the access only signage was now part of the High Lane consultation and was being discussed with Councillors.

·         Ludworth Primary School (Cabinet recommendations) - The school has been in discussion with Local Pubs and the church on the further use of their car parks for park and stride options. Due to many of these businesses being closed recently this process is ongoing and would form part of the new School Travel Plan. No Idling Zones: This work is ongoing at a Greater Manchester level. The development of the new School Travel Plan will include a review of temporary signage to promote green travel. 20mph Speed Limits: These are being considered, however the Transport Assessment recommends they are subject to review as part of the School Travel Plan and the first annual assessment of performance targets set out within the Travel Plan. Addition Traffic Regulation Orders including School bus marking & access protection markings: These are being considered, however the Transport Assessment recommends they are subject to review as part of the School Travel Plan and the first annual assessment of performance targets set out within the Travel Plan. Based on the findings of the Transport Assessment, no further work has been undertaken on Purple Pakora car park. This is due to the proposed mitigations being sufficient to address the increased traffic levels as a result of the development. The Authority would be looking to submit the planning application for the scheme during August 2020. 

RESOLVED – That the report and updates be noted.