Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 12 November 2020 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.

No announcements were made.

Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise neighbourhood policing issues with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Sergeant Philip Lowe attended the meeting to report on neighbourhood policing issues within the Central Stockport area. He also reported on recent crime committed in the Central Stockport area.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

·         There continued to be anti-social behaviour problems in the Edgeley and Cheadle Heath Ward, including arson, stone throwing at vehicles and damage to bus shelters, although the number of incidents had reduced. Funding had been authorised for an anti-social behaviour operation which was due to run until 19 December and this was having some impact.

·         Reports of vehicle crime on Windemere Road in the Manor Ward were raised.

·         Members asked about the rise in the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour in Brinnington.  To try and combat this, groups of youths on the periphery were targeted and work had taken place with partners such as the Youth Offending Team and Stockport Homes. 

·         The Police Inspectorate’s findings of under-reporting of crime by Greater Manchester Police was raised.

RESOLVED – That Sergeant Philip Lowe be thanked for his attendance.

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.

Three public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         The first question related to residents’ concerns in relation to the former Adswood Hotel and the condition of the site.

In response, a representative of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive stated that planning permission had been granted by the Area Committee in December 2017 for a 60-bed care home with an ancillary community café.  Ordinarily, this permission would have expired on 14 December 2020, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic the permission had been extended until 1 May 2021.  Planning Enforcement Officers had visited the site and spoken to the owners and concluded that no enforcement action was justified at the time of their last visit in mid-November.

RESOLVED – That Officers contact the owners of the site to try and ascertain their intentions in respect of the approved planning permission and provide a written response to the questioner.

·         The second and three questions related to proposed changes to access barriers at Reservoir Road, Edgeley and Bexhill Road, Adswood.

In response, a representative of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive stated that with regard to Reservoir Road the barriers had been extended to 2.5 metres to make them more accessible.  The road was accessible for a mobility scooter and bikes should be able to get through, although not at speed.  The changes should mean that the road was safer for all users.

RESOLVED – That written responses be sent to the questioners.

No petitions were submitted.

Representatives from Stockport Garrick Theatre have been invited to attend the meeting to address the Area Committee about its role, how it has adapted during the Covid-19 pandemic and its future aspirations.

Representatives from Stockport Garrick Theatre attended the meeting and addressed the Area Committee about its role, how it had adapted during the Covid-19 pandemic and its future aspirations.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members commented that the Garrick Theatre had done well to keep going throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and to cope with the subsequent challenges.

·         The Garrick Theatre was an important part of Stockport’s cultural fabric.

·         Members commented on the professional and quality productions that were staged at the theatre and asked how best they could support the organisation in the future.  It was agreed that Members could promote the message about the future of Stockport Garrick Theatre across their various media platforms.

RESOLVED – That Mr Jon Atkin and Mr Martin Pritchard be thanked for their attendance.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy chief Executive

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

(to begin no earlier than 6.30pm)

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 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/planning. 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 Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

REVISED PROPOSALS: Full Planning application for the erection of a mixed-use commercial (use Class E) and residential (C3 use) development comprising 98 no. apartments including a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units with associated access, parking, landscaping and engineering works.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission, subject to:-

·         the submission of a Stage 1 Road Safety Audit and Designer’s Response which does not raise any significant issues which cannot be readily addressed at the detailed design stage;

·         necessary conditions; and

·         the completions of a Section 106 legal agreement to secure the obligations detailed above.

Officer Contact: Daniel Hewitt on 0161 218 1989 or email: daniel.hewitt@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. DC/072623 REVISED PROPOSALS: Full Planning application for the erection of a mixed-use commercial (use Class E) and residential (C3 use) development comprising 98 no. apartments including a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units with associated access, parking, landscaping and engineering works.

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

It was then

RESOLVED – That, given the scale and nature of the proposals, the application be referred to the  Planning and Highways Regulation Committee for determination.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance)

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 Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockort.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcement action within the area represented by the Central Stockport Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive.

This report builds on the One Stockport update presented to Area Committees in November 2020 where there was discussion about the shape of One Stockport to outline our approach to developing a shared One Stockport borough plan. This report covers how we are progressing the borough plan, our approach to capturing the views of our residents, businesses and workforce, the data and insight we are considering - and how this will inform our priorities for the future

We previously presented to Area Committees in November 2020 to outline our approach to One Stockport and our emerging borough plan. We committed to bringing an update on the progress of the borough plan and as such this report sets out our approach to engagement, data and insight that will inform our priorities for the future.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Holly Rae on 0161 474 3014 or email: holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing how the the Council was proposing to progress the development of the Borough Plan; the approach to capturing the views of residents, businesses and the workforce; the data and insight that would be considered, and how this would inform the proproties for the future.

Kirsteen Roe (Service Director – Citizen Focus) attended the meeting to present the item and to respond to questions from Councillors.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members raised the issue of the rise of unemployment particularly among young people, and how the Borough Plan intended to address this.  Members noted that there had been a shift in consumer behaviour towards online shopping and away from shopping in town and district centres.  This meant that businesses had to adapt.  The growing areas for business were technology, digital and logistics and the plan aimed to assist young people with obtaining jobs in these types of areas.  There were a number of challenges remaining, but some businesses had managed to adapt well to current circumstances and there were lessons to be learnt from this.

·         Members stated that there had been a widening of the equality gap in terms of income during the Covid-19 pandemic.  This impacted on the health, wellbeing and life expectancy of Stockport’s citizens.  Getting people into work was vital in trying to address this issue.

·         The issue of climate change was felt to be crucial and any decisions should be taken in the light of the Council’s recent commitment to become a carbon neutral Borough by 2038.  Members considered it vital to encourage ‘green’ industries into Stockport.  Members were advised that this issue formed one of the pillars of the Borough Plan and was being discussed widely across different sectors.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive, and the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance)

The report sets out an objection received to a proposed Traffic Regulation Order at Woodlands Drive, Ilfracombe Road and Elder Close, Offerton.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the Order as advertised.

Officer Contact: Max Townsend on 0161 474 4861 or email: max.townsend@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive, and the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which set out an objection received to a proposed Traffic Regulation Order at Woodlands Drive, Ilfracombe Road and Elder Close, Offerton.

RESOLVED – That, notwithstanding the objection received to a proposed Prohibition of Waiting Traffic Regulation Order at Woodlands Drive, Ilfracombe Road and Elder Close, Offerton, the Order be made as advertised.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive

The report sets out a proposal to try and deter motorbikes using the footway/cycleway over the reservoir on Reservoir Rod, Edgeley.

The Area Committee is requested to approve the introduction of a barrier system at the entrance to the segregated footway/cycleway on Reservoir Road, as set out in Appendix A to the report.

Officer Contact: Gillian Kidd on 0161 474 4848 or email: gillian.kidd@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which set out a proposal to try and deter motorbikes using the footway/cycleway over the reservoir on Reservoir Road, Edgeley. There had been reports of motorbikes speeding across the footway side and that there was a lack of preventative measures to stop this access to motorbikes, causing concern to pedestrian and cyclists for their safety.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Ward Members clarified that the proposals had been initiated as a result of nearly twelve months of complaints from residents.  Speeding motorbikes continued to be an issue.  Despite working closely with Greater Manchester Police, the culprits had not been identified.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the introduction of a barrier system at the entrance to the segregated footway/cycleway on Reservoir Road, Edgeley on the Hardcastle Street side of the road, as set out in Appendix A to the report and shown on Drawing No. NM1-6331-04_Reservoir_Rd_ attached to the report, at a cost of £1,350 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget as follows:-

Davenport and Cale Green Ward - £675

Edgeley and Cheadle Heath Ward - £675

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive

The Area Committee is requested to approve the installation of two sets of pedestrian dropped crossings with tactile paving to facilitate access for mobility impaired users on High Street, Stockport.

Officer Contact: Gillian Kidd on 0161 474 4848 or email: gillian.kidd@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which set out proposals for the installation of two sets of pedestrian dropped crossings with tactile paving to facilitate access for mobility impaired users on High Street, Stockport.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the introduction of two sets of pedestrian dropped crossings with tactile paving on High Street, Stockport, as set out in Appendix A and shown on Drawing No. NM18-6330-01 attached to the report and at a cost of £5,200 to be funded from the Strategic Budget , which will help to facilitate mobility/visually impaired persons to manoeuvre through the route at identified crossing points, with two locations identified being:-

·         existing access across the Probation office car park access

·         existing crossing to Disability Stockport’s car park access.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive

The report sets out a request to approve funding for improvements to the chicane barriers at the pedestrian entrance to Davenport Playing Fields from Bexhill Road, Adswood.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the measures to deter off-road bikes accessing Davenport Playing Fields.

Officer Contact: Josephine Holmes on 078 66 9999 06 or email: josephine.holmes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service and Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a request for measures to deter off-road bikes accessing Davenport Playing Fields from the pedestrian entrance at Bexhill Road, Adswood.

RESOLVED – That the report be deferred.

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 Area Committee’s delegated budget.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

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

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service and Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) 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 comments were made/issues raised:

·         Ward Councillors requested updates on progress on the proposed Traffic Regulation Order on Myrtle Street, Edgeley and on the Davenport and Cale Green Parking Zone.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.