Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report requests the Area Committee to consider the requirement to vary a covenant restricting the use of land as public open space (POS) and its appropriation to enable the construction of a new primary school subject to the approval of planning permission.

The Area Committee are requested to consider and comment on the proposals detailed in the report.

Officer Contact: Murray Carr on Tel: 474 3019 or email: murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to comment on the requirement to vary a covenant restricting the use of land as public open space (POS) and its appropriation to enable the construction of a new primary school subject to the approval of planning permission.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager read out a statement on behalf of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services outlining the decision making process.

The Chair invited members of the public to comment and the following comments and issues were raised:-

·         Concern was expressed at the level of publicity involved given the importance of the issue to the local community. It was suggested that more information should be available on the Council website to ensure that the community and stakeholders are fully abreast of options and the decision making process.

·         It was suggested that the Council had not followed its own published guidance in respect to conducting consultations and it was suggested that should a planning application be submitted the Council ensure that residents and local stakeholders be fully consulted.

·         A member of the public questioned whether the land in question was actually former landfill as was outlined in the report and suggested that this information was incorrect.

·         A member of the public sought additional clarity in respect to land ownership before any decision is made and the process for the transfer of land over and above the information provided in section 3.2 of the report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the comments be submitted to the Deputy Chief Executive for consideration as part of the consultation process.