Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 24 October 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

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

(i) DC0048067         Mersey House, Battersea Road

Removal of condition no.1 attached to planning permission ref no. DC041551 to allow the continuation of Mersey House as B1 (Business), A2 (financial and professional) and D1 (non-residential institution) uses including a prayer room and ancillary activities)

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

(a)  To consider the development applications where members of the public have attended the meeting in order to speak or hear the Area Committee’s deliberations.

(b)  To consider the remaining applications.

(c)  To consider consultations (if any) received by the Service Director (Place Development) on any planning issues relevant to the Heatons & Reddish Area Committee area.

Officer contact: Cathy Hodgson, 0161 474 3540, email catherine.hodgson@stockport.gov.uk

(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 of Place 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 Democratic Services Manager outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

In respect of plan no. 48067 for removal of condition no.1 attached to planning permission ref DC041551 to allow the continuation of Mersey House as B1 (Business), A2 (financial and professional) and D1 (non- residential institution) uses including a prayer room and ancillary activities at Mersey House, Battersea Road, Stockport,

the applicant’s agent spoke in support of the application,

it was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted.

No announcements were made.

Inspector Jonathan Kelly (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the area represented by Heatons & Reddish Area Committee.

The following issues were raised/ comments made:-

·         Over half of all criminal damage in Stockport North was damage to motor vehicles.

·         Staffing levels were a real challenge in the context of Neighbourhood Policing.

·         The increased threat of burglary to dwellings during the winter months and a reminder for people to ensure that their homes are secure.

·         It was hoped that PCSO’s would be recruited in the near future.

·         A spate of racist graffiti in the area.

·         On-going work with the Community Safety Unit and the Anti-Social Behaviour Team to deal with problems of anti-social behaviour.

·         The closure of the front desk at Reddish Police Station and the alternative ways in which the public could contact the Police.

RESOLVED – That Inspector Kelly be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

Two questions were submitted relating to the cleansing of alleyways and the relining of road markings.

The Chair explained that the questions would be dealt with during consideration of agenda item 4 (v) Environmental and Highway Services.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

(a) Peter Loughlin (Area Conditions Officer) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to environmental issues within the area represented by Heatons & Reddish Area Committee.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

·         The removal of abandoned vehicles.

·         15 fly posting cases and 64 fly tipping cases had been resolved – work in the Belmont Way area.

·         Officers were working closely with Greater Manchester Police to deal with an increase in racial graffiti.

·         47 jobs had been received for advancement.

·         Litter problems in the vicinity of Reddish Library and the Community Centre.

·         Maintenance schedules for alleyways.

·         Litter problems in the vicinity of Crossley Road, Heaton Chapel.

RESOLVED - That Peter Loughlin be thanked for his attendance.

(b) Sharon Darwin (Highways Officer) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to highway issues within the area represented by Heatons & Reddish Area Committee.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

·         The Maintenance Programme for re-lining which would commence in Reddish and would start in the Heatons in the Spring. Councillors identified this as a major priority to address concerns of road safety.

·         Gulley cleansing on un-adopted roads.

·         Re-lining of the mini-roundabout on Clifton Road.

·         The Council’s policy for dealing with potholes and maintaining pavements.

·         Excellent re-surfacing work at Ashburton Road.

·         A request for an update in respect to works on Dumbarton Road.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that a petition had been received from residents of Mill Lane, Reddish requesting the implementation of a new Residents’ Permit Parking Scheme.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to the Service Director (Place Management) for consideration.

Willow Grove Cemetery

Representatives of Willow Grove Cemetery will attend the meeting and make a presentation.

Sheila Robins, Friends of Willow Grove Cemetery, attended the meeting and made a presentation in respect to on-going projects at Willow Grove Cemetery. Sheila circulated a booklet produced by the Friends group providing “A Short History of Willow Grove Cemetery.” Councillors thanked Sheila and the Friends Group for their excellent work and congratulated them on the production of the booklet.

RESOLVED – That Sheila Robins be thanked for her attendance and presentation.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted an application (copies of which had been circulated) on behalf of St Agnes Church, Reddish requesting funding towards the Peace Garden project.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make a grant of £574.20 (Reddish North Ward allocation) to St Agnes Church for funding towards the Peace Garden project.

The representative of the Democratic Services Manager further reported that the Reddish South Councillors had agreed to make a grant of £250.00 to Belle Vue Brass Band for the Remembrance Day Service.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal & Democratic Services)

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 Heatons and Reddish Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Joy Morton, 0161 474 3217, joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Legal & Democratic Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements with the area represented by Heatons & Reddish Area Committee.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Service Director (Place Management) be requested to provide an update in respect to Enforcement issues at the Green Circle Waste site.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The report provides an opportunity for the Area Committee to comment on the draft strategy for parking.

The Area is recommended to comment on the draft strategy.

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

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to comment on the draft strategy for parking which was currently being consulted on.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The consultation period had been extended to 25 November 2011 and Councillors and members of the public could complete an online questionnaire on the Council’s website.

·         Reddish had lower levels of available parking than other district centres but this was mitigated somewhat by the parking available at Morrisons.

·         It was suggested that the Residents Permit Parking Scheme at Houldsworth Square should be relaxed during the day to allow shoppers to park in the area.

·         Concern was raised in respect to the maintenance of bushes in the vicinity of car parks and the potential threat this caused to people using the cars parks.

·         It was suggested that Stockport should follow the lead of other Local Authorities and allow parking for free in the Town Centre.

·         The on-going initiatives between Traffic Services and Greater Manchester Police to address problems of illegal parking at schools during school pick up and drop off was welcomed and Councillors suggested that this should continue to be considered as a top priority. Councillors welcomed further feedback to a future meeting on this initiative.

·         Councillors requested further clarification in respect to enforcement against HGV’s parking on the road for long periods of time.

·         Clarification was provided in respect to which body was responsible for enforcing against cars parking illegally on pavements or obstructing the highway.

·         There was unanimous agreement that enforcement should be considered a top priority.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the comments above be considered as part of the review.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The Area Committee is requested to give consideration to proposed reconstruction of speed cushions along the full length of Mill Lane/ Windmill Lane, North Reddish.

The Area Committee is requested to approve the proposed scheme on Mill Lane/ Windmill Lane, North Reddish.

Officer Contact: Chris Pollitt on Tel: 474 5689 or email: chris.pollitt@solutionssk.co.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to give consideration to a proposed scheme on Windmill Lane/Mill Lane, Reddish.

RESOLVED – That the following be approved at an approximate cost of £23,500 to be funded from the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budget (Reddish North Ward allocation) :-

Reconstruct speed cushions along Mill Lane/Windmill Lane, North Reddish

There are currently no vacancies to consider.

There were no vacancies to consider.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report provides an update on progress on decisions taken by the Area Committee since the last meeting and details the current position on area flexibility funding.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer Contact: Steve Fox on Tel: 474 3206 or email: stephen.fox@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager 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, the current position on Area Flexibility Funding and the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budget.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.