Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 26 September 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the following amendments:-

i)                    In respect to plan no's 47712 and 47713 (Minute 6 refers) the deletion of the word 'against' and its replacement with ' support.'

ii)                  In respect to minute 4 (ii) Neighbourhood Policing, the addition of a further bullet point concerning anti-social behaviour in the passageway near to Alan Road, Heaton Moor.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

No announcements were made.

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

RESOLVED - That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to write to Inspector Kelly expressing the Area Committee's concerns that a representative of Greater Manchester Police had been unable to attend the meeting and reminding him of the dates and venues for future meetings.

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 at the meeting and on the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/areacommittees).

One question was submitted relating to the Council's scheme of delegation in respect to dealing with planning applications.

RESOLVED - That the Service Director (Place Management) be requested to write to the questioner in accordance with the Code of Practice in respect to the Council's scheme of delegation for dealing with planning applications.

The local Area Conditions Officer and the Highways Officer will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at previous committee meetings. Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise issues affecting local environment quality.

(a) Muhammad Tayyab (Area Conditions Officer) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to environmental issues within the Heatons & Reddish area.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

• The removal of four abandoned vehicles.
• On going prosecutions in respect to fly posting and fly tipping.
• 56 cases of graffiti, 48 were non offensive and 8 were offensive.
• 61 cases of advancement.
• The serving of a Section 92A notice on 34 Harcourt Street, Reddish.

RESOLVED – That Muhammad Tayyab be thanked for his attendance.

(b) Daniel Meadowcroft (Highways Officer) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to highways issues in the Heatons & Reddish area.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

• Carriageway depressions on Dumbarton Road
• The felling of trees on Curtis Road
• The replacement of bollards at the junction of St James Road
• The response by officers to complaints made by Councillors about blocked grids.

RESOLVED - That Daniel Meadowcroft be thanked for his attendance and that he be requested to write to Councillors explaining how officers respond and the timeline for responding to complaints about blocked grids.

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

No petitions were submitted.

Willow Grove Cemetery

Sheila Robins from the Friends of Willow Grove Cemetery will attend and make a presentation

Local Development Framework - Allocations Development Plan

It is hoped that the open forum will provide the opportunity for councillors and members of the public to ask questions and to discuss issues and possible solutions in terms of the use of land and buildings in their local area. In addition it is the intention to use the forum to raise awareness of the Allocations DPD and to encourage the public to contribute to the process by feeding back through the formal consultation process. The main documents themselves will go live on Monday 17^th October 2011 at www.stockport.gov.uk/allocationsdpd.

(a) Willow Grove Cemetery

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that this item would now be considered at the November meeting of the Area Committee.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

(b) Local Development Framework - Allocations Development Plan

Representatives of the Service Director (Place Development) attended the meeting and reported on the Local Development Framework - Allocations Development Plan providing an opportunity for members of the public and councillors to discuss issues and possible solutions in terms of the use of land and buildings in their area.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

• The sustainability appraisal associated with the Allocations SPD.
• Specific issues in the Heatons & Reddish area including:-

1. Broadstone Mill - should the Council consider making this a mixed use area?
2. Given the large number and variety of employment allocations are there any others which could be amended?
3. Sites in the area which could/should be allocated for housing.
4. Whether or not the boundaries of the District and Local Centres should be changed.

• An explanation in respect to the varying levels of Affordable Housing provision in the Heatons & Reddish areas.
• Concern was expressed in respect to the lack of support provided to those businesses which resided outside of the District Centre, the businesses close to The Fir Tree, Reddish and those in South Reddish being examples. Councillors unanimously suggested that there be increased flexibility in the process to enable such businesses to access funding in light of the fact that the current boundaries were set over a decade ago.
• Councillors also agreed that the current approach by Regeneration in respect to the two local centres in the Heatons should continue under the new plan.
• It was suggested that the number of take-aways in District Centres should be controlled.

RESOLVED - That the officers be thanked for their attendance and presentation and that the comments of the Area Committee be fed into the consultation to inform the 'Preferred Options' stage of the process in 2012.

To consider any applications for Area Flexibility Funding or to receive feedback from organisations who have received funding.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted an application on behalf of the Friends of Peel Moat (copies of which had been circulated) requesting funding to raise public awareness in respect to the consultation on the future use of the Peel Moat Centre.

RESOLVED - That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make a grant of £244.00 (to be divided equally between the Heatons North and South wards) to the Friends of Peel Moat in their efforts to raise public awareness as to the future of the Peel Moat Centre.

There are no development applications to consider

There were no development applications to consider.

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

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

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

The report outlines an application received for the Reddish District Centre Partnership for a Christmas Market as part of the Christmas Tree switch on event to take place at Houldsworth Square and part of Leamington Road, Reddish.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application.

Officer contact: Kevin Lydon on Tel: 218 1535 or email: kevin.lydon@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report  of the Services Director (Place Management) (copies of which had been circulated) outlining an application from the Reddish District Centre Partnership for a Christmas Market as part of the Christmas Tree switch on event to take place at Houldsworth Square and part of Leamington Road, Reddish.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to hold a Christmas Market on Houldsworth Square and part of Leamington Road on 24 November 2011 between 11.00am and 5.30pm.

To consider a joint report of the Service Directors (Legal & Democratic Services) and (Place Management)

The report requests the Area Committee to consider an objection to a proposed traffic regulation order for prohibition of waiting on Buckingham Road, Peel Moat Road , St James Road and Harmsworth Drive, Heaton Moor.

The Area Committee is recommended to agree that the order be made as advertised.

Officer Contact: Max Townsend on Tel; 474 4848 or email: max.townsend@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Directors (Legal and Democratic Services) and (Place Management) requesting the Area Committee to give consideration to an objection to the implementation of a traffic regulation order on Buckingham Road, Peel Moat Road, St James Road and Harmsworth Drive, Heaton Moor.

RESOLVED - That the order be made as advertised.

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

The report outlines proposals for changes to Polling Districts and Polling Stations as a result of the review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations.

The Area Committee is requested to comment on the proposals prior to consideration of the report by the Executive and Council Meeting.

Officer Contact: Karen Randles on Tel: 474 3268 or email: karen.randles@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services) requesting the Area Committee to give consideration to proposals for changes to Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations.

RESOLVED - (1) That the report be noted and that the Returning Officer be informed that the Area Committee supports the proposals contained in the report.

(2) That the Returning Officer be requested to ensure that the proposed polling station at the Scout Hut on Carnforth Road has disabled access.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Learning & Achievement)          

The Area Committee is recommended to note the vacancy at Vale View Primary School.

Officer contact: Libby Evans, 0161 474 3847, libby.evans@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Learning & Achievement) requesting the Area Committee to note the proposed nomination of Councillor Mark Weldon at Vale View Primary School.

RESOLVED - That the following nomination be noted:-

School                        Name                                      Nominating Group                

Vale View                  Councillor Mark Weldon       Liberal Democrat     

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 not 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 and the current position on Area Flexibility Funding.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.