Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2025.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 27 January 2025 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.

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

There were no Chair’s announcements.

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

The Chair reported that a representative of Greater Manchester Police had been unable to attend the meeting but welcomed any neighbourhood policing questions or issues to be raised.

The Chair informed the Committee that the Chief Superintendent, Lewis Hughes recently gave a public commitment for police representation at Area Committees over the next 12 months.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·       It was noted that Councillors were in regular contact with Neighbourhood Inspectors to raise any issues accordingly.

·       Members raised concern regarding ‘graffiti tags’ being sprayed around the

o   Reddish North & Reddish South wards in alleyways, fences and walls facing motorways.

o   Heatons South ward in the vicinity of Travis Brow from Didsbury Road to the Town Centre

·       Clarification was sought regarding promises made by the new Chief Constable regarding restoring a range of cuts that had been previously made including recruitment of police officers and if an update could be provided to the Committee.

·       It was commented that in the vicinity of Broadstone Fields next to Broadstone School, volunteers had reported that fires were being set in certain areas.

·       It had been reported to Councillors that ‘off road bikes’ were being used in the Heaton Mersey Common.

RESOLVED – That the issues raised be reported to the Neighbourhood Inspector by Democratic Services.

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 on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

No public questions were submitted.

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.

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

To consider an application received from Reddish Eagles Basketball Team for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £586.85 (Reddish South ward allocation only) towards the cost of training equipment, team kit and a social team building acitivity.

Will Lewis attended the meeting and submitted an application received on behalf of Reddish Eagles Basketball Team for a grant of £586.85 (Reddish South ward allocation only) towards the cost of training equipment, team kit and a social team building activity.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application from Reddish Eagles Basketball Team for a grant of £586.85 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget (Reddish South ward allocation only) towards the cost of training equipment, team kit and a social team building activity.

To consider an application received from Stockport Sea Cadets for Ward Flexibility Funding for a total grant of £1000 (£29.41 from Heatons South and £58.82 from Reddish South ward allocations) towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

Laura Jole attended the meeting and submitted an application received on behalf of Stockport Sea Cadets for a grant of £88.23 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget (£29.41 from Heatons South and £58.82 from Reddish South ward allocations) towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application from Stockport Sea Cadets for a grant of £88.23 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget (£29.41 from Heatons South and £58.82 from Reddish South ward allocations) towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

To consider an application received from Stockport LGBT+ Centre CIC for Ward Flexibility Funding for a total grant of £1000 (£47 from Heatons North, £47 from Heatons South, £47 from Reddish North and £47 from Reddish South ward allocations) towards the cost of hosting the ‘Fabulously Me’ event at a central, accessible Stockport location.

A representative of the Assistant Director for Governance submitted an application received on behalf of Stockport LGBT+ Centre CIC for a grant of £188 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget (£47 from each ward allocation) towards the cost of hosting the ‘Fabulously Me’ event at a central, accessible Stockport location

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application from Stockport LGBT+ Centre CIC for a grant of £188 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget (£47 from each ward allocation) towards the cost of hosting the ‘Fabulously Me’ event at a central, accessible Stockport location.

To consider a joint report of the Director of Place Management and the Assistant Director for Governance.

The report advises committee members of an objection/s received to a proposed introduction of restrictions on Park Bridge Close, Kingsley Avenue and Horace Grove in the Reddish South Ward.

The Area Committee is asked to comment on the report and recommends that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services approves the implementation of the Traffic Regulation Orders with one addition made to that as originally advertised, as detailed in Appendix A.

Officer contact: Zoe Allan | 0161 474 3138 | zoe.allan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Governance submitted a joint report of the Director of Place Management and the Assistant Director for Governance (copies of which had been circulated) advising committee members of an objection/s received to a proposed introduction of restrictions on Park Bridge Close, Kingsley Avenue and Horace Grove in the Reddish South Ward.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A number of issues were reported relating to school drop off and collection times with reports of cars parking over resident’s drives, on double yellow lines and on verges.

·         Members expressed support for the measures and believed that they would improve safety for all road users including school children.

·         It was commented that the measures would support the wider reaching active travel strategy and that extra parking available on Selby Street would mitigate some of the loss of parking.

·         Members were of the opinion that a resident parking scheme was not suitable for Park Bridge Close as most homes benefitted from off-road parking.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services be recommended to approve the implementation of the Traffic Regulation Orders with one addition made to that as originally advertised, as detailed in Appendix A.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides details relating to a feasibility study for a pedestrian crossing facility. The location under consideration is the corridor formed by Station Road and Vale Road near the junction with Craig Road in Heaton Mersey.

The Area Committee is asked to approve the cost for funding a feasibility study at a cost of £5,000 (to be funded from the Heatons South Delegated Ward Budget) for a pedestrian crossing facility on Station Road in Heaton Mersey.

Officer contact: Max Townsend | 0161 474 4861 | max.townsend@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Governance submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a feasibility study for a pedestrian crossing facility. The location under consideration is the corridor formed by Station Road and Vale Road near the junction with Craig Road in Heaton Mersey.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         Members commented that the study would help to address a road safety issue, with the potential to increase the safety of residents, and Members looked forward to the results of the study.

·         It was noted that the operation of two nearby children’s nurseries contributed to traffic generation in the area.

·         Members suggested that the potential crossing would benefit a large number of pedestrians utilising walk and ride facilities as it would enable them to cross to a safer paved route.

·         It was noted that residents had raised the issue of road safety at this location to Members over a number of years.

·         It was reported that a previous speed strip study had found a minority of drivers were speeding, it was commented however that only one speeding vehicle was required to cause a serious accident.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the funding of a feasibility study at a cost of £5,000 (to be funded from the Heatons South Delegated Ward Budget) for a pedestrian crossing facility on Station Road in Heaton Mersey.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides details of an event application received from ‘Run Through’ on behalf of Decathalon to host a 5k Run at Reddish Vale Country Park (Woodhall Car Park entrance) on Sunday the 20 July 2025 between the hours of 8.00am and 12.00pm. EMATS their medical partner will provide full medical coverage based on the events needs and numbers. There is no requirement for additional traffic management as vehicles will be onsite for set up and tear down and removed during the event itself to appropriate parking areas.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application subject to the event organiser obtaining and providing the relevant paperwork at least 2 weeks prior to the event, including any necessary licences, health and safety documentation, insurance certificates, and the payment of agreed fees and charges.

Officer contact: Janette Sadgrove | 0161 474 2429 | janette.sadgrove@stocport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Governance submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an event application received from ‘Run Through’ on behalf of Decathalon to host a 5k Run at Reddish Vale Country Park (Woodhall Car Park entrance) on Sunday the 20 July 2025 between the hours of 8.00am and 12.00pm. EMATS their medical partner will provide full medical coverage based on the events needs and numbers. There is no requirement for additional traffic management as vehicles will be onsite for set up and tear down and removed during the event itself to appropriate parking areas.

Members welcomed the annual event and expressed their support.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the application from ‘Run Through’ on behalf of Decathalon to host a 5k Run at Reddish Vale Country Park (Woodhall Car Park entrance) on Sunday the 20 July 2025 between the hours of 8.00am and 12.00pm, subject to the event organiser obtaining and providing the relevant paperwork at least 2 weeks prior to the event, including any necessary licences, health and safety documentation, insurance certificates, and the payment of agreed fees and charges.

 To consider a report of the Assistant Director for Governance.

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 and ward discretionary budget funding (approved only). 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 Assistant Director for Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and detailing the current position on area flexibility funding. The report also included the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.

Members were reminded that the Area Committee finances including the Ward Flexibility Funding and the Delegated Ward Budget came to an end in March at the end of the financial year and would be topped up from April accordingly.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

ADJOURNMENT

At 6:41pm, it was

RESOLVED – That the meeting be adjourned.

The meeting reconvened at 7pm.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

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

Application to change the use of a (C3a) dwelling to a children's home for a maximum of three children, with three carers and a manager, two of whom will sleep overnight, working on a rota basis (C2).

The Area Committee is requested to grant planning permission.

Officer contact: Jeni Regan |0161 474 3531| jeni.regan@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. DC/093113 an application to change the use of a (C3a) dwelling to a children's home for a maximum of three children, with three carers and a manager, two of whom will sleep overnight, working on a rota basis (C2).

a member of the public spoke against the application

It was then,

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for 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 Heatons and Reddish 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 Assistant Director for Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by the Heatons and Reddish Area Committee.

It was requested that the entry relating to Queens Drive, Heaton Moor be removed.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Assistant Director for Governance be requested to delete the entry relating to Queens Driver, Heaton Moor.