Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 6 November 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

No declarations of interest were made.

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

The Chair reported that there were a number of funding opportunities available for local community groups and organisations including the Area Committee’s Ward Flexibility Fund which made grants of up to £1,000; the Stockport Hydro Environmental Challenge 2018 which had a fund of £2,000 for up to 10 local projects which benefited the community; and the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund which awarded grants of up to £3,000. 

The Chair further announced that following a successful application for Ward Flexibility Funding from the Area Committee, the Christmas Nativity Crib located near Bredbury War Memorial had been replaced.

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

Sergeant Richard Lloyd and PC Gareth Latham (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 the Werneth Area Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Burglary was the single biggest issue for policing within Stockport having increased by 40% since 2016.  The increase in the Werneth area was reflective of the general trend in the Borough.

·         A specialist burglary unit had been set up which was dedicated to tackling the problem.

·         The police continued to promote their activities and success in tackling crime using social media.

·         There had been a number of arrests made, however this had not had a direct impact on the level of burglaries taking place in the Borough.

·         Reductions in resources available to the police had meant that there had been a decision to reduce the number of PCSOs while retaining current numbers of police officers.

·         The focus for the police was around ‘demand reduction’.  An example of this work had been the activity around reducing level of anti-social behaviour in the Werneth area which consequently freed up policing resources.

·         The police had worked closely with other agencies to deal with anti-social behaviour before is reached the threshold of criminality as a means of mitigating against future criminal activity.

·         There was a lot that the public could do to deter would be offenders by making their property less of a target, such as by ensuring doors and windows were locked, not leaving valuables on display and using timers to make their homes appear occupied.

·         It was suggested that burglars used railway lines as a means of escape to avoid being seen.  In response, it was stated that Greater Manchester Police worked closely with the British Transport Police.

The Chair thanked Sergeant Lloyd and PC Latham for their attendance at the meeting, and extended an open invitation for them to attend future meetings of the Area Committees when there were issues of local importance.

RESOLVED – That Sergeant Lloyd and PC Latham be thanked for their 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.

One public question was submitted relating to concerns about the location of new pedestrian crossing facilities on Werneth Road, Woodley.

In response, it was stated that there was a requirement for the introduction of new crossing facilities to serve children and families attending Greave Primary School and that the proposed location had been assessed as being the safest and most suitable location for the crossing.

RESOLVED – That, in accordance with the Code of Practice, the Democratic Services Manager be requested to respond to the questioner in writing.

The local Public Realm Inspector will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at the last committee meetings. Councillors and Members of the public are invited to raise issues affecting local environmental quality.

The Chair reported that the Public Realm Officer was unable to attend this meeting of the Area Committee, however it was stated that a summary of activities with the Public Realm service area had been circulated to members of the area committee separately.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that no organisations had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

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

There were no applications to consider.

There are no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

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 Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Paul Cassidy on 474 5388 or email: paul.cassidy@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The report provides an overview of the pre-existing Highways Advertising arrangement and details proposals for the introduction of additional boundary signage for the purposes of identifying additional boundary locations with an accompanying potential for Highway Advertising.

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

Officer contact: Nick Whelan on 0161-474-4907 or email: nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the pre-existing Highways Advertising arrangement and detailing proposals for the introduction of additional boundary signage for the purposes of identifying additional boundary locations with an accompanying potential for Highway Advertising.

The following comments were made:-

·         The report and proposals contained therein were broadly welcomed.

·         The report did not provide details of any specific proposals for the introduction of new boundary signage within the Werneth area.

·         At such a point that the locations, design and specification of any new signage within the Werneth area was developed, the Area Committee should be consulted on the proposal in advance.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The report details a proposal to introduce ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ parking restrictions on Stockport Road East and the access road to the previously approved development for the construction of the Bredbury Curve housing development.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the legal advertising of that element of the following traffic regulations orders that falls within its purview; and to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing gives approval to the legal advertising of the remainder of the traffic regulation orders.  Subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, approval is also to be given to the subsequent making of the Orders which is to be funded by a developer contribution:-

Proposed No Waiting At Any Time

Stockport Road East, southeast side, from the north easterly kerbline of Lyndhurst Avenue for a distance of 10 metres in a north easterly direction.

Stockport Road East, southeast side, from a point 41 metres northeast of the north easterly kerbline of Lyndhurst Avenue, to a point 19 metres south west of the south westerly kerbline of Bredbury Railway Station access road.

Stockport Road East, northwest side, from a point 57 metres northeast of the north easterly kerbline of Auburn Avenue, for a distance of 129 metres in a north easterly direction.

Bredbury Curve Access Road, both sides, from the north westerly kerbline of Stockport Road East, for a distance of 24 metres in a north westerly direction.

Access Road, both sides, from the north easternly kerbline of Bredbury Curve Access Road, for a distance of 9 metres in a north easterly direction.

Lyndhurst Avenue, both sides, from the south easterly kerbline of Stockport Road East in a south easterly direction for a distance of 5 metres.

Officer contact: Brian Davies on 0161 474 4824 or email brian.davies@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to introduce ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ parking restrictions on Stockport Road East and the access road to the previously approved development for the construction of the Bredbury Curve housing development.

It was commented that the element of the scheme which sought to introduce ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ traffic regulation orders on Stockport Road East should not be implemented until such a time that the replacement on-site parking provision within the scheme had been built and brought into use.

It was further commented that members had previously expressed support for the provision of a box junction at the entrance to the new development to allow vehicles to access and egress the new development more readily.  Members expressed their disappointment that this proposal had not been brought forward as part of this scheme.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval to the legal advertising of that element of the following traffic regulations orders that fell within the Area Committee’s purview; and that the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing be recommended to give approval to the legal advertising of the remainder of the traffic regulation orders; and that subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, approval also be given to the subsequent making of the Orders which was to be funded by a developer contribution:-

No Waiting At Any Time

Stockport Road East, southeast side, from the north easterly kerbline of Lyndhurst Avenue for a distance of 10 metres in a north easterly direction.

Stockport Road East, southeast side, from a point 41 metres northeast of the north easterly kerbline of Lyndhurst Avenue, to a point 19 metres south west of the south westerly kerbline of Bredbury Railway Station access road.

Stockport Road East, northwest side, from a point 57 metres northeast of the north easterly kerbline of Auburn Avenue, for a distance of 129 metres in a north easterly direction.

Bredbury Curve Access Road, both sides, from the north westerly kerbline of Stockport Road East, for a distance of 24 metres in a north westerly direction.

Access Road, both sides, from the north easternly kerbline of Bredbury Curve Access Road, for a distance of 9 metres in a north easterly direction.

Lyndhurst Avenue, both sides, from the south easterly kerbline of Stockport Road East in a south easterly direction for a distance of 5 metres.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be recommended to give consideration to the introduction of a box junction at the junction of Stockport Road East and the new access road the development to allow vehicles to access and egress the new development more readily.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The report details a proposal for the Area Committee to fund the cost of a design feasibility study to investigate the removal of grassed verges on Sandiway to create parking bays.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the undertaking of a design feasibility study to assess the structural change of the grassed area, to create parking bays thus improving traffic movement on Sandiway at a cost of £1,000 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocation).

Officer contact: Julie Pelham on 0161 474 4846 or email: julie.pelham@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal for the Area Committee to fund the cost of a design feasibility study to investigate the removal of grassed verges on Sandiway to create parking bays.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the undertaking of a design feasibility study to assess the structural change of the grassed area, to create parking bays thus improving traffic movement on Sandiway at a cost of £1,000 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocation).

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The report details a proposal for the installation of nine Middleton bollards on the south kerbline of Stockport Road West, Bredbury to prevent drivers from mounting the footway on Stockport Road West following safety concerns being raised by pedestrians using the route.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing gives approval to the installation of nine bollards on Stockport Road West, Bredbury at a cost of £2,700 to be funded from the Strategic Budget.

Officer contact: Julie Pelham on 0161 474 4846 or email: julie.pelham@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal for the installation of nine Middleton bollards on the south kerbline of Stockport Road West, Bredbury to prevent drivers from mounting the footway on Stockport Road West following safety concerns being raised by pedestrians using the route.

Concern was expressed that the costs associated with the scheme were disproportionate to the works proposed.  Further information was requested in relation to the contractor that would be undertaking the works on behalf of the Council.

RESOLVED - That the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing be recommended to give approval to the installation of nine bollards on Stockport Road West, Bredbury at a cost of £2,700 to be funded from the Strategic Budget.

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 area flexibility funding. 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: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email: damian.eaton@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 on decisions taken by the Area Committee since the last meeting and the current position on the Area Flexibility and the Delegated budget.

The Chair commented that the new format of the traffic resume included within the progress report provided a more readily understandable picture of progress towards completing schemes previously approved by the Area Committee.  It was further commented that recent action to implement some of the longstanding items on the resume was to be welcomed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.