Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 June 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 4 Junr 2018 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.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

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

The Chair reported on the recent successful Romiley Park Fun Day which had been held on 30 June 2018.  The Chair expressed the thanks of the Area Committee to all who had been involved in organising the event.

It was further reported that the Chadkirk Well Dressing event would be held on 28 July 2018  with the dressing of the well taking place in the days immediately prior from 24 to 27 July.

The Chair also announced that an open day was being held at the St Barnabas Community Orchard on Saturday, 14 July 2018.

Finally, the Chair announced that former councillor Stella Humphries, who had represented that Bredbury and Woodley area for 30 years prior to her retirement from the Council in 2012, would shortly be turning 100 and expressed the best wishes of the area committee.

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.

Five public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to the safety of the junction of Bredbury Green and Hatherlow.

In response it was stated that the Area Committee had previously asked for the road markings at this junction to be relined due to confusion being experienced by drivers in relation to how to correctly navigate the junction.  Investigations had previously taken place regarding potential improvements to the junction and consideration had been given to suggestions to introduction signalisation and the provision of a roundabout, however these measures were not considered appropriate at the time.  However, as it had been a number of years since consideration was last given to road safety improvements at this location, it would be useful for Traffic Services to re-examine the feasibility of making highway safety improvements at this location.

RESOLVED – That the issues raised by the questioner be forwarded to the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

·         Relating to travellers on Smithy Green Park.

In response it was stated that a notice to leave the site was due to be served on the travellers the following morning.

·         Relating to the repair of a sinkhole in the carriageway of Werneth Road, Woodley near its junction with Pennine Road and Hillside Road.

In response it was stated that the matter would be forwarded to the Public Realm Inspector for him to raise the necessary repair.

·         Relating to the potential change of use of a detached dwelling adjacent to Greave Primary School to a nursery.

In response it was stated that there was no current planning application for the change of the use of the property.

·         Relating to why signage was not removed when highway improvement works had been completed.

RESOLVED – That the issues raised by the questioner be forwarded to the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

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.

Robin Boardman (Public Realm Inspector) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to environmental and highways issues within the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Overgrowing vegetation in the passageway between Birchvale Drive and Rushyfield Crescent, Romiley needed to be cut back.

·         Signage relating to carriageway repairs on Barlow Fold, Romiley remained on site four weeks after the work had been completed and needed to be removed.

·         There was offensive graffiti under the canal bridge on Green Lane, Romiley which needed to be removed.

·         It was anticipated that a new bin would be placed on land to the rear of Romlley Life Leisure in response to issues with dog waste being left on footpaths in the area.

RESOLVED – That Robin Boardman be thanked for his attendance.

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 an application received from St Mark’s Parish Church, Bredbury for a grant of £1,000 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of upgrading toilet facilities.

Ruth Ball attended the meeting and submitted an application on behalf of St Mark’s Parish Church, Bredbury for ward flexibility funding towards the cost of upgrading toilet facilities.

ESOLVED - That approval be given to the award of a grant of £1,000 from the Ward Flexibility Budget to St Mark’s Parish Church, Bredbury towards the cost of upgrading toilet facilities.

To consider an application received from Nomad Adventure Therapy CIC for a grant of £1,000 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of the construction of a building for use as a community outreach and respite centre.

Laurence Moore attended the meeting and submitted an application on behalf of Nomad Adventure Therapy CIC for ward flexibility funding towards the cost of submitting a planning application.

RESOLVED – That the application to make a grant to Nomad Adventure Therapy CIC be declined on this occasion by virtue of the potential for the making of a grant for the purposes of engaging an architect to produce plans to prejudice the Area Committee’s ability to determine any subsequent planning application that was submitted to the Planning Authority.

To consider an application received from the Stockport Carnival Committee seeking funding toward the cost of the carnival.

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance, following a recommendation of the Borough-Wide Funding Group has already awarded £600. The Group recommended that the application be submitted to all area committees for them to consider whether they wished to make an award toward the remainder of the request.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted an application received on behalf of the Stockport Carnival Committee seeking funding toward the cost of the carnival.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the award of a grant of £200 from the Ward Flexibility Budget to the Stockport Carnival Committee towards the cost of the carnival.

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

The report details the outcome of a consultation and a technical investigation in relation to reports of waterlogged gardens and cellar flooding around the University Estate in Greave. Officers will attend to explain, debate the report and give consideration and explanations of the next steps.

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

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email sue.stevenson@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 the outcome of a consultation and a technical investigation in relation to reports of waterlogged gardens and cellar flooding around the University Estate in Greave.

Chris Isherwood, Krystina Roope and Geoff Wood attended the meeting on behalf of Jacobs, who the Council had engaged to undertake a hydrogeology study in the Woodley area, along with Sue Stevenson (Head of Highways and Transportation, Stockport Council) and Tim Collins (Flood Risk Management Team Leader, Stockport Council).

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was commented that the report had taken a significant period of time to arrive on the agenda of the Area Committee, although it had been received by the Council in draft form in March.  It was asked what had changed in the report since the date the report was original received.  In response, it was stated that that some of the information within the report and its recommendations needed to be made clearer.

·         It was noted that the report identified that Greave Primary School was willing to assess landscaping and drainage on the site.  In response, it was stated that a substantial drainage scheme was being developed for the site and once detailed designs were available, this would be subject to consultation including public drop-in sessions.

·         The drainage scheme for the school site would be designed to alter the landscape of the school grounds such that it held water though measures such as the development of ponds and swales.

·         The Council was undertaking wider measures throughout the borough to analyse the amount of silt which was removed from each gully so that future gully cleansing activity could be targeted in those areas which most needed it.  It was commented that the study area would be one which would be focussed on first as part of this analysis.

·         A member of the public stated that assurances had previously been given that broken and damaged drains on the school site would be attended to prior to the development of the extension to the school which had not been done.  In response, it was stated that works were undertaken to drains on the playground area, however following discussions with the school it was decided that any further works should await the outcome of the investigation into drainage issues in the area to ensure that a more rounded scheme was brought forward which would reflect the learning from the study.

·         Members of the public expressed frustration over the length of time it had taken to get to current stage, and that a scheme had not yet been developed to try to mitigate some of the issues being experienced.

·         It was stated that the development of the school extension was unlikely to have exacerbated the existing issues in the area.

·         Resources had been allocated to implement any proposed new drainage scheme.

·         It was anticipated that residents would be consulted on the new drainage scheme on the Greave Primary School site towards the end of the Summer.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and representatives of Jacobs and Council officers be thanked for their work towards the completion of the comprehensive hydrogeology study for the Woodley area.

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

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

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 Werneth Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Patrick Arran on 474 3219 or email: patrick.arran@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 details an application to divert a section of Footpath 17 (Bredbury and Romiley) from the owner of the land, Romiley Golf Club.  The section of the existing footpath currently runs diagonally across the golf club car park, passing the corner of the ‘Halfway House’ building and onto the golf course.  The diverted line follows a more open aspect and is considered to be aesthetically a more pleasing path for the public than the existing line. The diverted alignment is located away from the proposed site of the golf nets. The diverted line is slightly longer and the diverted line will benefit from some work to provide an improved and more commodious surface.        

The Area Committee is requested to consider whether to authorise the diversion of a section of footpath 17 Bredbury and Romiley from a route shown as a black solid line between Points A – B – C, to a route shown in broken black lines between Points A – X – C, as shown on the plan attached at Appendix 1.

Officer contact: Ernest Nama on 0161 474 4595 or email: ernest.nama@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 an application to divert a section of Footpath 17 (Bredbury and Romiley) to follow a more open aspect which was  aesthetically a more pleasing path for the public than the existing line.  The diverted alignment is located away from the proposed site of golf nets at Romiley Golf Club and while slightly longer, would benefit from some work to provide an improved and more commodious surface.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the diversion of a section of footpath 17 (Bredbury and Romiley) from a route shown as a black solid line between Points A–B–C, to a route shown in broken black lines between Points A–X–C, as shown on the plan attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

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

The report details a proposal to resurface the access track from Hermitage Avenue/ Corcoran Drive to Redbrow Woods and work to improve paths within the woods.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the above scheme at a cost of £6,000 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocation).

Officer contact: Jacky Budd on 474-3332 or email: jacky.budd@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 resurface the access track from Hermitage Avenue/ Corcoran Drive to Redbrow Woods, Romiley and work to improve paths within the woods.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to a proposal to resurface the access track from Hermitage Avenue/ Corcoran Drive to Redbrow Woods, Romiley and work to improve paths within the woods at a cost of £6,000 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 the findings of a consultation exercise for road safety around Arden Primary School and to seek approval for the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders, signage and pencil bollards.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing gives approval to the package of measures detailed in Section 4 of the report at a cost of £3,400 to be funded from the Road Safety around Schools 2017-18 programme budget.

Officer contact: Pam Hibbert on telephone number or email pam.hibbert@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 the findings of a consultation exercise for road safety around Arden Primary School and seeking approval for the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders, signage and pencil bollards.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing be recommended to give approval to the package of measures detailed in Section 4 of the report at a cost of £3,400 to be funded from the Road Safety around Schools 2017-18 programme budget.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The Leader of the Council, in establishing the Borough-wide funding arrangements for 2017/18, agreed that a Review of these arrangements be undertaken and submitted to area committees.

This report sets out that Review and invites comments on the arrangements for 2018/19 and beyond.

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

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali on 0161 474 3201 or email: jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a review of the operation of the Borough-wide funding arrangements for the ward flexibility fund for the 2017/18 municipal year.  The report also outlined the arrangements for the operation of the fund for 2018/19 and sought comments on possible future funding models for the Borough-wide fund for 2019/20 and beyond.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         In exceptional circumstances, there needed to be scope to relax the proposed upper limit of £600 per application.

·         It was noted that across Stockport there were a number of organisations that made regular annual applications to the fund which should not be encouraged.

·         Members expressed their opposition to any proposal to claw back underspends in the ward flexibility budget as a means of funding the Borough-wide fund.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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 Ward Delegated budgets.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was noted that the No Waiting At Any Time traffic regulation orders on Bredbury Parkway were due to be operative from 15 June 2018, and it was requested that members be provided with an update on whether these had yet become operational.

·         Concern was expressed with regard to the length of time it had taken to resolve issue of parking on the unadopted highway at Annable Road, Bredbury and requested that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Area Committee identifying any outstanding issues and the progress towards resolving them.

·         Progress towards identifying any potential improvements to the junction of Mill Lane and Rodney Drive was requested.

·         Members had previously recommended that the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing give approval to a package of traffic regulation orders outside the Royal Mail Delivery Office on George Lane, Bredbury and progress towards the implementation of these was requested.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.