Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 23 September 2019 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 and Prejudicial Interest

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

The Chair announced that a Christmas carol service would be held at George Lane United Reformed Church on Sunday, 15 December 2019 at 10.45 am.  It was further announced that St Barnabas Church, Bredbury would be holding its Christmas carol service on Sunday, 22 December 2019 at 5.00 pm.

The Chair then reported that there were two consultations being undertaken by the Council.  The first of these related to the proposed admission arrangements and school holiday and term dates for 2021/22 that was due to end on 12 January 2020.  It was reported that there was a further consultation that was being undertaken on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority that related to the introduction of a bus franchising scheme for Greater Manchester that was due to end on 8 January 2020.

Finally, it was reported that the Council had been successful in being awarded £3.9m from the Mayors Challenge Fund, that was dedicated to building 1,800 miles of safe walking and cycling routes across Greater Manchester, for improvements to walking and cycling routes in the Romiley area and members expressed their thanks to WalkRide Romiley for their work in putting together the community-led bid.

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 submit questions to the Chair of the Area Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee.

One public question was submitted relating to the potential to expedite traffic management interventions on Harrytown and Bredbury Green.

In response it was stated that this matter would be raised at a forthcoming meeting between ward councillors and officers from traffic services with a view to exploring options for traffic management measures at this location.  This would include the potential siting of a Mobile Speed Indicator Device as an early measure to assess the extent of the problem at this locality, and exploratory work with Greater Manchester Police to establish whether they were in the process of reintroducing their community speed watch scheme.

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.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was stated that councillors had been contacted by a resident on Leyfield Avenue, Romiley that had been affected by localised flooding in the past, expressing concern that gully cleansing on the highway to address blocked gullies would be rendered ineffective unless work was undertaken in advance to ensure that the street was clear of parked vehicles.

·         The footpath from Manor View, Woodley to the adjacent canal was increasingly being used by horse riders, despite it not being a designated bridleway.  Notices had previously been erected to advise equestrians that the footpath was unsuitable for such use and it was requested that the Public Rights of Way Team investigate the potential for the positioning of a bollard on the footpath to physically prevent such use.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Councillor Lisa Smart submitted a petition signed by 533 signatories urging the Council to explore all possible alternative solutions to avoid the closure of Chadkirk Chapel as a community resource.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration for investigation.

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 Deputy Chief Executive 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 for a grant of £500 received from the Jean Byers Community Hub towards the cost of holding a number of events at the Hub.

Cath Coombes attended the meeting and submitted an application on behalf of the Jean Byers Community Hub for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Fund towards the cost of holding a number of events at the Hub.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from the Jean Byers Community Hub for a grant of £500 towards the cost of holding a number of events at the Hub.

To consider an application for a grant of £450 (£200 from this Area Committee) received from Young Caritas towards the cost of holding a workshop event.

Rachel Taylor attended the meeting and submitted an application on behalf of Young Caritas for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Fund towards the cost of holding a workshop event.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application for Ward Flexibility Funding fromYoung Caritas for a grant of £450 towards the cost of holding a workshop event.

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: Vicki Bates on 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive 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 Werneth Area Committee.

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 Deputy Chief Executive 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 following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was stated that members no longer wished to pursue the implementation of waiting restrictions on Old Moor Road, Bredbury and that this could be formally withdrawn from the report.

·         The implementation of junction protection markings on Highfield Road, Bredbury was welcomed.

·         It was noted that the bollards on the pedestrian crossing point on Higher Bents Lane, Bredbury which had a provisional install date of 29 November 2019 had not yet been installed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.