Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 27 January 2020 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 reported that International Women’s Day had been held on Sunday, 8 March 2020 and that an event was due to be held at Stockport Town Hall on Tuesday, 10 March to mark the occasion.  It was stated that each ward had been invited to nominate someone to attend, and that Bredbury Green & Romiley ward had wished to recognise Mrs Moona Hull who operated the school crossing patrol on Berrycroft Lane for 25 years.

The Chair then reported that a litter pick was due to be held on the Goyt Valley Estate on Saturday, 4 April 2020 between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm in partnership with the Jean Byers Community Hub.  Anyone who wished to participate was asked to meet at the Hub on Bents Avenue, Bredbury at 2.00 pm.

The Chair then reminded the public that councillors held regular surgeries in the community and stated that Bredbury & Woodley ward councillors held their surgery at Woodley Civic Hall on the second and fourth Saturday of the month at 10.30 am, while Bredbury Green & Romiley ward councillors held their surgery at Bredbury Library on the first Saturday of the month.

Finally, the Chair reported that members of the Area Committee were supporting a petition that was being circulated in relation to the proposed withdrawal of the 375 bus service.

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.

Four public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to the potential for the provision of additional highway trees at the entrance to the University Estate, Woodley and along Healdwood Road in the light of ongoing issues with excessive water and the flooding of properties.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be recommended to undertake an investigation with regard to the feasibility of introducing new highway trees on the University Estate, Woodley and that a report be prepared for a future meeting of the Area Committee detailing locations where it might be feasible to introduce planting and any associated costs.

·         Relating to residents’ concerns over further delays to the introduction of mitigation measures to reduce the impact of excessive water and the flooding of properties on the University Estate, Woodley.

Councillors acknowledged the concerns of local residents, and it was stated that the proposed hydrology measures had been included in the list of planned works at schools during the forthcoming financial year.

·         Relating to whether there were any plans to resurface the remaining roads on the University Estate, Woodley.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to respond to the questioner in writing.

·         Relating to the provision of off-road parking bays for the residents of Waterlook Cottages, Compstall Road linked to the grant of planning permission for the Cherry Tree Nursing Home.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to respond to the questioner in writing.

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

In January 2019 Area Committee was informed of the creation of the Neighbourhoods Team (appendix A). This report provides an update and outlines the duties of the officers within the team.

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

Officer contact: Ian Walmsley on 0161 474 4382 or email: ian.walmsley@stockport.gov.uk

Charlotte Nicholls (Neighbourhoods Manager, Stockport Council) and Adam Cunningham (Senior Neighbourhood Officer, Stockport Council) attended the meeting and submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the creation of the Neighbourhoods Team and outlining the duties of the officers within the new team.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was commented that the existing online reporting mechanisms that councillors were being encouraged to use did not effectively facilitate the reporting of multiple issues simultaneously, such as several gully blockages.

·         Concern was expressed that there was insufficient feedback on issues once reported through the Council’s website.

·         Some problems did not lend themselves to online reporting mechanisms such as multifaceted or complex enquiries.

·         Members had a dedicated telephone number they could call to report these more complex matters.

·         It was confirmed that officers would continue to attend meetings of the Area Committee, albeit as a reduced frequency.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

One petition was submitted requesting that the Council give consideration to resurfacing Kingsway, Bredbury in the light of the failure of a number of temporary and patching repairs that had been attempted over the years.

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

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

The report builds on the recent Scrutiny review into the health and prosperity of the borough’s District Centres and is seeking early views from Members to shape a future programme of work that will feed into the Council’s Local Plan and future delivery of regeneration and investment.

The report also proposes a number of proposals that could be implemented quickly whilst further engagement takes place over the coming months.

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

Officer Contact: Paul Richards on 0161 474 2940 or email: paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

Paul Richards (Director of Development and Regeneration, Stockport Council) attended the meeting and submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the recent Scrutiny Review into the health and prosperity of the borough’s District Centres and seeking early views from Members to shape a future programme of work that would feed into the Council’s Local Plan and future delivery of regeneration and investment.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was commented that the report contained some factual inaccuracies such as the suggestion that the was a carnival and street parade in Romiley when in fact there had not been one for 20 years.

·         It was queried what baseline had been used to determine that Romiley’s cycling provision was average as there was little dedicated provision within the District Centre.

·         There needed to be publicity provided for the new £300,000 loan fund to ensure that businesses were aware of the opportunity.

·         While the work was directed towards District Centres, there needed to be a degree of focus on Stockport’s local and small shopping centres that were excluded from the scope of the review.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from the ‘The Friends of Romiley Park’ for a grant of £975 towards the cost of installing an additional picnic bench in the park.

Philippa Bonorino attended the meeting and submitted an application on behalf of The Friends of Romiley Park for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Fund towards the cost of installing an additional picnic bench in the park.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from The Friends of Romiley Park for a grant of £975 towards the cost of installing an additional picnic bench in the park.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from ‘Greave Primary School’ for a grant of £1,000 towards the cost of a new sensory room at the school.

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted an application received on behalf of Greave Primary School for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Fund towards the cost of a new sensory room at the school.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from Greave Primary School for a grant of £1,000 towards the cost of a new sensory room at the school subject to receipt of confirmation that the facility would be available for community use.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from ‘Stockport Accordion Club’ for a grant of £300 towards the cost of a workshop event.

Marj Howard attended the meeting and submitted an application received on behalf of Stockport Accordion Club for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Fund towards the cost of a single all day workshop for 15 accordion players to improve playing ability.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application from Stockport Accordion Club for a grant of £300 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of single all day workshop for 15 accordion players to improve playing ability.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from the ‘African & Caribbean Community Association’ for a grant of £969.36 (£92.28 from this Area Committee) towards the cost of computer and projection equipment.

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted an application received on behalf of the African & Caribbean Community Association for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Fund towards the cost of equipment to provide at events.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application from the African & Caribbean Community Association for a grant of £92.28 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of equipment to provide at events.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from ‘Help the Hatters’ for a grant of £1,000 (£95.22 from this Area Committee) towards the cost of a number of initiatives at Stockport County Football Club.

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted an application received on behalf of Help the Hatters for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Fund towards the cost of a number of initiatives at Stockport County Football Club.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application from the Help the Hatters for a grant of £95.22 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of a number of initiatives at Stockport County Football Club subject to the receipt of confirmation that the applicant had the necessary child protection policies in place.

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

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

Development applications were 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 & 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/planningdecisions. 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 Deputy Chief Executive outlined the procedure for public speaking on planning applications.

Retention of existing single storey modular building and external play area for use as a preschool and before and after school clubs.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grants planning permission.

Officer contact: Karyn Clarke on 0161 474 3551 or email: karyn.clarke@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. DC075137 for the retention of existing single storey modular building and external play area for use as a preschool and before and after school clubs at Romiley Primary School, Sandy Lane, Romiley, it was

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission.

Erection of rear extension and demolition of existing outbuildings.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grants planning permission.

Officer contact: Rachel Bottomley on 0161 474 3643 or email: rachel.bottomley@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. DC075572 for the erection of a rear extension and demolition of existing outbuildings at 123 Werneth Road, Woodley, it was

RESOLVED – (1 against) That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission.

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 Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration 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.

Further information was requested with regard to the replanting of 100 native woodland trees on land adjacent to Unity Mills, Poleacre Lane, Woodley that was due to be completed by 11 March 2020.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report details a series of proposed interventions to improve the road safety of children and all road users in the area around St Christopher’s RC Primary School.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport gives approval to the proposed interventions detailed in Section 3 of the report and the legal advertising of the associated package of Traffic Regulation Orders detailed in Appendix 3 of the report, and subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders at a cost of £13,500 to be funded from the Road Safety around Schools 2018-19 programme budget allocation.

Officer contact: Gavin Lightbown on 0161 474 2079 or email: gavin.lightbown@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a series of proposed interventions to improve the road safety of children and other road users in the area around St Christopher’s RC Primary School.

RESOLVED - That the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport be recommended to give approval to the proposed interventions detailed in Section 3 of the report and the legal advertising of the associated package of Traffic Regulation Orders detailed in Appendix 3 of the report, and subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders at a cost of £13,500 to be funded from the Road Safety around Schools 2018-19 programme budget allocation.

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

The report details an application to hold a 'May Day on the Meadow' event at Tangshutts Field on Sunday, 3 May 2020.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant the application.

Officer contact: Jacky Budd on 0161 474 3332 or email: jacky.budd@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application received from the Friends of Tangshutt Fields to hold their annual May Day on the Meadow Event at Tangshutt Playing Fields on 3 May 2020.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted.

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, 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.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.