Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and order that the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2020 be signed.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 15 June 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

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.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

No urgent decisions were reported.

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).

Construction of a detached building, together with associated outdoor groundworks including creation of a pond, seating areas and outdoor forest school, for use as training centre / hub for armed forces veterans (part retrospective).

The Area Committee is recommended to refuse planning permission.

Officer contact: Mark Jordan on 0161 474 3557 or email: mark.jordan@stockport.gov.uk

RESOLVED – That consideration of this application be deferred to a future meeting of the Area Committee pending the receipt of additional information from the applicant.

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

The Chair reported that a number of libraries across the borough had now been reopened on a trial basis to determine how libraries could be best managed on an operational level in the light of ongoing advice from government with regard to social distancing.  It was confirmed that Bredbury Library was not part of this intial trial, but that the experience and success of the trial would determine how and when the remaining library facilities would reopen.

The Chair then extended the thanks of the Area Committee to residents across the Werneth area for the support they had been providing either through organised volunteering, or small scale support and interventions to their family, friends and neighbours.

It was then reported that the 382 (Stockport-Bredbury-Romiley-Greave-Werneth) bus service was currently operated on an emergency basis by Diamond Bus following the cessation of services by Manchester Community Transport.  This service was now scheduled to be taken over by Stagecoach who were not propopsing to make any immediate changes to the frequency or schedule of the 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 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 in the powers or duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out within the Code of Practice.

Two public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to the erection of signage in the Werneth area reading ‘New Road Layout For Social Distancing’ that did not reflect any changes to the physical environment in that locality; and signs referring to ‘One Stockport’ and whether any clarity could provide on what this meant.

In response it was stated that the new road layout signs referred to the implantation of  measures in the district centres to make those areas safer places to be in the light of the ongoing impact of Covid-19.  It was stated that these measures had not yet been put in place, but that ward councillors were in the process of being consulted on a schedule of proposals that it was hoped to implement over the summer months.

It was clarified that the ‘One Stockport’ signage referred to a campaign to encourage residents to shop local.  It was stated that there had been some issues with some of the posters for this campaign having been erected in the wrong locality which local councillors were seeking to get resolved.

·         Relating to the rationale for the continued operation of a reduced bin collection service.

In response it was stated that it was not currently possible to return to the full bin collection service as there was not a full complement of refuse collection staff to be able to service and maintain that schedule.

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.

Nick Whelan (Traffic and Asset Manager, Stockport Council) and Jonathan Brown (Traffic Manager, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to provide an update to the Area Committee on the proposals to implement traffic  mitigation measures in Romiley District Centre to make these places safer to be for visitors in the light of the ongoing impact of Covid-19.

It was stated that the Council had undertaken individual audits of district and local centres across Stockport with a view to implement measures that would facilitate social distancing.  Particular consideration had been given to areas with narrow footways or where it was likely that there would be queues outside shops and businesses. 

With regard to Romiley District Centre specific areas that had been highlighted as part of the audit had been the narrow pavements underneath the railway bridge and elsewhere in the centre that resulted in people stepping off the pavement into the road to avoid other people.  It was stated that in most cases there was insufficient room on the highway from an operational perspective to put in place barriers to extend the footway, and as such consideration was being given to introducing speed restrictions to reduce the speed of vehicles to make the highway safer; accompanied by temporary traffic calming measures such as ‘bolt-down’ speed cushions to reinforce the restrictions.  In certain locations, temporary barriers and crossings would be implemented to provide safe walking facilities for visitors, in particular around Romiley Railway Station.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was clarified that temporary traffic regulations orders had a maximum time limit of 18 months and would either need to be regularised through permanent orders or removed before the expiry of that time period.

·         Monitoring would be undertaken to ensure that there was no undue noise disturbance to local residents through the introduction of speed mitigation measures.

·         It was noted that the proposal to increase pedestrian capacity under the railway bridge would not involve physical works to extend the footway but would be enforced through the use of temporary barriers on the highway.

·         It was confirmed that the proposed measures would not serve to prevent or limit the current facilities enjoyed by local businesses for loading and unloading.

·         It was noted that the imposition of a temporary traffic regulation order as proposed did not require public consultation unless it was subsequently proposed to make such orders permanent.  In response, it was stated that it would be important to ensure that sufficient and appropriate publicity and notification was provided to local businesses and residents around the temporary nature of the restrictions.

RESOLVED – That Nick Whelan and Jonathan Brown be thanked for their attendance.

To consider an application from Woodley Cricket Club for a grant of £1,000 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of improvements to the clubhouse.

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted an application received from Woodley Cricket Club for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of improvements to the clubhouse at the cricket club.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received from Woodley Cricket Club for a grant of £1,000 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of improvements to the clubhouse at the cricket club.

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

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

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive outlined the procedure approved by the  Council for public speaking on planning applications.

Conversion of existing building to form 12 no. apartments, additional fenestration, installation of dormers and roof lights, erection of an additional level to the stairwell, alterations to ground levels to east and improvements to

the access road and associated infrastructure.

The Planning & Highways Regulation Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

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

In respect of plan no. DC073653 for the conversion of existing building to form 12 no. apartments, additional fenestration, installation of dormers and roof lights, erection of an additional level to the stairwell, alterations to ground levels to east and improvements to the access road and associated infrastructure at Thorn Works, Mill Pool Close, Woodley,

a member of the public spoke against the application; and

a representative of the applicant spoke in support.

It was then

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

Demolition of the existing buildings and remedial ground works.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

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

In respect of plan no. DC076532 for the demolition of the existing buildings and remedial ground works at Further Hey, 41-43 Werneth Road, Woodley,

a representative of the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted.

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.

·         It was commented that the appeal in respect of 65 Townscliffe Lane, Mellor did not fall within the are represented by the Werneth Area Committee and should be reported to the Marple Area Committee.

·         Further information was requested in relation to the progress towards the replanting of trees at Unity Mill, Woodley.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report details a proposal to amend the current Experimental Traffic Regulation Order “No Waiting At Any Time” on Peak Bank, Bredbury to a Permanent Traffic Regulation Order.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport gives approval to the following Permanent Traffic Regulation Order:-

Proposed “No Waiting At Any Time”

School Brow (North East Side)

From a point 10 metres south east of the projected southern kerbline of Peak Bank, for a distance of 47 metres in a north westerly direction

Peak Bank (North Side)

From the intersection of the north eastern kerbline of School Brow for a distance of 15 metres in a north easterly direction

Peak Bank (South Side)

From the intersection of the north eastern kerbline of School Brow for a distance of 16.5 metres in a north easterly direction.

Officer Contact: Julie Pelham on Tel: 474 4846 or email: julie.pelham@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 proposal to amend the current Experimental ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ Traffic Regulation Order on Peak Bank, Bredbury to a Permanent Traffic Regulation Order.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport be recommended to give approval to the following Permanent Traffic Regulation Order:-

Proposed “No Waiting At Any Time”

School Brow (North East Side)

From a point 10 metres south east of the projected southern kerbline of Peak Bank, for a distance of 47 metres in a north westerly direction

Peak Bank (North Side)

From the intersection of the north eastern kerbline of School Brow for a distance of 15 metres in a north easterly direction

Peak Bank (South Side)

From the intersection of the north eastern kerbline of School Brow for a distance of 16.5 metres in a north easterly direction.

(2) That the thanks of the committee be communicated to those officers involved in this scheme for their work in resolving the longstanding issues being experienced in this locality and in particular for their work to implement the proposed measures so expeditiously. 

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

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 since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and the current position on Area Flexibility Funding.

An update was requested on the undertaking of a feasibility study for the Mill Lane/ Rodney Drive junction.  It was requested that an item be placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the Area Committee on this issue.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to submit a report to the next meeting of the Area Committee in relation to the progress towards the undertaking of a feasibility study for the Mill Lane/ Rodney Drive junction.