Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and order that the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2020 be signed.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 28 September 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the amendment of the fifth bullet point of Minute 9 to insert the words “lifting of the” immediately prior to the word “”moratorium”.

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 referred to Remembrance Sunday which had been commemorated the previous day, and thanked members of the public for abiding by government advice to mark the occasion privately despite the difficult prevailing circumstances.

Councillor Roberts reported on a forthcoming consultation on the provision of crossings in Romiley and thanked members of the public for their participation in the active neighbourhoods consultation.

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.

One public questions was submitted relating to the allocation of Tangshutt Fields in the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and how much of the land within the allocation would remain as public land; whether all of the local nature reserve would remain as such; whether all public land in the allocation would remain as green belt; and whether the air cadet space would remain as such.

It was commented that the issues raised by the questioner were indicative of the concerns that local members had in relation to the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.  It was further commented that considerable value was placed on Stockport’s green spaces by its residents.  It was stated that councillors would have the opportunity to vote on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework at the Council Meeting on 17 November 2020.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive be requested to respond to the questioner in writing.

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 Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) reported that no organisations had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

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

On the last week of July and first week of August 2019, extreme rainfall events hit parts of north-west England and the south Pennines, with flooding observed across Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The main event day was 31st July 2019.

This report presents the various aspects of the flood events in July and specifically incorporates the draft Independent Section 19 Investigation Report in accordance with the Flood & Water Management Act (FWMA) 2010 on the investigation into the flooding events undertaken independently by Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers.

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

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk  or Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk   

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the various aspects of the flood events that occurred on the last week of July and first week of August 2019 and specifically incorporated the draft Independent Section 19 Investigation Report in accordance with the Flood & Water Management Act (FWMA) 2010 on the investigation into the flooding events that had been undertaken independently by Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers.

It was noted that the draft report was previously considered at the last meeting of the Area Committee, however this has subsequently been updated to provide additional information in its appendices that were not available to members at that meeting.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was commented that the report appeared to provide contradictory information with regard to the causes of specific flooding incidents.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to overflowing sewers on Glenside Drive, Woodley and that this may constitute a potential health hazard.

·         It was queried at what point United utilities would make their comments on the report.

·         The recommendation in relation the development of an accurate understanding of the watercourses that flowed through and under the Romiley area via culverts was welcomed.

·         It was suggested that the report in part misrepresented the timeline of flooding incidents in Romiley perhaps due a misunderstanding on the part of residents over the way in which intelligence on these matters was reported back to the Council.

·         It was stated that some of the drainage issues, such as those on Sandy lane, Romiley had arisen because of a combination of gullies that were completely blocked, and others which were temporarily blocked by way of leaves and other detritus carried by running water.

·         It was stated that it would be helpful for the Bredbury Green & Romiley ward councillors to receive a briefing early in the New Year on the issues affecting their area.

·         It was commented that the ongoing flooding issues on the University Estate and the hydrological survey commissioned by the Council into this issue wasn’t referred to within the report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides details relating to the consultation information for the statutory consultation on the Clean Air Plan (CAP) and the taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards (MLS) asking Members to encourage people to participate in the consultation process.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk   

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the consultation information for the statutory consultation on the Clean Air Plan and the taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards and asking Members to encourage people to participate in the consultation process.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was commented that the proposals would affect all residents in Stockport.

·         It was noted that there were a number of areas in the Werneth area where there were NO2 exceedances and that this plan attempts to improve that situation.

·         Poor air quality affected the most vulnerable residents the most.

·         It was stated that there were proposals for significant residential development in Tameside that would have a consequential impact on the highway network in the Werneth area resulting in increased congestion and a potential worsening of air quality.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides an update to all members on the campaign to date, an outline of Phase 2 and also seeks to gain support from all ward committee areas and sets out how members and their communities can get involved going forward.

The Area Committee is recommended to:-

a)    Visit the campaign website (http://www.onestockport.co.uk) and follow the One Stockport social media channels on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

b)   Promote the campaign through local networks, encouraging others to visit the website and social media, and download the campaign toolkits.

c)    Share any positive local stories via getinvolved@onestockport.co.uk

d)   Provide advice and input on the proposed activities for Phase 2 and any local outlets or mechanisms which could be used to help further promote the campaign (e.g. local community groups or organisations, local social media groups, local influencers/leaders)

Officer contact: Amy Beasley, 0161 474 4596 or amy.beasley@stockport.gov.uk

A represrentative of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update to all members on the One Stockport campaign to date, an outline of Phase 2 and also seeking to gain support from all area committee areas and setting out how members and their communities can get involved going forward.

Kathryn Rees (Service Director Strategy and Commissioning, Stockport Council) and Grant Mitchell (Future) also attended the meeting and made a presentation on the One Stockport campaign.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The proposed publicity materials were broadly welcomed as a means of raising awareness in the light of the inauspicious start to the campaign in the Romiley area that had so far constituted some small posters and signs advertising other areas of the borough.

·         There was confusion about what the campaign was about.

·         It was important to recognise the individuality of each town and district within the borough rather than emphasising the importance of ‘Stockport’.

·         It was queried whether ‘One Stockport’ was the right brand for the campaign. In response it was stated that testing of the brand had taken place with stakeholders including business forums and the voluntary and community sector.

·         It was noted that not all areas of the borough have district centres, and those areas with local centres were just as important for local people and that this needed to be considered as part of the campaign.

RESOLVED – That Kathryn Rees and Grant Mitchell be thanked for the attendance and presentation.                                                                                                  

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Autisk for a grant of £120 towards the cost of providing vulnerable and disadvantaged families within the Stockport area with a ‘family gift pack’ each.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) reported on the receipt of an application received on behalf of Autisk for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of providing vulnerable and disadvantaged families within the Stockport area with a ‘family gift pack’ each.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received from Autisk for a grant of £120 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of providing vulnerable and disadvantaged families within the Stockport area with a ‘family gift pack’ each.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from the Rotary Club of Stockport Lamplighter for a grant of £180. The Rotary Club of Stockport Lamplighter has toured the streets and store sites of the Stockport Metropolitan Borough with the Christmas Float every December since 1994 to raise funds for local charities, self-help groups and worthy causes. The Christmas Float, built in 1994,has performed well since then but now has problems which our proposed  project needs to address by updating throughout. The grant would go towards the cost of replacing the generator with two deep cycle 12V batteries, replace the current lighting system with low power LED equivalent and the music sound with Bluetooth Speakers, rewire towing cable connector to match the wiring of recent new connections, replace emergency brake cable and coil spring and paint and sundries to both float and trailer.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) reported on the receipt of an application received on behalf of the Rotary Club of Stockport Lamplighter for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of making repairs and improvements to their Christmas float.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from the Rotary Club of Stockport Lamplighter for a grant of £180 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of making repairs and improvements to their Christmas float.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Kids Community Closet Stockport for a grant of £66 towards the cost of purchasing equipment needed for the project as follows:-

·         Storage Crates – to store clean clothing, avoid risk of any pests or rodents getting access to clothes.

·         Shelving and Racking - to house storage crates so clothing does not go damp.

·         Stationery - labelling for crates, delivery tags for drop offs and markers.

·         Basic mobile phone – I am currently using my own personal number.

·          Promotional Material - posters and leaflets for outreach.

·         Bags - packing and delivering bundles of clothes.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) reported on the receipt of an application received on behalf of Kids Community Closet Stockport for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of purchasing equipment needed for the Kids Community Closet project.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Kids Community Closet Stockport for a grant of £100 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of purchasing equipment needed for the Kids Community Closet project.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from the CPR Group for a grant of £370 towards the cost of donating lifesaving billboards to 13 high schools in Stockport. The billboard contains Northwest Ambulance Services step by step guide to learn CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) and also features a QR code that allows pupils to download the Northwest ambulances lifesaving video onto their mobile phone.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) reported on the receipt of an application received on behalf of the CPR Group for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of donating lifesaving billboards to 13 high schools in Stockport.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received from the CPR Group for a grant of £370 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of donating lifesaving billboards to 13 high schools in Stockport.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Romiley LifeCentre for a grant of £1,000 towards the cost of providing food parcels.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) reported on the receipt of an application received on behalf of Romiley LifeCentre for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of providing food parcels.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received from Romiley LifeCentre for a grant of £1,000 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of providing food parcels.

There are currently no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services).

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, 0161 474 3219 or 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.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Chris Gordon.

The Chair reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Gordon.

Councillor Gordon made a representation on behalf of The Mayor’s Charity Committee in relation their ability to undertake fundraising activities to support the Mayor’s nominated charity (Beacon Counselling) during restrictions imposed as part of the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the allocation of £100 from the Ward Flexibility Budget to directly support the activities of Beacon Counselling.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Chris Gordon.

The Chair reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Gordon.

Councillor Gordon reported that he had received representations from a member of the public requesting that they be able to hold an artisanal market at Woodley Precinct.

Councillor Gordon stated that the applicant had contacted the Council,  Stockport Homes and businesses within the precinct and had received no objections to the proposal.  Councillor Gordon requested that the Area Committee consider endorsing the proposal and giving its consent should this be required as part of the approval process.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive be recommended to give approval to the request to hold the Woodley Artisanal Market at Woodley Precinct.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance)

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 damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer)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.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.