Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2021.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 1 February 2021 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 interests were declared:-

Personal Interest

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

The Chair referenced the grant previously made by the Area Committee towards the Romiley Window Wonderland Art Trail and confirmed that this was due to commence on 20 March 2021 with the theme of ‘Spring Growth and Hope’.

It was then reported that councillor had received an email in relation to the ‘One Stockport Frog’ initiative and seeking the nomination of local members for the siting of the frogs within their wards.  It was noted that costs associated with the project was to be met from sponsorship, however it was queried whether any shortfall could be met from the Area Committee’s budgets in the eventuality that the required amount had not been forthcoming.

Finally, the Chair reported that Robin Boardman who had served the Area Committee as its Area Conditions Officer for a number of years had now left the Council and on behalf of the Committee extended its thanks for his service and wished him well for the future.

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 at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

No public questions were submitted.

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 (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive.

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

A development applications was 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 Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) outlined the procedure for public speaking on planning applications.

Planning application for:

Part A: Outline planning permission with all matters reserved for the creation of a commercial/industrial development providing up to 53,327 sqm of B2/B8 employment floor space (including ancillary office accommodation) along with the provision of other associated infrastructure (including internal plot access, roads, parking, footpaths, internal landscaping and the provision of a car park to serve Stockport Sports Village).

Part B: Full planning permission for the creation of two commercial/industrial units comprising 39,857 sqm (including ancillary office accommodation), strategic landscaping, the widening and realignment of Bredbury Park Way and the relocation of its junction with Ashton Road, along with the provision of other associated infrastructure (including access, parking and internal landscaping).

The Area Committee is requested  to recommend that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grant planning permission subject to conditions; the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement securing the heads of terms detailed above; and the application having first been referred to the Secretary of State to give him the opportunity to call in the application for his own determination should he wish to do so.

Officer contact: Rebecca Andison at rebecca.andison@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. DC074399 for Part A: Outline planning permission with all matters reserved for the creation of a commercial/industrial development providing up to 53,327 sqm of B2/B8 employment floor space (including ancillary office accommodation) along with the provision of other associated infrastructure (including internal plot access, roads, parking, footpaths, internal landscaping and the provision of a car park to serve Stockport Sports Village); and Part B: Full planning permission for the creation of two commercial/industrial units comprising 39,857 sqm (including ancillary office accommodation), strategic landscaping, the widening and realignment of Bredbury Park Way and the relocation of its junction with Ashton Road, along with the provision of other associated infrastructure (including access, parking and internal landscaping) at Land Bounded By Ashton Road, The River Tame, Turner Lane and Bredbury Industrial Estate,

a member of the public spoke against the application; and

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

It was then

RESOLVED - That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to refuse planning permission on the grounds that the proposed development would have a significant negative impact on residential amenity by virtue its bulk, scale and massing and noise disturbance; the lack of sustainable travel modes within reasonable vicinity of the proposed development; and that very special circumstances had not been demonstrated to outweigh the significant detrimental impact on the green belt; and in the light of the Area Committee’s concerns with regard to the inferred interdependency of the delivery proposed units and the failure to demonstrate a requirement for development to developed as a single scheme.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer).

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 (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) (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 requested that an update be provided to the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee with regard to compliance with the tree replacement notice issued at land adjacent to Unity Mills, Poleacre Lane, Woodley.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive.

The report details the results of the recent consultation exercise carried out with residents and businesses around the Romiley area in relation to proposals to improve Romiley Village Centre, in particular by reducing traffic speeds, improving cycle facilities and providing better crossing points of the main road and at side roads.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member (Economy & Regeneration) gives approval to the implementation of the scheme and the legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders contained in Appendix B and subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date the orders can be made.

Officer contact: Nick Whelan on 07800 618251 or email: nick.whelan@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 results of the recent consultation exercise carried out with residents and businesses around the Romiley area in relation to proposals to improve Romiley Village Centre, in particular by reducing traffic speeds, improving cycle facilities and providing better crossing points of the main road and at side roads.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The proposals were welcomed, and in particular the improvements to crossing points and the provision of controlled crossings.

·         The positive work and engagement with local ward councillors, WalkRide Romiley and the wider community in the formulation of the scheme was noted.

·         There had been generally positive response to the consultation and where concerns had been raised these were appropriately responded to.

·         A business case was due to be submitted to TfGM to seek support for the funding package necessary to implement the scheme.

·         It was suggested that there had been some concerns expressed by residents in relation to noise associated with temporary speed humps that had been installed in Romiley District Centre.

RESOLVED - That the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration be recommended to give approval to the implementation of the scheme and the legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders contained in Appendix B to the report and, subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Forward (Stockport LGBT+ Centre CIC) for a grant of £1,000 (£100 from this Area Committee) towards the cost of holding a virtual LGBT+ History Month.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Forward (Stockport LGBT+ Centre CIC) for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of holding a Virtual LGBT+ History Month.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Forward (Stockport LGBT+ Centre CIC) for a grant of £100 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of holding a Virtual LGBT+ History Month.

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 providing food and toys for the Handy Ladies Charity.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Help the Hatters for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of providing food and toy donations to the local community and offering funding and support to other organisations.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received from Help the Hatters for a grant of £95.22 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of providing food and toy donations to the local community and offering funding and support to other organisations.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from The Weekend Day Centre for Dementia Care for a grant of £1,000 towards the cost of replacement furniture.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of The Weekend Day Centre for Dementia Care for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of replacement furniture.

RESOLVED - (1) That approval be given to an application received from The Weekend Day Centre for Dementia Care for a grant of £1,000 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of replacement furniture.

(2) That approval be given to the virement of £153.16 from the Area Committee’s Delegated budget (££76.58 from each ward allocation) to the Ward Flexibility Budget to make up the budgetary shortfall associated with the making of this grant.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive.

The report details commuted sums received by the Council from housing developers toward the cost of improved play provision.

The report also sets out the criteria that must be used in allocating sums for play provision.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Richard Booker on 0161 474 4829 or email: richard.booker@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) detailing commuted sums received by the Council from housing developers toward the cost of improved play provision.

It was suggested that it would be useful to have a more regular reporting mechanism for the commuted sums that had been accrued within the locality.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive.

The report details a proposal to install 3 wooden posts on a grass verge and for the removal of a small section of grass verge on Alderley Drive, Bredbury.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the proposed scheme at a cost of £2,860 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury & Woodley ward allocation).

Officer contact: Gillian Kidd on 0161 474 4848 or email gillian.kidd@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to install three wooden posts on a grass verge and for the removal of a small section of grass verge on Alderley Drive, Bredbury.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the installation of three wooden posts within a verge and the removal of a section of grass verge on Alderley Drive, Bredbury at a cost of £2,860 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury & Woodley ward allocation).

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer).

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 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.