Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2022.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 20 June 2022 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.

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 reported on a number of events that had take place within the Werneth area since the last meeting of the Area Committee, specifically the Romiley Park Fun Day and the Chadkirk well-dressing event.  The success of the Stockport Pride event held on 31 July 2022 was also referred to.

It was further reported that the regular markets in the area continued to take place including the market at Woodley Precinct on the last Saturday of the month; and Romiley Market that took place on the first Saturday of the month.

The Chair further stated that at the last meeting of the Area Committee members discussed the difficulties being experienced by a community group in providing a noticeboard in Woodley Precinct.  The Chair stated that following discussions with officers, a solution had been found that would provide the necessary funding for the organisation to do the preliminary work that would permit the erection of a noticeboard at the site.

Finally, members congratulated the England football team on their success in wining the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 title.

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.

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 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 an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Walk Ride Romiley for a grant of £400 (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocation only) towards the cost of organising an event of free bike fixing, where people can bring along their broken bikes, which will help encourage people to cycle in Romiley.

A representative of Walk Ride Romiley attended the meeting and submitted an application for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of organising a free bike fixing event.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application from Walk Ride Romiley for a grant of £400 from the Ward Flexibility towards the cost of organising a free bike fixing event.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Heatons Runners for a grant of £150 (Bredbury & Woodley ward allocation only) towards the cost having gait tests done and purchasing running trainers for members of the club.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Heatons Runners for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of having gait tests done and purchasing running trainers for members of the club.

RESOLVED – That the application from Heatons Runners for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Fund be declined on this occasion on the grounds that the applicant had not sufficiently demonstrated that the application would benefit residents of the Werneth area.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from the African and Caribbean Community Association for a grant of £999.36 (£92.28 from this Area Committee) towards the cost of printing newsletters.

(NOTE: The Chair was of the opinion that this item, although not included on the agenda, should be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 as to delay consideration of the application would place the applicant at significant disadvantage in the progression of their project).

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of the African and Caribbean Community Association for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of printing newsletters.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received from the African and Caribbean Community Association for a grant of £50 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of printing newsletters.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate & Support Services & Deputy Chief Executive.

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 Corporate & Support Services 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 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.

Retention, conversion and extension of existing pub to form 3 dwellings and the erection of 5 houses and 1 bungalow together with new access and parking.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

Officer contact: Jane Chase on 0161 474 3550 or email: jane.chase@stockport.gov.uk.

In respect of plan no. DC081474 for the retention, conversion and extension of existing pub to form three dwellings and the erection of five houses and one bungalow together with new access and parking at the Cow and Calf Hotel, 2 School Brow, Bredbury, Stockport, it was

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services & Deputy Chief Executive be authorised to determine the application subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 Agreement to secure the relevant contribution towards children’s and formal recreation and the inclusion of an informative with regard to the protection of grass verges during construction.

Erection of 7 no. residential dwellinghouses (C3 use), together with associated access, car parking and amenity space.

The Area Committee is recommended to authorise the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services to determine the application subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 Agreement to secure the relevant contribution towards open space.

Officer contact: Mark Burgess on 0161 474 3659 or email;: mark.burgess@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. DC084781 for the erection of seven no. residential dwellinghouses (C3 use), together with associated access, car parking and amenity space at Further Hey, 41-43 Werneth Road, Woodley, Stockport,

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 Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services & Deputy Chief Executive be authorised to determine the application subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 Agreement to secure the relevant contribution towards open space.

Construction and operation of a 49.9mw battery storage facility, landscaping, fencing, site access road and cable corridors.

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

Officer contact: Brian McParland by email: brian.mcparland@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. DC082085 for the construction and operation of a 49.9mw battery storage facility, landscaping, fencing, site access road and cable corridors at Bredbury Substation, Stockport Road West, Bredbury, Stockport,

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

It was then

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

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 Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) 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 Chief Executive.

The report requests the views of the Committee on the current proposed polling arrangements within the area in order to inform the Polling District Review currently underway.

The views of the Area Committee are sought on the proposed polling arrangements. Any comments or suggestions will then be considered, together with those received via the public consultation (Stage 1 and Stage 2).  Revised proposals will be brought back to the Area Committee cycle in October 2022 for consideration prior to a final report being considered by the Cabinet Meeting on 1 November 2022 and the Council Meeting on 17 November 2022.

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

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report of the Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) seeking the views of the Committee on the current proposed polling arrangements within the area in order to inform the Polling District Review currently underway.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         A lot of work had already gone on behind the scenes.

·         The Liberal Democrat Group and all councillors on the area committee have put in extensive comments already as part of this review.

·         It was important that it was as easy as possible for people to vote and to decrease the amount of walking people need to do to access a polling station.

·         It was noted that the continued use of a mobile polling station at the Overdale Children’s Centre may be affected in the future by the relocation of the school that currently uses the site.

·         It was important that schools were not operationally affected by the use of their facilities for polling stations with particular regard to the need to close schools to facilitate this.

RESOLVED – That the Chief Executive be requested to consider the comments of the Area Committee as part of the current Polling District Review.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

To update members of the Werneth Area Committee on the ongoing flooding issues on Roundcroft and the current actions being taken.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer Contact: Mark Glynn on 0161 464 3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the ongoing flooding issues on Roundcroft, Romiley and the current actions being taken.

It was reported that a meeting was due to be held with residents in the coming weeks, and members continued to encourage all those involved in this matter to find a resolution to this issue.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report details the current arrangements in relation to the role of Highway Ward Spokespersons (HWS) and the monitoring of the Area Committee Delegated Budgets and outlines proposals to make changes to the financial thresholds for decisions to be taken under delegated authority by the Director of Place Management.

The Area Committee is recommended to authorise the Director of Place Management, in consultation with the Highway Ward Spokesperson(s), to spend up to £1,000 from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget in connection with the schedule of minor, non-regulatory, matters identified in Section 2.6 of the report; and up to £2,500 in connection with pedestrian dropped crossings subject to all area committees giving approval to the revision of the delegation thresholds.

Officer Contact: Eraina Smith on Tel: 474 4911 or email: eraina.smith@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the current arrangements in relation to the role of Highway Ward Spokespersons and the monitoring of the Area Committee Delegated Budgets and outlining proposals to make changes to the financial thresholds for decisions to be taken under delegated authority by the Director of Place Management.

RESOLVED – That the Director of Place Management be authorised, in consultation with the Highway Ward Spokesperson(s), to spend up to £1,000 from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget in connection with the schedule of minor, non-regulatory, matters identified in Section 2.6 of the report; and up to £2,500 in connection with pedestrian dropped crossings subject to all area committees giving approval to the revision of the delegation thresholds.

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 & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) 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.