Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2023.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 23 January 2023 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

Personal and Prejudicial Interests

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

The Chair announced that funding was available through the Ward Flexibility Budget to support street parties to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III which would take place on the first weekend in May 2023. Further information was available on the council’s website for those seeking funding. 

It was reported that the ‘Big Spring Clean’ initiative was currently underway and all residents and community groups were welcomed and encouraged to join. The nationwide ‘Great British Spring Clean’, along with Stockport’s own initiative were working together to provide litter pickers, bags and other resources to support the scheme.

Finally, it was reported that Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Shaun Flavell was shortly due to retire. The Committee expressed its thanks to Inspector Flavell for the support he had given to the Area Committee and to the wider borough over the years

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 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 proposal within the council’s approved budget to allocate an additional £10,000 to each ward in the borough, and how this money would be spent in the Bredbury & Woodley ward and how the scheme would be publicised.

In response, it was stated that money had been allocated to ward councillors to spend on projects that mattered to local communities.  

·         Relating to parking on Sandiway, Bredbury and the potential for increasing parking capacity through the removal of grass verges.

In response it was stated that ward councillors were aware of the issues on Sandiway and had explored a number of options to improve the situation.  It was noted that the removal of grass verges was often more complex than it would at first appear as a result of the number of cables and utility pipes that were often located underneath the verges that would need to be diverted were they to be given away over to an expanded highway

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 Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance (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 Help the Hatters for a grant of £95.22 (£47.61 from Bredbury & Woodley and £47.61 from Bredbury Green & Romiley wards allocation) towards the cost of refurbishing the Swanbourne Gardens in Edgeley, to prevent damage to the interior of the facility and assist with the cost of the St Francis House toy appeal.

Mr John Gaskin attended the meeting and submitted an application on behalf of Help the Hatters for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of refurbishing the Swanbourne Gardens facility in Edgeley to prevent damage to the interior of the facility and assist with the cost of the St Francis House toy appeal.

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 refurbishing the Swanbourne Gardens facility in Edgeley to prevent damage to the interior of the facility and assist with the cost of the St Francis House toy appeal.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Romiley Primary School Eco-Committee for a grant of £600 (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocation only) towards the cost of purchasing recycling bins and running projects to reduce Romiley Primary Schools carbon footprint. 

A representative of Romiley Primary School Eco-Committee attended the meeting and submitted an application for a grant of the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of purchasing recycling bins and running projects to reduce Romiley Primary School’s carbon footprint.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application from Romiley Primary School Eco-Committee for a grant of £600 from the Ward Flexibility Budget (Bredbury Green and Romiley ward allocation only) to support the cost of purchasing recycling bins and running projects to reduce Romiley Primary School’s carbon footprint.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from The Friends of Romiley Station for a grant of £375 (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocation only) towards the cost of purchasing a 3-seater bench made of recycled material, for their newly developed garden.

A representative of The Friends of Romiley Station attended the meeting and submitted an application for a grant of the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of purchasing a three-seater bench made of recycled material for their newly developed garden.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from the Friends of Romiley Station for a grant of £375 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of purchasing a three-seater bench made from recycled material for their newly developed garden.

There are currently no development applications to consider.

No development applications were submitted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – Legal and Democratic Governance.

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 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance (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.

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance (Monitoring Officer) reported that the appeal against an enforcement notice served at 86A Higher Bents Lane in relation to the construction of a 1.8m high electric sliding gate without the benefit of planning permission had been upheld.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Development and Regeneration.

The report provides the Area Committee with an update on developing an Action Plan for creating a strong, vibrant and healthy Romiley District Centre.

The Area Committee is recommended to:

(1)  Note the partnership approach to developing the Romiley Action Plan;

(2)  Comment on the actions within the Romiley Action Plan;

(3)  Comment on the allocation of funding to priority projects listed in Section 4.3 of the report.

Officer Contact: Helen Walters on 0161 474 3734 or email: helen.walters@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Development and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on developing an Action Plan for creating a strong, vibrant and healthy Romiley District Centre.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         It was noted that there was an error in the report, and the proposed funding allocation for a PA system to support events programme in the District Centre and Tangshutt Fields, Friends of Tangshutt should be £500, and not the £250 stated in the report.

·         Members, traders and other stakeholders attended a recent workshop following which the District Centre action plan was amended accordingly. The next step was to form a steering group to enact the proposed plan;

·         Empowering local stakeholders to take ownership of the District Centre and undertake action, rather than the Council imposing projects from the centre was a positive development;

·         It was important that young people were able to have their say about the district centre and that it worked for everyone in the community;

·         Consideration should be given to the issue of shutters being up and down at different times and any suggestions for improvements to the appearance of the district centre are welcome;

·         The level of funding allocated to the water fountain and planting should be further considered with a view to potentially reallocating an element of that towards the ‘Love Romiley’ promotion including branding, signage or shutter art;

·         Further work would be undertaken in the future in relation to the smaller local centres including Woodley.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides the Area Committee with proposals for Stockport Council as Highway Authority to acquire powers to enforce moving traffic contraventions under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 (“the 2004 Act”). The report also informs the Area Committee of the process required to submit an application to undertake additional enforcement powers. The submission of any such application will enable Stockport Council to take control of future enforcement once the Regulations are in force.  

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer Contact: Jonathan Brown on 0161 474 4843 or email: jon.brown@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining proposals for Stockport Council as Highway Authority to acquire powers to enforce moving traffic contraventions under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 (“the 2004 Act”). The report also informs the Area Committee of the process required to submit an application to undertake additional enforcement powers. The submission of any such application will enable Stockport Council to take control of future enforcement once the Regulations are in force.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Work would take place to review the location of existing Moving Traffic Orders to ensure that they remained relevant and necessary.

·         Concerns were raised that there were some locations where the volume of signage instructions could be overwhelming for motorists.  It was stated that the review of existing orders would include signage.

·         The potential acquisition of these powers was welcomed as it would allow for the more efficient and consistent enforcement of Moving Traffic Orders

·         It was stated the some offences were excluded from the scope of the powers the council was able to assume, including speeding which would remain enforceable only by the police.

·         Members highlighted that speeding was a key issue in the Werneth area and it was suggested that the council should lobby for powers to enforce against such offences.

·         The five locations selected for enforcement as part of the first tranche had been identified through representations and complaints previously made by the public to the council.  It was noted that once the council had demonstrated a case to take on enforcement powers, further rollout of enforcement at other locations would not required a further application to the government.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides the Area Committee with details of a proposed highway maintenance scheme on Marina Road, Alderley Drive, Prestbury Drive and Tarvin Drive, Bredbury – Footway Slurry Seal Surfacing. 

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the undertaking of footway slurry seal surfacing on Marina Road, Alderley Drive, Prestbury Drive and Tarvin Drive, Bredbury at a cost of £17,000 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury and Woodley Ward Allocation).

Officer Contact: Simon Sherry on 0161 474 2420 or email: simon.sherry@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing detailing a proposal to slurry seal the footways on Marina Road, Alderley Drive, Prestbury Drive and Tarvin Drive, Bredbury.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the undertaking of footway slurry seal surfacing on Marina Road, Alderley Drive, Prestbury Drive and Tarvin Drive, Bredbury at a cost of £17,000 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury and Woodley ward allocation).

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report seeks guidance from Area Committee Members to determine whether an Advisory Disabled Persons Parking Bay can be approved on Sandiway, Bredbury.

Traffic Services would not recommend installation of an Advisory Disabled Parking Bay at this location for the reasons stated in section 2 of the report.

The Area Committee is recommended to consider the report and to instruct the Director of Place Management to either:

(1)  Go to consultation on an extended advisory disabled bay; or

(2)  Not install advisory disabled bay due to there being two available bays nearby.

Officer Contact: Gemma Brady by email at gemma.brady@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking guidance from the Area Committee to determine whether an Advisory Disabled Persons Parking Bay can be approved on Sandiway, Bredbury.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to a consultation on an extended Advisory Disabled Persons Parking Bay on Sandiway, Bredbury

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The reports outlines a request received by Traffic Services from the Highway Ward Spokesperson for the Bredbury Green & Romiley Ward to investigate safety concerns. It had been reported that vehicles are parking on School Brow, obscuring visibility when exiting the Peak Bank junction. The report also outlines the findings of a consultation exercise and seeks approval for the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks and Leisure Services gives approval to the legal advertising of the following Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) 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 £1,100 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury Green and Romiley Ward allocation): -

Revoke Existing Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) – ‘No Waiting At Any Time’

School Brow, Bredbury - North East Side

From the intersection of the southern kerb line of Peak Bank for a distance of 10 metres in a south easterly direction

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) – ‘No Waiting at Any Time’

School Brow, Bredbury - North East Side:

From the intersection of the southern kerb line of Peak Bank for a distance of 17 metres in a south easterly direction

Officer Contact: Gemma Brady by email at gemma.brady@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the findings of an investigation carried out by the Traffic Services into safety concerns. It had been reported that vehicles were parking on School Brow, obscuring visibility when exiting the Peak Bank junction. The report also outlined the findings of a consultation exercise and sought approval for the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Members noted that the restrictions that were currently in place had been successful, and residents had approached the council to ask that they be further extended.

·         It was noted that a resolution to the safety concerns at this location was not straightforward.

·         Residents on the opposite side of School Brow had struggled to get on and off their drives because parked vehicles had been displaced.

·         It was commented that the extension of No Waiting At Any Time restrictions along the length of School Brow would leave one side of the road free from obstruction at may potentially lead to faster moving traffic and increased danger for residents exiting their driveways.

·         It was suggested that should the proposed measures be approved, both the speed and volume of traffic on School Brow should be measured with a Speed Indictor Device both up and downhill.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks and Leisure Services be recommended to give approval to the legal advertising of the following Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) 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 £1,100 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury Green and Romiley Ward allocation):-

Revoke Existing Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) – ‘No Waiting At Any Time’

School Brow, Bredbury - North East Side:

From the intersection of the southern kerb line of Peak Bank for a distance of 10 metres in a south easterly direction

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) – ‘No Waiting at Any Time’

School Brow, Bredbury - North East Side:

From the intersection of the southern kerb line of Peak Bank for a distance of 17 metres in a south easterly direction

(2) That the Director of Place Management be recommended to undertake monitoring of the impact of the traffic regulation orders following their introduction to ensure that they had not resulted in the displacement of parking, an increase in the speed of traffic or other such unintended consequences.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides the Area Committee with details of review undertaken to understand the condition of our local rivers and the key types of pollution affecting them.

The Area Committee is recommended to consider and comment upon the report and its recommendations prior to its submissions to the Cabinet.

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

The Chair reported that the final report of the scrutiny review in relation to sewage in rivers and waterways within the Werneth area was in the process of being finalised, and it was anticipated that this would be submitted to the next meeting of the area committee.

RESOLVED – That the position be noted.

To consider a report of the Director for Place Management.

The report details an application received by Neighbourhoods Service from Stockport Harriers and AC to hold their annual Offerton 5 running event. The event mainly involves Woodbank and Vernon Parks but the route also includes Woodbank Park (Offerton Ward) and Daisy Fields (Bredbury and Woodley Ward).

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application subject to all appropriate paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the Council at least one week prior to the event taking place.

Officer Contact: Kath Hughes on 0161 474 4418 or email: kath.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director for Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application from Stockport Harriers and AC to hold their annual Offerton 5 running event at Daisy Fields on 17 May 2023 between 7 and 8.30 pm.

The event is also proposed to take place at Woodbank and Vernon Parks which are within the purview of other Area Committees.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted subject to all appropriate paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the Council at least one week prior to the event taking place.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – 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: Jacqueline Kramer on 0161 474 2978 or email: jacqueline.kramer@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal and Democratic Governance (Monitoring Officer) 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.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has undertaken a review of the council’s electoral arrangements and made recommendations for new warding patterns, to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of the borough’s new warding arrangements is that the existing boundaries of the council’s seven area committees are no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the council must therefore establish new arrangements.

The Area Committee is recommended to consider the revised boundaries for area committees and to make a recommendation for consideration by the Cabinet prior to a final decision being made by the Council Meeting on 30 March 2023.

Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

(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 to ensure that the area committee was able to provide input into the review of area committee boundaries in advance of the decision being taken by the Council Meeting on 30 March 2023).

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal and Democratic Governance (Monitoring Officer) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s review of the Council’s electoral arrangements and recommendations for new warding patterns to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of those new warding arrangement was that the existing boundaries of the Council’s seven area committees were no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be in place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the Council must therefore establish new arrangements.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         It was noted that the proposals within the report represented a minimal change scenario for the 2023/24 municipal year, however a further review would take place to consider the potential for alternative locality models;

·         The current boundaries for the Werneth Area Committee had served the local community well, allowing both local residents access to the Committee and members the opportunity to represent their community. The geography of Werneth area lended itself to the Area Committee retaining its current boundaries;

·         Area Committees were a powerful way of keeping democracy in the local community by allowing decisions to be made close to the people that they affect;

·         It was commented that the current boundaries of the Werneth Area Committee roughly aligned with the area of the former Bredbury & Romiley Urban District Council representing historical continuity of local decision-making and representation.

·         Any radical changes to the boundary of Werneth Area Committee would be strongly opposed.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to adopt the revised boundaries for area committees as detailed in Section 3.5 of the report.