Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chair of the Area Committee for a period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Smart be elected Chair of the Area Committee for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

To appoint a Vice Chair for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Angie Clark be appointed Vice-Chair of the Area Committee for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 April 2023.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 17 April 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 interest was declared: -

Personal

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

The Chair thanked everyone who took part in the recent all out local election.

It was announced that the report regarding sewage dumping into local rivers will be considered at the next Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 27 June 2023.

In relation to Stockport being named as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture, it was reported that the following community events were due to take place:

·         ‘Artist of the year’ was taking place Sunday, 25 June 2023 in Chadkirk. Residents were encouraged to get involved and enter and were advised to bring their own materials and have their art judged.

·         Members were reminded of the well dressing event at Chadkirk Chapel, which was due to take place 27 to 28 July 2023.

·         The production of My Fair Lady at the Forum Theatre in Romiley was taking place between the 21 and 24 June 2023. Residents were encouraged to support their local theatre and tickets were still available.

·         St Barnabas Church was due to hold an art exhibition inside on 7to 8 July 2023.

·         An ‘NHS 75’ event was scheduled to take place on 5 July 2023 at Woodley Precinct, involving a range of stalls.

·         On 15 July 2023, the Greave Warriors event was due to take place. The event was promoted as a fun day, including obstacle courses and much more.

The Chair thanked everyone involved in the Coronation Street party which took place on the 7May 2023, and those involved in the May Day on the Meadow, both of which proved to be a huge success.

It was announced that the consultation about the proposed changes at Offerton Fire Station had begun. The proposal was to have the station staffed only during the day with staff on call during the night. It was noted that this would result in longer response times from the crews at Offerton Fire Station.

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 the Assistant Director (Legal & Democratic Governance) 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 Greave school / Forest school / Agents of Change for a grant of £450 (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocation only) towards the cost of purchasing new recycling bins for the school, to encourage staff and children to recycle.

Representatives of Greave School / Forest School Agents of Change attended the meeting and submitted an application for a grant of £450 towards the cost of purchasing new recycling bins for the school, to encourage staff and children to recycle.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Greave school / Forest school Agents of Change for a grant of £450 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of purchasing new recycling bins for the school, to encourage staff and children to recycle.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Drawing Board Productions CIC - Romiley Post for a grant of £960.00 (£480 from Bredbury & Woodley and £480 from Bredbury Green & Romiley wards allocation) towards the cost of launching Romiley Post, a free community newspaper to support residents, local services and community groups.

A representative of Drawing Board Productions CIC – Romiley Post attended the meeting and submitted an application for a grant of £960.00 towards the cost of launching Romiley Post, a free community newspaper to support residents, local services and community groups.

RESOLVED – That the decision be delegated to the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance (Monitoring Officer) in consultation with the Chair of the Area Committee, in order not to delay the funding, subject to the applicant agreeing to change the name of the newspaper from ‘Romiley Post’ to ‘Werneth Post’ (or a similar name which better reflected the proposed distribution area of the newspaper).

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Woodley & Bredbury Community Garden for a grant of £562 (Bredbury & Woodley and ward allocation only) towards the cost of purchasing gardening equipment, more plants and top soil to further develop the community garden.

A representative of Woodley and Bredbury Community Garden attended the meeting and submitted an application for a grant of £562 towards the cost of purchasing gardening equipment, more plants and topsoil to further develop the community garden.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Woodley & Bredbury Community Garden for a grant of £562 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of purchasing gardening equipment, more plants, topsoil to further develop the community garden and seeds to replace lawn and wildflowers lost to vandalism.

There are currently no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

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.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

This report details the results of a consultation exercise for the proposed Government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) – Bus Pinch Point, Pedestrian Refuge Island, Compstall Road, Romiley, proposals.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration & Housing gives approval to the implementation of the scheme legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders detailed within the Consultation and, subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date.

Officer Contact: Caroline Aylmer-Shanks at c.aylmer-shanks@stockport.gov.uk 

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the results of the consultation exercise for the proposed Government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) – Bus Pinch Point, Pedestrian Refuge Island, Compstall Road, Romiley, proposals.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members queried the funding for this project.

·         In response, it was confirmed that the funding was ring-fenced specifically for improved access to bus stops.

·         Members queried whether the comments and objections made in relation to the scheme were still valid in the light of the amendments to the plans.

·         In response it was stated that, relating to the 21 comments received, the amendments addressed the vast number of issues raised. For example access to driveways and a safety audit which had resulted in an increase to yellow lines. However, it was noted that the amendment did not address the concerns expressed by residents who did not want a bus stop close to their house.

·         It was noted that the difficulties experienced by residents crossing Compstall Road was a long running issue due to fast moving traffic.

·         It was commented that the bus stop was well-used by pupils at Marple Hall School and residents of Cherry Tree Estate;

·         Members commented that it would be helpful for further communication to be undertaken with local residents in terms of the safety benefits of the scheme.

·         Members also commented on the potential benefits of having a bus stop outside of one’s home.

RESOLVED – That consideration of this item be deferred to a future meeting of the Area Committee pending further communications with the affected residents.

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

The report provides an update on delivering Romiley District Centre Action Plan.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the partnership approach to developing the Romiley District Centre Action Plan.

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 delivering Romiley District Centre Action Plan.

The following comments were made/ issue raised:-

·         Members welcomed the positive work ongoing in Romiley district centre and queried what plans were in place for Woodley and other local centres.

·         In response it was stated that the current focus is on District Centres but officers were willing to visit other areas and work with businesses and other groups.

·         It was commented that there was a strong community in Woodley and there were opportunities to fill shop vacancies and increase footfall with community events.

·         It was queried what funding might be available for Woodley and other local centres.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Area Committee is invited to nominate Ward Spokespersons with whom the Director of Place Management can consult on highway maintenance and traffic management matters.

The Area Committee is recommended to nominate Ward Spokespersons.

Officer Contact: Jacqueline Kramer 0161 474 2978 or email: jacqueline.kramer@stockport.gov.uk

The Area Committee was invited to nominate Ward Spokespersons with whom the Director of Place Management could consult on highway maintenance and traffic management matters.

RESOLVED - That the following Councillors be appointed as Ward Spokespersons for highways and traffic issues: -

Bredbury & Woodley Ward

Councillor Rosemary Barratt

Councillor Sue Thorpe

Bredbury Green & Romiley

Councillor Angie Clark

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

The report requests the Area Committee to consider appointments of representatives on Outside Bodies.

The Area Committee is requested to make nominations for appointments on Outside Bodies.

Officer contact: Jacqueline Kramer 0161 474 2978 or email: jacqueline.kramer@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to appoint representatives of the Council to local Outside Bodies.

RESOLVED –That the following representatives of the Council be appointed to outside bodies for 2023/2024: -

Barrack Hill Educational Trust

Councillor Angie Clark

Councillor Lisa Smart

Civic Hall, Woodley User Group Management Committee

Councillor Joe Barratt

Councillor Rosemary Barratt

Councillor Sue Thorpe

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 & Democratic Governance (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.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Member requested an update in relation to the additional £10,000 allocated per ward in last year’s Council budget.

·         In response it was stated that a report on this funding was expected for the next meeting of the Area Committee.

·         Members asked about the ward boundary changes and the consequent effect on highway schemes. It was further noted that some schemes were no longer viewable in the report such as the parking on Sandiway and requested that the list be checked and updated in advance of the next meeting of the Area Committee.

·         In response, it was stated that the formatting of the report had changed and that a representative of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance would make enquiries about those matters.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.