Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 July 2024.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 29July 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interest 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 announced that representatives of the rail industry had been invited to attend the last meeting of the Area Committee on 29 July 2024 to speak at an Open Forum item on local rail matters. It was noted that the representatives had not remained at the meeting for the Open Forum item and the Chair had drafted a letter to those individuals on that matter.

At a public meeting related to the emergency embankment work at Hague Bar, New Mills by Network Rail, it had been announced that the completion date had been pushed back and the work would continue into October and November of this year which would have a consequent impact on rail services.

The Romiley Vision Partnership was producing an event: ‘The Romiley Proms’ taking place on 14 September 2024 in Romiley Precinct. All were welcome to the event.

An update was provided related to land near Padden Brook behind Howard Close where clearance works had been taking place. Following concerns from residents, ward councillors had requested council officers speak to the landowner, who was duly advised of their obligations related to local nature and the Tree Preservation Orders on site. Councillors Clark and Smart were thanked for their work to ensure that the Tree Preservation Orders were recognised.

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:-

·       In relation to Item 10, the Traffic Regulation Order ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ on Brookfield Avenue, Bredbury.

In accordance with the Code of Practice, the Chief Executive was requested to respond to the questioner in writing.

·       In relation to a potential complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman.

Members declined to provide a response.

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.

In accordance with the Code of Practice no organisation 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 Stockport Armed Forces Breakfast Club for a grant of £55.88 towards the cost of materials for use in fundraising, publicity and raising awareness of the club, which aims to tackle isolation and loneliness in veterans.

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted an application on behalf of Stockport Armed Forces Breakfast Club for a grant of £55.88 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of materials for use in fundraising, publicity and raising awareness of the club, which aims to tackle isolation and loneliness in veterans.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Stockport Armed Forces Breakfast Club for a grant of £55.88 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of materials for use in fundraising, publicity and raising awareness of the club, which aims to tackle isolation and loneliness in veterans.

There are no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

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

As part of its work programme, the Constitution Working Party has been examining the current range of delegations to area committees and other associated matters. This follows a request made by the Working Party that further consideration be given to:-

(a)      the remit of area committees including models of area governance implemented in other localities;

(b)      the current workload of area committees including agenda and meeting length;

(c)      arrangements for the chairing of area committees; and

(d)      venues for area committees.

The Working Party considered this report and requested that it be submitted to area committees to consult members on their views on the current operation of area committees. 

The comments of area committees will be collated and submitted to the Working Party to assist it in making any recommendations for change.

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

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email: damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the ongoing work of the Constitution Working Party to examine the current range of delegations to area committees and other associated matters.

It was reported that the Working Party has requested that area committees be consulted on these matters with the comments subsequently being collated and submitted to the Working Party to assist it in making any recommendations for change.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·       The current arrangements, including the remit of area committees should remain unchanged.

·       The current venue for Werneth Area Committee was considered to be too small and, occasionally, too warm. It had also experienced security issues at past meetings. Alternative venues would be considered at a future meeting.

·       The venue for area committees should remain a matter for each committee. Members of Werneth Area Committee were of the view that the decision making ought to take place within the community and that meetings should take place within the two wards represented by the committee. 

·       Chairing arrangements for area committees should be a matter for each committee to determine.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Director People and Neighbourhoods.

The report provides an update on the One Stockport Local Neighbourhoods and Prevention Programme. It shares information on progress across the programme since the last update in January 2024 with steps for key elements to become operational and integration of practise to take place.

The Area Committee is recommend to:-

(1)  Note the report and engage in upcoming Neighbourhood Network meetings.

(2)  Comment on the programme as it continues to develop.

(3)  Request further updates on the programme at a frequency to be agreed.

Officer contact: Carolyn Anderson on 07800 617 588 or email carolyn.anderson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Executive Director of People and Neighbourhoods submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the One Stockport Local Neighbourhoods and Prevention Programme, sharing information on progress across the programme since the last update in January 2024 with steps for key elements to become operational and integration of practise to take place.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Members welcomed the report and commented that the depth of information would assist their role as councillors, help them to understand their ward and help to shape policy. The data would help councillors to be better evidence-based decision makers.

·         The data highlighted that Werneth Area Committee represented a diverse area with multiple identities.

·         Members asked whether community sites used for appointments were accessible to residents with physical, sensory or cognitive impairments and whether appointments could take place in residents’ homes where necessary. Furthermore, the accessibility of venues by way of public transport should be considered.

·         In response, members were advised that the needs of residents with disabilities or barriers were taken into account.

·         The data collated had been used to inform policy, for example the council had worked with NHS providers to increase the Covid-19 vaccine uptake. It had also been used in the council’s work with other third-party providers, for example in recruitment.

·         The council had shared its data with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) for the bus franchising scheme to demonstrate areas where route networks were needed. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report sets out the findings of a consultation exercise and seeks approval for the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) and the introduction of a Bus Clearway on Lingard Lane, Bredbury.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services to gives approval to the legal advertising of the following TRO:

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

Lingard Lane, Bredbury – North Side

From a point 14 metres west of the intersection of the western kerb line of Ashton Road for a distance of 47 metres in a westerly direction.

Lingard Lane, Bredbury – South Side

From a point 24 metres west of the intersection of the western kerb line of Ashton Road for a distance of 20 metres in a westerly direction.

and the introduction of new bus clearway markings and associated time plate, and subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date, the order can be made at a cost of £1,400 to be funded from the Area Committee’s delegated budget (Bredbury and Woodley ward allocation).

Officer contact: Graham O’Connor on 0161 474 5057 or email graham.oconnor@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the findings of a consultation exercise and seeking approval for the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) and the introduction of a Bus Clearway on Lingard Lane, Bredbury.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services be recommended to give approval to the legal advertising of the following traffic regulation order and subject to the receipt of no objections being within 21 days from the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders at a cost of £1,400 to be funded from the Area Committee’s delegated budget (Bredbury and Woodley ward allocation).

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

Lingard Lane, Bredbury – North Side

From a point 14 metres west of the intersection of the western kerb line of Ashton Road for a distance of 47 metres in a westerly direction.

Lingard Lane, Bredbury – South Side

From a point 24 metres west of the intersection of the western kerb line of Ashton Road for a distance of 20 metres in a westerly direction. and the introduction of new bus clearway markings and associated time plate,

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report sets out the findings of a consultation exercise and seeks approval for the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order ‘TRO’ ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ on Brookfield Avenue, Bredbury.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the legal advertising of the following TRO:

No Waiting at Any Time

Brookfield Road, Bredbury

North West Side

From a point 8.5 metres southwest of the southeasterly building line of 49 Brookfield Avenue for a distance of 40 metres in a north easterly direction.

and subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date, the order can be made at a cost of £1,000 to be funded from the Area Committee’s delegated budget (Bredbury and Woodley ward allocation).

Officer contact: Gemma Brady at gemma.brady@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the findings of a consultation exercise and seeking approval for the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order ‘TRO’ ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ on Brookfield Avenue, Bredbury.

Members commented that consultations had taken place with local residents, following which they had recommended that the proposed scheme be amended. Residents were satisfied with the proposed scheme, as amended.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the legal advertising of the following traffic regulation order and subject to the receipt of no objections being within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders at a cost of £1,000 to be funded from the Area Committee’s delegated budget (Bredbury and Woodley ward allocation):-

No Waiting at Any Time

Brookfield Road, Bredbury - North West Side - From a point 8.5 metres southwest of the southeasterly building line of 49 Brookfield Avenue for a distance of 40 metres in a north easterly direction.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for 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 for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and detailing the current position on area flexibility funding. The report also included the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.