Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 26 September 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

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

The Chair reported that the Cow and Calf Inn on School Brow, Romiley had been undertaking fundraising events for the Help the Heroes Charity.

Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise ‘Neighbourhood Policing’ issues with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Inspector Brendan O’Brien (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the Werneth area.

Inspector O’Brien advised the Area Committee that this would be last meeting of the Area Committee he would be attending in his capacity as Neighbourhood Inspector for Stockport East following his appointment in a new role within the division. 

The Area Committee extended its thanks and appreciation for his work within the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee over the past two years and wished him well in his future role.

RESOLVED – That Inspector O’Brien be thanked for his attendance.

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 and on the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/areacommittees).

No public questions were submitted.

The local Area Conditions Officer and the Highways Officer will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at the last committee meetings. Councillors and Members of the public are invited to raise issues affecting local environmental quality.

(a) Stephen Lawson (Highways Officer) and Mark Pickering (Head of Streetscene, Solutions SK) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to highways issues within the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Works had now commenced on the introduction of give way priorities on Kingsway and Osborne Street, Bredury with the flat top speed cushion being the only element that remained to be implemented.

·         A further order had been placed for the jetting and clearing of gullies on Sandy Lane, Romiley.

·         Carriageway and footway repairs had been programmed for Rushton Drive, Romiley.

·         A request was made for weed control spraying to be undertaken on Balliol Close, Woodley.

·         A question was raised with respect to road sweeping on Quarry Road, Bredbury and in particular why mechanised road sweepers no longer cleared the unadopted section of Quarry Road.

·         It was noted that repair works had been undertaken on St Chad’s Avenue, Romiley following a request made at the last meeting of the Area Committee, however Beech Lane still had a number of potholes which required repair.

·         Concern was expressed with regard to the cleanliness of street signage in the borough and whether the Council had a policy for the cleaning and maintenance of street signage.

·         At the last meeting of the Area Committee it had been confirmed that an order had been placed for the repair of defective ironwork on Stockport Road East in the vicinity of Bents Lane and it was commented that this had yet to be undertaken and its condition had now further deteriorated.

·         The road resurfacing undertaken following works by United Utilities on Stockport Road West had sunk and resulted in flooding during periods of heavy rain.

·         Members requested clarification on the deployment of grit bins following requests made by members of the public and the advice given to the public in relation to the clearing of snow.

·         It was reported that a review was currently being undertaken in relation to the ‘public realm’ which included the area highways officers which members had expressed concern about at its previous meeting.  Proposals for change had not simply been focussed on people but also to roles within both the Council and Solutions SK.  It was noted that during the review process members had witnessed a greater sense of unfamiliarity with highways officers and with what was happening ‘on the ground’ however the process of assembling a ‘Public Realm Team’ remained a priority both in terms of the timescales and the inclusion of all relevant officers being delivered as early and as fully as possible.

RESOLVED – That Stephen Lawson and Mark Pickering be thanked for their attendance.

(b) Alan Whitfield (Area Conditions Officer) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to environmental issues within the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That Alan Whitfield be thanked for his attendance.

To receive petitions from members of the public and community groups.

No petitions were submitted.

Local Development Framework - Allocations Development Plan

The open forum will provide the opportunity for councillors and members of the public to ask questions and to discuss issues and possible solutions in terms of the use of land and buildings in their local area. In addition it is the intention to use the forum to raise awareness of the Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) and to encourage the public to contribute to the process by feeding back through the formal consultation process. The main documents themselves will go live on Monday, 17 October 2011 at www.stockport.gov.uk/allocationsdpd.

Local Development Framework - Allocations Development Plan

Representatives of the Service Director (Place Development) attended the meeting and reported on the Local Development Framework - Allocations Development Plan providing an opportunity for members of the public and councillors to discuss issues and possible solutions in terms of the use of land and buildings in their area.

The following issues were raised/ comments made:-

·         It was confirmed that the consideration could be given to the proportion of hot food takeaways within district and local centres as part of the Allocations Development Plan.

·         Comments were made in relation to the consultation process and whether further community venues could be used to engage with members of the public, such as public houses.

·         It was noted that the consultation materials had identified Romiley Primary School as being the venue for this meeting of the Area Committee, and that a further opportunity should be afforded at the next meeting of the Area Committee for members of the public to express their views on the Allocations Development Plan Document.

RESOLVED - That the Richard Wood and David Johnston be thanked for their attendance and presentation and that the comments of the Area Committee be fed into the consultation to inform the 'Preferred Options' stage of the process in 2012.

To consider any applications for Area Flexibility Funding or to receive feedback from organisations who have received funding.

There were no applications to consider.

There are no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services).

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: Joy Morton, 0161 474 3217, joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services) 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 Service Director (Place Management).

The report provides the current position in respect of the issue of odour emissions from (i) the Junction 25 Recycling Centre, Bredbury and (ii) the River Goyt in the Vicinity of Otterspool Road as identified by the Area Committee.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 474 4175 or email: ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Place Management) providing the current position in respect of the issue of odour emissions from (i) the Junction 25 Recycling Centre, Bredbury and (ii) the River Goyt in the Vicinity of Otterspool Road as identified by the Area Committee.

It was commented that the report identified potential sources of the odour problems and the steps that had been taken to eliminate them.  However, concern was expressed that issues with respect to odour remained and that further work needed to be done to identify any remaining causes. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services).

The report outlines proposals for changes to Polling Districts and Polling Stations as a result of the review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations.

The Area Committee is requested to comment on the proposals prior to consideration of the report by the Executive and Council Meeting.

Officer Contact: Karen Randles on Tel: 474 3268 or email: karen.randles@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services) outlining proposals for changes to Polling Districts and Polling Stations as a result of the review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations.

The Area Committee expressed its preference for the retention of the Community Room at Bredbury Library as the Polling Place for Polling District JA rather than the proposal of Werneth School.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the retention of the Community Room at Bredbury Library as the Polling Place for Polling District JA, the remaining recommendations of the Returning Officer in so far as they relate to the Bredbury and Woodley and Bredbury Green and Romiley wards be supported.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Education)

The Area Committee is requested to provide political nominations for the Authority vacancies at St Marks CE Primary School (Liberal Democrat nomination) and Werneth School (Liberal Democrat nomination).

Officer contact: Libby Evans on 474 3847 or email: libby.evans@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Education) requesting the Area Committee to provide nominations for Authority Governor vacancies at St Marks CE Primary School (Liberal Democrat nomination) and Werneth School (Liberal Democrat nomination).

The representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that since the publication of the agenda, governing body vacancies had arisen at Bredbury Green and Romiley Primary Schools as follows:-

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) be recommended to make the following appointments:-

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

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, 0161 474 damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager 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 Area Flexibility and the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budgets.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Area Committee is requested to give consideration to the venue for the next meeting of the Area Committee in the light of Woodley Civic Hall being not available on 21 November 2011.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager advised the Area Committee that room currently used for its meetings in Woodley Civic Hall would not be available for the next meeting on 21 November 2011 and requested the Area Committee give consideration to alternative venues.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to consider the feasibility of using an alternative room within Woodley Civic Hall for the next meeting of the Area Committee.