Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 30 May 2012 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 Interests

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

The Chair announced that a number of events would be taking place on 8 September 2012 as part of the celebrations surrounding the 150^th anniversary of the opening of Romiley Railway Station including a model railway exhibition at Romiley Methodist Church; entertainment at Romiley Railway Station and a plaque unveiling.

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

Sergeant Mike Cooper (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.

The following issues were raised/ comments made:-

·         The ongoing spike in vehicle crime in the Werneth area was being tackled through a range of new initiatives including the use of a police decoy vehicle.  However, it was noted that a large number of vehicle crimes occurred where vehicles had been left insecure.

·         The police were using new technologies to communicate more effectively with members of the public including through the use of online social networks.

·         The police were working with Trading Standards to tackle underage sales of alcohol.

·         The police were working with residents to secure vulnerable outbuildings such as sheds through targeted initiatives in hotspot areas.

·         The work of the police with the local community during recent events held to celebrate the passing of the Olympic Torch through the region was acknowledged.

RESOLVED – That Sergeant Cooper 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 at local libraries and information centres.  You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

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.

Chris Pollitt (Assistant Manager, Area Coordination) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to environmental and highways issues within the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         A formal notice had been served with respect to the incorrect presentation of household waste on Vernon Road, Bredbury.

·         An investigation was underway with regard to fly-tipping at Chadkirk Country Park and at Appleton Lodge on Lingard Lane, Bredbury.

·         A warning letter had been sent to a company that had flyposted at the junction of Lower Bents Lane and Stockport Road West.

·         It was requested that the gully in the pavement outside 56 Werneth Road, Woodley and on Stockport Road, Bredbury opposite the end of Bents Lane be unblocked.

RESOLVED – That Chris Pollitt be thanked for his attendance.

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 Democratic Services Manager reported that no organisations had indicated they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

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

(a)       Agricultural and Rural Centre CIC

To consider an application for £1,000 for Area Flexibility Funding towards the cost of the installation of electricity to a log cabin, including the provision of wiring, lighting and heating.

(b)       Stockport County Community Sports and Education Foundation

To consider an application for £1,920 for Area Flexibility Funding towards the cost of providing coaching sessions.

(a)       Agricultural and Rural Centre CIC

Mrs Paula Forth attended the meeting and submitted an application on behalf of the Agricultural and Rural Centre CIC for Area Flexibility Funding towards the cost of the installation of electricity to a log cabin, including the provision of associated wiring, lighting and heating.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make a grant of £1,000 to the Agricultural and Rural Centre CIC towards the cost of the installation of electricity to a log cabin, including the provision of associated wiring, lighting and heating.

(b)       Stockport County Community Sports and Education Foundation

Mr Matthew Bailey attended the meeting and submitted an application on behalf of Stockport County Community Sports and Education Foundation for Area Flexibility Funding towards the cost of providing coaching sessions.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make a grant of £400 to the Stockport County Community Sports and Education Foundation towards the cost of providing coaching sessions.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Development).

The following development application will be considered by the Area Committee:-

A development application was 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 of Place 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 from the Place Directorate upon payment of the Council’s reasonable charges)

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

Change of use of ground floor from A1 (retail) to A5 (takeaway) and change of use of first floor from C3 (residential flat) to ancillary storage, office and staff welfare accommodation, with associated installation of odour control extraction plant to rear elevation and provision of 2 no. staff parking spaces to rear.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission subject to conditions and provision of the measures proposed by the submitted Unilateral Undertaking.

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

In respect of plan no. 49789 for the change of use of ground floor from A1 (retail) to A5 (takeaway) and change of use of first floor from C3 (residential flat) to ancillary storage, office and staff welfare accommodation, with associated installation of odour control extraction plant to rear elevation and provision of 2 no. staff parking spaces to rear at 120 Lower Bents Lane, Bredbury,

the applicant’s agent spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted.

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 Service Director (Place Development) submitted a report of the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services) (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 Service Director (Place Development).

The report details the Boroughwide framework for the Council in taking formal Planning Enforcement action as part of an Enforcement Development Plan Document (DPD).

Due to the removal of Planning Policy Guidance 18: Enforcing Planning Control by the recently published National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), there is a requirement for Local Planning Authorities to develop a local planning policy document covering planning enforcement. In the case of the Council, this involves updating its existing standalone planning enforcement policy. The role of the Enforcement Policy DPD is to provide a framework to secure the implementation of the LDF, in particular to secure compliance with the adopted Core Strategy. The Enforcement Policy DPD will become part of the Local Development Framework (LDF) and will set out how the Council should carry out its planning enforcement activities.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Dave Westhead on 474 3520 or email: dave.westhead@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Place Development) (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee and the public to take part in the consultation on the recently published preferred options for the Council’s Enforcement Development Plan Document that would provide a borough-wide framework for the Council to take formal planning enforcement action.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive of Stockport Homes.

The report provides an update on the progress of the delivery of the Stockport Homes Neighbourhood Action Plans and seeks feedback on the draft 2012/13 action plans.

Neighbourhood Action Plans are used by Stockport Homes to bring together in one holistic plan, a range of housing issues, and wider sustainability issues that impact on the quality of life for residents living in neighbourhoods, such as the quality of the local environment, anti-social Behaviour, community safety, worklessness and help to identify future investment and make managerial decisions. 

The Area Committee is recommended to note the outcomes of the earlier Neighbourhood Action Plans and comment on the draft plans for 2012/13.

Officer contact: Rebecca Cullen on 474 2944 or email: rebecca.cullen@stockporthomes.org

Kim Harrison and Abbie Booth (Stockport Homes) attended the meeting and provided an update on the progress of the delivery of the Stockport Homes Neighbourhood Action Plans and seeking feedback on the draft 2012/13 action plans.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         A discussion took place around untidy gardens and the activities that Stockport Homes undertook to work with both tenants and privately owned and rented accommodation to ensure that gardens were kept in a tidy state.

·         There was currently a review of age restricted properties taking place as part of a wider strategy to tackle the problem of the lack of accommodation for younger people.

·         More work needed to be done to promote the activities of the Credit Union.

·         Further consideration needed to be given to the provision of parking for disabled tenants.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Education).

The Area Committee is requested to provide political nominations for the Authority vacancies at Woodley Primary School.

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

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Education) (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to recommend the reappointment of governors to Woodley Primary School.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) be recommended to approve the following reappointments of Local Authority Governors to Woodley Primary School:-

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.              (To follow)

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.