Agenda and minutes

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

RESOLVED – That Councillor Mike Wilson 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 Hazel Lees 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 2 June 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 2 June 2014 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 items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal and Prejudicial Interests

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

The Chair congratulated Councillors Gordon and Kirkham on their re-election to the Council in the local elections held on 22 May 2014.

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.  You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

No public questions were submitted.

The local Public Realm Inspector 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.

Alan Whitfield (Public Realm Inspector) 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.

RESOLVED – That Alan Whitfield be thanked for his attendance.

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

Mill Lane Congestion Issues due to Woodley Sports

To report upon the receipt of a petition signed by 61 signatories as follows:-

Statement

“We, the undersigned calls on Stockport council for a rethink of the access to Woodley Sports Centre in order to relieve congestion on Mill Lane and return the streets to safety. Since the opening of the renovated Woodley Sports Centre, the traffic situation on Mill Lane and within the estate has become unacceptable and dangerous. On a Saturday when there is hourly football club lessons throughout the day residents cannot leave the estate without expecting to queue for up to 30 minutes. Any effort to leave the estate, be it for work or leisure, has to be carefully coordinated with some residents having to leave an hour earlier for work to get off Mill Lane. It has long been difficult to exit Mill Lane on to Hyde Road which further compounds the congestion on Mill Lane.”

Justification

“Residents are concerned that should an emergency situation arise an ambulance would not be able to attend or exit the estate. As an estate with only one access road this level of congestion is extremely unsafe. Many of the drivers do not drive with consideration and children are being put at risk when trying to cross roads.

“We urge the Council to review the original plans for a new access road or quickly seek to resolve the unsafe traffic situation we currently have.”

The Area Committee is recommended to refer the petition to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration for investigation.

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

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported on the receipt of a petition signed by 61 signatories relating to the access to Woodley Sports Centre with a view to relieving congestion on Mill Lane, Woodley.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration for investigation.

Representatives from the Community Safety Unit (Stockport Council) and Greater Manchester Police will attend the meeting to provide an update on their activities within the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.

Inspector Steve Palmer (Greater Manchester Police), Karen Pimlott (Community Safety Operations Manager, Stockport Council) and Teresa Machin (Neighbourhood Officer, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to make a presentation in respect of the work of the Safer Stockport Partnership to reduce crime in 2013/14 and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the Werneth area.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·        A discussion took place in relation to the work undertaken nationally and locally to tackle domestic violence during the World Cup.

·        A member of the public commented that the response of the police to reported incidents of criminality often did not meet the expectations of members of the public.

RESOLVED – That Inspector Palmer, Karen Pimlott and Teresa Machin be thanked for their attendance.

To consider an application from Stockport Hydro for funding of £1,440 towards the cost of the erection of an informative sign at the entrance to the site.

Mr Laurence Jackson attended the meeting and submitted an application on behalf of ‘Stockport Hydro’ for Area Flexibility Funding towards the cost of the erection of an informative sign at the entrance to the site.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make a grant of £500 to ‘Stockport Hydro’ towards the cost of the erection of an informative sign at the entrance to the site.

To consider an application from Werneth Concert Band for funding of £1,000 towards the cost of fitting out new premises as a permanent home for the band.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted an application on behalf of ‘Werneth Concert Band’ for Area Flexibility Funding towards the cost of fitting out new premises as a permanent home for the band.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Vice-Chair, be requested to determine the application upon the receipt of additional information from the applicant relating to the total costs of the proposed works.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

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

A development applications 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 for Place Management and Regeneration 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.

Single storey multi-purpose room extension and double prefabricated classroom unit.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission subject to conditions and informatives.

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

ADIn respect of plan no. 55362 for a single storey multi-purpose room extension and double prefabricated classroom unit at St Mark's Primary School, Redhouse Lane, Bredbury,

a member of the public spoke against the application.

At 6.51 pm it was

RESOLVED – That the meeting be adjourned.

The meeting reconvened at 7.00 pm

It was then

RESOLVED – That the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to undertake a site visit in view of the Area Committee’s concerns over the proximity of the proposed development to adjacent residential properties and the consequent impact on residential amenity.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

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 or email: joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (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 Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report provides an update on the operation of the street trading consent granted by the Area Committee at its meeting on 9 December 2013.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration give approval to the continuation of the current street trading consent to the Romiley Traders Association for the purposes of holding one street trading event per month within the courtyard of Romiley Precinct to allow events such as markets to take place.

Officer contact: Darren Flannery on 474 3738 or email: darren.flannery@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the operation of the street trading consent granted by the Area Committee for Romiley Precinct at its meeting on 9 December 2013.

RESOLVED  - That the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be recommended to give approval to the continuation of the current street trading consent to the Romiley Traders Association for the purposes of holding one street trading event per month within the courtyard of Romiley Precinct to allow events such as markets to take place.

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

A copy of the Ward Spokesperson Protocol approved by the Area Committee at its meeting on 23 May 2011 is attached for information.

The Area Committee is recommended to nominate Ward Spokespersons in accordance with the Protocol.

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

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

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

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.                                        

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: Damian Eaton 0161 474 3207 email: damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager 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 2014/2015:-

Barrack Hill Educational Trust

Councillor Hazel Lees

Councillor Mike Wilson

Civic Hall, Woodley User Group Management Committee

Councillor Christine Corris

Councillor Chris Gordon

Councillor Mags Kirkham

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

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

Officer contact: Pam Dunham on 474 3847 or email: pam.dunham@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for People (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to provide a nomination for an Authority Governor vacancy at Greave Primary School.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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 3207 or email: 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 the Area Flexibility budget.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.