Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2022.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 24 January 2022 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 Interest

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

The Chair affirmed the Area Committee’s support for the joint statement released by the all of the political group leaders in Stockport in relation to the situation in Ukraine.  The Chair stated that the committee’s thoughts were with everyone affected by the conflict and that it stood in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and any residents of Stockport who had family and friends who were impacted.  The Council was united in its hope that the conflict could be resolved and a peaceful resolution reached soon.

The Chair then reported that the Friends of Romiley Station had previously received a grant of £650 from the Area Committee and had provided feedback on the use of the grant and the impact that the award had made.

Finally, the Chair confirmed that members of the Area Committee continued to hold ward surgeries with Bredbury & Woodley ward councillors holding theirs on the on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month at Woodley Civic Hall between 10.00 am and 12 noon; while Bredbury Green & Romiley ward councillors held theirs on the first Saturday of the month at Bredbury Library at 11.00 am and 12 noon.

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 within the powers and duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

One public question was submitted in relation to the reopening of footpath no. 64 (Bredbury and Woodley) between Thorn Mill and the River Tame near Riverside Kennels.

RESOLVED – That the Director for Place Management be requested to respond to the questioner in writing.

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.

The Chair reported that the Neighbourhood Officer was unable to attend this meeting of the Area Committee, however members were invited to raise any issues affecting local environmental quality.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was requested that a report in relation to ongoing issues of flooding on Roundcroft, Romiley be submitted to the next meeting of the Area Committee.

·         It was requested that attention be given to the trees and vegetation along the footpath between Smithy Green and Pine Street, Woodley which were becoming subsumed by trees on land owned by Network Rail.

RESOLVED – That the Director for Place Management be requested to respond to the issues raised.

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 Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) 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 received from the Woodlarks Community Choir for a grant of £917 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards covering the cost of a Choir Director and Room hire for seven weeks.

Representatives of Woodlarks Community Choir attended the meeting and submitted an application for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of a Choir Director and Room hire for seven weeks.

It was commented that an element of the application requested a grant towards the cost of room hire, and it was noted that the guidance on the use of the ward flexibility fund stated that applications for revenue costs would not ordinarily supported.  However, members stated their approval for the remaining elements of the application pertaining to the costs of engaging the services of a choir director and website development costs.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received from Woodlarks Community Choir for a grant of £917 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards covering the cost of a Choir Director and website development.

To consider an application received from the Stockport Samaritans for a grant of £1,050 (£100 from this Area Committee) from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of sponsoring two spectator-facing banners on Stockport County’s Edgeley Park grounds for the 2022-23 season in order to raise awareness of the Samaritans suicide prevention work.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Stockport & District Samaritans for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of sponsoring two spectator-facing banners on Stockport County’s Edgeley Park grounds for the 2022-23 season in order to raise awareness of the Samaritans suicide prevention work.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received from Stockport & District Samaritans for a grant of £100 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of sponsoring two spectator-facing banners on Stockport County’s Edgeley Park grounds for the 2022-23 season in order to raise awareness of the Samaritans suicide prevention work.

To consider an application received from Help the Hatters for a grant of £1,000 (£95.22 from this Area Committee) from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of continuing a discounted ticketing scheme to provide discounted Stockport County tickets for disadvantaged children within the community.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Help the Hatters for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of continuing a discounted ticketing scheme to provide discounted Stockport County tickets for disadvantaged children within the community.

RESOLVED - (1) That approval be given to an application received from Help the Hatters for a grant of £95.22 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of continuing a discounted ticketing scheme to provide discounted Stockport County tickets for disadvantaged children within the community.

(2) That approval be given to the virement of £462.22 from the Area Committee’s Delegated budget (£231.11 from each ward allocation) to the Ward Flexibility Budget to make of the budgetary shortfall associated with the making of three ward flexibility funding grant allocations.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director (Corporate & Support Services)

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

Development applications were 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 Corporate & Support Services 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 upon payment of the Council’s reasonable charges).

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) outlined the procedure for public speaking on planning applications.

Erection of a dwelling (amendment to previously approved planning permission DC/063863 and DC/070174 for a replacement dwelling).

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grants planning permission.

Officer contact: Mark Jordan on 0161 474 3557 or email: mark.jordan@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. DC078685 for the erection of a dwelling (amendment to previously approved planning permission DC/063863 and DC/070174 for a replacement dwelling) at Hillside Farm, Werneth Low Road, Romiley, Stockport,

a representative of the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission.

Erection of a new library and information technology suite within buried 'Hobbit House' structure.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grants planning permission.

Officer contact: Mark Burgess on 0161 474 3659 or email: mark.burgess@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. DC083331 for the erection of a new library and information technology suite within buried 'Hobbit House' structure at Greave Primary School, Werneth Road, Woodley, Stockport,

a representative of the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer).

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 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and 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.

It was stated that it was not yet known when the planning inspector would make their decision with regard to the planning inquiry held in respect of the proposed development at Land Bounded By Ashton Road, The River Tame, Turner Lane and Bredbury Industrial Estate.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report details a proposal to investigate the feasibility of remodelling of the junction at Berrycroft Lane & Barrack Hill,  Romiley. The four-way junction also includes School Brow and George Lane.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the undertaking of a traffic modelling exercise at a cost of £3,500 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocation).

Officer contact: Eraina Smith on 0161 474 4911 or email: eraina.smith@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to investigate the feasibility of remodelling of the junction at Berrycroft Lane & Barrack Hill,  Romiley. The four-way junction also includes School Brow and George Lane.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the undertaking of a traffic modelling exercise at the junction of Berrycroft Lane and Barrack Hill, Romiley at a cost of £3,500 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocation).

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report is to advise committee members of one objection received to the proposed introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), to introduce ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ parking restrictions on Urwick Road at its junction with Chadkirk Road / Church Lane junction, and also a response in respect to a technical issue in respect to the wording of road names in the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) schedule for the same roads as the objector.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration makes the order as advertised.

Officer contact: Nick Whelan on 0161 474 4907 or email: nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an objection received to the proposed introduction of a ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ Traffic Regulation Order on Urwick Road at its junction with Chadkirk Road/ Church Lane, and also a response in respect of a technical issue with regard to the wording of road names in the Traffic Regulation Order schedule.

It was further reported that since the publication of the report, a further objection had been circulated that had been received ‘on time’ but which had been omitted from the original report.  It was noted that a response to the objection had been included with the objection and that the recommendation from the Director of Place Management remained unchanged.

RESOLVED – (1) That, notwithstanding the objections, the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration be recommended to make the order as advertised.

(2) That the Director of Place Management and the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) be requested to clarify the circumstances in which the second objection had been omitted from the original report.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report details the findings of a consultation exercise for the Road Safety around Schools scheme around Bredbury Green Primary School and to seek approval for the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and associated signage, implementation of dropped kerbs with tactile paving; access protection markings and new school warning signs.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders set out within Appendix A to the report, and subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders.

Officer contact: Caroline Aylmer-Shanks on 0161-474-4840 or email: 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 findings of a consultation exercise for the Road Safety around Schools scheme around Bredbury Green Primary School and to seek approval for the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and associated signage, implementation of dropped kerbs with tactile paving; access protection markings and new school warning signs.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders set out within Appendix A to the report, and subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders in addition to the associated signage, implementation of dropped kerbs with tactile paving; access protection markings and new school warning signs to be funded from the Road Safety around Schools programme budget allocation.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report details the findings of a consultation exercise and seeks approval for the implementation of traffic safety measures on Compstall Road, Romiley between Waterloo Road and Corcoran Drive.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport gives approval the proposals and the legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders set out in appendix A to the report, and subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders to be funded from the Highways Capital Budget.

Officer contact: Eraina Smith on 0161 474 4911 or email: eraina.smith@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the findings of a consultation exercise and seeking approval for the implementation of traffic safety measures on Compstall Road, Romiley between Waterloo Road and Corcoran Drive.

RESOLVED - That the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport be recommended to give approval the proposals and the legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders set out in appendix A to the report, and subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders to be funded from the Highways Capital Budget.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer).

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 on 0161 474 3207 or email:  damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) 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 and the Delegated budget.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         An update was requested with regard to progress on the undertaking of a consultation exercise with residents of Colborne Avenue, Romiley relating to the extension of the existing permit perking scheme.

·         The removal of the speed humps in Romiley District Centre following the approval of the area committee was welcomed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.