Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2023.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 11 September 2023 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.

No declarations of interest were made.

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

The Chair gave updates on the work of the NK Theatre Arts group which had been continuing in spite of the temporary closure of Romiley Forum, which was closed for inspections related to RAAC issues. The group had given a performance of ‘Six the Musical’ in Mosley and had continued to be proactive in delivering classes for local schools, including Romiley Primary School. The Chair thanked the group for continuing with work their work which was important for the community.

It was announced that the Friends of Chadkirk were due to host a free Spooky Walk on Sunday, 29 October 2023 in Kirk Woods, with live music and family friendly activities.

The Chair gave an update on behalf of the Neighbourhood Policing Team. 265 crimes had been reported in the Werneth area in the past month, of which 17 were burglary offences along with an increase in the number of reported incidents of shoplifting. A drugs warrant had been issued at Woodley Precinct where a small amount of drugs were found following information received from the local community. The Neighbourhood Policing Team wished to encourage residents to report information or any suspicious activity to the police in order to build a clearer picture of crime in the area. Police had arrested an individual, who was later remanded in custody, following an upsetting crime in Romiley where the victim had their handbag stolen and had been knocked to the ground by the perpetrator. Off-road bikes remained a priority for the area and policing operations would continue into the winter months. The Chair informed the Area Committee that the first Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting was due to take place on Wednesday, 18 October 2023 at 6.30 pm at Romiley Golf Club.

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.

One member of the public submitted three public questions as follows:-

·         Relating to anti-social behaviour and police activity around the Ridgway Estate.

In response, members highlighted the scheduled PACT meeting as an avenue for highlighting concerns to the Neighbourhood Policing Team. In addition, members provided information on meetings they had with the local police. The questioner was thanked for raising this issue and offered the opportunity to speak directly to local councillors on this topic.

·         Relating to long NHS waiting times.

In response, members agreed that waiting lists were too long and commented that, although the council had no control over NHS waiting lists, it worked in partnership with health services in areas with overlap and shared budgets. Members highlighted the council’s work with regard to health and social care to support those in hospital who did not need to be there to come home and in preventing people from becoming unwell in the first place in order to reduce pressure on the NHS.

·         Relating to digital exclusion of the elderly.

In response, members stated that digital exclusion was an issue for elderly people and others across the borough. Members referred to local initiatives, including the Start Point coffee shop in the Woodley Precinct which ran peer-training computer basics courses which helped people to build IT skills. The questioner was also encouraged to visit local libraries where staff were able to help residents to access the internet, including online council services.

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 Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance reported that no organisations had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

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

There were no applications to consider.

There are currently no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – Legal and 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 Director of Place Management.

The report presents the findings of a study carried out by Urban Traffic Control (UTC), part of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), on the addition of a right turn filter arrow from Berrycroft Lane to Barrack Hill.

The Area Committee is recommended to:-

(1) Consider and comment on the study carried out by TfGM, and

(2) Recommend that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services gives approval to the proposed changes to the controlled junction signals to introduce a right turn arrow on Berrycroft Lane, Bredbury at a cost of £5,000 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocation).

Officer Contact: Gemma Brady by email at gemma.brady@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the findings of a study carried out by Urban Traffic Control (UTC), part of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), on the addition of a right turn filter arrow from Berrycroft Lane to Barrack Hill.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members welcomed the scheme and looked forward to it improving visibility and cutting congestion at the Berrycroft Lane/Barrack Hill junction.

·         It was noted that alternative solutions to issues at the junction had been considered, and the proposal contained within the report had been identified as the most suitable solution.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services be recommended to give approval to the proposed changes to the controlled junction signals to introduce a right turn arrow on Berrycroft Lane, Bredbury at a cost of £5,000 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 seeks approval for the introduction of a cycle access point and associated lining on Otterspool Road.

The Area Committee is recommended to

(1) Consider and comment on this report, and

(2) Recommend that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services gives approval to the introduction of a cycle access to shared pedestrian cycle footway in the form of dropped kerbs and associated lining on Otterspool Road, Romiley at a cost of £3,500 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocation).

Officer Contact: Gemma Brady by email at gemma.brady@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) seeking approval for the introduction of a cycle access point and associated lining on Otterspool Road.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members commented that the cycle path on Otterspool Road was under-utilised and welcomed this proposal as a means to encourage cyclists utilise the existing cycle path.

·         Members requested that the dropped kerb should be suitable for a bicycle travelling parallel to the kerb and safe for all road users.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services be recommended to give approval to the introduction of a cycle access to shared pedestrian cycle footway in the form of dropped kerbs and associated lining on Otterspool Road, 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 sets out the findings of a consultation exercise for the Road Safety around Schools scheme for Woodley Primary School and seeks approval for the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and associated signage; implementation of dropped kerbs with tactile paving; Middleton, pencil and wooden bollards; and road markings.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the package of road safety measures detailed in Section 3 of the report and the legal advertisement of the associated traffic regulation orders as detailed 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 Road Safety around Schools programme budget allocation.

Officer Contact: Gillian Kidd on 0161 474 4848 or email gillian.kidd@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – 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 for the Road Safety around Schools scheme for Woodley Primary School and seeking approval for the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and associated signage; implementation of dropped kerbs with tactile paving; Middleton, pencil and wooden bollards; and road markings.

·         Members welcomed the report, along with the higher rate of approval for the scheme among local residents.

·         It was noted that the proposal for a bollard within the scheme was now fully funded and integrated into the package.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the package of road safety measures detailed in Section 3 of the report and the legal advertisement of the associated traffic regulation orders as detailed 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 Road Safety around Schools programme budget allocation.

To consider the following proposals for use of the Ward Discretionary Budget within the Bredbury and Woodley ward and to determine whether to request officers to investigate proposals with a view to bringing back a detailed report to a future meeting of the Area Committee:-

(1) Business Crime Reduction Support (estimated £2,500 incl. VAT) 

A package of support measures to help report and reduce business crime, including provision of Store Net Radio system and incident reporting software. 

(2) Marina Road Slurry Fill.

The Committee is recommended to comment upon these proposals.

Officer Contact: Jacqueline Kramer on 0161 474 2978 or email jacqueline.kramer@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Services requested the Committee to consider the following proposals for use of the Ward Discretionary Budget, Bredbury and Woodley ward allocation, and to determine whether to request officers to investigate proposals with a view to bringing back a detailed report to a future meeting of the Area Committee:-

(i)            Business Crime Reduction Support (estimated £2,500 incl. VAT) A package of support measures to help report and reduce business crime, including provision of Store Net Radio system and incident reporting software.

(ii)          Marina Road Slurry Fill.

(iii)         Street art on Woodley shutters.

RESOLVED – That officers be requested to investigate the proposals with a view to bringing back a detailed report to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

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

The report requests the Area Committee to nominate Councillors to lay wreaths at Remembrance Day Services at Bredbury War Memorial and Romiley War Memorial on 12 November 2023.

The Area Committee is requested to nominate Councillors.

Officer contact: Jacqueline Kramer on 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) requesting that the Area Committee nominate Councillors to lay wreaths at Remembrance Day Services at Bredbury War Memorial and Romiley War Memorial on 12 November 2023.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the appointment of the following Councillors to lay wreaths on Sunday, 12 November 2023:-

Bredbury War Memorial                  Councillor Angie Clark

Romiley War Memorial                    Councillor Mark Roberts

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – 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) updating the Area Committee on progress on decisions taken by the Area Committee since the last meeting and the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members commented that they looked forward to some of the schemes contained within the report progressing through to Area Committee for decision;

·         Members reported that two Automatic Traffic Counters (ATCs) had been placed on Werneth Road and George Lane and data from those ATCs was awaited.

·         A report on the data from Speed Indicator Devices installed in the area had been requested for the next meeting of this Committee. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.