Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2024.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 4 March 2024 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 encouraged members of the public to attend Forum Fest, an event taking place on Saturday, 20 April 2024 in Romiley Precinct which was set to be an evening of entertainment and food, bringing together perfomers from NK Theatre Arts and local traders.

The Chair thanked volunteers who took part in a litter pick at Bredbury Railway Station and reported that 35 bags of litter had been cleared from the station approach and station car park which had smartened up the area.

The Chair also referred to a site visit undertaken by members of the Area Committee to Stockport’s Waste Water Treatment Plant which was part of the Area Committee’s ongoing work to improve the quality of local waterways. The visit enabled members of the Area Committee to scrutinise the work undertaken by United Utilities.

It was also announced that the Romiley Traders had erected lights purchased with District Centre funding. The light switch on was scheduled to take place on Saturday, 20 April 2024, after which the lights would be a permanent feature.

The Chair gave a reminder about the forthcoming local and mayoral elections which were taking place on 2 May 2024 and stated that the deadline to register to vote was midnight on 16 April 2024.

Finally, a representative of the Assistant Director – Legal and Democratic Governance informed the Area Committee that the Council was in its pre-election publicity period and explained how this would affect discussions related to Agenda Item 8– ‘Updates Related to Romiley Forum’.

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.

Five public questions were submitted as follows: -

·         In relation to the decision-making process and involved parties when requesting funding assistance from the government for repairs to Romiley Forum.

In response, it was reported that no costings were provided when the request was made as the request was to find out if funding was available. It was further stated that there was communication between the Council, members, and NK Theatre Arts throughout the process.

·         In relation to the allocation of funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for Romiley Forum repairs, and when this became available in relation to the closure of the theatre.

In response, it was reported that it was originally proposed that funding from UKSPF should be allocated towards community safety until officers had established that it could not be used in this way.  Consideration was subsequently given to the alternative use of this residual funding and its allocation for repairs to Romiley Forum was subsequently approved.

·         In relation to permanent repairs for the roof at Romiley Forum, and when work will begin to secure funding for these repairs, whether there is a report detailing the repairs required and how costings for this have been reached, what the timescale is for these repairs, and who the responsible parties are for making applications for funding.

In response, it was reported that enquiries regarding specifics of safety and the longevity of remedial repairs needed will require a written response. Additionally, it was reported that communications were underway between NK Theatre Arts and the Council around how the £300,000 will be spent, although information regarding costings of work already carried out by contractors was not currently publicly available due to commercially sensitivity. However, the range of costings needed was included within the report submitted as part of Agenda Item 8.

·         In relation to the proposed introduction of a chicane from Healdwood Road to Werneth Road, and whether there was a reason that these plans which had been requested for some time were no longer being pursued.

In response, it was reported that work was ongoing to address issues of speeding vehicles in this area including the consideration of a range of solutions within the context of the available budget.

·         In relation to the accountable party if any future repairs are needed for Romiley Forum, and whether this would fall on the Council or the contractors who may cease to exist once the repairs are needed

RESOVLED – That the Director of Development & Regeneration be requested to respond to the questioner in writing.

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 provides details relating to the launch of two new Climate Action Now (CAN) Funds; the CAN Seed Fund and the CAN Catalyst Fund.

The Area Committee is asked to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Liz Atherton by email liz.atherton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details relating to the launch of two new Climate Action Now (CAN) Funds; the CAN Seed Fund and the CAN Catalyst Fund.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Members suggested that community posters should be used to advertise the CAN fund locally;

·         Members requested that previous recipients of Ward Flexibility Funding (those applicants who applied to Werneth Area Committee only) be contacted to make them aware of the CAN fund;

·         Members commented that they were pleased that the funding was being dealt with within communities rather than the decisions being made outside of them.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director of Estates and Asset Management.

The report updates the Area Committee on the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) position at Romiley Forum.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: James Kington by email james.kington@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) position at Romiley Forum.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members thanked members of the community including NK Theatre Arts; those working on construction; and volunteers for working constructively with the Council and officers, which had helped to get work underway.

·         Members requested that an officer be available at the next area committee meeting to provide an update on the situation at Romiley Forum.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report outlines a number of objections made in relation to the proposed Traffic Regulation Order ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ on Compstall Road, Romiley.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) outlining a number of objections made in relation to a proposed Traffic Regulation Order ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ on Compstall Road, Romiley.

RESOLVED - That in the light of the objections, the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services be recommended to amend the order as follows:-

Proposed No Waiting At Any Time

Compstall Road (Southern Side) - From a point 24.5m west of the intersection of the western kerbline of Waterloo Road to a point 60m east of the intersection of he eastern kerbline of Waterloo Road.

Compstall Road (Northern Side) - From a point 73m west of the intersection of the western kerbline of the Cherry Tree House site access to a point 10m east of the intersection of the eastern kerbline of the Cherry Tree House site access.

Waterloo road (Both sides) - From the intersection of the southern kerbline of Compstall Road for a distance of 10m in a southerly direction.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report sets out a Request for the allocation of Discretionary Ward Budget to play area improvements at Goyt Valley.

The Area Committee is recommended to allocate the Discretionary Ward Budget (Bredbury Green and Romiley ward) to play area improvements at Goyt Valley as set out in the report.

Officer contact: Richard Booker on 0161 474 4829 or email richard.booker@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a request for the allocation of the Discretionary Ward Budget to make improvements at a play area in the Goyt Valley.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources be recommended to give approval to the allocation of £7,750 from the Ward Discretionary Budget (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocation) as a contribution towards the installation of a new wheelchair accessible roundabout in Romiley Park Play Area.

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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 report was submitted by the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance updating the Area Committee on previous Area Committee Decisions and the position of area flexibility funding, including the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.