Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2025.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 27 January 2025 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

Personal & Prejudicial Interest

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

The Chair announced that the School Climate Assembly had taken place on 4 March 2025; children were invited to the Council Chamber and given the opportunity to debate five different topics and discuss changes they wanted to see in their communities. The children had voted to place more solar panels on schools and public buildings.

The Bredbury Community Neighbourhood meeting was due to take place on 11 March 2025 from 6.30 to 8.00 pm. Residents were encouraged to attend.

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 submit 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.

Sixteen public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         One question relating to land at Padden Brook.

In the absence of the questioner, in accordance with the Code of Practice, the Chief Executive was requested to respond to the questioner in writing.

·         One question related to traffic congestion and council plans to improve infrastructure.

In response, members stated that this was an important issue and recognised that congestion and a lack of infrastructure had made travel in and around the area problematic. Part of the solution was to encourage active travel and, to that end, the council had sought active travel funding from the government. Members also commented that new central government house building targets had the potential to increase congestion. Residents were encouraged to participate in the consultation on the revised local plan.

·         14 questions relating to plans for a proposed children’s home in Romiley.

In accordance with the Code of Practice, the Chief Executive was requested to respond to those questioners not present at the meeting in writing. The Area Committee also undertook to provide all questioners on this topic with a written response, to include further information from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) who had proposed the children’s home as part of Project Skyline.

The proposed children’s home might be considered at a future meeting of this Area Committee as a planning application and, as a result, members were limited in responding to questions on the proposal.

Members noted that there were discrepancies in the information they had been provided by GMCA and that which the residents had been given. Members would endeavour to obtain further information from the GMCA and to remain in contact with those residents who had expressed concerns.

Members commented that Project Skyline aimed to reduce the costs associated with children’s homes and reduce reliance on the private sector provision.

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

Petition

To report on the receipt of a petition with 206 signatories in relation to a request to reverse the proposal to introduce car parking charges on Redhouse Lane car park.

One petition was submitted with 206 signatories in relation to a request to reverse the proposal to introduce car parking charges on Redhouse Lane car park.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to the Director of Place Management for a response.

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 Governance 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 Stockport Sea Cadets for Ward Flexibility Funding for a total grant of £117.64 towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

A representative of the Stockport Sea Cadets attended the meeting and submitted an application for a grant of £117.64 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Stockport Sea Cadets for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £117.64 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

To consider an application received from the Friends of Romiley Station for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £312 towards the cost of large timber planters (80 cm x 80 cm x 50 cm) which will be constructed by another voluntary organisation, Men in Sheds, Marple.

A representative of the Friends of Romiley Station attended the meeting and submitted an application for a grant of £312 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of large timber planters (80 cm x 80 cm x 50 cm) which will be constructed by another voluntary organisation, Men in Sheds, Marple

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from the Friends of Romiley Station for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £312 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of large timber planters (80 cm x 80 cm x 50 cm) which will be constructed by another voluntary organisation, Men in Sheds, Marple

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The following development applications 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. Deputy Chief Executive 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/planning. 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 Assistant Director for Governance outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

Erection of 10 No. dwellinghouses with associated access, parking, landscaping, cycle/bin storage, and boundary treatments.

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 DC086648 for the erection of 10 No. dwellinghouses with associated access, parking, landscaping, cycle/bin storage, and boundary treatments at the former Springlynn Foundry, Manor Road, Woodley, Stockport,

a member of the public spoke against the application; and

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

It was then

RESOLVED – That the application be deferred to a future meeting of the Area Committee, pending investigation and clarification regarding ownership of the adopted road, amenity space on plots 1 and 2 and potential additional planting at front of properties to offset exposed tarmac heating.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for 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 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 sets out objections received to a proposed introduction of a ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) on Brookfield Avenue, Bredbury.

The Area Committee is recommended to:-

(1)  Note all Traffic Regulations Orders where objections have been considered by officers.

(2)  Approve the Traffic Regulation Order as originally advertised.

Officer contact: Mavua Maluasi  by email on mavua.maluasi@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Governance submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) setting out objections received to a proposed introduction of a ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) on Brookfield Avenue, Bredbury.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Traffic Regulations Orders where objections had been considered by officers be noted.

(2) That, notwithstanding the objections received, the order be made as advertised.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides an update on funding applications that have been submitted for the Stockport CAN Seed Fund in wards in the Werneth Area.

The Area Committee is recommended to consider the following applications for the Stockport CAN Seed Fund:

(1) Greave School - Forest School & Agents of Change for a grant of £500 from the Stockport CAN Seed Fund (£250 from the Bredbury Green and Romiley ward allocation and £250 from the Bredbury and Woodley ward allocation) towards the cost of the purchase of tools such as spades, mallets, trowels and wheelbarrows  and soil, compost, seeds and plants.

(2) Romiley Primary School for a grant of £1,000 from the Stockport CAN Seed Fund (Bredbury Green and Romiley ward allocation) towards the cost of to developing a small sensory and vegetable garden and helping to educate children about caring for the environment.

Officer contact: Nick Leslie at nick.leslie@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Governance submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on funding applications that had been submitted for the Stockport CAN Seed Fund in wards in the Werneth Area.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to an application received from Greave Primary School - Forest School & Agents of Change for a grant of £500 from the Stockport CAN Seed Fund (Bredbury and Woodley ward allocation) towards the cost of the purchase of tools such as spades, mallets, trowels and wheelbarrows and soil, compost, seeds and plants.

(2) That approval be given to an application received from Romiley Primary School - Forest School & Agents of Change for a grant of £1,000 from the Stockport CAN Seed Fund (Bredbury Green and Romiley ward allocation) towards the cost of to developing a small sensory and vegetable garden and helping to educate children about caring for the environment.

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 Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and detailing the current position on area flexibility funding. The report also included the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.