Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 24 October 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interest

Personal & Prejudicial Interest

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

No announcements were made.

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 on any matters within the power and duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

One questions was submitted seeking clarification on the process for registering or authorising doorstep selling, or ‘peddlers’.

The Chair reported that Peddler licenses were issued by the Police, but that there were no requirements to have permission to sell items on the doorstep. Regulations only regulated what door stop sellers must do.

Sergeant Lloyd of Greater Manchester Police undertook to provide the questioner with further clarification.

Both Sgt Lloyd and councillors urged members of the public to avoid buying anything unsolicited from the doorstep.

Sgt Richard Lloyd of Greater Manchester Police will attend the meeting to update the Area Committee on local policing activity.

Sergeant Richard Lloyd from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) attended the meeting to update the Area Committee on neighbourhood policing issues within the area covered by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

·         The police and partners had been working to address issues of anti-social behaviour in Hazel Grove and on Offerton Estate. A partnership approach was taken to address each child involved so that ensure low level issues did not escalate, and support was provided to parents. Although this was not an immediate fix, it had a longer term impact.

·         Burglary had become a borough wide, force wide and nationwide issue. There had been a rise in reports of residential burglaries. GMP were providing support and advice, particularly to vulnerable residents, including keeping doors locked; keep keys out of sight; use timer plugs for lamps; ask neighbours to make house looked lived in if you were away; don’t leave car engines running to defrost unattended. Although the figures would suggest an increase in actual crimes, it may be due to changes in reporting practices by GMP in light of criticism for underreporting.

Councillors thanked Police for their continued hard work.

Councillors raised the following issues:-

·         Concerns were expressed that ASDA in Hazel Grove had not been involved in the preparations for Operation Treacle.

·         Assurance was sought that anti-social behaviour and vandalism on Offerton Estate was being addressed. In response it was stated that the Police had been in the area recently and identified a number of the people involved. GMP and partners were Liaising with the schools to help identify them. Residents were encouraged to continue to report problems.

·         Assurance was sought that the Police were addressing specific issues at of Offerton Old Hall and would address concerns about the new Offerton Park development. In response it was stated that GMP were working with partners to find a long term solution to these issues.

·         Concerns were expressed that the former Davenport Park Hotel at end of Corbar Road was insecure and attracting criminal activity. – looks like people are gaining access and removing items.
RL: Not quite in our police area, but will pursue.

·         GMP was thanked for their work to address anti-social behaviour in Great Moor and to address problems with traveller on on Melford Road, Hazel Grove.

·         Concerns were expressed about young people gathering in the Bonis Crescent/ Boothby Street Park near the vents and causing nuisance.

RESOLVED – That Sgt Lloyd be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

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.

Carolyn Turner, Public Realm Inspector, attended the meeting to answer questions from councillors and members of the public in relation to highway and environmental quality issues within the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

The following update was provided:-

·      Monthly highway inspections were ongoing throughout the month.

·      Repairs had taken place to the gully outside Bridgefords in Hazel Grove.

·      United Utilities had accepted responsibility for the carriageway depression at Commercial Road/Butley Street and were seeking permissions to allow for repairs.

·      An order had been placed to repair a depression in the carriageway at the junction of the A6/Southwood Road

·      A trial dig on Lake Street had been made safe and further work was needed.

·      Community Payback activity had been completed on the green area outside the Hazel Grove clinic site; vegetation trimmed back on Cromley Road opposite Kinross Avenue; work had been arranged for Trawden Green.

·      The defective lamp post on Woodsmoor Lane was actually a warning sign and was awaiting a connection by Electricity North West. The leak on this road had also been referred to United Utilities but would require suspending supply to a number of homes.

·      Letters had been sent to the land owners for the hedges overgrowing the footpaths on Offerton Road near the small layby.

·      Routine gulley cleansing was ongoing and crews would respond to ad-hoc issues.

·      There was a campaign to encourage responsible dog ownership and removing dog waste.

·      In response to concerns raised about the Council’s gritting and cleansing practises it was stated that the Council did not grit all footways but where grit had been spread these footways would not be swept as this would remove the grit. Where footpaths were not gritted footways would continue to be cleansed, especially in autumn to remove fallen leaves before they became slippery. The grit was put down to prevent ice from forming, once the ice has formed the grit would not melt the ice. 

·      Planned resurfacing work was being undertaken on Hillcrest Road; Torkington Road; Tannock Road; London Road; Talbot Road and Norbury Grove.

·      Formal Notices were served on a property in Offerton and a property on London Road Hazel Grove in relation to accumulation of waste. In both cases this resulted in removal of waste by the residents.

·      A Formal Notice has been served on a property in Great Moor requiring the cutting back of a hedge that was obstructing the footpath. Fourteen days has been given for the works to be carried out.

·      Details of a vehicle in Hazel Grove had been passed to the DVLA for removal.

·      A resident of Offerton had been interviewed under caution after evidence was found in a fly-tipping instance relating to a domestic premises where the resident had passed their waste to an unknown third party. Residents had a responsibility to ensure that they only passed their waste to a registered waste carrier and that they were licensed with the Environment Agency.

·      Following reports of Anti-Social Behaviour around fast food related premises off the A6 the Police working with the Neighbourhoods team had been increasing patrols in the area. The perpetrators have been identified and  have been issued with Anti-Social Behaviour Contracts with referrals to the Youth Offending Service where necessary.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·      A timescale for the resurfacing of footways on Beech Avenue was requested.

·      The replacement/ reinstatement of the ‘No Ball Games’ sign on Wynchagate Road Green was requested.

·      Due to the intensity of usage of businesses in Hazel Grove at the weekend it was again asked if additional routine cleansing could take place during the weekend.

·      Following the litter picking outside the clinic in Hazel Grove it was asked whether the vegetation could also be cut back.

·      There was a damaged illuminated bollard at the junction of Torkington Road and the A6 that needed replacing.

·      There was regular flytipping near the waste bins on Catherine Street  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.(iv)

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 Democratic Services Manager reported that in accordance with the Code of Practice no organisation had indicated that they wished to address the area committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

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

The Area Committee is invited to consider a request for funding toward the costs of improved pedestrian wayfinding signage for Woodsmoor Railway State.

Andie Stobie, of the South East Manchester Community Rail Partnership, attended the meeting to answer questions from councillors in relation to an application for funding toward the cost of wayfinding signage between Woodsmoor Station and Stepping Hill Hospital.

RESOLVED – That an award of £1265 be made from the Ward Flexibility Fund to the South East Manchester Community Rail Partnership as a contribution toward the cost of new wayfinding signage for Woodsmoor Station.

(Note: the Chair was of the opinion that this item, although not included on the agenda, should be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 in order that the matter could be considered prior to the proposed event taking place as to delay would cause disadvantage to the applicant).

Sharon Fallows and Jan Kitching, representing the Bosden Farm Community Group, attended the meeting to answer questions from councillors in relation to an application for funding for a Christmas Lunch event for older residents.

RESOLVED – That an award of £100 be made from the Ward Flexibility Fund to the Bosden Farm Community Group for a Christmas Lunch event for older residents.

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

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. The 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/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).

To consider an application for the demolition of existing car wash and store and 2 no. jet wash bays, extension of existing garage shop and relation of air and water tower; ertion of 1 no. jet wash bay and additional parking space.

The Area Committee is invited to recommend that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grant planning permission with appropriate conditions.

In respect of plan no. 67053 for the demolition of existing car wash and store and 2 no. jet wash bays, extension of existing garage shop and relation of air and water tower; erection of 1 no. jet wash bay and additional parking space at the Offerton Service Station, Marple Road, Offerton, it was

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to undertake a site visit in view of the Area Committee’s concerns about traffic generation and parking provision.

There are no outstanding planning or enforcement appeals to report.

There are no outstanding matters to consider.

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

The report provides the Area Committee with details of a proposed highway maintenance scheme to resurface the access roadway which runs from the entrance of the Half Moon Lane Recreation Ground towards Offerton Hall Allotments.

The Area Committee is invited to approve the proposed works at a cost of £6,250 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Offerton Ward allocation).

Officer contact: Jacky Budd, 0161 474 3332, jacky.budd@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider a proposal to resurface the access roadway from Half Moon Lane Recreation Ground to the Offerton Hall Allotments.

A local resident attended the meeting to explain the problems he encountered from youths throwing stones at his property that they had taken from the loose stone surface of the access road.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to the resurfacing with bitmac of the access roadway from the vehicle gate entrance towards the allotments, at a cost of £6,250 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Offerton Ward allocation).

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to ensure that contractors remove all loose material from the site following the completion of the works to reduce the opportunities for materials to be used for inappropriate purposes.

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

The report sets out a proposal for the resurfacing of a section of grass verge outside number 11a Dial Park Road with bitmac.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the scheme at a cost of £600 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Offerton Ward allocation).

Officer contact: Chris Pollitt, 0161-474-2419, chris.pollit@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider a proposal to replace a grass verge on Dial Park Road, Offerton with a bitmac surface to reduce problems caused by parking on the existing verge.

RESOLVED –That approval be given to the resurfacing with bitmac of the grass verge outside number 11a Dial Park Road, Offerton a cost of £600 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Offerton Ward allocation).

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

Currently the A555 Manchester Airport Eastern Link Road is being constructed and prior to completion the Traffic Regulation Orders as described in this report are to be legally advertised and recommended to be implemented to support the new carriageway.

The Area Committee will be invited to consider the proposals and recommend to the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing that she approve the measures contained in the report.

Officer contact: Warren French, 0161 474 4817, warren.french@stockport.gov.uk 

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to consider proposed traffic regulation orders associated with the A555 Manchester Airport Eastern Link Road.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing be informed that the Area Committee supports the proposals detailed in the report.

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

The report provides an overview of the pre-existing Highways Advertising arrangement and details proposals for the introduction of additional boundary signage for the purposes of identifying additional boundary locations with an accompanying potential for Highway Advertising.

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

Officer contact: Nick Whelan, 0161-474-4907, nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the pre-existing Highways Advertising arrangement and detailing proposals for the introduction of additional boundary signage for the purposes of identifying additional boundary locations with an accompanying potential for Highway Advertising.

Councillors were broadly supportive of the proposals, but requested that signs should not be located on roundabouts; sponsorship should be proportionate to the signage and priority be given to sponsorship from businesses local to the area in question.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Greenspace have received an application from Hazel Grove Carnival Association to hold the Hazel Grove Carnival at Torkington Park on 7th July 2017.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application subject to all appropriate paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the Council at least one week prior to the event taking place.

Officer contact: Jacky Budd, 0161 474 3332, jacky.budd@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider an application from Hazel Grove Carnival Association seeking the use of Torkington Park.

RESOLVED – That the application from Hazel Grove Carnival Association for the use of Torkington Park on between 6-7 July 2018 for the annual carnival be approved, subject to the all required paperwork and licenses being obtained by the organisations and submitted to the Council at least one week prior to the event taking place.

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: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@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 with implementing decisions taken by the Area Committee since the last meeting and the current position on the Area Flexibility and the Delegated budget.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.