Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and order that the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2020 be signed.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 16 June 2020 were approved as a correct record.

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

The following interest was declared:-

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

The Chair announced that a number of Council services were now returning to normal service patterns, and it was confirmed that Hazel Grove library had reopened with effect from 20 July 2020.  It was also reported that it was anticipated that refuse collection services would return to their normal pattern of collections by the end of August.

Councillors are invited to raise neighbourhood policing issues with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Inspector Shaun Flavell (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The two longstanding policing priorities for the Stockport Division were burglaries and vehicle crime.

·         It was commented that the burglaries had significantly reduced during the implementation of ‘lockdown’ measures as a response to Covid-19, but it was expected that as these were relaxed, burglaries would start to rise.

·         Neighbourhood policing had largely continued unaffected during the ‘lockdown’ period.

·         There had been an increase in reports of neighbour disputes.

·         It was queried whether the police would investigate issues of anti-social behaviour associated with the operation of a massage parlour in Great Moor.  In response it was stated that it would be unusual for anti-social behaviour to arise associated with the operation of such premises, however it would be brought to the attention of local officers so that this could be monitored.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to a perceived rise in incidences of racism targeted towards businesses in the Offerton area.  It was stated that it was important that this was addressed efficiently and effectively so that it was not allowed to proliferate.  The police confirmed that this issue was being actively investigated.

·         Issues of speeding vehicles had not abated during the ‘lockdown’ period, and had in fact been exacerbated as a result of the quieter roads.  In response, it was stated that GMP were actively looking to introduce community speedwatch campaigns as a means of combatting this.

RESOLVED – That Inspector Shaun Flavell be thanked for his attendance.

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.

Two public questions were submitted as follows:-

(a)       Relating to whether an assurance could be given that the Council would continue to work with Stepping Hill hospital to look for a solution to the parking problem in the area in the light of the outcome of the consultation on the proposed Stepping Hill Permit Parking Zone which overwhelmingly opposed the proposal.

The following comments were made in response to the question:-

·         The proposal had been overwhelmingly rejected by the people of Stepping Hill and had not been considered acceptable from the beginning.  Consideration needed to be given to individual localities around the hospital and at individualised solutions.

·         Specific concern had been raised around the proposal to turn residential streets into paid for parking spaces to satisfy the needs of the hospital at the expense of local residents.

·         Part of the solution needed to be to retain the provision of free parking for staff at the hospital that had been introduced as part of the response to Covid-19 which had resulted in an improvement in the situation around the hospital.

·         Pressure needed to be placed on the government to provide the necessary funding to improve parking capacity on the hospital site.

·         The scheme was destined to fail by virtue of the Council’s requirement that schemes needed to ‘pay for themselves’.

·         There had been continued reference to the area around the hospital being  ‘special case’ by virtue of the parking issue being caused by demand for spaces generated by the hospital; however, by the same token the solution to the problem also needed to be considered a ‘special case’ and exempt from the requirements imposed on other such parking schemes by the Council

(b)       Relating to how the Area Committee sees the ongoing parking issues being experienced in the locality of Stepping Hill hospital being resolved.

In response it was stated local councillors and the council needed to work with Stockport’s Members of Parliament to lobby the government to increase parking capacity on the Stepping Hill Hospital site in conjunction with other work to incentivise visits to the hospital by more sustainable modes of transport.

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 Deputy Chief Executive 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 Area 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 Deputy Chief Executive.

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 Stepping Hill 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 Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) summarising recent appeal decisions, current planning appeals and enforcement action within the Stepping Hill Area Committee area.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report details the findings from a February-March 2020 consultation about proposals to introduce ‘Dual Use’ parking zones in Stepping Hill, and recommends that the proposals are not proceeded with.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport not proceed with the proposals further.

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

Mark Glynn (Director of Place Management, Stockport Council) attended the meeting and submitted a report on behalf of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the findings from a consultation undertaken between February and March 2020 in relation to proposals to introduce ‘Dual Use’ parking zones in Stepping Hill, and recommending that in the light of the results of that consultation, the proposals are not proceeded with.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The issues being experienced within the locality of the hospital now go beyond the Council’s ability to resolve and that consideration needed to be given to drawing up a petition to government supported by local councillors from all parties, residents and the Stepping Hill Neighbourhood Action Group to provide additional parking capacity at the hospital.

·         The progression of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework means that there would only be an intensification of travel to and from the hospital as the number of residents within the borough increased.

·         It was queried whether consideration could be given to developing a bespoke solution for Aber Avenue as its location was such that it could be considered by some visitors to be part of the hospital grounds.

·         In response to a suggestion that residents permit parking signage could be left in situ for those schemes that would no longer be enforced, it was stated the Council could not leave obsolete signage and unenforced schemes in place as it would undermine the credibility of enforcement across the borough.

RESOLVED – (1) That the outcome of the consultation with local residents, and specifically the overwhelming opposition to the scheme as proposed and the principles of a resident-paid permit scheme, be noted.

(2) That the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport be recommended to not proceed further with the proposals.

(3) That it be noted that the Council would continue to work with the hospital and monitor residents’ concerns in an attempt to address local issues.

(4) That it be noted that free residents permit parking schemes are not always enforceable ad are being phased out, and that the Council would consult with affected residents on existing free permit schemes in the area on whether these are made chargeable or revoked in line with the Council’s policy, as such a time that the schemes are subject to maintenance of changed are requested.

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

The report details the findings of a consultation exercise for the Road Safety around Schools scheme around St Philip’s Catholic Primary School and seeks approval for the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and associated signage; amendments to the existing guard rails; and implementation of dropped kerbs with associated tactile paving and pencil bollards.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to

(1) The legal advertising of the following Traffic Regulation Order and subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders.

NO STOPPING MONDAY – FRIDAY, 8am – 5pm on School Keep Clear Markings

(2) the installation of signage; amendments to the existing guard rails; and implementation of dropped kerbs with associated tactile paving and pencil bollards associated with the above traffic regulation order.

Officer contact: Pam Hibbert on telephone number or email pam.hibbert@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the findings of a consultation exercise for a ‘Road Safety around Schools’ scheme around St Philip’s Catholic Primary School and seeking approval for the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders and associated signage; amendments to the existing guard rails; and implementation of dropped kerbs with associated tactile paving and pencil bollards.

RESOLVED- That approval be given to the following:-

(1) The legal advertising of the following Traffic Regulation Order and, subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders:-

No Stopping Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm On School Keep Clear Markings

(2) The installation of signage; amendments to the existing guard rails; and implementation of dropped kerbs with associated tactile paving and pencil bollards associated with the above traffic regulation order and as detailed in the report.

(3) That it be noted that any costs associated with this decision are to be funded from the Road Safety around Schools programme budget allocation.

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

The report details the findings of a consultation exercise for the Road Safety around Schools scheme around Dial Park Primary School and to seek approval for the introduction of dropped kerbs, tactile paving and pencil bollards.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the proposed installation of dropped kerbs and tactile paving on Half Moon Lane; and installation of dropped kerbs, tactile paving and pencil bollards at the vehicular entrance to Dial Park Primary School to be funded from the Road Safety around Schools programme budget allocation.

Officer contact: Pam Hibbert on telephone number or email pam.hibbert@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the findings of a consultation exercise for a ‘Road Safety around Schools’ scheme at Dial Park Primary School and to seek approval for the introduction of dropped kerbs, tactile paving and pencil bollards.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the proposed road safety around schools scheme around Dial Park Primary School for the installation of dropped kerbs and tactile paving on Half Moon Lane; and installation of dropped kerbs, tactile paving and pencil bollards at the vehicular entrance to Dial Park Primary School and as detailed in the report, to be funded from the Road Safety around Schools programme budget allocation.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Mark Weldon.

The Chair reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Mark Weldon.

Councillor Weldon reported that the premises at 314b Buxton Road, Great Moor had obtained planning permission under a number of years ago under delegated powers exercised by officers for a material change of use of the premises to provide massage services.  Councillor Weldon stated that he had concerns with regard to the appropriateness of location of the premises within the middle of the Great Moor local shopping centre, and the location and scale of the advertising at the site.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was commented that local residents and ward councillors had not been aware of the proposed development until after it had obtained planning consent.  It was suggested that consideration needed to be given to improvements to the notification process around the submission of development applications.

·         It was queried what specific objections members had in relation to the lawful operation of such a business in Great Moor.  In response, Councillor Weldon stated that the nature of the advertising on the premises may not be considered appropriate within the wider context of the area in which it was situated.

·         It was stated that it was important that the police, licensing authority and the planning authority were made aware of this area committee’s concerns in relation to the premises and that a further examination of its operations from a planning enforcement perspective should be undertaken.

·         The proximity of the premises to a local primary school was noted.

RESOLVED - (1) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to investigate this development from an enforcement perspective to determine whether any action could be taken with regard to the potential unauthorised advertising.

(2) (2 against) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be appraised of this Area Committee’s concerns in relation to the location of the development.

(3) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to identify a mechanism by which potentially sensitive development applications could be highlighted to ward councillors through the planning notification process.

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: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3218 or email: damian.eaton@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 since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and the current position on Area Flexibility Funding.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         An update was requested with regard to concerns previously expressed by the Area Committee with regard to ‘rat-running’ along Akesmoor Drive and Brooklyn Road.

·         It was noted that members had requested that reports be brought to a future meeting of the area committee in relation to proposals for resurfacing on Maxwell Avenue and Aber Avenue/ Crown Mews.

·         An update was requested on the proposal for the provision of a pedestrian crossing on Commercial Road, Hazel Grove.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.