Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 August 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 18 August 2020 were approved as a correct record.

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 interest(s) w(as)(ere) declared:-

Personal Interest

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

There were no announcements 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 put questions to the Chair on ay 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:-

·         Relating to the potential loss of part of Mirrlees Field for a housing development.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) advised members that while no planning application had yet been submitted for the future use of this site, members should avoid making any comments that may give rise to a suggestion of predetermination at such a point that an application was submitted.

Members noted the importance of the green space to the local community and expressed concern at the potential loss of local amenity space.  It was noted that the site currently featured accessible footpaths and that these needed to be protected.  Residents were encouraged to maintain their interest and engagement with ongoing developments in this area.

·         Relating to whether the area committee would reject the parking strategy report that was due for consideration later on the agenda for the meeting on the basis that it sought to implement the approach across Stockport that had already rejected by 95% of Stepping Hill residents.

Councillors agreed that the parking report did not adequately respond to the feedback from residents obtained during the consultation on the Stepping Hill CPZ.  It was suggested that the proposed Residents Parking Strategy did not offer the opportunity for a bespoke solution for residents in the Stepping Hill area and concern was expressed that following the rejection of the Stepping Hill CPZ, the strategy had not been fundamentally revised.

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.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) reported that this this item had been placed on the agenda in error, however it was confirmed the officers from the Neighbourhoods Team would be in contact with members in the near future to identify priorities for their wards, and that they would report back to future meetings of the area committee on their progress in targeting these priorities.

It was requested that officers investigate ongoing issues of anti-social behaviour on the park at Half Moon Lane, Offerton and that consideration be given to implementing solutions that would prevent unauthorised access to the site.

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 Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (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 Area Flexibility Funding or to receive feedback from organisations who have received funding.

There were no applications to consider.

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 Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration 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).

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

Erection of a two-storey rear extension following the demolition of the existing rear building and Change of Use from a place of worship (Use Class D1) to 8 x one-bedroom residential flats (Use Class C3(a)), with associated access, infrastructure and landscaping.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission subject to conditions and Section 106 Legal Agreement in respect of payments to fund Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for parking restrictions, and to provide and maintain formal recreation and children’s play space and facilities.

Officer Contact: Helen Hodgett on 0161 474 3656 or email: helen.hodgett@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. DC075882 for the erection of a two-storey rear extension following the demolition of the existing rear building and Change of Use from a place of worship (Use Class D1) to 8 x one bedroom residential flats (Use Class C3(a)), with associated access, infrastructure and landscaping at Offerton Methodist Church, 159 Marple Road, Offerton

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

It was then

RESOLVED – (1) (7 for, 1 against, 1 abstention) That planning permission be granted.

(2) That Section 106 funding accrued from this application, for the purpose of providing and maintaining formal recreation and children’s play space and facilities, be allocated to St John’s Wood, Offerton.

(3) That, should it not be possible to impose a specific site as part of the determination for this application, the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be informed of this area committee’s strongly held view and recommendation to allocate Section 106 funding accrued from this application, for the purpose of providing and maintaining formal recreation and children’s play space and facilities, to St John’s Wood, Offerton.

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 Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) (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.

On the last week of July and first week of August 2019, extreme rainfall events hit parts of north-west England and the south Pennines, with flooding observed across Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The main event day was 31st July 2019.

This report presents the various aspects of the flood events in July and specifically incorporates the draft Independent Section 19 Investigation Report in accordance with the Flood & Water Management Act (FWMA) 2010 on the investigation into the flooding events undertaken independently by Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers.

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

fficer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk or Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the various aspects of the flood events that occurred on the last week of July and first week of August 2019 and specifically incorporated the draft Independent Section 19 Investigation Report in accordance with the Flood & Water Management Act (FWMA) 2010 on the investigation into the flooding events that had been undertaken independently by Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         A number of the appendices to the report were only made available to Members shortly in advance of the commencement of the meeting and so it was commented that the report should be brought back to the next meeting for further analysis once there had been sufficient opportunity to consider this material.

·         Members raised concerns that some of the recommendations following previous flooding in 2016 had not yet been addressed. It was commented that the Council was working with local residents to provide solutions such as involving residents in putting out signage when there were road closures. It was noted that there remained ongoing issues with regard to those repairs undertaken following successful insurance insofar as the damage was rectified, but insurers would not pay for flood mitigation measures to prevent a recurrence in the future.

·         Concern was expressed that the report was inconclusive and that some roads were missing that had been affected by the flooding. It was commented that the independent consultant had only focused on particular hotspots but that the Council were aware of further areas that had been affected and were consulting with local residents to address problems.

·         Members asked that the report be updated to include measures that had been taken since the flooding such as the installation of a new pump system on the A555 so that residents would be aware of this. It was commented that there would be a separate report at a later date covering what had changed since the flooding.

·         Clarification was sought about what measures were being taken in regard to bodies of water, such as Toddbrook Reservoir, that were outside the local area but still posed a flood risk. It was commented that the failure of the dam wall at the reservoir had resulted in a separate investigation and subsequent recommendations and that the Council was involved in the creation of an emergency flood plan for any potentially affected areas. It was noted that central Government had also developed specific flood action plans for these kinds of bodies of water.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

NOTE: This item has been placed on the agenda following a recommendation of the Communities & Housing Scrutiny Committee.

The Council placed a moratorium on the introduction of any new resident parking schemes in 2019 to enable a full review of the existing approach to be taken. This review was required as elements of the existing policy were not working effectively and were not meeting the needs of residents. There were also concerns relating to the impact of schemes on local services and the town and district centres. In order to ensure a coordinated approach, it was agreed that all policies and procedures relating to residents parking, including the Town Centre, would be reviewed.

In light of the above, the purpose of this paper is:

·         To seek comments on the proposed revised principles to guide future parking policy decisions

·         To seek feedback on the proposed changes to resident parking policy and town centre parking policy to reflect the revised principles.

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

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposed revised principles to guide future parking policy decisions and seeking feedback on the proposed changes to resident parking policy and town centre parking policy to reflect the revised principles.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the proposal to offer free parking permits to elected members and that this was not necessary.

·         The solution to the parking issues in the Stepping Hill area was for government intervention to build a new multi-storey car park at Stepping Hill hospital, however this was unlikely at the current time.

·         Members raised concerns that the report offered proposals that seemed very similar to those that had previously been rejected in the Stepping Hill CPZ proposals.

·         Members discussed the possibility of measures such as limited stay parking being used to address the particular needs of the area around Stepping Hill Hospital. However, in response it was commented that while such a solution would possible within the scope of the proposed strategy this kind of solution was very labour intensive and in practical terms it would be very difficult to enforce.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the level of the charges that may be imposed for permits under the scheme.

·         Concerns were raised around the use of mobile payments for car parking. It was commented that traditional payment systems would continue to be available so that parking remained accessible to all.

·         It was noted that there was a remote meeting coming up shortly with the Chief Executive of Stepping Hill Hospital and it would be useful for members of the area committee to attend to raise the ongoing parking issues around the hospital.

·         Should the proposed approach to residents parking be approved, then officers would work with ward councillors to determine their priorities for their areas.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report advises the Committee of objections received to the proposed introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders associated with the Bramhall Park to A6 walking and cycling scheme, and seek associated approvals.

The Area Committee is asked to note the objections received and make associated recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

Officer contact: Alex Purrier on 07881327112 or email:  alex.purrier@stockport.gov.uk

(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 (as amended) to allow the area committee give prompt consideration to objections to the proposed scheme in advance of its consideration by the Cabinet Member).

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) advising the Area Committee of objections received to the proposed introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders associated with the Bramhall Park to A6 walking and cycling scheme, and seek associated approvals.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Discussions took place in relation to proposed changes to parking arrangements in a number of locations that may result in an overall reduction in parking capacity as legacy echelon parking facilities were removed to prevent conflicts between vehicles reversing our into oncoming traffic.

·         Members expressed the view that the existing echelon parking compromised road safety and disrupted traffic flows.

·         Disabled parking spaces were to be retained as part of the proposals.

·         It was suggested that tree planting introduced as part of the scheme should incorporate semi-mature trees.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Area Committee express its support and endorsement for the recommendations contained within the report.

(2) That the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration be recommended to make the orders as advertised.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The Area Committee is invited to nominate a councillor to lay a wreath on behalf of the Council at Hazel Grove War Memorial on Sunday, 8 November 2020.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email: damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk 

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance)  submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to appoint a councillor to lay a wreath at the Hazel Grove War Memorial on 8 November 2020.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Charles Gibson be appointed to lay a wreath on behalf of the Council at the Hazel Grove War Memorial on Sunday, 8 November 2020.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Grace Baynham.

Councillor Baynham reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at her requested.

Councillor Baynham reported that traffic surveys had previously been undertaken on Brooklyn Road and Akesmoor Drive, and that the data obtained from these did not demonstrate that speeds that the Highways Team considered was sufficient for any traffic calming interventions.  However, Councillor Baynham expressed the view that there was anecdotal evidence that the route was being used for ‘’rat-running’.

Councillor Baynham further stated that a similar situation had been occurring on Longmead Avenue and Carrisbrook Avenue and that there was the additional factor of the close proximity of this route to St Peter’s Catholic Primary School.

Finally, it was stated that there seemed to have been an increase in the number of accidents on Bramhall Lane and it was suggested that it would be useful to undertake a study ascertain whether there was a common factor.

In response to these issues, it was stated that members had regular meetings with their local highways officers where these issues could be raised and addressed.  It was further stated that there had been a number of requests for ‘active neighbourhood’ zones which may work better to control traffic as an area wide scheme than ad hoc arrangements.

RESOLVED – That the position be noted.

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 3207 or email: damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager presented a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating Members 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.

RESOLVED – that the report be noted.