Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and order that the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2021 be signed.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 9 March 2021 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 interest was declared:-

Personal Interests

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

The chair thanked Councillor Booth for her nine years of service to the area committee and the wider borough in advance of her forthcoming retirement from the Council.

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.

Five public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to a lack of parking enforcement officers on Aber Avenue and what the reasons for a lack of enforcement of permitted parking were.

·         Relating to whether the new residents’ parking policy had been devised by elected members or by council officers.

·         Relating to the new resident’s parking policy and why it was being implemented despite significant concerns from local residents with the pilot scheme.

·         Relating to whether the area committee agreed with the idea that the new parking policy would have a punitive financial effect on local residents.

·         Relating to the implementation of residents’ feedback into the new parking policy and whether the area committee could guarantee a reintroduction of parking enforcement in the Stepping Hill area.

The Chair agreed to exercise his discretion under the Constitution to group these questions together on the grounds that they were similar in nature and all related to the same topic.

The following comments were made /issues raised:-

·         It was commented that high costs and significant time commitment were limiting factors in the level of parking enforcement available to monitor free parking schemes. However, residents were encouraged to report any ongoing issues directly to the council and consideration would be given to targeted enforcement on a case-by-case basis.

·         Concern was expressed that local residents did not feel that they had been heard on this issue despite having strongly opposed the parking scheme during the consultation process.

·         Members supported the notion that the area around Stepping Hill Hospital required a bespoke solution due to the significant local pressures on parking spaces for residents, citing the examples of Aber Avenue and Ripley Avenue. It was emphasised that the overall borough-wide parking policy would need to be more adaptable in order to accommodate local needs in Stepping Hill.

·         Members suggested that it was unlikely that further funding would become available from central government in the long term for an improved parking scheme at Stepping Hill Hospital. It was noted that a solution would have to be found at a local level and that this would be best achieved by cooperating more closely with local MPs and the relevant cabinet member on this issue.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

The Resident Parking Policy was updated at the December cabinet meeting. As part of that agreement it has been decided that a prioritised approach to the backlog of residents parking zone (RPZ)/ resident parking schemes (RPS) requests will be implemented.

This report provides an update on the residents parking zones/ schemes.

The area committee is recommended to note that preferred priorities with regards to the delivery of potential schemes within their area will be discussed at ward briefings and note the potential costs and the resource requirements for scheme delivery.

Officer contact: Jon Brown on 07800 618197 or email: jon.brown@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the updated Residents Parking Policy that had been approved by the Cabinet in December 2020.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         There was limited enforcement of existing residents permit parking schemes, and it was queried whether residents could provide evidence of parking contraventions.  In response it was stated that ‘free schemes’ would continue to receive limited enforcement, and that residents should report any issues so that enforcement could be targeted appropriately.

·         It was noted that responsibility for initiating schemes lay with area committees and this introduced new pressures on the already limited ward delegated budgets which had not seen any increase to fund these proposals.

·         It was commented that resident parking schemes needed to become self-funding and cost-neutral to the Council and any revenue generated would be reinvested into the maintenance and enforcement of the schemes.

·         The cost to area committees’ budgets would be different depending on the nature of the proposed scheme.

·         Members questioned whether the decision-making around potential parking schemes would be member, officer or resident led. It was commented that decisions would be led by member discussions in the first instance, with officers assisting to balance the needs of the area. It was noted that the aim of this was to provide more adaptable and bespoke schemes for local residents.

·         Consideration needed to be given to the arrangements for the provision of permits for carers as they may need to park in multiple schemes across the borough to provide essential care and should not be subject to unreasonable costs or inconvenience to do so.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Chair write to the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport detailing the concerns expressed by the Area Committee with regard to the updated Resident Parking Policy.

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 (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) 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 for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Hazel Grove Cricket Club for a grant of £1,000 towards the cost of purchasing an electronic scoreboard.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) reported on the receipt of an application received on behalf of Hazel Grove Cricket Club for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of purchasing an electronic scoreboard.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Hazel Grove Cricket Club for a grant of £1000 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of purchasing an electronic scoreboard.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executuive.

The following development applications will be considered by the Area Committee:-

Development applications were 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 (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) outlined the procedure for public speaking on planning applications.

Erection of two residential single-storey apartments to echo and enhance the existing site of retired sheltered accommodation (resubmission of DC/070910)

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission; subject to conditions and Section 106 Legal Agreement to provide and maintain formal recreation in respect of the “Open Space Provision and Commuted Sum Payments SPD” and relevant planning policies.

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

In respect of plan no. DC076387 for the erection of two residential single-storey apartments to echo and enhance the existing site of retired sheltered accommodation (resubmission of DC/070910) at Battersby Court, Old Hall Drive, Offerton,

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

It was then

MOVED AND SECONDED – That planning permission be refused on the grounds that the proposed development made inadequate provision for accessible parking, the removal of trees and that it would result in a detrimental impact on residential amenity.

For the motion 2 for, 7 against

MOTION NOT CARRIED

It was then

RESOLVED – (1) (7 for, 1 against, 1 abstention) That the Corporate Director be authorised to determine the application subject to the completion of successful negotiations with the applicant to secure two fully compliant disabled parking spaces within the curtilage of the application site.

(2) That it be noted that in the eventuality that such negotiations were unsuccessful that the matter would be remitted back to the Area Committee for determination.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer).

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 (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee area.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

The report confirms that the Council has launched a “call for brownfield sites” to support work on our new Local Plan.  This briefing note provides more information on the activities taking place to promote the current call for brownfield sites exercise.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report and encourage local residents to get involved.

Officer contact: Emma Curle on 0161 474 3542 or email emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) confirming that the Council has launched a “call for brownfield sites” to support work on the new Local Plan and providing more information on the activities taking place to promote the current call for brownfield sites exercise.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

To report details a proposal to undertake a design study into constructing a footway over / across the bell-mouth entry between No. 133A and the Fortune Take-Away premises on Lisburne Lane (there are service covers on this part of the Highway) and appraise the total costs involved.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the undertaking of a design study as detailed above at a cost of £750 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Offerton ward allocation).

Officer contact: Max Townsend on 0161 474 4861 or email: max.townsend@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to undertake a design study into constructing a footway over/ across the bell-mouth entry between No. 133A and the Fortune Take-Away premises on Lisburne Lane and to appraise the total costs involved.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the undertaking of a design study into constructing a footway over / across the bell-mouth entry between No. 133A and the Fortune Take-Away premises on Lisburne Lane and appraise the total costs involved at a cost of £750 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Offerton ward allocation).

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer).

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 Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) to provide an update on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and to detail the current position on area flexibility funding. The report also included the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.

It was noted that the area committee balances had been updated in the report for the new financial year with renewed delegated and ward flexibility funding budgets for the area committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.