Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chair of the Area Committee until the next Annual Council meeting.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Will Dawson be elected Chair of the Area Committee for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

To appoint a Vice-Chair of the Area Committee until the next Annual Council meeting.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Grace Baynham be appointed Vice-Chair of the Area Committee for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2021.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 20 April 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 interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

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

The Chair welcomed newly elected members to their first meeting of the Area Committee.

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.

Two public questions were submitted as follows:

·         Relating to the justification for the alteration of the bus stop at the junction of Bonis Crescent and Buxton Road, and the usage of this stop by bus drivers to wait for extended periods of time and the consequent impact this had on traffic congestion in the locality.

In response, members expressed sympathy with the questioner regarding the impact of the bus stop on highway safety, but noted that the placement of local bus stops largely fell within the remit of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and not the Council.  It was suggested that consideration could be given to those buses heading to the terminus at Stepping Hill Hospital omit this stop, thereby preventing the bus from having to cross several lanes of traffic to make the right hand turn into the hospital site.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director (Place) be requested to clarify the rationale for the alterations made to the bus stop at the junction of Bonis Crescent and Buxton Road and the process that was followed in making those alterations.

(2) That Transport for Greater Manchester be requested to clarify whether the bus stop at the junction of Bonis Crescent and Buxton Road was a designated waiting point for bus services.

·         Relating to development on strategic open spaces within the borough and whether it was compatible with the Stockport Council Plan 2021/22, with particular reference to pages 13 and 14.

RESOLVED – That the question be referred to the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

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 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 (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

The report details the outcome of the results of a consultation for Potential Public Open Space, Hazel Grove that was undertaken to obtain views from local residents about the potential of making the area between Darley Road, Ashbourne Road, Macclesfield Road and A555 an area accessible to the public as green space for recreation.

The Area Committee is requested to consider the results of the consultation and recommend that the Corporate Director (Place) gives approval to the area remaining accessible for maintenance purposes only, with the access gate being locked, only to be opened to allow maintenance teams to access the site, and locked immediately after they have accessed the site.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the outcome of the results of a consultation for Potential Public Open Space, Hazel Grove that was undertaken to obtain views from local residents about the potential of making the area between Darley Road, Ashbourne Road, Macclesfield Road and A555 an area accessible to the public as green space for recreation.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Members thanked local residents for their active participation in the consultation and in encouraging others to engage with the process and making their opinions clear that the land should not be open.

·         Members noted resident’s concerns with regard to the access gate to the site, and suggested that the installation of a larger gate would give more assurance to the residents of the surrounding roads.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director (Place) be recommended to give approval to the area remaining accessible for maintenance purposes only, with the access gate being locked, only to be opened to allow maintenance teams to access the site, and locked immediately after they have accessed the site.

(2) That Corporate Director (Place) be recommended to replace the existing gate with a larger, more secure gate to prevent unauthorised access.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & 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. 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 a detached, two-storey, two-bedroom dwelling house (Use Class C3(a)) to the rear of 7 Berkeley Road, with associated parking, landscaping and boundary treatments, using the existing vehicle access to Garthland Road, and the creation of a new vehicle access to Berkeley Road, with associated parking area.

The Area Committee is recommended to refuse planning permission.

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

In respect of plan no. DC079870 for the erection of a detached, two-storey, two-bedroom dwelling house (Use Class C3(a)) to the rear of 7 Berkeley Road, with associated parking, landscaping and boundary treatments, using the existing vehicle access to Garthland Road, and the creation of a new vehicle access to Berkeley Road, with associated parking area at 7 Berkeley Road, Hazel Grove,

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

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be refused for the reasons specified in the schedule of plans.

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 Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) summarising recent appeal decisions; and listing current planning appeals and dates for local enquiries, informal hearings for 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 (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

The report details a proposal to hold the Annual Review of Outcomes on Friday, 8 October 2021.

It is recommended that the Area Committee:-

(1) Nominate of a recently completed development site to be included on the list of sites to be inspected on the Annual Review Tour; and

(3) Nominate up to two Members to attend the Annual Review of Outcome Tour.

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

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) requesting that the Area Committee give consideration to the arrangements for the 2021 tour.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the recently completed development sites at (i) Hexham Close and  (ii) Hampson Court, Commercial Road be nominated to be included on the list of sites to be inspected on the Annual Review Tour.

(3) That Councillor Paul Ankers and Councillor Will Dawson be nominated to attend the Tour.

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

The report details a proposal for the placement of a pedestrian guard rail (including preliminary works) on Buxton Road at an entrance to Torkington Park following concerns that a child could run (unhindered) out of the park via the entrance and straight into the road which is a very busy arterial route.

The Area Committee is recommended to determine whether to give approval to proposal for the placement of a pedestrian guard rail on Buxton Road at the entrance to Torkington Park at a cost of £3,970.57 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Hazel Grove 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 for the placement of a pedestrian guard rail (including preliminary works) on Buxton Road at an entrance to Torkington Park following concerns that a child could run (unhindered) out of the park via the entrance and straight into the road which is a very busy arterial route.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Members sought clarity over whether the plan would be solely for the installation of bollards and not a guardrail. In response, it was commented that the plan was for two new bollards to be installed.

·         Members expressed their strong concerns that the bollards would only create an illusion of a barrier and would not physically prevent unhindered access to the road in practice. 

·         Concern was expressed that the proposals contained within the report may represent too high a cost for the level of safety that they would provide. It was suggested that further work could be done to provide a better solution for road safety in this instance.

RESOLVED – That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director (place) in consultation with the ward highway spokespersons to determine the appropriate solution to be implemented at this location subject to further discussions in relation to the proposed solution and the associated costings.

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

The report sets out an application received by the Council to hold a Funfair in Torkington Park over 2 weekends in July.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the application.

Officer contact: Jacky Budd on 0161 474 3332 or email:  jacky.budd@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) setting out an application received by the Council to hold a Funfair in Torkington Park over 2 weekends in July.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to an application received from Morleys Funfair to hold a Funfair in Torkington Park over 2 weekends in July (1-4 July and 9-11 July 2021).

(2) That approval be given to exempting of the executive decision from call-in on the grounds that it would not be possible for the event to take place as planned were it subject to the necessary call-in requirements as the applicant required access to the site prior to the expiration of the call-in period.

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

The report sets out an application received by the Council to hold an Inflatable Fun Weekend at Torkington Park 17th - 18th July 2021.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the application.

Officer contact: Jacky Budd on 0161 474 3332 or email:  jacky.budd@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) setting out an application received by the Council to hold an Inflatable Fun Weekend at Torkington Park 17th - 18th July 2021.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from JK Events to hold an Inflatable Fun Weekend at Torkington Park between 17 and 18 July 2021.

The Area Committee is invited to nominate Ward Spokespersons with whom the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive can consult on highway maintenance and traffic management matters.

The Area Committee is recommended to nominate Ward Spokespersons for each of the Hazel Grove, Offerton and Stepping Hill wards.

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

The Area Committee was invited to nominate Ward Spokespersons with whom the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive can consult on highway maintenance and traffic management matters.

RESOLVED – That the following councillors be appointed to act as the Highway Ward Spokespersons for 2021/22 with whom officers would liaise over traffic and highways matters:-

Hazel Grove Ward

Councillor Paul Ankers

Councillor Oliver Johnstone

Offerton Ward

Councillor Wendy Meikle

Stepping Hill Ward

Councillor Grace Baynham

Councillor Rory Leonard

Councillor John Wright

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

The Area Committee is invited to consider the nomination of councillors to represent the Council on the Hazel Grove Community Association.

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) requesting that the Area Committee appoint representatives of the Council to the Hazel Grove Community Association.

RESOLVED – That the following councillors be nominated to represent the Council on the Hazel Grove Community Association:-

Councillor Lou Ankers

Councillor Paul Ankers

Councillor Oliver Johnstone

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

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

Councillor Wright reported that he had asked for this item to be included on the agenda to facilitate a discussion in relation to the parking situation on Lake Street. It was reported that local residents believed that a local mechanic was also selling cars and that these cars were being parked on the side of the road for long-term storage, further exacerbating the ongoing parking issue on the street. Councillor Wright sought clarity on what legally enforceable action could be taken to ease the parking issue via the removal of the on-sale vehicles.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Members felt that this issue, as a reflection of wider parking issues across the borough, could best be dealt with by a change in parking policy by the Council and that more enforceable measures would need to be put in place in order to prevent individuals from storing and selling cars at the street-side.

·         It was noted that further issues on Lake Street exacerbated the parking problem, such as its proximity to Stockport School.

·         It was commented that this issue had been raised previously with parking enforcement officers and that subsequently local businesses had been spoken to with regard to their use of on-street parking. Members noted that an officer report on this issue would help to further understand the problems in the area, as well as offer a more tangible method to reduce on-street parking on Lake Street and across the Stepping Hill area.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive be requested to submit a report to a future meeting of the Area Committee, outlining the current position with regard to the sale of cars at the road side and the powers that the council had or could employ.

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) 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.