Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2022.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 8 March 2022 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 & Prejudicial Interest

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

The Chair informed the Committee that as part of the Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Fund to constituents, there was still £9000 available in every ward for projects that would reduce greenhouse gases in Stockport. Any group was able apply for up to £500, and the CAN team had just announced this week an additional tier to the Fund that could support larger projects in the wards. Any support or information could be sourced by email to stockportCANfund@stockport.gov.uk or via the website at www.stockport.gov.uk/stockport-climate-action-now-can-fund  

The following comments were made:-

·         It was noted that some of the projects on council land were not eligible for the Stockport CAN funding. As there were not many community groups with a large store of land, a selection of community groups were losing the opportunity of funding.

·         Expressed disappointment at the relatively low numbers of applications for funding and commented on the need to better advertise the funding to encourage groups to apply.

·         Requested that Members be provided with the funding guidance detailing projects that can and cannot be funded.

·         Requested that a report be provided detailing funding to date and examples of projects which had applied for funding.

The Chair made reference to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the impact both on the people of Ukraine and residents of Stockport, including the active Ukrainian community within Stockport. The Chair recognised the large support that had been provided and the generosity of Stockport residents in making donations. It was reported that the Ukrainian Club were accepting donations again and encouraged residents to check with the group prior to donating to clarify which items were needed.

The Chair reported that speeding continued to be a primary concern for residents and wanted to provide assurance that Members were working to resolve the issue by requesting speeding data, carrying out speeding checks and encouraging the installation of cameras.

The following comments were made:-

·         Suggested that more police speed checks were required, however recognised that resourcing was a barrier.

·         Noted that Members were still finding it difficult to receive a detailed breakdown of speed figures in relation to the Speed Indicator Devices.

·         Commented on the importance of receiving incident data relating to all crashes as opposed to only serious crashes.

·         Welcomed the progress made to address the high threshold criteria required for a speed camera to be introduced.

·         Requested that it be considered for a highways officer to attend Committee to address Members concerns and questions.

·         Requested information in relation to the Greater Manchester Road Safety Scheme.

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.

Three public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to the mitigations and solutions being considered by the Council and Stepping Hill hospital to reduce the problem of parking in the area now free parking for staff at the hospital had ended.

In response the following comments were made: -

·         That Members had requested that the draft travel plan be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee for comments prior to approval.

·         That Members recognised and understood the concerns of residents as a result of the withdrawal of free staff parking.

·         Noted that the Council had no power to enforce Stepping Hill hospital to provide free staff parking.

·         Queried the sufficiency of chargeable parking and how successful free staff parking would be to reduce the parking problems in the local area.

·         Commented on the importance of health care staff during the pandemic and the morality of reintroducing parking charges.

·         Stressed the need to analyse parking availability and capacity prior to the travel plan being agreed.

·         Noted that the increase in cost of living may be having an affect on people parking on the surrounding streets.

·         Requested that Members provide feedback to the Clerk regarding the recommendations that Members would like to be considered for inclusion within the draft travel plan.

·         Relating to the measures that the Area Committee was taking to ensure that the new travel plan between the Council and NHS Trust contained monitoring and enforceability provisions.

In response the following comments were made: -

·         That the unenforceability of the previous travel plan needed to be a lesson learnt to ensure that the problem didn’t occur in the future.

·         Requested greater accountability and transparency of future travel plans.

·         Requested that representatives of the hospital and Council attend committee on an annual basis to report on their findings, performance and provide workable solutions in relation to parking.

·         It was stated that there was an absence of leadership from various parties, and that the Council needed to actively push the issue forwards.

·         Relating to the priority that Members gave to the parking problems caused by the hospital ahead of the election in May.

In response the following comments were made: -

·         That Members of the Committee prioritised the issue of parking as a result of Stepping Hill hospital and were making progress and advocating to resolve the issue at multiple levels, however did not want to make a promise within campaign leaflets that they could not keep.

·         Recognised that the issue of parking was not party political and that the Council needed to take a stronger position in guiding the hospital to considering the concerns of local residents.

·         Noted that parking had returned to pre pandemic levels and the impact that this was having on residents.

·         Noted that the cost of parking at the hospital was high and contributed to the amount of on-street parking.

·         Commented on the importance of enforceability and accountability of future travel plans.

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 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 the Capesthorne Road Platinum Jubilee Street Party Organisers  for a grant of £525 (Hazel Grove ward allocation only) towards the cost of organising a street party between 2.00pm and 8.00pm on Saturday 4June 2022. All residents have been invited to join in and there are plans for family friendly games and entertainment for all ages depending on funding.

A representative of Capesthorne Road Platinum Jubilee Street Party Organisers attended the meeting and submitted an application for a grant of £525 (Hazel Grove ward allocation only) towards the cost of organising a street party between 2.00pm and 8.00pm on Saturday 4June 2022. All residents have been invited to join in and there are plans for family friendly games and entertainment for all ages depending on funding.

The following comments were made:-

·         Welcomed the submission of the application and thanked the organisers for attending the meeting to answer Members questions and for organising the event.

·         Encouraged residents to contact their local councillors for advice, guidance and support in organising a local event to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Capesthorne Road Platinum Jubilee Street Party Organisers for a grant of £600 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of organising a street party between 2.00pm and 8.00pm on Saturday 4 June 2022.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from the Hazel Grove Carnival Association for a grant of £560 (Hazel Grove ward allocation only) towards the cost of purchasing three heavy duty Gazebos for use on the carnival field in Torkington Park to be Control and information Centres; and the First Aid tent. The Associations’ original gazebos are quite old and not in good condition and no longer fit for purpose.

A representative of Hazel Grove Carnival Association attended the meeting and submitted an application for a grant of £560 (Hazel Grove ward allocation only) towards the cost of purchasing three heavy duty Gazebos for use on the carnival field in Torkington Park to be Control and information Centres; and the First Aid tent. The Associations’ original gazebos are quite old and not in good condition and no longer fit for purpose.

The applicant reported that there had been an error in completing the application as the organisation required three gazebos at a cost of £280 each, a total cost of £840.

Members thanked the applicant for their attendance and clarification, and commented on the importance that the group buy quality gazebos that could be used for future events.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received Hazel Grove Carnival Association for a grant of £840 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of purchasing three heavy duty gazebos for use on the carnival field in Torkington Park to be used as Control and Information Centres and the First Aid tent.

There are currently no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

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 0161 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; listing current planning appeals and dates for local enquiries; informal hearings for planning appeals, and enforcement action within the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

Members requested that additional detail and an update be provided in relation to the planning appeal at Hazel Grove Railway Station.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report details a number of objections to the proposed introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) on Southwood Road, Cedar Road and Claremont Road, Stockport. The TROs are proposed as part of the Road Safety around Schools scheme around Great Moor Infant and Junior School, in Stepping Hill Ward.

The Area Committee is recommended to make the order as advertised.

Officer contact: Caroline Aylmer-Shanks on 0161 474 4840 or email: c.aylmer-shanks@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a number of objections to the proposed introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) on Southwood Road, Cedar Road and Claremont Road, Stockport. The TROs were proposed as part of the Road Safety around Schools scheme around Great Moor Infant and Junior School, in the Stepping Hill Ward.

It was commented that this was the best solution as although the loss of parking was regrettable, the safety of children was a priority.  

RESOLVED - That, notwithstanding the objection received, the Order be made as advertised.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report details a proposal to introduce carriageway markings at the junction of Torquay Grove with Belgrave Crescent in Woodsmoor.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the proposed carriageway markings at a cost of £350 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Stepping Hill Ward Allocation).

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

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to introduce carriageway markings at the junction of Torquay Grove with Belgrave Crescent in Woodsmoor.

It was commented that residents had contacted Members in relation to concerns that drivers were using Torquay Grove in the wrong direction contrary to the one-way order due to insufficient markings and welcomed the proposal.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the introduction of carriageway markings at the junction of Torquay Grove with Belgrave Crescent in Woodsmoor at a cost of £350 to be funded from this Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Stepping Hill Ward Allocation).

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report sets out an application received by the Council from Morleys Funfair to hold a Funfair at Torkington Park from Thursday 30th June to Sunday 3rd July 2022.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application subject to the organiser producing the appropriate health & safety documentation, insurances being in place and paying the fee.

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 Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application received by the Council from Morleys Funfair to hold a Funfair at Torkington Park from Thursday 30th June to Sunday 3rd July 2022.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Noted that Morley’s Funfair had operated for a number of years and had always operated responsibility in the past.

·         Whether there was an option to make changes to the operating hours.

·         Agreed that the earlier finish time in response to comments from residents was a fair compromise.

·         Requested that officers contact ward Members in relation to the specifics of the application in order to mitigate any concerns.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received by the Council from Morleys Funfair to hold a Funfair at Torkington Park from Thursday 30th June to Sunday 3rd July 2022, subject to the organiser producing the appropriate health & safety documentation, insurances being in place and paying the fee.

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: Georgia Latham on 0161 474 3229 or email:  georgia.latham@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Services 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.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Welcomed the information and response provided by officers in relation to the quality of the resurfacing and use of micro-asphalt.

·         Requested that information be provided in relation to the criteria that the service use to determine whether the road received full resurfacing or micro-asphalt patch repairs.

·         It was commented that often the excess chips were being left on the side of the road following resurfacing, which was causing an issue with drainage.

·         Requested that an estimate timeframe be provided in relation to the report on street car sales.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.