Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 May 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 24 May 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

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

The following interest was declared:-

Personal & Prejudicial Interest

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Area Committee.

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

(a)   The Chair announced, with regret, the recent death of former councillor Owen Breen. On behalf of the Area Committee she expressed the deepest condolences to Mr Breen’s family.

(b)   The Chair announced that the Torkington Carnival would be taking place between 9-10 July 2011.

(a)   Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise neighbourhood policing issues with local Neighbourhood Policing Team.

(b)   Mr Stephen Thompson, the Council’s Parking Manager, will attend the meeting to discuss with councillors issues related to illegal and inconsiderate parking in the vicinity of local primary schools.

(a)   Sergeant Jim Lockett (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer question 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 issues were raised/ comments made:-

• An increased focus on tackle anti-social behaviour had lead to a large reduce.
• Recent spike in burglaries and car thefts in the East Neighbourhood Policing area, though mostly concentrated in the Bredbury and Woodley areas.
• Recent arrest of a suspect in relation to the theft of grids although there continued to be incidences of this occurring. Concern was expressed that this crime was not being given sufficient priority.
• Welcomed work with licensees in Hazel Grove through the Pub Watch Scheme and a reduction in anti-social behaviour.
• Recurring break-ins at the Co-op on Fulmar Drive and the need to provide support and advice to the management to ensure that such incidences are reduced and the business remains viable as they provide a vital local service.

RESOLVED – That Sgt Lockett be thanked for his attendance.

(b)   Steve Thompson, (Head of Parking, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors in relation to parking enforcement issues in the vicinity of local schools.

Councillors expressed concern that there was insufficient enforcement activity taking place around local schools during the morning and afternoon peaks to tackle inconsideration, illegal and dangerous parking.

Mr Thompson explained that it was not illegal for motorists to park and drop off passengers on waiting restrictions, particularly ‘vulnerable’ passengers, provided that the motorist did not use the opportunity to engage in conversations etc, which in most cases meant that parents were not parking illegally. He also clarified that with current capacity it was only possible to resource two visits per school per term.

Sgt Lockett also clarified the powers of the Police in respect of traffic and parking enforcement and in particular the power to issue fixed penalties for unnecessary obstruction of the highway.

The following additional issues were raised:-

·         Persistent problems with parking outside Warren Wood School causing significant traffic problems. Concern about the lack of feedback from officers to councillors when these issues were reported.

·         Confirmation that there was not a widespread problem with unenforceable no stopping ‘zig zag’ restrictions outside schools.

·         Although not necessarily a high priority for the Police, obstruction of the highway was often a significant concern to the public. The possibility that changes to the legislation to allow the Council to enforce against these offences would be welcomed.

RESOLVED – That Steve Thompson be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

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 at the meeting and on the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/areacommittees).

No public questions were submitted.

The local Area Conditions Officer and the Highways Officer will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at previous committee meetings. Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise issues affecting local environment quality.

Chris Pollitt (Assistant Streetscene Co-ordination Manager) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer question from Councillors and members of the public in relation to highway issues within the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

The following issues were made/ issues raised:

• Ongoing efforts to remove defunct street signage in the area.
• Work programmed to resurface Torkington Lane.
• Work with the Police to reduce thefts of grids. Ongoing programme of replacement of missing grids.
• Anticipation that work to make the new junction at ASDA in Hazel Grove operation would be completed by 5 September.

RESOLVED – (1) That Chris Pollitt be thanked for his attendance.

(2) That the Service Director (Place Management) be requested to circulate to members details of the contact for enquiries about the ASDA junction works.

To receive petitions from members of the public and community groups.

On behalf of tenants and residents of Bosden Hall Road, Hazel Grove Councillor Hogg submitted a 41 signature petition requesting that the age restrictions on Stockport Homes properties in that area are not reduced. The petition had originally been submitted to the Hazel Grove Ward Committee.

Councillors suggested that Stockport Homes should consider the profile of the wider community in any given location before deciding to reduce age restrictions on their properties, particularly in areas where there was a high proportion of sheltered accommodation.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to the Executive Councillor (Communities) and the Chief Executive of Stockport Homes for further consideration and that they be informed that this Area Committee supports their objection to the reduction in age restrictions on properties on Bosden Hall Road.

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 Democratic Services Manager reported that no organisation had indicated 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 no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal & Democratic Services)

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: Joy Morton, 0161 474 3217, joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Legal & Democratic Services) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements with the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the East Area Local Housing Manager (Stockport Homes Limited)

The report provides an update on progress with delivering the Stockport Homes Neighbourhood Action Plans for Offerton and Hazel Grove and details issues for the update of the plans. Summaries of the plans are attached to the report.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the outcomes from the earlier neighbourhood action plans and comment on the updated summary plan for 2011/2012.

Officer contact: Rebecca Cullen, 0161 474 2944, rebecca.cullen@stockporthomes.org

Representatives of the East Area Local Housing Manager, Stockport Homes, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on progress with delivering the Stockport Homes Neighbourhood Action Plans for areas within the Stepping Hill Area Committee area and seeking feedback on the 2011-12 iteration of the plans.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

• The need to take account of the wider community context when considering reducing age restrictions.
• Welcomed work to improve Bean Leach Road Play Park. Further work needed to be done to address problems with youths misbehaving.
• Welcomed work to review communal doors and the response to emergencies arising from these facilities.
• The new Marhill Court accommodation was commended both for the standard of build and for its environmental elements.
• Expanding the provision of small play areas such as those at Standford Road would be welcomed.

RESOLVED – That progress with the Stockport Homes Neighbourhood Actions Plans be welcomed.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Environment)

The report details the current situation in relation to the proposed traffic management measures on Bramhall Moor Lane, Hazel Grove that had previously been considered by this Area Committee and the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee and approved by the then Executive Councillor (Transportation).

Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Executive Councillor (Transportation) approves the detailed design for the locations recommended in paragraphs 2.2 (a) – (c) of the report in conjunction with the measures outlined in paragraphs 2.5 (a) – (d) of the report and the scheme is progressed at the earliest opportunity.

Officer contact: Andy Marsh, 0161 474 4903, andrew.marsh@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Environment) submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) updating the Area Committee on the current situation with respect to proposed traffic management measures on Bramhall Moor Lane, Hazel Grove previously considered and endorsed by the Area Committee and the Executive Councillor (Transportation). The report detailed proposed amendments to the crossing at the Bramhall Moor Lane and the Pennine Road/ Dorchester Road junction following the completion of a safety audit.

Members discussed possible alternative crossing facilities and the relative merits and disadvantages of these alternatives.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Transportation) be recommended to approve the detailed design for the locations of the elements of the proposed Puffin Crossing in the vicinity of the Bramhall Moor Lane/ Pennine Road/ Dorchester Road junction as detailed in paragraphs 2.2(a) – (c) of the report in conjunction with the measure outlined in paragraphs 2.5 (a) – (d) and that the scheme be progressed at the earliest opportunity.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Education)

The Area Committee is requested to note the vacancy at Great Moor Junior School (Labour Group nomination).

Officer contact: Libby Evans, 0161 474 3847, libby.evans@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Education) (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a Local Authority Governor vacancy at Great Moor Junior School (Labour Group nomination)

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Communities)

The report details commuted sums accrued to the Council from planning applications for use for play provision in the Stepping Hill Area Committee area. The report also sets out proposals for the use of these sums.

That the Area Committee decide and approve the allocation of the commuted sums described in this report and appendix as follows:

·               The use of £167.31 for the improvement of Blair Close play area.    (sum 996 - 116 Chester Road, Hazel Grove)

·               The use of £501.93 at Boothby Street Recreation Ground towards the cost of resurfacing the access paths to the play area. (sum 964 - land adj. 1a Castle Farm Lane, Great Moor)

·               The use of £1840.41 at Green Lane play area Hazel Grove towards the improvement project to be carried out this year with commuted sums already committed. (sum 993 - Hafod, Hope Street, Hazel Grove)

Officer contact: Vanessa Brook, 474 4446, vanessa.brook@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Communities) (copies of which had been circulated) detailing commuted sums accrued to the Council from planning applications for use for play provision in the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee and proposing the allocation of a number of sums for improvements to local areas of play.

RESOLVED – That the use of the following commuted sums from local planning developments for play provision be approved:-

• Sum 964 (£501.93) for the improvement of the access paths at Boothby Street Play Area
• Sum 993 (£1840.41) to supplement other sums for the improvement project at Green Lane Play Area
• Sum 996 (£167.31) for improvement at Blair Close Play Area

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: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@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 by the Area Committee, the current position on Area Flexibility Funding and the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budgets.

A representative of the Service Director (Environment) provided updates in respect of the following issues:-

(i)           Chester Road, Hazel Grove – weight restriction (Minute 8 of 9 November, Minute 14 of 14 December 2010 and Minute 15 of 24 May 2011 refer)

It was reported that due to the complexity of the road network at this location the cost of an environmental weight restriction would be prohibitive. Advisory signage had been agreed with the ward spokesperson in 2010/11 and was currently with the Department for Transport for approval. It was also reported that further contact would be made with satellite navigation providers to investigate the possibility of warnings being made through these systems about the inappropriateness of this route for HGVs.

(ii)         Bean Leach Road – weight restriction (Minute 8 of 9 November 2010 and Minute 15 of 24 May 2011 refer)

It was reported that investigations had revealed that there was not wide spread infringement of the existing width restrictions and any additional signage would not have a noticeable impact on compliance. It was suggested that physical measures to support the width restriction may have been more appropriate although there would be a cost associated with this and consideration needed to be given to maintaining access to nearby farm buildings.

(iii)       A6 Great Moor (Minute 5 of 25 January 2011 refers)

It was reported that the new parking scheme and bays, including signage, would be completed by the end of July.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Service Director (Environment) be requested to provide an update as part of the next report on progress with those elements of the Bramhall Moor Lane traffic management scheme on the northern portion of the road.