Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 October 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 25 October 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.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal & Prejudicial Interest

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

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

There were no announcements made.

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

PCSO Jonathan Ackerley (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer questions 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:-

• There had been a reduction in crime for the period April 2011 to present in comparison to the previous year in most crime categories.
• There had been a successful implementation of Operation Treacle with the Police, Fire Services and Trading Standards working to reduce nuisance caused by Bonfire Night and Halloween.
• For non-emergency calls to the Police the public could now call 101. This would replace the 856 5050 number.
• Increased focus on ‘geographical’ policing to improve the allocation of resources.
• The closure from 3 December 2011 of the front desk at Hazel Grove Police Station, although the public would be able to use the contact phone outside the building.

RESOLVED – That PCSO Ackerley be thanked for his attendance.

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).

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

One question was submitted in relation to littering and dog fouling on the playing fields on Chester Road and requesting additional bins and signage and the provision of hard standing to protect the fields from damage by vehicles.

The Chair replied that officers in the Parks Service had contacted the teams that use the fields to remind them to remove littering following matches and that the provision of bins across all green spaces was being reviewed. Where appropriate additional signage could be provided.

Councillors expressed the view that the provision of hard standing would encourage motorists to park vehicles on the playing fields which was not appropriate.

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.

Adam Cunningham (Area Conditions Officer) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillor and members of the public in relation to environmental issues within the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

The following issues were raised:-

• Action was being taken to tackle residual waste being left in bags at recycling bring sites.
• Further discussions with the management of the Offerton Precinct to address cleanliness concerns.
• Ongoing work to improve waste and recycling collections for residents in flats above the shops at Fiveways.

Chris Yuille (Streetscene Manager) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to highway issues in the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

The following issues were raised:-

• Work had been completed at Rutters Lane to repair damage done to drainage by a tree root.
• An excavation of Hatherlow Road had been completed and the carriageway collapse repaired. There was a further concern raised that the gully on the opposite side to the collapse had now collapsed.
• There were a number of non-functioning street lights along Shearwater Road, Marple Road and on pedestrian refuges on Bean Leach Road.
• A large pot hole had developed on Shearwater Road.
• There had been deterioration of the pavement in Hazel Grove District Centre.
• A pot hole had developed on the A6 in the vicinity of the Grammar School.

RESOLVED – That Adam Cunningham and Chris Yuille be thanked for their attendance.

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 that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

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

(i) Request for School Crossing Patrol outside St Simon’s Catholic Primary School, Bosden Fold Road.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported on the receipt of a petition from residents and business requesting a school crossing patrol for the junction of Bosden Fold Road, Meadow Croft and Bosden Avenue to improve safety for pupils at both St Simon’s Catholic and Hazel Grove Primary Schools.

RESOLVED – That the petition be noted and referred to the Service Director (Place Management) for investigation.

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 Service Director (Place Development).

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

A development application was considered.

(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 of Place 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 Democratic Services Manager outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

Change of use from B1, B2, B8 to D2 Leisure, for use as a gymnastics training facility.

The Area Committee is invited to recommend that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grant planning permission.

In respect of plan no. 48232 for the change of use from B1, B2, B8 to D2 Leisure for use as a gymnastics training facility at Newby Road Industrial Estate, Newby Road, Hazel Grove

the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be strongly recommended to grant planning permission subject to the conditions detailed in the report.

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) (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by Stepping Hill Area Committee.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Service Director (Place Development) be requested to clarify whether sales of food to be delivered (though not collected) would be classified as takeaway sales.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Development)

The report summarises an application has been received from Hazel Grove Traders Association for a Christmas Market to use Brewers Green Cul-de-sac for part of the event and seeking street trading consent for .

The Area Committee is recommended to grant street trading consent for a Christmas Market on 11 December 2011 on Brewers Green, Hazel Grove.

Officer contact: Vincent McIntyre, 0161 218 1538, vincent.mcintyre@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Place Development) (copies of which had been circulated) reporting on an application received from Hazel Grove Traders Association seeking permission to hold a Christmas Market, in part on Brewers Green, Hazel Grove.

RESOLVED – That Street Trading consent be granted for a Christmas Market on 11 December 2011 on Brewers Green, Hazel Grove.

To consider a report a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The report details the review currently being undertaken on the way the Council runs its car parks and as a part of this has developed a draft strategy for parking.  This draft strategy is in the process of being consulted on and as part of this it is being brought to the Area Committee for comment as requested by the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee. 

The Area Committee is invited to comment on the draft strategy.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson, 0161 474 4351, sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to comment on the draft Parking Strategy as part of the wider public consultation.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

• Enforcement activity was crucial to the success of the strategy.
• It was important to strike the correct balance between income generation to pay for improvements and pricing users out of car parks.
• Moving toward pay-on-exit provision would be welcomed.
• Further clarification was needed on the figures relating to the free spaces within the Hazel Grove District Centre.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the comments made be considered as part of the consultation on the draft Stockport Parking Strategy 2011.

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

The report details an objection to a proposal to revoke residents parking and introduce fee paid residents parking at School Street, Hazel Grove and details the response of the Service Director (Place Management) to the issues raised by the objector.

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

Zoe Allan/ Georgina Summers, 0161 474 3138/ 4853, zoe.allan@stockport.gov.uk / georgina.summers@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Directors (Legal & Democratic Services) and (Place Management) (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an objection received as part of the consultation on proposals to convert the existing resident parking scheme to a fee-based Permit Parking Scheme on School Street, Hazel Grove.

RESOLVED – (1) That, notwithstanding the objections received, the Order be made as advertised.

(2) That the Service Directors (Place Development) and (Legal & Democratic Services) be requested to clarify the situation in respect of the overgrown foliage on School Street referred to in the objection.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The report summarises an application received from Stockport Cats Protection requesting permission to use Torkington Park on 4 August 2012 for a Family Fun Day.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant the application.

Officer contact: Tim Devine, 0161 474 4419, tim.devine@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 an application received for the use of Torkington Park in August 2012.

RESOLVED – That the application from Stockport Cats Protection for a Family Fun Day at Torkington Park on 4 August 2012 be approved.

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

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Ben Alexander.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that representatives of the Service Director (Place Management) had clarified that the reason for the delay in completing the road markings in Great Moor was that there had been discrepancies between the previous Traffic Regulation Orders and the markings on site. It was therefore necessary to re-advertise the Orders to regularise the situation. It was anticipated that the markings and signage would be completed by the end of the current calendar year.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Central Stockport Area Committee, at its meeting on 25 August 2011, had agreed to remove the Bus Exemption from the weight restriction in place on Kennerley Road. A copy of the report is attached for information. The Minute of the meeting relating to this item is set out below:-

“10. School Bus Exemption - Kennerley Road, Davenport

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Place Management) providing a report on the investigations into the exemption for school buses/coaches on Kennerley Road, Davenport.

RESOLVED – That the exemption for school buses/coaches from the 3.5 tonnes weight limit order be revoked at an approximate cost of £1,204 from the Area Committee’s Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management Delegated Budget (Davenport & Cale Green Ward allocation) in accordance with the following schedule:-

Moving Traffic Offence

To revoke article 3(a) of the existing Kennerley Road, Stockport, 3.5 Tonnes Gross Maximum Weight Restrictions Order 1999.”

The statutory consultation period for this proposed Order has now concluded.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.

The Chair reported that she had been contacted by representatives of Stockport Grammar School who had raised concerns about the impact of a proposal to remove a school bus exemption from the weight restriction on Kennerley Road.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that the Central Stockport Area Committee at its meeting on 25 August 2011 had agreed to remove this exemption (copies of the report had been circulated). It was clarified that this proposal had been omitted from the agenda for the Stepping Hill Area Committee in error as Kennerley Road was also within the Stepping Hill Ward. A further report detailing objections received during the formal consultation period would be submitted to the next meeting of both Area Committees.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There are currently no vacancies to consider.

There were no vacancies to consider.

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 decision taken by the Area Committee and the current position on the Area Flexibility Funding and Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budgets.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.