Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meetings held on 10 December 2013 and 13 January 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meetings held on 10 December 2013 and 13 January 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

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

No announcements were made.

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 and at local libraries and information centres.  You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

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.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that two questions had been submitted by a member of the public who was not present at the meeting. It was confirmed that, in accordance with the approved procedure, a written response would be provided to the questioner.

The local Public Realm Inspector will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at the last committee meetings. Councillors and Members of the public are invited to raise issues affecting local environmental quality.

Adam Cunningham, Public Realm Enforcement Officer, attended the meeting to answer questions from councillors and members of the public on highway and environmental quality issues within the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         A number of notices had been issued for incorrectly presented refuse; warning letters had been sent regarding litter accumulation and flyposting, and an interview had been conducted regarding fly-tipping.

·         There had been a successful prosecution for the incorrect presentation of refuse and subsequent non-payment of the fine. A further fine had been issued by the Courts amounting in total to over £1000.

·         Regular safety inspections had been completed in the Hazel Grove and Offerton Wards and the inspections were continuing for the Stepping Hill Ward.

·         Patching of the carriageway was due to be undertaken on Marple Road. Councillors expressed disappointment that resurfacing was not taking place as parts of the road had been subject to stress in recent months.

·         Trenches on the pavement in Great Moor had been left untidy and unsightly by utilities contractors, which needed addressing as they may be a hazard and an obstruction for pedestrians.

·         The footpath from Coombes Street to Lake Street had become impassable. Its status and ownership needed to be clarified and if it was adopted efforts should be made to have the area cleared.

·         There was an area of pooling of water on Torkington Road between Hazelwood Road and Avondale Road. The jetting of the gullies proposed for Cavendish Road needed to be completed as a matter of urgency.

·         There was pooling of water to the rear of the Grapes Hotel which was narrowing the pedestrian footpath.

·         An update was sought on the possible installation of coping stones to the highway wall on Marple Road near Brookside Avenue.

RESOLVED – That Adam Cunningham be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

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

(a)  Traffic Calming on Knypersley Avenue, Offerton

Mr John Miller of Knypersley Avenue, Offerton attended the meeting and submitted a petition on behalf of local residents requesting the Council to investigation speed calming measures on Knypersley Avenue. Mr Miller stated that there had been a recent collision between two vehicles, in which a child was a passenger, and which he believed had been due to excessive speed. He further stated that motorists were using the road as a cut through between Dialstone Lane and Hillcrest Road and travelling at speed.

RESOLVED – That Mr Miller be thanked for his attendance and that the petition regarding traffic calming on Knypersley Road, Offerton be referred to the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration for investigation.

(b)  Hazel Grove Carnival Committee

Mrs Denise Brewster attended the meeting on behalf of the Hazel Grove Carnival Committee to request the use the Council’s marquees, currently used for Stockport Market and other events, on carnival day for the use by local community groups, charities and businesses.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to investigation the possibility of a loan of the Council’s marquees to the Hazel Grove Carnival Committee.

The report highlights the Cheshire East Local Plan: Core Strategy to Members of those Area Committees which have a boundary with Cheshire East and seeks their views on its proposals.

Officer contact: Richard Wood, 0161 474 4836, Richard.wood@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) highlighting the key elements of the Cheshire East Local Plan: Core Strategy that was currently subject of public consultation. The Area Committee was invited to comment on the proposals.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The potential impact of the North Cheshire Growth Village on Stockport, in particular traffic generation and the impact on the A34, and concerns about the level of consultation, co-operation and transparency in the development of these proposals. There was no assessment of the impact of the Plan on neighbouring authorities.

·         There was insufficient information about the impact of the proposals on the greenbelt, particular since large numbers of housing units were proposed on land designated as greenbelt.

·         Concerns were expressed about how far Cheshire East Council had discharged its ‘duty to cooperate’ in the preparation of its Plan and in providing information to other local authorities in response to legitimate concerns raised.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2)That Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) be informed of this Area Committee’s concerns that the credibility of the Cheshire East Local Plan: Core Strategy had been undermined by the lack of evidence that Cheshire East Council had considered the impact of the proposed North Cheshire Growth Village on the greenbelt and the impact on neighbouring authorities, in particular traffic generation.

To consider any applications for Area Flexibility Funding or to receive feedback from organisations who have received funding.

Manchester Rugby Club – Under 15s

To consider an application for funding toward the cost or replacement kits.

Manchester Rugby Club

RESOLVED – That consideration of this item be deferred to allow for the applicant to attend the meeting.

There are no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Council Solicitor.

The report sets out recent planning appeal decisions and enforcement actions in the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

The Area Committee is invited to note the report.

Officer contact: Joy Morton, 0161 474 3219, joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Council Solicitor (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.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Council Solicitor.

The report inform the Area Committee of a recent decision by the Planning Inspectorate to award costs against the Council in respect of a planning appeal for 224A Dialstone Lane, Offerton.

The report was deferred at the last meeting to allow for the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration to provide further details of the appeal decision and the discharge of conditions related to the application. The Head of Development Management has met with a Ward Councillor to discuss these issues.

The Area Committee is requested to give consideration to how it will meet the costs.

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) informing the Area Committee of a decision by the Planning Inspectorate to award costs to the appellant for a successful appeal against a decision by the Area Committee to refuse planning permission at 224A Dialstone Lane, Offerton, and inviting the Area Committee to consider how it wished to meet the costs.

The report had been deferred from the last meeting to allow the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration to provide additional information in respect of the appeal and the discharge of the conditions relating to the permission granted by the Planning Inspectorate. A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that the Head of Development Management had met with Councillor Alexander to discuss concerns about the matter but that it had been agreed that this need not delay consideration of the payment of the cost.

RESOLVED – That the report and decision of the Planning Inspector be noted and that the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to allocate £4,539 from the Area Flexibility Budget to meet the costs of the Planning Appeal decision for 224A Dialstone Lane.

The report seeks agreement to revoke existing disabled parking and No Waiting at Any Time on part of Bosden Fold Road in Hazel Grove as the need for these restrictions no longer exists.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the following, at a cost of £600 to be funded from the Area Committee’s delegated budget:-

(i) Revoke 2 Disabled Persons’ Parking Places (Blue Badge Holders Only):

Bosden Fold Road

South side from a point 23 metres West of the Westerly kerb line of Bosden Avenue for a distance of 13.2 metres in a Westerly direction.

(ii) Revoke No Waiting at Any Time:

Bosden Fold Road

South side from a point 15 metres West of the Westerly kerb line of Bosden Avenue for a distance of 8 metres in a Westerly direction.

Officer contact: Max Townsend, 0161 474 4861, max.townsend@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider a proposal to remove two Disabled Parking Bays and associated No Waiting restrictions on Bosden Fold Road, Hazel Grove. The Bays were no longer needed by residents in the vicinity and their removal would create more on-street parking.

RESOLVED – That the following Traffic Regulation Order be approved, at a cost of £600 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budget (Hazel Grove Ward allocation):-

Revoke Disabled Persons’ Parking Places (Blue Badge Holders Only):

Bosden Fold Road, Hazel Grove

South side from a point 23 metres West of the Westerly kerb line of Bosden Avenue for a distance of 13.2 metres in a Westerly direction.

Revoke No Waiting at Any Time

Bosden Fold Road

South side from a point 15 metres West of the Westerly kerb line of Bosden Avenue for a distance of 8 metres in a Westerly direction.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The Area Committee is asked to approve an application received from Circus Starr to hold a circus in Torkington Park on Saturday 26 April 2014.

Officer contact: Richard Booker, 0161 474 4829, Richard.booker@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider an application received from Circus Starr to hold their annual circus in Torkington Park on 26 April 2014.

RESOLVED – That the application from Circus Starr for a circus in Torkington Park on 26 April 2014 be approved, subject to an appropriate bond being received from the applicant to cover the costs of potential damage to the site.

There are no governor 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 decisions taken by the Area Committee and the current position on Area Flexibility and Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budgets.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that, in relation to the outstanding requests from the last ordinary meeting (Minute 13 of 10 December 2013 refers):-

·         the speed survey on Moorland Road, Woodsmoor had now been carried out and the findings would be discussed with the Ward Spokesperson; and,

·         the realignment and remarking of the carriageway markings on Torkington Road at the junction with London Road had now been completed.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide an update on progress with amending the signage on Bean Leach Road, Offerton (Minute 4(iii) resolution 2 of 6 August 2013 refers).

(3) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be thanked for the realignment of the carriageway markings on Torkington Road at the junction with London Road.

To consider a joint report of the Council Solicitor and the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report details proposed amendments to the delegation arrangements for the consideration of Street Trading Consents.

The Area Committee is requested to comment on the proposal.

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell / Damian Eaton on 474 4175 / 3207 or email: ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk / damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a joint report of the Council Solicitor and the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration detailing proposed amendments to the Constitution to change the delegation arrangements for the determination of Street Trading Consents.

RESOLVED – That the proposed changes to the delegation arrangements for the determination of Street Trading Consents be supported.