Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 8 July 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the following amendments:-

·         Minute 4 ‘Declarations of Interest’ amend Cllr Oliver Johnstone’s interest to refer to his mother rather than brother.

·         Minute 6 (iii) ‘Public Realm Services’ in the resolution replace ‘her’ with ‘his’.

·         Minute 16 ‘Progress on Area Committee Decisions’, resolution (5) remove all the text after the words ‘Area Committee’.

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

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager announced that there would be a public ‘listening event’ being held by the Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group on 12 August 2014 at the Alma Lodge Hotel in relation to the Healthier Together Programme.

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 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 asking why no progress had been made with addressing speeding on Knypersley Avenue, Offerton following the submission of a petition to the Area Committee.

The Chair reported that this matter was due to be addressed later in the meeting during consideration of agenda item 14 ‘Traffic Services Update’ and that the question would be answered as part of the that item.

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.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that no representative of the Public Realm Service was able to attend the meeting, but had provided a brief update for the Area Committee.

The following update was provided:-

·         Work had commenced on Moorland Road, Woodsmoor to resurface part of the carriageway and to carry out localised footway repairs between approximately Woodsmoor Lane and Cedar Road.

·         The local initiative scheme on Ripley Avenue, Woodsmoor would begin following completion of the Moorland Road work.

·         A referral had been made to the Community Payback Team to cut back the vegetation on the Public Right of Way from Turnstone Road to Marple Road and this was scheduled for mid-September.

·         A warning letter had been sent in relation to overgrown vegetation on Buxton Road, Great Moor. A previous letter had been successful for Bean Leach Road and resulted in the cut back of all vegetation encroaching / blocking the public footway.

·         A former resident of flats at Norcross Close had been prosecuted for repeatedly mis-using the refuse and recycling service.  The resident had chosen not to act upon a number of opportunities to engage with the Council, and then chose not to pay a £40 fixed penalty notice meaning the Council was left with no choice but to take court action, and the resident received a total of £600 in fines for the offences, plus £361.41 costs, and £40 victim surcharge.

·         Section 46 Notices were planned for problems with refuse collection at Fiveways Parade, and a warning letter would be sent regarding posters advertising a new carpet shop in Hazel Grove.

Councillors expressed concern about the lack of notice of the resurfacing work on Moorland Road (five days) and then the contractor knocking on doors asking residents if they wanted dropped kerbs to be installed. Residents had made a number of complaints about this lack of notice. Further clarification was sought on the policy for installing dropped kerbs, particularly charging where the kerbline was being renewed. Councillors also asked that more notice be given to residents on Ripley Avenue in advance of work commencing there.

RESOLVED – (1) That the update be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide the Area Committee with clarification on the Council’s policy in relation to the installation of dropped kerbs, particularly where kerb-lines were being renewed as part of resurfacing works.

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 Democratic Services Manager reported that, in accordance with the Code of Practice, no organisation had indicated they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

To consider an application from the DWN Dance Group seeking funding toward the cost of a dance production for young people.

Gill Cumston, representing the DWN Dance Group, attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors in relation to an application for Area Flexibility Funding.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £959 to the DNW Dance Group toward the costs of uniforms and audio-visual equipment.

(2) That the DNW Dance Group be invited to a future meeting to report back on the use of the grant, and that the Area Committee would welcome the applicant showing a video of the activities of the group.

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

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 and 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 Management and Regeneration 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.

Demolition of building and erection of a single dwelling.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

In respect of plan no. 54349 for the demolition of building and erection of a single dwelling at Brookside Farm, Torkington Road, Hazel Grove

the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to undertake a site visit in view of issues raised about the heritage value of the existing building, but that the Committee be informed that this Area Committee would recommended that planning permission be granted subject to appropriate conditions, including tree preservation orders.

There are no appeal decisions, current planning appeals or enforcement activity to report.

There were no outstanding appeals decisions, current planning appeals nor enforcements.

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

The report updates the Area Committee on  progress  in  delivery  of  Stockport  Homes Neighbourhood Action Plans and seeks comments on further issues that the Action Plans might embrace in 2014-15 and priorities for the 2015/16 Plans which will be formulated later this calendar year.

The Area Committee is invited to

·                Note and comment upon the progress relating to the neighbourhood action plans.

·                provide comments on further issues that the NAPS might embrace in2014-15and priorities for the 2015/16which will be formulated later this calendar year.

Rebecca  Cullen  (East  Area  Housing  Manager),  0161  474  4372, rebecca.cullen@stockporthomes.org

A representative of the East Area Housing Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on progress with the delivery of the Stockport Homes Neighbourhood Action Plans.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Support to customers relating to welfare reform.

·         Provision of diversionary activities in Offerton.

·         Improving recycling facilities in Hazel Grove.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

As requested at the previous meeting on 7 July 2014, the local Strategic Network Engineer will attend the meeting to update the Area Committee on outstanding traffic related issues, including:-

·         Petition relating to speeding on Knypersley Avenue, Offerton

·         Petition requesting a 20mph on Bosden Hall Road, Hazel Grove

·         Speeding on Moorland Road and Woodsmoor Lane, Woodsmoor

·         Park and Ride on Melford Road, Hazel Grove

·         Traffic Island on Marple Road, Offerton

Officer contact: Georgina Summers, 0161 474 4853, georgina.summers@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration attended the meeting to provide an update and to answer questions in relation to outstanding traffic management schemes in the area covered by the Area Committee.

Petition relating to speeding on Knypersley Avenue, Offerton

It was reported that speed surveys carried out on Kynerpsley Avenue had indicated that the 85 centile of vehicular speed was 25 mph and that officers would only recommend mitigation measures if that centile speed was in excess of 35 mph.

Councillors expressed concern about the delay in responding to the Area Committee and why a speed survey had been undertaken. Clarification was also provided on how accident data was recorded and used in assessing road safety.

Petition requesting a 20mph speed limit on Bosden Hall Road, Hazel Grove

It was reported that speed surveys carried out had indicated that the 85 centile of vehicular speed was not excessive and that normally officers would not recommend any measures at this location, however it was recognised that the road was adjacent to an existing 20mph zone.

Councillors commented that the exclusion of Bosden Hall Road from the existing restrictions was anomalous and that the area would benefit from this being rectified.

Speeding on Moorland Road and Woodsmoor Lane, Woodsmoor

Councillors queried the accuracy of the speed data previously supplied to the ward councillors, but emphasised that the main concern was not in relation to speed in this area, but the installation of a raised platform to connect the pavement on opposite sides of the road to create a safe route for pedestrians. Councillors expressed concern about the delay in progressing this request.

It was reported that it was planned to submit a report on proposals for this platform to the next meeting.

Councillors also raised concerns about speeding between Woodsmoor and Flowery Field and the use of roads in this area by HGVs in contravention of existing weight restrictions.

Park and Ride on Melford Road, Hazel Grove

It was reported that work had commenced on site for the Park and Ride facility. It was anticipated that further highway works would be needed and that this may lead to some traffic delays as these were completed.

Councillors welcomed the fact that work had now begun.

Traffic Island on Marple Road, Offerton

It was reported that McCarthy & Stone had not responded to repeated attempts by the Council to progress the funding for the installation of this feature and associated Traffic Orders.

RESOLVED – (1) That the update be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to:-

·         submit a report to a future meeting setting out costed proposals for traffic calming and or/ changes to the speed limit on Kynerpersly Avenue, Offerton, including an explanation of the time taken to respond to the issues raised by the Area Committee;

·         submit proposals to a future meeting to extend the existing 20 mph speed limit in the vicinity of Bosden Hall Road, Hazel Grove to include this section of carriageway;

·         contact the Chair directly in relation to the Traffic Island on Marple Road.

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

The report sets out proposals to introduce No Waiting restrictions on parts of Dialstone Lane, Dial Park Road, Cruttenden Road and Hurdsfield Road, Offerton following feedback on the implementation of previous measures on Dialstone Lane.

The Area Committee is invited to recommend that the Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) approve the proposals as set out in the report.

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) detailing proposals to introduce No Waiting restrictions on parts of Dialstone Lane, Dial Park Road, Cruttenden Road and Hurdsfield Road, Offerton to protect visibility at the junctions of these roads.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) be recommended to approve the introduction of No Waiting at Any Time restrictions on Dial Park Road, Cruttenden Road, Hurdsfield Road and Dialstone Lane as set out in the report.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The Area Committee is invited to provide a nomination for Local Authoirty Governor vacancy at St Philip’s RC Primary School and to recommend the reappointment of Mrs K Hogg to Hazel Grove Primary School and Mrs M Walsh to Norbury Hall Primary School.

Officer contact: Pam Dunham, 07800 617940 or alternatively email pam.dunham@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for People (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to provide a nomination for an LA Governor vacancy at St Philip’s RC Primary and to consider the reappointment of Governors at Hazel Grove and Norbury Hall primary schools.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) be recommended to make the following LA School Governor appointment:

(2) That the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) be recommended to reappoint the following LA School Governors:

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 on decisions taken by the Area Committee since the last meeting and the current position on the Area Flexibility and the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budgets.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.