Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chair of the Area Committee for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Lord Goddard be elected Chair of the Area Committee for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

To appoint a Vice-Chair of the Area Committee for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Julian Lewis Booth be appointed Vice-Chair of the Area Committee for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2016.

RESOLVED - The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 19 April 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 Interest

Personal & Prejudicial Interest

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

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that an event would be taking place on 2 July 2016 to mark the dedication of the Alan Newton Way, in honour of Stockport’s first Olympian.

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 Area Committee on any matters within its powers and duties, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

The first question asked whether the Area Committee would support changes near to the junction of the A6 and Dialstone Lane by the introduction of keep clear markings to allow residents of the side roads on Dialstone Lane to exit during peak periods.

The Area Committee were supportive of the principal and undertook to refer the matter to Traffic Services for investigation.

The second and third questions related to the introduction of a cycle and walking path from the new housing development on the site of the former Dialstone Centre to Swanage Avenue. Concerns were expressed that this route had not been part of the original proposals and would lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour in an area with predominantly elderly and disabled residents. Clarification was sought on why this secondary access was needed for emergency access when a more appropriate access from Lisburne Lane had been closed.

In response, the Chair invited a representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration to provide a written response to the questioner.

Two further questions were submitted by a member of the public who was not present at the meeting. A representative of the Democratic Services Manager confirmed that in accordance with the Code of Practice a written response would be provided.

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.

Kay Williams, Public Real Inspector, attended the meeting to answer questions from councillors and members of the public in relation to highway and environmental quality issues within the area represented by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Since the last meeting, there had been 130 highway related reports and 17 environmental quality reports made to the Council relating to the Stepping Hill Area Committee area.

·         Repairs were planned to the railway bridge on Macclesfield Road, Hazel Grove that would take place between 31 May and 21 June.

·         The white van parked on the verge on Dean Lane had now been removed following the serving of a Notice to the owner.

·         A request was made for a new street sign on Taunton Close.

·         There was debris being thrown up by vehicles at the Chester Road/ Station Road junction that was hitting the windows of properties at the his location.

·         Concerns were raised about the increase in dog fouling in Torkington Park and in the area around the Davenport Crescent and Egerton Road. Requests were made for better signage and improvements to bin facilities. It was also requested that the relocation of a bin on Station Road was resulting in dog walkers leaving dog waste at the previous location.

·         It was requested that the decorative bollards on Bonis Crescent be restored following the completion of sewage works on Dialstone Lane by United Utilities.

·         An update was requested in relation to the path between Fulmar Drive and Shearwater Road.

·         A request was made for the grass to be cut on Poise Brook Park.

·         It was confirmed that orders had been placed for road signage on Wyngate Road, Hazel Grove; bollards on Conway Drive, Hazel Grove and a lighting column for Dialstone Lane, Great Moor.

RESOLVED – That Kay Williams be thanked for her attendance.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Julian Lewis-Booth.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that this item had been placed in the agenda at the request of Councillor Julian Lewis-Booth.

Councillor Lewis-Booth reported that he had been contacted by several members of the public raising concerns about the safety of pedestrians crossing Commercial Road, Hazel Grove.

Bob Preston, School Crossing Patrol, reported on difficulties with pedestrians crossing this road, particularly when older people trying to cross when he was not on duty.

Kath Whittal, Practice Manager of Springfield Surgery on Commercial Road, confirmed that many of the patients at the surgery struggled with safely crossing this section of road.

It was suggested that a solution would be to install a pedestrian crossing point between Peter’s Street and the Springfield Surgery.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that a report was due to be submitted to the next meeting on 12 July 2016 requesting authority for a PV2 crossing assessment of Commercial Road to determine the extent of the problems reported.

RESOLVED – (1) That Mr Preston and Mrs Whitall be thanked for their attendance and contribution.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to arrange for a PV2 crossing assessment on Commercial Road, Hazel Grove, in view of the concerns raised by residents and ward councillors about the safety of pedestrians at a cost of £550 to be funded from the Delegated Budget (Hazel Grove Ward allocation), and to report back to the Area Committee on options for a crossing point.

This item has been placed on the agenda at request of Councillor Laura Booth.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that this item had been placed in the agenda at the request of Councillor Laura Booth.

Councillor Booth reported that there had recently been a serious road traffic accident involving a young person on the Fairway in Offerton, reflective of the general increase in the volume and speed of traffic.

A resident of the Fairway attended the meeting and reported that since the gym had opened on the site of the former Offerton High School traffic had increased.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that comments had been sought from officers in the Place Directorate, but that they had declined to do so pending the outcome of an investigation into the incident referred to.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be informed of the Are Committee’s concerns about traffic and speeding on the Fairway, Offerton and that consideration be given to possible mitigation measures.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide details of the outcome of the investigation into the road traffic incident on the Fairway to Ward Councillors.

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

There were no petitions submitted.

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

To consider an application received from Stockport Carnival for area flexibility funding of £948.49 towards the cost of the carnival.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted an application (copies of which had been circulated) from the Stockport Carnival requesting a contribution toward the Carnival.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £100 to the Stockport Carnival.

To consider an application for funding toward the cost of testing of jacks.

Mr Ron Gregory of the Torkington Vets Bowling Club attended the meeting to answer questions from councillors about an application for funding toward the cost of replacement bowling jacks.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £264 to the Torkington Vets Bowling Club for replacement bowling jacks.

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

The report sets out progress in delivery of Stockport Homes Limited (SHL) Neighbourhood Action Plans (NAPs) and seeks comments on progress to date and any future actions for inclusion in the current 2016 - 2017 and future action plans.

The Area Committee is invited to:-

·         Note and comment on achievements during 2015-16

·         Comment on the proposed Neighbourhood Action plans for 2016-17

Officer contact: Rebecca Cullen, 0161 474 4372, Rebecca.cullen@stockporthomes.org;   

Fay Whittaker, Area Housing Manager, Stockport Homes, attended the meeting to present an update on the delivery of the Stockport Homes Neighbourhood Action Plans for Offerton, Offerton North and Marple & Hazel Grove, and to seek comments on the plans for 2016/17.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Concerns had been raised by the Friends of Offerton Estate about rising levels of anti-social behaviour on the Estate.

·         Stockport Homes was working with Greater Manchester Police to tackle loan sharks that continued to operate in the Offerton area.

·         Councillors paid tribute to all those involved with the Neighbourhood Action Plan.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and all those involved in Neighbourhood Action Plans be thanked for their hard work.

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 Directorate upon payment of the Council’s reasonable charges).

Erectionof Single StoreyDrivingBayBuilding (departure from Planning Policy)

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

Note: As the application straddles the boundary between Marple and Stepping Hill Area Committees, it will be necessary for the application to be considered by both Area Committees. In the event of both Area Committees recommending approval the application will need to be referred to the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee as a departure from planning policy.

In respect of plan no. 61366 for erection of single storey driving bay building at Hazel Grove Golf Club, Buxton Road, Hazel Grove.

RESOLVED – That the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission.

Erection of Road Bridge and 2 river training walls along Ladybrook.

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

In respect of plan no. 61299 for the erection of Road Bridge and 2 river retraining walls along Lady Brook, at Land to the North East of Mill Hill Hollow, Poynton,

representatives of the applicant attended the meeting to speak in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission.

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

The report details the proposed re-adoption of the Council’s Application Validation Checklist for the validation of planning applications.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Emma Curle on 0161 474 3542 or email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting comments in respect to the proposed re-adoption of the Council’s Application Validation Checklist (AVC) for the validation of planning applications.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

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 3219, joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) summarising recent appeal decisions, listing current planning appeals and dates for local enquiries, informal hearings and progress on authorised enforcement action.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report seeks approval for the extension and part-reduction of existing No Waiting at Any Time restrictions as explained in the report.

The Area Committee is invited to consider the report and approval the following restrictions, subject to statutory advertising:

Revoke No Waiting at Any Time:

Claremont Road

North East side from a point 4.5 metres South East of the projected boundary line between No’s 67 & 69 for a distance of 5 metres in a South Easterly direction.

North East side from a point 2.7 metres South East of the projected boundary line between No’s 71 & 73 for a distance of 5 metres in a North Westerly direction.

Introduce No Waiting at Any Time:

The Heathers

North West side from a point 5 metres North East of the North Easterly kerb line of Claremont Road for a distance of 20 metres in a North Easterly direction to a point level with the projected North Easterly property line of No. 69 Claremont Road.

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 introduce No Waiting restrictions to improve access to the Heathers and improve road safety.

RESOLVED –  That approval be given to the statutory legal advertising of the following Traffic Regulation Order and, subject to no objections being received within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the Order at a cost of approximately £450 to be funded from the Area Committee Delegated Budget (Stepping Hill Ward allocation):-

Revoke No Waiting at Any Time:

Claremont Road

North East side from a point 4.5 metres South East of the projected boundary line between No’s 67 & 69 for a distance of 5 metres in a South Easterly direction.

North East side from a point 2.7 metres South East of the projected boundary line between No’s 71 & 73 for a distance of 5 metres in a North Westerly direction.

Introduce No Waiting at Any Time:

The Heathers

North West side from a point 5 metres North East of the North Easterly kerb line of Claremont Road for a distance of 20 metres in a North Easterly direction to a point level with the projected North Easterly property line of No. 69 Claremont Road.    

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

To approve a 20mph speed limit on Bosdenfold Road and Bosden Avenue near St Simon's RC School in Hazel Grove to improve safety for children and parents.

The Area Committee is invited to approve the following measures, at a cost of approximately £1,770 (to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget):-

20 MPH Speed Limit:

Bosden Fold Road

Both sides, from a point level with the projected Westerly property line of No. 30 in an Easterly direction to a point level with the projected Easterly property line of No. 49.

Bosden Avenue

Both sides from its junction with Bosden Fold Road in a Southerly direction to its cu-de-sac end.           

Meadow Croft

Both sides from its junction with Bosden Fold Road in a Northerly direction to cover the full extent of Adopted Highway.

Extend No Waiting at Any Time:

Bosden Fold Road

South side from point 15 metres West of the Westerly kerb line of Bosden Avenue in a Westerly direction for a distance of 2.5 metres.

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 introduce a 20mph speed limit on Bosden Fold Road, Bosden Avenue and Meadow Croft to improve safety for pupils and parents at St Simon’s RC Primary School.

RESOLVED –  That approval be given to the statutory legal advertising of the following Traffic Regulation Order and, subject to no objections being received within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the Order at a cost of approximately £1,770 to be funded from the Area Committee Delegated Budget (Hazel Grove Ward allocation):-

20 MPH Speed Limit:

Bosden Fold Road

Both sides, from a point level with the projected Westerly property line of No. 30 in an Easterly direction to a point level with the projected Easterly property line of No. 49.

Bosden Avenue

Both sides from its junction with Bosden Fold Road in a Southerly direction to its cu-de-sac end.        

Meadow Croft

Both sides from its junction with Bosden Fold Road in a Northerly direction to cover the full extent of Adopted Highway.

Extend No Waiting at Any Time:

Bosden Fold Road

South side from point 15 metres West of the Westerly kerb line of Bosden Avenue in a Westerly direction for a distance of 2.5 metres.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The Area Committee is invited to consider the nomination of councillors to represent the Council on the Hazel Grove Community Association.

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) inviting the Area Committee to make nominations to the Hazel Grove Community Association.

RESOLVED – That councillors Oliver Johnstone, Julian Lewis-Booth and Jon Twigge be nominated as the Council’s representatives on the Hazel Grove Community Association.

The Area Committee is invited to nominate Ward Spokespersons with whom the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration can consult on highway maintenance and traffic management matters.

The Area Committee is recommended to nominate Ward Spokespersons in accordance with the Protocol.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted the Area Committee Highway Ward Spokespersons Protocol (copies of which had been circulated) and requesting the Area Committee to nominate ward spokespersons for each ward with whom officers would liaise with over traffic and highways matters.

RESOLVED – That the following Highways & Traffic Ward Spokespersons be appointed for 2016/17:-

Hazel Grove Ward

Councillor Julian Lewis-Booth

Councillor Jon Twigge

Offerton Ward

Councillor Laura Booth

Councillor Wendy Meikle

Stepping Hill Ward

Councillor Mark Weldon

Councillor John Wright

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 with implementing decisions taken by the Area Committee since the last meeting and the current position of the Area Flexibility budget.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That, as a matter of urgency, the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to investigate problems experienced by residents of Peter Street, Hazel Grove of HGVs inappropriately using this road, and to ensure that appropriate signage is installed.

(3) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be informed that this Area Committee is minded to retain the existing width restrictions on Bean Leach Road but that it would wish to consider proposals for additional measures to reduce speeds in this area, including vertical measures.