Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 August 2016.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 9 August 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.

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

Two questions were asked about the creation of a new access between Swanage Avenue and the new Offerton Park development, and whether the Area Committee agreed with residents that this would change the character of the area from a quiet cul-de-sac; whether they agreed with the suggestion that this access route would provide a safer route for pedestrians given it would divert people from the safer crossing points on Lisburne Lane, and whether they agreed that the new access would not provide a better access for emergency services than the main access from Lisburne Lane.

Councillors acknowledged the issues highlighted by residents about the potential impact of the new access, and expressed sympathy for the anxiety being caused to residents. Councillors also disputed the suggestion from Bellway Homes and the Council that there was unimpeded access from Swanage Avenue to the old Dialstone Centre and the school before that, believing that this was limited for the most part to delivery vehicles. Councillors also queried whether vehicular access from Swanage Avenue would be achievable given the width of the road and the parked cars on the highway.

A further question had been submitted by a questioner who was not present at the meeting. The Chair reported that in accordance with the Code of Practice a written response would be provided.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to consider the concerns raised by residents of Swanage Avenue, Offerton in relation to the new access to the Offerton Park Development, and report back to the Area Committee on the feasibility of altering the planning conditions associated with the Offerton Park development to remove the requirement for access from Swanage Avenue.

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.

Chris Pollitt, Senior Public Realm 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 update was provided:-

·           Highway Safety Inspections were due to take place in the three wards during September.

·           Drainage repairs, including trial digs where appropriate, were due to be carried out Aldiss Street, Great Moor; Talbot Street, Hazel Grove; Marple Road, Offerton; Offerton Road, Hazel Grove; Islington Road, Great Moor.

·           The bollards on Bonis Crescent had now been replaced by United Utilities.

·           Works were ongoing to resurface the north end of Dialstone Lane.

·           An abandoned caravan had been removed from Sainsbury’s Supermarket, Hazel Grove

·           Several abandoned vehicles had been removed from the Royal Oak car park in Hazel Grove

·           The Council and the Environment Agency had investigated complaints of burning on agricultural land in Offerton.

·           An Offerton man was convicted of two counts of Fly Tipping.  The offences took place at Bean Leach Road, and Alfreton Road.  The man was fined a total of £1200 for the offences, plus £80 victim surcharge, plus £200 costs. Councillors welcomed this conviction.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The portion of Offerton Road in Hazel Grove that had not been resurfaced was starting to deteriorate quite significantly and needed to be addressed. Concerns had also been made that the surface was causing vibrations at nearby properties.

·         The frequency of emptying litter bins in Torkington Park needed to be increased. Problems were also reported with overflowing bins near Great Moor schools, along the A6 in Great Moor and on Turnstone Road, Offerton.

·         Clarification was sought on why litter bins in Hazel Grove were being taken out of service.

·         There were frequent problems with drainage on Hazelwood Road, in particular near no. 109 and 111; the garages and the bus stop; similar problems were also present on Wellington Street.

·         Thanks were given to officers for resolving the issues with the dropped kerb on Cherry Tree Lane for the Cenacle Centre, and for the replacement and repainting of the bollards on Bonis Crescent.

·         The two concrete posts that had been replaced on Combes Street, Great Moor needed to be on pavement next to adjacent to No.16, rather than in their currently location. An additional bollard was also needed at this location.

·         There was an abandoned car on Bean Leach Road that needed attention.

·         Attention was needed to overgrown vegetation on Bean Leach Road toward the Marple Road junction. There was a complaint from a resident that an elderly lady fell into the road because she was unable to pass the vegetation.

·         Emptied wheelie bins were being left on pavements on Bean Leach Road and the Bosden Farm estate in such a way as to obstruct access for people in mobility scooters.

·         There were instances of fly-tipping on Hodder Bank around the Yours Housing container.

·         There were problems with drainage on Belgrave Crescent, Woodsmoor causing flooding to properties.

RESOLVED – That Chris Pollitt be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

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

Councillor Mark Weldon submitted seven petitions signed by residents requesting the Council to introduce Residents Permit Parking on Claremont Road, Delemere Road, Lindon Grove, Norwood Road, Parkgate Drive, Ripley Avenue, Southwood Road in Great Moor. A further petition was submitted calling on the Council to consider a permit parking zone around Stepping Hill Hospital.

Residents attended the meeting to support the petitions and highlight the problems arising from parking caused by visitors and staff to the hospital, as well as shoppers in Great Moor centre, commuters using Woodsmoor Station and staff and parents connected to the schools in Great Moor.

Councillors discussed the parking problems connected to the hospital and highlighted the discussion at the previous meeting with the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive, including the Trust’s long term aspiration to provide a multi-storey car park on the hospital site.

The Chair highlighted the challenge of resolving the problems with parking given the proximity of a number of facilities that generated car journeys and the terraced housing prevalent in the area. He suggested that further consideration would need to be given to an area wide solution to parking given that the problems were not confined to Great Moor but also affected Hazel Grove and Offerton Wards and that piecemeal parking schemes often displaced the problems ever further from the source. It was also acknowledged that Permit Parking in itself was not necessarily a complete solution as there were often challenges in enforcing these schemes.

RESOLVED – (1) That the petitions be referred to the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration for investigation, and that the Corporate Director be requested to take into consideration the existing permit scheme on part of Ripley Avenue when assessing this petition against the Council’s policy.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to consider the viability of introducing a Residents Permit Parking zone around the Stepping Hill Hospital site and to report back to the Ward Spokespersons for the Hazel Grove, Offerton and Stepping Hill Wards.

The Area Committee and members of the public are asked to comment on the key considerations arising from the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan and provide suggestions as to how the Executive can best utilise the Committee to engage with local residents in their area.

The Plan is a medium term plan (up to 2020/21) and forecast of the Council’s expected financial position and looks at both the income the Council is forecast to receive and the spending pressures it is facing.

The Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Executive (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the key considerations arising from the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) up to 2020/21, and seeking the views of the Area Committee and the public on the principals agreed by the Executive that would inform how it engaged on setting future budgets.

Councillors expressed disappointment that no member of the Executive nor senior officer had attended to present the report, given that they were seeking views on engagement.

A member of the public expressed concern that the reference at paragraph 2.12 to working with public gave no indication of how this was to be achieved and what it would entail.

In relation to the Review of the Reserves Policy, it was commented that no details of the methodology used in determining how these were adequate was given.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Executive be recommended to ensure that should further budget consultation takes place with Area Committee a member of Executive attend to answer questions.

To consider any application for Area Flexibility Funding from the Trans Stockport Group toward the cost of a launch event for the group.

Nadine Travers, a Community Inclusion and Engagement worker attended the meeting to answer questions from councillors about an application for funding toward the cost of establishing a new group to support the Transgender community in Stockport.

It was clarified that a modified application was planned to be submitted to all area committees to seek funding toward this borough-wide initiative, although this Area Committee had initially been approached because there were members of the community living within the area.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £250 to the Trans Stockport Group toward launch costs and that representatives of the Group be invited to a future meeting to report back on the use of the grant.

To consider an application for Area Flexibility Funding from Torkington Allotment Association seeking funding toward the cost of drainage improvements on the site.

Geoff Bohan, Secretary, and Richard King of the Torkington Allotments Association attended the meeting to answer questions from councillors about an application for funding toward the cost of drainage improvements on the site.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £1000 to the Torkington Allotment Association toward the cost of drainage works on the site.

There are no applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

There are no outstanding appeal decisions.

There were no outstanding appeal decisions or enforcement matters to consider.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration will attend the meeting to answer questions from Councillors about outstanding traffic management related requests.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration attended the meeting to answer questions from the Area Committee about outstanding traffic management requests.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration outlined the process followed by Traffic Services for the making of a Traffic Regulation Order:-

·         From receiving a request to investigate or a complaint to initial site investigations and scheme design – 6 to 12 weeks

·         Developing options/ designing of the scheme and seeking approval to proceed from the Ward Spokesperson(s) – 2 weeks

·         Consultation with affected frontages – 4 weeks

·         Potential redesign due to consultation results – 2 weeks (there could be a need to re-consult which would add an additional 4 week)

·         Report to area committee – 6 weeks

·         Legal advertising – 6 weeks

·         Objections report (if required) submitted back to area committee – 6 weeks

·         Ordering and programming of works - 8 weeks

In relation to the resume of traffic management issues contained within the Area Committee’s ‘Progress Report’ it was acknowledged that this was not as comprehensive as it should be due to disruption caused to Traffic Services by a staff reorganisation.

Councillors welcomed the explanation of the procedure, but queried the reasonableness of the time taken for initial assessment.

The following updates were provided/ issues were discussed:-

·         The proposed traffic management scheme for Warren Wood School had been delayed due to redesign needed following a safety audit. Once funding had been secured consultation would begin.

·         The proposed installation of a traffic island on Bean Leach Road near Braeside may not be feasible due to the width of the carriageway. Further consultation with Ward Spokespersons would be undertaken to further this proposal and the potential introduction of speed cushions.

·         The requests for a crossing on Commercial Road, for speed cushions on Douglas Road and a crossing on Offerton Road would be considered as part of the development of the A6MARR complementary measures.

A further request was made to investigate the feasibility of extending the recently introduced Traffic Regulation Order on Lake Street and Coombes Street toward Sandhurst Road.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to investigate the feasibility of extending the recently introduced Traffic Regulation Order on Lake Street and Coombes Street toward Sandhurst Road.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report advises the Area Committee of the proposed sale of the freehold interest in various residential properties located on an estate in Offerton.

The Area Committee is recommended to note that the Council is obliged to adhere to the provisions of the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 and will be conveying its freehold interest in applications which it receives at this estate provided they comply with the criteria set out in the Act.

Officer contact: Murray Carr, 0161-474-3019, murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk  

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider a proposal to sell the Council’s freehold interest in residential properties on Mallowdale Road, Offerton in order to facilitate disposal of the homes by their owners should they chose to sell them.

Councillors discussed their involvement with residents in this area who had been unable to sell their houses due to problems with the gaining a mortgage on a property with a relatively short ground lease term. Although there was a remedy to the situation, the involvement of two public bodies, the Council and Your Housing, had complicated finding a resolution to this matter and residents were unable to sell their houses. Councillors expressed their disappointment that this matter had not been resolved more promptly as this was causing distress and serious inconvenience to residents and it was preventing family homes from being made available for purchase.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Council’s obligation to adhere to the provisions of the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 and that it would be conveying its freehold interest in applications receives at this estate provided they comply with the criteria set out in the Act, be noted.

(2) That the Chair and Vice-Chair be recommended to write to Your Housing urging them to resolve this matter as soon as possible as it was blighting the lives of residents.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Mark Weldon.

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

Councillor Weldon raised concerns that the work to reinstate the open space on Boothby Street following the sewage works on Dialstone Lane had resulted in an unusable space due to the presence of raised concrete plinths. This was limiting the availability of open areas to play for local children in an area of relatively high density housing. Councillor Weldon suggested that United Utilities, who had completed the works, needed to provide a more suitable treatment for the site to bring it back to a usable state.

Councillors expressed concern that although undesirable, the reinstatement had been completed in accordance with the planning permission granted to Untied Utilities, and that given the Council had formally received the play area back it was unlikely any further works would be carried out by United Utilities.

Concerns were also expressed about the condition of part of the fencing to the equipped area of play.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to clarify the details of the planning permission granted relating to Boothby Street play area, Great Moor.

(2) That Democratic Services Manager be requested to write to United Utilities inviting them to reinstate the open space at Boothby Street, Great Moor to ensure that it was safe and usable.

(3) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to investigate the condition of the fencing around the equipped play area at Boothby Street, Great Moor and repair or replace as appropriate.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Mark Weldon.

This item had been discussed during consideration of agenda item 7 ‘Traffic Services Update’ (see Minute 7 above).

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 – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The Area Committee is asked to appoint a councillor to lay a wreath on behalf of the Council at the Remembrance Day Service at Hazel Grove War Memorial on Sunday, 13 November 2016.

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 nominate a councillor to lay a wreath on behalf of the Council at the Remembrance Sunday Service at Hazel Grove War Memorial.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Jon Twigge be appointed to lay a wreath on behalf of the Council at the Remembrance Sunday Service at Hazel Grove War Memorial on Sunday, 13 November 2016.

On 11 July 2016, the Communities and Local Government Committee launched an inquiry into public parks to examine the impact of reduced local authority budgets on these open spaces and consider concerns that their existence is under threat.   The Committee will look at how parks should be supported now and in the future.

As part of the Inquiry, the Committee has invited submissions of written evidence which need to be received by 30 September 2016.

This is the response submitted on behalf of the Council by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Alex Ganotis) and the Executive Councillor for Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey).

The report is for information only as the deadline for submission means that it cannot now be amended.  However, any comments that Area Committees wish to make can be fed into the Council's own Open Spaces Review which is currently ongoing.

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

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a proposed response by the Council to the Communities and Local Government Committee Inquiry into Public Parks (copies of which had been circulated). The Area Committee were invited to make any comments or observations prior to the submission of the response.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.