Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2016.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 13 December 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 Interests

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

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

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.

Two question were submitted.

(1)  The first question sought the views of the Area Committee on a proposal to lease a land on Beech Avenue, Hazel Grove for the purpose of providing much needed car parking in the area.

In response, Councillor Lewis-Booth explained that he had been in contact with the questioner about the proposal and stated that he believed this had merit.

Other councillors were supportive of the principal of bringing this site back into use.

(2)  The questioner for the second question was not in attendance. The Chair reported 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.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that a Public Realm Officer was unable to attend the meeting.

The following issues were raised:-

·         The poor quality of the recently patched potholes on Turnstone Road, Offerton.

·         An update on progress was requested in relation to issues raised about a pothole on Marple Road, opposite Holiday Lane; a collapsed gulley on the A6 near the Blossoms Public House; high hedges on Marple Road and Bean Leach Road; potholes on Shearwater Road.

RESOLVED – That the issues raised be referred to the Public Realm Service.

To note the receipt of a petition signed by residents from houses on Magda Road between the junction with Dialstone Lane and Beaufort/ Hollymount Road.

The petition is signed residents from 15 of the 16 houses at this location.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported on the receipt of a petition from residents on Magda Road, Great Moor seeking a permit parking scheme for a section of the road between its junction with Dialstone Lane and Beaufort/ Hollymount Road. The petition was signed by residents from 15 of the 16 houses on this section of the road. The petition referred to increasing difficulties with parking caused by motorists associated with the nearby hospital.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to Traffic Services for investigation.

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 consider an application for Area Funding from Offerton Park FC toward the cost of safeguarding training for coaching staff and the provision of new kit for the expanded teams.

Matthew Bailey and William Schofield of the Offerton Park Football Club attended the meeting to answer questions from the Area Committee in relation to an application for funding toward the cost of safeguarding training for their coaches and for a contribution toward new playing kits for the expanding junior football teams.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £998 to the Offerton Park Football Club toward the cost of safeguarding coaching and new kits.

To consider an application received on behalf of the ‘Royal Oak Armed Forces Day’ for ward flexibility funding towards the cost of a PA system and advertising the event.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted an application on behalf of the Royal Oak Armed Forces Day organisers (copies of which had been circulated) seeking a contribution toward the cost of a Public Announcement system and advertising for the event planned for 17 June 2017.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £135 to the Royal Oak Armed Forces Day as a contribution toward the cost of the event.

To consider an application received on behalf of the ‘Forward Together’ for ward flexibility funding towards the cost of a PA system and advertising the event.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted an application on behalf of the Forward Together Group (copies of which had been circulated) seeking a contribution toward the start-up costs of a new group to support women experiencing domestic violence.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £150 to the Forward Together Group.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to invite a representative of the Forward Together Group to a future meeting to discuss their activity.

To consider an application received on behalf of the Help for Hatters group requesting support toward a community museum.

John Fitzpatrick of the Help for Hatters Group attended the meeting to answer questions from the Area Committee on his application seeking a contribution toward a project to create a museum for Stockport County Football Club.

RESOLVED - (1) That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £750 to Help of Hatters toward the cost of the Stockport County Museum project.

(2) That the applicant be encouraged to seek funding from other area committees.

There are none.

There were no applications to consider.

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 Werneth Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Joy Morton on 0161 474 3217 or email: joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (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.

Councillors expressed concern that the appeal decision listed in the report had been made some time previously and had not been reported promptly to the Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out a response to the concerns raised by residents to proposals to create a cycle and footway access route from Swanage Avenue, Offerton to the Offerton Park development at the former Dialstone Centre.

The Area Committee is invited to note the report and consider any further action.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) responding to requests and concerns raised by the Area Committee in relation to the imminent opening of access to Swanage Avenue, Offerton from the new Offerton Park development. The request had arisen from a series of public questions asked at the Area Committee.

It was highlighted that the footways that were part of this new development were shortly due to be adopted by the Council as part of the highway, and this would allow the Council to consider using additional powers over this area should the need arise.

A councillor expressed concern that the original consultation on the proposals for the housing development, that included the changes to the access arrangement, was insufficient. In response it was stated that the consultation was undertaken in accordance with Council policy and statutory requirements.

A councillor suggested that the Council use its highways powers to ‘stop-up’ the access as soon as it was able to. In response it was stated that there would need to be reasonable grounds upon which to do so. It was suggested that the Police did not currently believe there to be a problem with anti-social behaviour at this location. It was further commented that residents of the new development had made representations to local councillors that they were supportive of the new access being opened.

In response to a question about any planning grounds for revoking or modifying the existing permission, it was clarified that such a process would be legally complex and may involve significant expenditure, including compensation to the applicant. It was also stated that there were no planning grounds on which to justify seeking a revocation or modification.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That in light of the issues raised in the report, the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to monitor the impact of the opening of access between Swanage Avenue and the Offerton Park estate and report back to the Area Committee three months after the opening.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report set out the background to the vacation of the ambulance depot on Beech Avenue, Hazel Grove and the possible future uses of the site.

The Area Committee is invited to note the report.

Officer contact: Paul Edgeworth, 0161 218 1934, paul.edgeworth@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 comment on a proposal for the acquisition of the former ambulance depot on Beech Avenue, Hazel Grove.

Councillors were supportive of the principal of acquisition in order to bring this site back into use. It was suggested that neighbouring residents may be interested in acquiring portions of the plot to increase their properities and gardens.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the principal of acquisition of the former ambulance depot on Beech Avenue, Hazel Grove be supported and the Deputy Chief Executive be requested to provide ward councillors with further detail on proposals for the use of the site.

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

The report sets out the results of an investigation into permit parking on Hardberry Place following the receipt of a petition and determine whether the file should remain open in light of the responses received.

The Area Committee is asked to consider the report and whether the file be kept open, and if so to make a recommendation to the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) that residents on Hardberry Place be re-consulted.

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) updating the Area Committee on the outcome of a consultation with residents on Hardberry Place, Offerton for permit parking. From the response to the consultation there had not been the required 51% of responses in support of the proposal.

Councillors commented that the due to there being three schools in the vicinity, this was a particularly difficult area for pedestrians and motorists. It was also commented that the consultation had been very close.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Communities & Housing) be recommended to agree to a further consultation of residents on Hardberry Place, Offerton, as set out in paragraph 2.5 of the report to determine the support for the introduction of permit parking scheme, and that in the event that this is agreed that ward councillors be informed when that consultation was taking place.

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

Following a meeting between the director of Circus Starr and representatives of the Greenspace Team, assurances have been given that problems at their previous events will not be repeated. Circus Starr has re-applied to hold a circus event at Torkington Park on the 8 May 2017.

In the light of the new information, the Greenspace Team recommend that the Area Committee approve the application, subject to the organiser obtaining the appropriate papers, event plans, Health and safety documentation, licenses and/or insurances, and fees.

Officer contact: Jacky Budd, 0161 474 3332, jacky.budd@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 further application from Circus Starr for the use of Torkington Park on 8 May 2017. The application had been resubmitted following the refusal of permission at the meeting on 13 December 2016. Assurances had been given by Circus Starr to the Council’s Greenspace Team that concerns about previous events would be addressed.

RESOLVED – That the application from Circus Starr for the use of Torkington Park on 8 May 2017 be approved subject to:-

·         the receipt by the Council’s Greenspace Team of appropriate documentation, licenses and/or insurances and fees;

·         the receipt of written assurances and undertakings by the organiser that the problems experienced at previous events would not be repeated;

·         that the organisers meet with representatives of the Friends of Torkington Park to provide them with assurances about their concerns relating to toilet provision, behaviour of event staff and the safety of cabling; and

·         appropriate monitoring of compliance with any further conditions imposed.

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 the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to submit a report to the next Area Committee on the proposals for traffic calming measures associated with the now complete expansion of Warren Wood Primary School and on Bean Leach Road as requested by the Area Committee in March 2016.

(3) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration or her representative be required to attend the next meeting of the Area Committee to provide an update all outstanding matters referred to the Traffic Management service.

(Note: the Chair has agreed to the submission of this item in accordance with Secton 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 is in order for the matter to be considered promptly in view of the potential negative impact caused to residents by delay.)

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report sets out a request from United Utilities to carry out remedial surface drainage works following a major foul flood water drainage scheme at Boothby Street Park.

The Area Committee is asked to note the contents of this report and provide any comments.

Officer contact: 0161 218 1934, paul.edgeworth@stockport.gov.uk

(Note: the Chair was of the opinion that this item, although not included on the agenda, should be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B (4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 in order that the matter could be considered promptly and not cause undue delay that may negatively impact on residents)

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 request from United Utilities to carry out remedial surface drainage works following a major foul flood water drainage scheme on Council owned land at Boothby Street Park.

RESOLVED – That the request for the use of Boothby Street Park be supported and that United Utilities be requested to ensure that remediation works were carried out appropriately following completion of the drainage works.