Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 31 January 2017 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 receive any announcements from the Chair about local community events or issues.

The Chair reported that it was current Fair Trade Fortnight.

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.

No public questions were submitted.

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:-

·         Monthly highway inspections were being undertaken.

·         An estimate for carriageway resurfacing at top end (turning circle) of Berkeley Road, Hazel Grove had been sent to ward councillor for consideration.

·         An inspection had been carried out on Beech Avenue, Hazel Grove in relation to waste and overgrown vegetation. Discussions were taking place with property owners to address concerns. The area had also been included on the list for Probation works.

·         A defective United Utilises (UU) cover at the London Road/ Macclesfield Road junction had been reported to UU.

·         Gulley cleansing would take place on Butley Street and Catherine Street following completion of the Commercial Road resurfacing.

·         An assessment would be undertaken of litter bins around Asda, Hazel Grove following complaints of littering.

·         Ad-hoc gulley cleansing would take place on the A6 London Road following concerns from councillors.

·         Carriageway resurfacing was taking place on Commercial Road, Hazel Grove; Marple Road between Sundial and Lisburne Lane.

·         Planters had been removed from the junction of Dean Lane and Cavendish Road, Hazel Grove.

·         A number of fly-tipping complaints had been received but all had been removed.

·         A Section 80 Notice had been served for a large accumulation of waste at the rear of the White Hart Pub in Hazel Grove.

·         Nineteen complaints had been received about abandoned vehicles, five of which have been passed to the DVLA for removal.

The following additional issues were raised:-

·           Concerns were expressed about the length of time taken to provide replacement of bins on Turnstone Road, Offerton which had been requested in October 2016.

·           Clarification was sought on whether the resurfacing of Commercial Road, Hazel Grove would be delayed in light of voids being uncovered under the carriageway. In response it was stated that there was not anticipated to be any delay.

·           The pruning of hedges on Marple Road in the vicinity of ‘17 Windows’ remained outstanding, as did the cutting back of hedges on Bean Leach Road near the pinch point.

·           The damaged gulley on the A6 opposite The Blossoms Public House had not been repaired, nor a rattling utility cover nearby.

·           Councillors welcomed the removal of the planters in Hazel Grove.

·           Councillors expressed frustration that the drainage problems outside the Three Tonnes and Grapes public houses was not easily resolved, but welcomed the efforts made. A request for the cleansing of the gullies in Hazel Grove had also been made.

·           In relation to the Berkley Road turning circle it was commented that the pavement condition was more pressing given the number of elderly residents.

·           Concerns were expressed that there was a lot of works taking place on the highway that was impacting negatively on traffic flow.

·           There was a fallen tree on Woodsmoor Lane, and an abandoned vehicle on Poplar Grove.

·           The post at the Bramhall Lane end of Kennelly Road was damaged.

·           There was a pothole outside the Weatherspons Public House in Hazel Grove.

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

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

No petitions were received.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from Stockport School seeking funding toward the cost of establishing the Princes Trust Achieve Programme.

Matt Williamson, Director of Intervention at Stockport School, attended the meeting to answer questions from the Area Committee in relation to an application for funding toward the cost of the Princes Trust Achieve Programme.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £500 to Stockport School toward the cost of the Princes Trust Achieve Programme.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from Cheshire Parenting Collective CIC seeking support to take over existing lending facilities for baby carriers and training of volunteers to provide advice to parents and pregnancy, birth, infancy and toddlerhood.

Eleanor Thouret of the Cheshire Parenting Collective CIC attended the meeting to answer questions from the Area Committee in relation to an application for funding toward the cost of establishing a lending library of baby carriers and providing training to volunteers.

RESOLVED – (1 against) That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £300 to Stockport School toward the cost of training and establishing a lending facility for baby carriers.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from the 1st Great Moor Scout Group seeking funding toward the cost of participation in the 2017 Scout Jamboree.

Bernard Corfe and Steve Torley of 1st Great Moor Scout Group attended the meeting to answer questions from the Area Committee in relation to an application for funding toward the cost of a ten day expedition to the Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland to participate in the Scout Jamboree.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £1500 to the 1st Great Moor Scout Group as a contribution toward the cost of the participation in the Scout Jamboree at Kandersteg International Scout Centre, Switzerland.

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 Chief Executive 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/planning. 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).

Proposed Golf Course Ball Stop Net and Close Boarded Fence.

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

In respect of plan no. 64471 for a proposed golf course ball stop net and close boarded fence at land adjacent to the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road and Hazel Grove Golf Club,

a member of the public spoke against the application on behalf of local residents,

and

a representative of the applicant spoke in support.

It was then

RESOLVED – (1 against) That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to undertake a site visit in view of the Area Committee’s concerns about the impact of the proposed development on residential amenity, the openness of the green belt and its ecological impact.

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

The report outlines the current review of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) and provides an opportunity to comment on the current state of the Rights of Way network.   This is part of the ongoing consultation reviewing our current ROWIP. To do this, we want to know what people think of the current Rights of Way network and their priorities on how it could be improved. The ROWIP review is looking at all off road walking, cycling and equestrian routes in Stockport and it is not limited to recorded Public Rights of Way.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on the current provision of off road facilities in the borough to assist in the development of the future Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161-474-4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the ongoing consultation reviewing the current Rights of Way Improvement Plan and seeking comments on the current provision of off road facilities in the borough to assist in the development of the future Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·           There were often complex ownership issues on Public Rights of Way (PROW) which caused problems, including blocking and lack of maintenance by private landowners. There often seemed to be a lack of enforcement assistance.

·           Was the map on internet definitive? It was not clear which PROW were suitable for particular vehicles or modes of transport.

·           Using QR codes on maps and notice boards would help improve access to internet support for other languages and enhanced information. This was something that could be included in the Digital by Design programme.

·           There was a PROW running from Marple Road to Turnstone Road and a protracted issue with a landowner moving a fence. There is a need for officers from different departments to co-ordinate their activities better to prevent contentious issues being dragged out.

·           What targets were there for the Strategy.

·           Lighting on PROW in urban or semi-rural areas was often inadequate and could create a safety issue.

·           The PROW process would be complicated by 2026 deadline for new claims to be made and processed. The Council would need to consider prioritising those routes that are most important to claim before that deadline.

·           A member of the Stockport Greenspace Forum reported that the Group were involved in the consultation and working to help identify the current issues. Often confusing signage makes the usage confusing. The Group recognised the scale of the task in delivering the Plan.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

On the 13th September 2016, extreme rainfall events hit parts of south west England and the south Pennines, with significant flooding observed across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Staffordshire, and also in parts of west Cornwall.  The rainfall event significantly affected Stockport, with the borough receiving approximately 44% of its total monthly rainfall in just one day. Leading up to this day Stockport had experienced a period of warm dry weather and as a result ground conditions were not saturated and water levels within the local watercourses were quite low. However, the volume and intensity of rainfall overloaded the local drainage system, causing surface water flooding throughout large parts of the borough.

This report presents the various aspects of the flood events in September and specifically incorporates a draft Independent Section 19 Investigation Report in accordance with the Flood & Water Management Act (FWMA) on the investigation into the flooding events undertaken by Jacobs Consulting Engineers.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on the draft Jacobs Section 19 Report for the September 2016 floods in Appendix A and recommend that the Executive approves the final report.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161-474-4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the opportunity for Councillors and members of the public to comment on the Council’s response to the extreme rainfall event which occurred on 13 September 2016 as well as on the draft Independent Section 19 Investigation report.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Concerns were expressed that ward councillors were given insufficient notice of correspondence being sent to residents about matters relating to flooding, particularly when they contained potentially contentious information.

·         Given that services and contact centres are often overwhelmed when flooding occurs, could the Council and other agencies be more proactive at contacting those in high risk communities at the beginning of these incidences? In response it was confirmed that discussions were taking space about how best to ensure extra capacity was available in these instances, and to enhance community resilience and resources to allow communities to take greater charge of the situation.

·         The report gave the impression that United Utilities ‘got off lightly’ as no recommendation were made for them to do anything above and beyond what they should be doing anyway. Other agencies appeared to be far more proactive in taking preventative measures.

·         Did the recommendations mean that there was not already an efficient system? Will the measures mean that insurance premiums go up? How were landowners with water course running through them going to be encouraged to check weather reports? In response, it was stated that it may be that insurance premiums would increase but there were schemes for home owners who might struggle to avoid insurance. It was also stated that the environment agency and Met Office provided various alert facilities that the public could sign up to.

·         Concerns were expressed that there remained a number of blocked drains and gulleys which undermined confidence that there had been learning from previous flooding incidents. In response it was stated that the Council sought to target resources on areas of highest risk and most frequent blockages. It was acknowledged that there was scope for the Council to better understand the causes of blockages at particular locations to take preventative measures. It was also commented that given the volume of rain fall in the incidents under consideration, blocked gullies were unlikely to have been a significant contribution factor.

·         It was queried why Rochdale and other areas were receiving more generous levels of government support for residents in providing property level protection. In response it was stated that the matter had been raised with the appropriate Government department but the Council had been told that local flooding was not as severe as that experienced in Rochdale so would not attract similar funding support.

·         There were farming and land management measures that could be employed to reduce flood risk and this should be encouraged.

·         The development of the Local Plan should ensure that inappropriate development on flood plains and in flood risk areas was discouraged or prevented.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There are no outstanding planning appeals, enforcement appeals or enforcement notices to report.

There were none to consider.

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

The report sets out an object received to a proposed Prohibition of Waiting Order on Short Street and Lyme Street, Hazel Grove, and the response of Council officers to the objections made.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the making of the following amended Order:-

Introduce No Waiting at Any Time:

Short Street

North Easterly side from a point 4 metres South East of the South Easterly kerb line of Commercial Road in a South Easterly direction to the Adopted limit (a distance of approx. 21 metres).

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) summarising an objection received to proposals to introduce waiting restrictions on Short Street and Lyme Street, Hazel Grove.

RESOLVED – That the Order be amended as follows, subject to further consultation with affected frontages:-

Introduce No Waiting at Any Time:

Short Street

North Easterly side from a point 4 metres South East of the South Easterly kerb line of Commercial Road in a South Easterly direction to the Adopted limit (a distance of approx. 21 metres).

As requested by the Area Committee at its meeting on 31 January 2017, representatives of the Place Directorate have been invited to the meeting to update the Area Committee on outstanding traffic management issues.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration attended the meeting at the request of the Area Committee to provide an update on outstanding requests to Traffic Services.

The following updates were provided on those schemes requested by Area Committee and would progressed be part of the A6MARR complementary measures, as well as additional measures proposed as part of this work:-

·         Commercial Road crossing point in vicinity of health centre

·         The potential use of unused land on Beech Avenue as a car par

·         Torkington Road/ Offerton Road junction – possibility of a mini-roundabout with crossing points on the arms.

·         West of Torkington Road – exploring possible locations for a uncontrolled crossing point with suitable visibility

·         Mill Lane – exploring physical measures to prevent motorbike access

·         Cycle route parallel to the A6 to improve links between rail station and hospital

·         Origin/ destination survey on Hazel Road suggested relatively low usage by HGVs and it was anticipated this would reduce once A6MARR open. The situation would continue to be monitored.

The following additional updates were provided:

·           Magda Road Petition – the road did not meet the criteria and ward councillors were arranging for a meeting with local residents to discuss options

·           Great Moor/ Hospital Permit Parking Petition – consultation failed to gain a majority in favour

·           Warren Wood – outline design completed and now with Development Control for agreement before passed to highway design for more detailed work prior to consultation.

The following issues were raised:-

·           As part of the A6MARR Complimentary and Mitigation measures, consideration should be given to extending the existing 20mph limit on Chester Road and introducing a Stop sign in place of the Give Way sign at end of Chester Road off A6 due to the restricted width of the carriageway at this point.

·           Councillors discussed ongoing problems with the speed tables on Hazelwood Road causing noise nuisance, particularly from HGVs using the route at unsocial hours. It was queried whether the profile of the tables could be altered in conjunction with planned highway resurfacing work. In response it was stated that the profile of the humps was specified within the Traffic Regulation Order and was in accordance with standard design parameters. Altering the profile would likely result in a less effective measure to slow speeds. It was also acknowledged that wherever possible traffic works should be co-ordinated with highway resurfacing works.

·           Councillors discussed the possibility of introducing Permit Parking in roads around the hospital individually given the negative consultation outcome for an area wide scheme, and whether the response rate needed to be 51% of eligible properties or of respondents.  In response it was clarified that the policy required 51% of all eligible properties, not just respondents and that in the case of the Great Moor wide scheme there was not a majority in favour in any of the individual roads consulted. It was further commented that where there was an external cause of parking problems, such as a hospital, introducing schemes on individual roads was likely to displace the problem. It was suggested that the issue would best be revisited after some time had elapsed.

·           Councillors discussed the divergence between petition responses and consultation results for residents parking requests. It was suggested that the wording in consultation letters may create the impression that residents must purchase permits, even if they did not require one, thereby discouraging support during the consultation.

RESOLVED – (1) That the update be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to progress the schemes discussed and report back to Ward Spokespersons and the Area Committee as appropriate.

(3) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide the additional origin and destination survey data for Hazel Road to ward councillors.

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

The report seeks approval for the funding for a feasibility / design appraisal for proposed traffic calming measures on the Woodsmoor Lane / Moorland Road Corridor in Woodsmoor.

The Area Committee is asked to approve £1000 funding from its Delegated Budget (Stepping Hill Ward allocation) for a design feasibility study on additional traffic calming along the Woodsmoor Lane / Moorland Road Corridor.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to fund a design and feasibility study for traffic calming measures on the Woosdsmoor Lane/ Moorland Road traffic corridor.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the funding of a design and feasibility study on additional traffic calming along the Woodsmoor Lane/ Moorland Road corridor at a cost of £1000 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Stepping Hill Ward allocation).

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

The report seeks approval for the revocation of a redundant order for restricted waiting on Queen's Road in Hazel Grove.

The Area Committee is asked to approve the following:

Revoke No Waiting Monday to Saturday 8am – 7pm:

Queen’s Road

North Westerly side from the South Westerly kerb line of Wesley Street for a distance of 10 metres in a South Westerly direction.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to agree to revoke a redundant traffic regulation Order for Queen’s Road in Hazel Grove. The Order had been superseded by a newer Order.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the statutory legal advertising of the following scheme, and subject to the receipt of no objections, the subsequent making of the Order:-

Revoke No Waiting Monday to Saturday 8am – 7pm:

Queen’s Road

North Westerly side from the South Westerly kerb line of Wesley Street for a distance of 10 metres in a South Westerly direction.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Jon Twigge.

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

Councillor Twigge reported that he was aware that other area committees had purchased Mobile Speed Indicator Signs for use exclusively in the area committee area as a means of deterring speeding and gathering data on traffic speeds.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager provided the Area Committee with details of the costs associated with this proposal.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be authorised to purchase a Mobile Speed Indicator Sign for use within the Stepping Hill Area Committee area, at a cost of the £4384.80 (including the cost of the first year’s deployment) to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (£1461.60 per ward).

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

The Area Committee will be asked to consider a proposal to deviate from the Council's policy on permit parking as part of an investigation into traffic management on Douglas Road in Hazel Grove.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to consider whether it wished to request a deviation from the Council’s policy on permit parking in order to progress proposals for traffic management measures on Douglas Road, Hazel Grove.

The proposal had arisen following discussions between ward councillors, residents and officers about the challenging parking situation in the area caused by non-resident parking.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Communities & Housing) be recommended to agree to deviate from the Council’s Permit Parking Policy to allow the investigation of permit parking on Douglas Road, Hazel Grove even though the road would not meet the policy criteria in order to prevent inappropriate parking at this location.

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 included on the agenda at the request of Councillor Julian Lewis Booth.

The Chair reported that there had been a further traveller incursion onto land on Melford Road and that this was causing problems for nearby residents and businesses.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration reported that a possible solution was to open up Melford Road to through traffic, but that this would could only be done following completion of the A6MARR in order to prevent the route becoming a ‘rat-run’.

Councillors stated that measures were needed in advance of any A6MARR mitigation measures and before any changes to the status of Melford Road. It was also commented that there should be consultation with residents and businesses to find an appropriate solution.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to liaise with ward councillors on possible measures to prevent traveller incursions on Melford Road, Hazel Grove.

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

The report summarises an application to hold Woodsmoor Classic Car Show at Woodsmoor Playing Fields on 28 August 2017.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application subject to the provision of appropriate licenses, insurance and health & safety documentation.

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) summarising an application for the use of Woodsmoor Playing Fields for a classic car show.

RESOLVED – That the application for the use of Woodsmoor Playing Fields for the Woodsmoor Classic Car Show on 28 August 2017 be approved, subject to confirmation of the appropriate licences, insurances, and health and safety documentation.

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

The report summarises an application to hold a Family Funfair in Torkington Park from 29th June - 2nd July.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application subject to the provision of appropriate licenses, insurance and health & safety documentation.

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) summarising an application for the use of Torkington Park for a family funfair.

RESOLVED – That the application for the use of Torkington Park from 29 June until 2 July 2017 for a Family Funfair be approved, subject to confirmation of the appropriate licences, insurances, and health and safety documentation.

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 Delegated budget.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.