Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and order that the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2020 be signed.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 15 December 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

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

There were no announcements 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 via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.)

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters in the powers or duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out within the Code of Practice.

No public questions were submitted.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Laura Booth to discuss issues of crime and anti-social disorder.

Sergeant Lloyd (Greater Manchester Police) will attend the meeting to provide an update to members and respond to questions.

The Chair reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Laura Booth.

Councillor Booth reported that she had previously expressed concerns at the Area Committee in relation to incidents of anti-social behaviour and racially motivated crime.  Councillor Booth expressed her thanks to both the police and Stockport Homes for their ongoing work to tackle these issues but stated that there remained a high volume of complaints to local councillors.

Sergeant Richard Lloyd (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to provide an update to the Area Committee and respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Sergeant Lloyd expressed his commitment to attend future meetings of the Area Committee.

·         It was noted that there had been significant reductions to both police numbers and the provision of youth services over a number of years.

·         The police continued to treat hate crimes and racist incidents very seriously.

·         Stockport Homes, Mossbank Homes and youth offending services were working together to tackle issues of anti-social behaviour on the Offerton Estate.

·         The additional of a further PC in the area as part of the national ‘Police Now’ programme was welcomed.

·         There had been a shift in the balance of reported criminal activity in the area during the last 12 months, with a reduction in the number of burglaries but an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour.

·         The need for local residents to report all incidents to the police, as well as ensuring that home security features such as door locks met current security standards was emphasised.

·         Repeated anti-social behaviour at the Indian Deluxe restaurant on Lisburne Lane, Offerton was referred to, however these had recently reduced and an action plan had been devised to reduce these further.

·         There had been a spate of incidents where door locks had been burned away to gain entry to properties and residents were encouraged to visit Greater Manchester Police’s website to establish whether their locks met current standards.

At this stage in the proceedings it was noted that Sergeant Lloyd had temporarily disconnected from the remote meeting and as such it was agreed to move on and consider other items on the agenda until such a time that Sergeant Lloyd was able to re-join the meeting.

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

No petitions were submitted.

In accordance with the Code of Practice no organisation has indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) reported that no organisations had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

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

There were no applications to consider.

Upon Sergeant Lloyd re-joining the meeting, the consideration of this item resumed.

The following additional comments were then made/ issues raised:-

·         In response to a question in relation to the number of covid-related crimes that had been investigated by the police, it was stated that a number of public houses had been prosecuted, one business premises and a number of fixed-penalty notices had been issued to members of the public.  However, the approach of the police remained to advise, encourage and engage.

·         A resident had reported that they had used online forms on Greater Manchester Police’s website to report crimes, but that on subsequent investigation no record of these reports could be found.  In response, it was stated that there had been well-publicised press reports of similar such incidents occurring and residents were encouraged to get in touch with the police to ensure that crimes were being correctly recorded.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the number of fraudulent cold-calls and malicious phishing emails being received by local residents.  It was stated that the majority of these originated from overseas and as such needed to be dealt with at a national level.

RESOLVED – That Sergeant Lloyd be thanked for his attendance.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive.

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 & 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).

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) outlined the procedure for public speaking on planning applications.

Change of use of ground floor retail unit (Use Class A1/E) to a hot food takeaway (A5/Sui Generis Use), including bin storage and associated external alterations, and the installation of two externally mounted fume extraction flues.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

Officer Contact: Helen Hodgett on 0161 474 3656 or email: helen.hodgett@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. DC077463 for the change of use of ground floor retail unit (Use Class A1/E) to a hot food takeaway (A5/ Sui Generis Use), including bin storage and associated external alterations, and the installation of two externally mounted fume extraction flues at 461 Buxton Road,

a member of the public spoke against the application; and

a representative of the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – (1 abstention) That planning permission be granted.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer).

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: Vicki Bates on 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) submitted a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) summarising recent appeal decisions; listing current planning appeals and dates for local enquiries; informal hearings for planning appeals, and enforcement action within the Stepping Hill Area Committee area.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member for Devolution and the Deputy Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance.

This report covers how partners across Stockport have approached the development of a shared borough plan, including an overview of the insight which has informed the development of the priorities, and introduces a draft borough plan for scrutiny comment and consideration. The draft plan is being shared with all scrutiny committees and comment is invited on the whole plan however to support discussions Table 1 indicates where borough plan priorities more directly relate to the remit of this committee. The draft plan is also accompanied by a full engagement report (appendix 1) and an equality impact assessment (appendix 2).

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

Officer contact: Holly Rae on 0161 474 3014 or email: holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing how partners across Stockport had approached the development of a shared borough plan, including an overview of the insight which has informed the development of the priorities, and introducing a draft borough plan for comment and consideration.

Holly Rae (CSS Head of Service, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to present the item and to respond to questions from councillors.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was suggested that the Plan was vague and lacked measurable outcomes by its success could be judged.

·         It was important to challenge the borough’s performance as the perception was that it was falling behind its neighbouring authorities and comparable authorities in a number of key areas, and in particular with regard to children and young people.

·         The inclusion of feedback on the specific comments previously made by scrutiny committees and area committees was welcomed.

·         The continued evolution and development of the Plan as had progressed through various committees was noted.

·         It was suggested that the Plan would not resonate with the majority of residents and that tangible outcomes needed to be seen.  It was stated that the majority of Offerton residents would see the development of a new leisure centre in the area as a meaningful outcome of such a Plan.

·         The goal of preserving local heritage centres was welcomed and it was commented that the re-opening of local libraries could be a useful step towards improving digital inclusion which was a key aspect of the Plan. In response, it was stated that any re-opening would need to comply with COVID-19 regulations, but that this was key in providing access to equipment for local people.

·         In response to question about progress toward tackling health inequalities, it was stated that work was underway and that a more detailed response would be provided directly to members.

·         Concern was expressed in relation the lack of a coherent approach to providing accessible housing and the lack of any detail in relation to this matter in the Plan was a matter or regret.

·         It was queried what the Council had done to promote LGBT History Month.

·         It was stated that there was a perception that the Council’s default position was to say ‘no’ to new initiatives, and there needed to be change in approach such that it worked to actively try and find a way to say ‘yes’.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer).

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: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email: damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) presented a report providing an update on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and detailing the current position on area flexibility funding. The report also included the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was stated that at the last meeting of the Area Committee, concern had been raised in relation to the damage being caused to the public highway by a large tree on Cedar Road, Great Moor adjacent to its junction with Linden Grove, and a response to this query was requested.  In response, it was stated that it was understood that response had previously been provided on this issue and that this would be recirculated.

·         It was commented that works to provide a crossing on Commercial Road, Hazel Grove had commenced and this was welcomed.

·         An update was requested in relation to outstanding progress with regard to traffic and parking problems on Bean Leach Road.  It was suggested that this could be picked up as part of the regular meetings with local councillors and traffic officers.

·         Further information was requested in relation to the Mobile Speed Indicator Device previously procured by the Area Committee and whether this was currently operational.

·         It was noted that there had been a request from Cllr Lou Ankers for an item to be included on the agenda for the next meeting of the Area Committee in relation to the impact of the construction of the filling station at Sainsbury’s, Hazel Grove on traffic volumes on the A6.

·         It was noted that the Area Committee had previously commented on the perception that there had been an increase in the number of accidents on Bramhall Lane and it was suggested that it would be useful to undertake a study ascertain whether there was a common factor.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted,