Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2023.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 12 September 2023 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.

No declarations of interest were made.

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

The Chair reported that, following a successful campaign, Offerton Fire Station would continue to be staffed 24 hours per day. This was announced as a benefit not only to the Offerton area, but to surrounding areas and for the safety of Stockport’s residents.

Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise ‘Neighbourhood Policing’ issues with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.

It was reported that a representative of Greater Manchester Police had been unable to attend the meeting, although a written update was provided and the Chair drew particular attention to the following matters:

·         Two teenagers had been arrested following a robbery at Sainsburys, Hazel Grove. Local residents who witnessed similar incidents were encouraged to pass information on to the police without delay in order assist the police.

·         An update was given with regards to damage to vehicles. Over a two-night period, 24 vehicles had been damaged, having their tires slashed with a knife. Following the work of the neighbourhood officer for Hazel Grove, the suspects had been convicted of a total of 50 offences between them. One offender was handed a sentence of four months in a Detention Training Order and the other given a twelve-month intense youth referral order.

·         A Hazel Grove business owner had been successfully prosecuted for selling vapes to an under aged child following a joint operation between the police and trading standards. The shop owner was due to be sentenced on 1 November 2023. It was also reported that, following a raid in Edgeley, £80,000 of illegal vapes had been seized. The Chair reported that young people were taking up vaping and that the health risks were as yet not fully known. As such, efforts to keep young people away from vaping were crucial.

·         It was reported that Operation Treacle was taking place over the Halloween and bonfire night period, which would involve officers being deployed to areas where there had historically been issues around anti-social behaviour (ASB). Residents were encouraged to report any incidents of ASB or concerns regarding the illegal selling of fireworks to underage children.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

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 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.

One public question was submitted as follows:-

·         Regarding the former school crossing patrol at Stockport School near Mile End Lane, and whether a safe crossing option could be reinstated to prevent accidents.

In response, it was reported that there were numerous vacancies in the School Crossing Patrol Service across the whole borough. Efforts had been made to recruit at sites across Stockport, including that at the Stockport School/Mile End Lane site. Positions had been advertised at the recent Stockport Council jobs fair and at another jobs fair organised by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The recruitment campaign was in the process of being taken into local communities with advertisements placed at local libraries where a member of the team would be available to answer questions from prospective candidates. This was alongside a social media campaign and the jobs pages on the council’s website.

It was further reported that the council had an applicant for the vacant school crossing patrol at Stockport School/Mile End Lane, however that application had been withdrawn.

Members commented that the hours required for the school crossing patrol job was one of the reason that the posts were difficult to fill, however the council was giving consideration to offering more flexible working patterns for the role such as split shifts. In addition, members recognised the need for a safe crossing at that and other sites across the borough and had shared the council’s recruitment events on their own social media and stated that they would continue to raise awareness about these posts.

A recruitment event for a school crossing patrol at Hazel Grove School was due to take place at Hazel Grove Library on 31 October 2023, along with similar events across the borough with the aim of raising awareness of school crossing patrol vacancies.

It was reported that members had met with representatives from Stockport School which had resulted in some improvements being made to road markings. The council was of the view that a permanent pedestrian crossing should be implemented at the site, However, the council held limited funds for larger schemes, including permanent crossings, and it had to apply to the Greater Manchester Authority for funding. Such funding opportunities were being sought and, when available, a permanent crossing would be implemented. A school crossing patrol was required in the interim, with the only barrier to that being recruitment. 

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

One petition was submitted with 315 signatures in relation to a safe crossing point for children on Mile End Lane.

The Director of Place Management had provided a statement in response to the petition stating that there was a vacancy in the School Crossing Patrol Service at the Mile End Lane site and that efforts were being made to recruit to that post.

RESOLVED - That the position be noted.

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 Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance (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 Ward Flexibility Funding or to receive feedback from organisations who have received funding.

There were no applications to consider.

There are currently no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director - Legal & Democratic Governance.

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 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) summarising 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.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance.

The report requests the Area Committee to nominate a Councillor to lay a wreath on behalf of the council at Hazel Grove War Memorial on Sunday, 12 November 2023.

The Area Committee is requested to nominate Councillors.

Officer contact: Jacqueline Kramer on 0161 474 2978 or email: jacqueline.kramer@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to nominate a Councillor to lay a wreath on behalf of the council at Hazel Grove War Memorial on Sunday, 12 November 2023.

RESOLVED –That Councillor Pete West be nominated to lay a wreath on behalf of the council at Hazel Grove War Memorial on Sunday, 12 November 2023.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director -  Legal & Democratic Governance.

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: Jacqueline Kramer on 0161 474 2978 or email:  jacqueline.kramer@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) 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. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.