Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 2023.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 28 November 2023 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 Interests

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

The Chair reported that a consultation meeting had recently been held in relation to a proposed development on Dialstone Lane. That consultation was available online until 5 February 2024. It was further reported that this consultation was being conducted by the developers and not the by council. Members and residents were encouraged to engage with it.

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

It was reported that was no written update on neighbourhood policing matters and that no representative of the Neighbourhood Policing Team had been available to attend the meeting.

Members requested that an update on neighbourhood policing issues be available for the next meeting of this Area Committee as those updates were valuable for local residents.

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 relating to the Stepping Hill Hospital Travel Plan.

The Chair relayed to the Area Committee a response that had been provided on behalf of the Director of Place Management as follows:-

“Dialogue had continued with the hospital regarding the travel plan.  The hospital and their appointed transport consultant were discussing the latest revisions that had been made to the draft travel plan following feedback provided by the council.  The council was advised that the revised travel plan would be submitted for consideration soon.  Once received, officers would undertake a review and confirm whether the revised travel plan was accepted.”

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 Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance reported that no organisations had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from the Feel Good Feminist Fightclub CIC for a grant of £300 towards the cost of organising an event for World Women’s Wellness Day to promote physical, mental and emotional wellness amongst women in the Stockport community.

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance submitted an application received on behalf of Feel Good Feminist Fightclub CIC for a grant of £300 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of organising an event for World Women’s Wellness Day to promote physical, mental and emotional wellness amongst women in the Stockport community.

RESOLVED – That the application from Feel Good Feminist Fightclub CIC be declined on this occasion on the grounds that the Area Committee had a number of queries in relation to the application that were not resolved in the absence of the applicant.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Hazel Grove Carnival Association for a grant of £630 towards the cost of purchasing gazebos, for use on the food court of the annual carnival held in Torkington Park.

A representative of the Hazel Grove Carnival Association attended the meeting and submitted an application for a grant of £630 from the Ward Flexibility Funding for three new gazebos for use on the food court of the annual carnival held in Torkington Park.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Hazel Grove Carnival Association for a grant of £630 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards costs of new gazebos.

There are no development applications to consider.

No development applications were submitted.

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 Director of Strategy.

The report provides an update on the One Stockport: One Future work and seeks feedback on the proposed approach to delivering this work.

The Area Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer contact: Kathryn Rees 07989 208640 | kathryn.rees@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Strategy submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the One Stockport: One Future project work and sought feedback on the proposed approach to delivering this work.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members referred to the unequal areas of the borough in terms of affluence and asked about the council’s plans to level up and target inequality.

·         In response it was stated that a response to inequality had been introduced in all areas across the entire project. Invitations had been issued to community groups to work with the council and the data team was assessing the key metrics and how success would be measured.

·         Members welcomed the council’s ambition to bring the Metrolink network to the borough.

·         Members also welcomed the roll-out of family hubs across the borough.

RESOLVED – That the report noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Director for People and Integration

This report describes the Neighbourhoods and Prevention Programme. This is an ambitious and key programme of work for the Council and Partners and is a key priority in the Council Plan, Borough Plan and One Future. It will enable better integration and collaboration in our neighbourhoods across our public, private, Voluntary Community Faith and Social enterprise (VCFSE) sector organisations to deliver on priorities.

The Area Committee is recommended to:-

(1) Note the report.

(2) Request further updates on this programme at a frequency to be agreed.

Officer contact: Carolyn Anderson on 07800 617 588 or email carolyn.anderson@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Strategy submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the Neighbourhoods and Prevention Programme. This was an ambitious and key programme of work for the Council and Partners and was a key priority in the Council Plan, Borough Plan and One Future. It would enable better integration and collaboration in neighbourhoods across public, private, Voluntary Community Faith and Social enterprise (VCFSE) sector organisations to deliver on priorities.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members welcomed the update on this work, in particular the collaborative work between the council and the private and voluntary sectors.

·         Members requested data on neighbourhood profiles in order to communicate that information to local residents.

·         In response it was stated that neighbourhood profile data was being gathered at Area Committee and ward level. It was also reported that the Director of Public Health had 13 indictors for measuring the public impact in terms of health and wellbeing. Officers were keen to capture residents’ lived experience as part of this piece of work. A report related to neighbourhood profiles would be presented to a future meeting of this Area Committee.

·         Members requested further details on the appropriate council teams for various aspects of neighbourhood work.

·         It was noted that there was no community centre or library within the Norbury and Woodsmoor ward. Members asked about the potential for working in partnership with the leisure centre within the ward. In response it was stated that such suggestions were welcome and detailed information at a local ward level was vital.

·         In relation to the roll-out of family hubs, it was noted that the Offerton family hub opening had been delayed due to an arson attack. It was also commented that family hubs were required in all areas, not only those associated with deprivation.

·         It was reported that family hubs could be accessed on a referral basis, but residents could also walk-in without an appointment. Efforts to raise awareness about the hubs and the services available had been made across the whole borough through libraries and Life Leisure centres. In addition the council had worked with maternity services including midwives and health visitors to develop integrated pathways to family hubs.

·         Members commented on the impact of the built environment on communities and stated that tree planting would have long-term positive benefits for the climate and local environment. 

·         It was reported that a peer-challenge exercise had taken place 12 months previously and that the council’s work on neighbourhoods had been well-received.

·         Members requested regular updates on the progress of the neighbourhoods and prevention programme.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report advises the Area Committee of details to an objection received to a proposed Tree Preservation Order (TPO) at 23 Offerton Road, Hazel Grove.

It is recommended that the Area Committee:-

(1)  Gives approval to the recission of the decision of the meeting of the Area Committee held on 1 August to make a Tree Preservation Order at 23 Offerton Road, Hazel Grove.

(2)  Considers the matter afresh in the light of the information contained in the revised report.

(3)  Notes that all Tree Preservation Orders where objections made in relation to this site have been considered by the Council.

(4)  Accepts the recommendations of the Arboricultural Officer and resolves to confirm the TPO without amendment.

(5)  Resolves that the objectors are informed of the decision.

Officer contact: Peter Pollard on 0161 474 5637 or email peter.pollard@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report on behalf of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) advising the Area Committee of details to an objection received to a proposed Tree Preservation Order (TPO) at 23 Offerton Road, Hazel Grove.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was reported that the resident of 23 Offerton Road had applied to the council for permission to remove two Canadian pine trees at the property. Council officers had imposed tree preservation orders on the two trees. The resident was concerned that the trees were gaining up to a foot of growth per year, with the same growth to the roots, which had caused issues to the driveway blocks and drains on the property. It was further reported that this matter was causing distress to the resident.

·         Members commented that the information provided by the resident to support his objection to the tree preservation order was over 25 years old and queried whether he had been requested by the council to provide more recent evidence.

RESOLVED (8 for, 1 against) – That the consideration of this matter be deferred to the next meeting of the Area Committee pending Legal Services requesting additional, more recent, evidence from the resident on the damage caused by the trees.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report details an application from Morley’s Funfair to hold a Family Funfair at Torkington Park on Thursday, 4 to Sunday, 7 July 2024.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the application subject to the event organisers obtaining and providing the relevant paperwork at least two weeks prior to the event, including any necessary licences, health and safety documentation and insurance certificates.

Officer Contact: Jacky Budd on 0161 474 3332 or email: jacky.budd@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report on behalf of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application received by the council from Morley’s Funfair to hold a Family Funfair at Torkington Park on 4 to 7July 2024.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application from Morleys Funfair to hold a Family Funfair at Torkington Park on 4 to 7 July 2024, subject to all appropriate paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the council at least one week prior to the event taking place.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report details an application from the Hazel Grove Carnival Association to hold the Hazel Grove Carnival at Torkington Park on Saturday, 13 July 2024 from 10 am to 5 pm.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the application subject to the event organisers obtaining and providing the relevant paperwork at least two weeks prior to the event, including any necessary licences, health and safety documentation and insurance certificates.

Officer Contact: Jacky Budd on 0161 474 3332 or email: jacky.budd@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report on behalf of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application from the Hazel Grove Carnival Association to hold the Hazel Grove Carnival at Torkington Park on Saturday, 13 July 2024 from 10 am to 5 pm.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from the Hazel Grove Carnival Association to hold the Hazel Grove Carnival at Torkington Park on Saturday, 13 July 2024, subject to all appropriate paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the council at least one week prior to the event taking place.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report details an application from Fairway Primary School PTA to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park as part of The Fairway 5 Trail Race on Sunday, 3 November 2024 between 10 am and 1 pm.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the application subject to the event organisers obtaining and providing the relevant paperwork at least two weeks prior to the event, including any necessary licences, health and safety documentation and insurance certificates.

Officer Contact: Jacky Budd on 0161 474 3332 or email: jacky.budd@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report on behalf of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application received by the council from Fairway Primary School PTA to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park as part of The Fairway 5 Trail Race on Sunday, 3 November 2024 between 10 am and 1 pm.

RESOLVED – That the approval be given to an application received from Fairway Primary School PTA to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park as part of The Fairway 5 Trail Race on Sunday, 3 November 2024 between 10 am and 1 pm, subject to all appropriate paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the council at least one week prior to the event taking place.

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.