Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 August 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 23 August 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

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

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

The Chair highlighted the 'Get Me Toasty' campaign. Stockport Council was working in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust to provide free or heavily discounted loft and cavity wall insulation. She encouraged everyone present at the meeting to visit www.getmetoasty.com for further information.

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

Sergeant Bray (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the area represented by Stepping Hill Area Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• Vehicle Crime has risen sharply this year. Measures had been taken in recent weeks to address the problem which had led to the arrest of a number of prolific offenders.
• A recent visit to the Offerton Estate by the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police
• Operation Treacle - plans for combating potential anti-social behaviour problems during the Bonfire Night and Halloween period.
• Partnership working between Greater Manchester Police and the Council's ASBAT team
• An update was requested in respect to the theft of grids across the borough.
• Community consultation events concerning the future use of Offerton Social Club.

RESOLVED - That Sergeant Bray be thanked for his attendance.

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 at the meeting and on the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/areacommittees).

One public question was submitted in relation to the Council's policy for Affordable Housing provision on new development sites.

The question was answered at the meeting.

The local Area Conditions Officer and the Highways Officer will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at previous committee meetings. Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise issues affecting local environment quality.

Bob Hastings (Highways Officer) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to highway issues within the Stepping Hill Area Committee area

The following issues were raised/ comments made:-

• Problems associated with flooding and blocked grids in the vicinity of the bridge near to Rutters Lane.
• Progress made in relation to resurfacing issues on Hatherlow Lane, Hazel Grove.
• Requests for the removal of signs on Lisburne Lane and Marple Road near to the junction with Shearwater Road.
• The need to deal with the pothole on Torkington Road as a matter of urgency - a cyclist had been seriously injured recently.

RESOLVED - (1) That Bob Hastings be thanked for his attendance.

(2) That representatives of United Utilities be invited to attend the next meeting to discuss the realationship between the Council and United Utilities when responding to highway maintenance issues.

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.

No organisation had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

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

No petitions were submitted.

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

There were no funding applications to consider.

To consider the following development applications:-

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 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 Services to Place Directorate upon payment of the Council’s reasonable charges).

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

Change the use of first floor to an office base for taxi operator.

The Area Committee is recommended to refuse planning permission.

In respect of plan no. 47086 for change of use of first floor to an office base for taxi operator at 269 Buxton Road, Great Moor,

the applicant's agent spoke in support of the application.

It was then

MOVED AND SECONDED – That planning permission be refused on the grounds that the proposed development failed to comply with Criterion 4 of Policy SIE-1 and PSD2.3

For the motion 3, against 3.

Upon there being an equality of votes, the Chair exercised her casting vote in support the motion.

MOTION CARRIED

It was then

RESOLVED - That planning permission be refused on the grounds that the proposed development failed to comply with Criterion 4 of Policy SIE-1 and PSD2.3

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal & Democratic Services)

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: Joy Morton, 0161 474 3217, joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Legal & Democratic Services) (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by Stepping Hill Area Committee.

RESOLVED –That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The report sets out proposals for waiting restrictions at the junction of Hempshaw Lane and Milford Grove.

The Area Committee is recommended to request that the Executive Councillor (Transportation) approves the introduction of the proposed traffic regulation orders as detailed in Schedule 1 to this report.

Officer contact: Georgina Summers, 0161 474 4853, georgina.summers@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Place Management) requesting the Area Committee to consider proposals for the introduction of waiting restrictions at the junction of Hempshaw Lane and Milford Grove, Offerton

RESOLVED - That the Executive Councillor (Transportation) be requested to approve the introduction of traffic regulation orders as detailed in schedule one of the report.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Stuart Corris.

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

Councillor Corris suggested that in order to make the Hazel Grove District Centre more accessible to visitors a comprehensive map identifying where car parking was available should be produced and published, supported by the erection of appropriate signage in the centre identifying the location of car parks.

RESOLVED - That the Service Director (Place Management) be requested to produce a comprehensive map identifying where car parking was available in the District Centre and report to a future meeting on the costs for the installation of appropriate signage in the centre identifying the location of car parks.

To consider to report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The Area Committee is asked to appoint a councillor to lay a wreath on behalf of the Council at the Remembrance Day Service at Hazel Grove War Memorial on Sunday, 13 November 2011.

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

A representative of the Head of Area Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to nominate a a Councillor to lay a wreath at the Remembrance Day Service at the Hazel Grove War Memorial on Sunday 13 November 2011.

RESOLVED - That Councillor William Wragg be nominated to lay a wreath at the Remembrance Day Service at Hazel Grove War Memorial on Sunday 13 November 2011.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Education)

The Area Committee is requested to note the nomination of Cllr McAuley to the vacancy at Stockport School (Labour Group nomination).

Officer contact: Libby Evans, 0161 474 3847, libby.evans@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Learning & Achievement) requesting the Area Committee to note the nomination to the School Governor vacancy at Stockport School.

RESOLVED - That the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) be informed that the Area Committee noted the following Labour Group nomination to the Governing Body vacancy at Stockport School:-

School                                    Name                                     Nominating Group

Stockport School                  Cllr P. McAuley                      Labour

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 since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and the current position on Area Flexibility Funding.

RESOLVED - (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to delete the following issues from the progress report:-

• Ward Referrals - Passageways to the rear of 67-91 Commercial Road.
• Weight Restriction on Bean Leach Road, Offerton.
• The Metropolitan Borough Council of Stockport (Bosden Farm Estate, Offerton) (20mph Speed Limit) and (Revocation) Order 2011.