Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 September 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 27 September 2017 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.

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

The Chair reminded those present that Sunday 12^th November 2017 was Remembrance Sunday and the usual Remembrance Services would be held in Marple Memorial Park commencing at 10.30am.

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 submit questions to the Chair and Members of the Area Committee on matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

One question was submitted relating to the cancellation of the 303 bus service.

A number of Councillors commented on the issue and Councillor Annette Finnie undertook to raise the matter with GMPTE and report back to a future meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager further reported that questions had been submitted by the High Lane Residents Association and that he had liaised with colleagues in the Place Directorate and provided responses which had been circulated to councillors. He confirmed that both the questions and the responses would be available on the Marple Area Committee webpage for the public to view.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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.

Karen Barnes (Public Realm Service) submitted a report (copies of which were circulated) providing an update on public realm and environmental related matters in the area represented by Marple Area Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         An outline of the structure including roles and responsibilities for officers in the public realm service.

·         Gully cleansing on numerous roads including Arkwright Road, Windlehurst Road and Hogarth Road.

·         Blocked gullies on Hibbert Lane close to the former Marple College site.

·         The Community Payback Team had attended a section of Compstall Brow between lighting columns 80 to 83 to cut back overgrown bushes overhanging the footway and The Market Place on George Street. 

·         Dog fouling on Longhurst Lane and Middlewood Way and the Keep Britain Tidy campaign

·         Dealing with overgrown vegetation, notably on the A6,  would be an ongoing project and regular updates would be provided.

·         An explanation of how leaves would be collected and removed on a rotational basis.

·         Repairs to Town Street following recent flooding issues.

·         United Utilities contractors were due to carry out excavations outside 245 Stockport Road, to deal with a drain collapse.

·         Junction improvement works on Windlehurst lane, High Lane.

·         Fly tipped items left at the High Lane Park Recycling site – there was a general reminder that items left beside the recycling bins will not be recycled.  Ultimately, anyone who persists in leaving rubbish at the site could face a fine.

·         The schedule for bin collections and what action is taken against residents who present bins incorrectly for collection.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and Karen Barnes be thanked for her attendance and presentation.

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 Democratic Services Manager reported that no organisation wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

To consider an application from Marple Civic Society who are requesting funding towards the installation of a defibrillator in Marple Town Centre.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted an Area Flexibility Funding application (copies of which had been circulated) requesting funding to support plans to install a defibrillator in Marple Town Centre.

A representative of Marple Civic Society attended the meeting and answered Councillors questions in respect to the report.

RESOLVED – The a grant of £1000.00 be made to Marple Civic Society (to be divided equally between the two wards) to contribute to the installation of a defibrillator in Marple Town Centre.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Development).

The following development applications will be considered by the Area Committee:-

One 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 and Regeneration is authorised to determine conditions and reasons and they are therefore not referred to in committee minutes unless the committee makes a specific decision on a condition or reason. In order to preserve natural resources, the schedule of plans is not reproduced in this book of committee minutes. A copy of the schedule of plans or any part thereof, may be obtained from the Place Directorate upon the payment of the Council’s reasonable copying charges)

To consider a retrospective planning application to change the use of land to residential curtilage and retention of timber garage and outbuilding and associated works.

The Area Committee are recommended to grant planning permission.

In respect of plan no. 066728 for retrospective planning permission to change the use of land to residential curtilage and retention of timber garage and outbuilding and associated works,

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 – That planning permission be granted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive

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 Marple Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Paul Cassidy on Tel: 474 5142 or email: paul.cassidy@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the Area represented by Marple Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Geoff Abell.

Representatives of Marple area Churches Together will attend the meeting to explain the work they are currently undertaking to replace the broken cross on Cobden Edge with a new stronger one.  

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

Representatives of Marple Area Churches Together attended the meeting to outline the work they were undertaking to replace the broken cross on Cobden Edge with a new stronger one.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the representative of Marple Area Churches Together be thanked for their attendance and presentation.

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

The report details the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) and invites the comments of the Scrutiny Committee on the draft plan. The Committee is particularly recommended to give their views on the seven conclusions reached in the plan, and the actions suggested.

For the purposes of the plan a Right of Way is all off road routes that the public are able to utilise legally. Examples include routes in parks, concessionary paths, public rights of way and access space.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to provide comments upon the draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan in Appendix 1.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 4744351 or email sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) providing for comment the draft rights of way improvement plan.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The consultation on the plan would conclude on 8 January 2018.

·         A member commented in respect to conclusion 6 – maintaining the network – suggesting that should be given the highest priority.

·         East to West and North to South connectivity for “everyday” cyclists.

·         Councillors suggested that on the whole the surfaces for public rights of way in Cheshire East appeared to be of better quality and surfaced with materials that of a higher standard especially for horse riders.

·         The previous compilation of a Bridleway Strategy.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report outlines an event application from Crazy Legs Events who have applied to hold their annual half-marathon on Sunday 11th February 2018 that will be run along the Middlewood Way in Stockport and Macclesfield. The start and end of the trail half marathon will be at Marple Rugby Club with the start time at 9.30am and the finish time 12.15pm. Access to the site will be required from 8.30am – 12.30pm to set up and close down the event.

The Area Committee are recommended to approve the application.

Officer Contact: Wayne Bardsley on Tel: 218 2588 or email: wayne.bardsley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to consider an application from Crazy Legs Events to hold their annual half marathon on Sunday 11 February 2018 that will be run along the Middlewood Way.

RESOLVED – (1) That the application from Crazy Legs Events to hold their annual half marathon on Sunday 11 February 2018 that will be run along the Middlewood Way be approved.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management be requested to write to the Event organiser requesting them to ensure that all litter associated with the run and that they be reminded that runners should have regard to other users of Middlewood Way.

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

The report outlines an event application submitted by Marple Carnival Charities Committee to hold their annual Carnival event at Marple Memorial Park and Brabyns Park which will take place on Saturday 16th June 2018, permission has been requested to use both Parks between 14th and 17th June to enable event set up and event drop.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application.

Officer Contact: Wayne Bardsley on Tel: 218 2588 or email: wayne.bardsley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to consider an application from Marple Carnival Charities Committee to hold their annual carnival event at Marple Memorial Park and Brabyns Park on Saturday 16^th June 2018, the permission to include both park between 14^th and 17^th June to enable event set up and event drop.

RESOLVED – That the application from Marple Carnival Charities Committee to hold their annual carnival event at Marple Memorial Park and Brabyns Park on Saturday 16^th June 2018, the permission to include both park between 14^th and 17^th June to enable event set up and event drop be approved.

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

The report requests the Area Committee to consider the proposed introduction of a traffic regulation order on Eastwood Drive, Marple.

The Area Committee is requested to consider the proposals in the report and determine how to proceed.

Officer Contact:  Julie Pelham on Tel: 0161 474 4846 or email: stephen.fox@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to consider a proposed traffic regulation order on Eastwood Drive, Marple

RESOLVED – That the following traffic regulation order be approved and subject to no objections being received with 21 days from the advertisement date, the order be made as advertised:-

Proposed No Waiting at Any Time

Cross Lane (South)

From a point 10 metres south west of the intersection of the southern kerb line of Eastwood Drive, to a point 10 metres north east of the intersection of the northern kerb line of Eastwood Drive

Eastwood Drive ( Both sides)

From the intersection of the north western kerb line of Cross Lane, for a distance of 10 metres in a north westerly direction

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration. (Full report To Follow)

The report requests the Area Committee to  consider the results of the recent consultation exercise carried out with residents of Hibbert Lane (between Church Lane and Buxton Lane), Cotefield Close and recommend that the Cabinet Member (Communities & Housing) approves the proposed measures and associated traffic regulation orders and proposed traffic calming features.

The Area Committee are requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member (Communities & Housing) approves the proposed measures and associated traffic regulation orders and proposed traffic calming features.

Officer Contact: Shafaq Hassain on Tel: 0161 218 1059 or email: shafaq.hussain@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) outlining proposals for s278 work on Hibbert Lane near to Church Lane and Buxton Road)

A number of Councillors and members of the public reported that they had contacted officers expressing concern with various aspects of the report including the positioning of the bus stop outside No.60 Hibbert Lane and the quality of the proposed speed cushions detailed in the scheme.

RESOLVED – That consideration of the report be deferred and that the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be requested to attend the next meeting to address concerns raised by Councillors and members of the public.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report advises members on the outcome of the consultation on changing the names of the Werneth and Marple Area Committees to ‘Marple and High Lane Area Committee’ and the ‘Bredbury, Romiley and Woodley Area Committee’ respectively.

The Area Committee is invited to comment on the report and those comments will be reported to the Cabinet.

Officer Contact: Craig Ainsworth on Tel: 0161 474 3204 or email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) advising the Area Committee of the outcome of the consultation on changing the name of the name of the Area Committee to the ‘Marple and High Lane’ Area Committee.

Councillors discussed the response received following the consultation process.

RESOLVED – That, the Cabinet be informed that it is the view of the Area Committee that the name of the Area Committee should remain unchanged.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report sets out the final recommendations of the local scrutiny review undertaken in respect to enhanced community engagement by the Area Committee.

The Area Committee are recommended to approve the recommendations detailed in the report.

Officer Contact: Stephen Fox on Tel: 0161 474 3206 or email: stephen.fox@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the final recommendations of the local scrutiny review undertaken in respect to enhanced community engagement by the Area Committee. The report had been considered at the final meeting of the Review Panel in October 2017 which had been attended by a number of community group representatives.

RESOLVED – That the proposals detailed in the report be approved.

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: Stephen Fox on Tel: 0161 474 3206 or email: stephen.fox@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 on Area Flexibility Funding.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report outlines the findings of a consultation exercise and seeks approval for the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO)

The Area Committee are requested to consider the proposals detailed in the report.

Officer Contact: Craig Peet on Tel: 0161 474 4813 or email: craig.peet@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee the introduction of a traffic regulation order on Walton Drive, Marple.

RESOLVED – That the proposals detailed in the report be approved and that they be legally advertised and subject to no objections being received within 21 days form the advertisement date, the order be made.