Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and order that the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2021 be signed.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 03 February 2021 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.

No declarations of interest were made.

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

The Chair on behalf of the Area Committee: -

·         Informed Marple residents that the consultation regarding speed bumps in Windlehurst was still ongoing and residents had time to feedback their views online and email, to date over 700 local residents have been involved.

·         Informed Marple residents that  the consultation regarding Stockport Market Place and the Underbanks was also ongoing, but will end on 05 February 2021.

·         Informed Marple residents that the consultation regarding the Neighbourhood Plan in High Lane was open till 14March 2021.

·         Suggested that a memorial to Sir Captain Tom could be made to commemorate his life either by a sign or plaque in Marple as a tribute to his life.

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 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.

Two questions were submitted relating to ‘speed bumps’ and ‘20mph zones’ in Marple and two questions submitted relating to ‘Call 24/7 site’: -

Speed Bumps and 20mph zones: -

In response, it was stated that the 20mph zone and associated removable traffic calming installed in the Marple District Centre as part of the Safer Streets Save Lives interventions following the end of the initial Covid 19 lockdown and to support the recovery of the businesses in the district centres are temporary measures. The future of these installations is subject to ongoing discussions with the Members and a meeting to look at these specific issues is due to take place in February 2021. Union Road is wholly within the 20mph Zone i.e. to get to Union Road from any direction a motorist will have passed a 20mph Zone entry sign so signage indicating the zonal speed limit at either end of Union Road itself is not required. A 20mph Zone is intended to be self-enforcing by the use of physical measures in this case cushions and humps and as such does not require repeater signs. However, further considerations for repeater signs on Church Lane as part of the Safer Streets Saves Lives (SSSL) to reinforce the message of the 20mph Zone will be considered. A formal response would be shared with the questioners and the Committee.  

Call 24/7 site: -

In response, it was stated that the Council was aware the property was currently vacant and were satisfied that it was broadly secure. The Council alongside the Police and Fire Service are working together to tackle matters of Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) and criminal activity in the community. Recent reports of significant ASB/ criminal activity taking place on the site haven’t been received however, should anyone be directly affected by such activity in the future please report it to the Police as and when it happened using 101 or GMP live chat. Ring 999 in the case of an emergency. Council officers as asking to keep a log of what ASB activity has been affecting you directly. This forms evidence, enables a picture of the extent and nature of the criminal activity and potentially helps in the identification of perpetrators for follow up. The site is known to Council Regeneration Teams who continue to work to encourage owners of vacant buildings to either bring them back into use or to sell them to someone who will. A formal response would be shared with the questioners and the Committee.  

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.

In accordance with the Code of Practice no organisation 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 Marple Bridge Association for a grant of £500 (£250 from each ward) towards the cost of the overhaul of the Peace Garden and to keep the Marple Bridge Association financially stable until it can start holding events again and generating money.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Marple Bridge Association for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of the overhaul of the Peace Garden and to keep the Marple Bridge Association financially stable until it can start holding events again and generating money.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Marple Bridge Association for a grant of £500 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget (Marple North ward allocation) towards the cost of the overhaul of the Peace Garden and to keep the Marple Bridge Association financially stable until it can start holding events again and generating money.

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

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 & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) outlined the procedure for public speaking on planning applications. 

Demolition (in part) of the former Compstall Printworks and construction of 18 no. dwelling houses and 14 no. apartments with associated car parking and landscaping.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grants planning permission.    

Officer contact: Mark Burgess, 0161 474 3659, mark.burgess@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of the demolition (in part) of the former Compstall Printworks and construction of 18 no. dwelling houses and 14 no. apartments with associated car parking and landscaping,

the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal and 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 Marple Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates, 0161 474 3219, vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by the Marple Area Committee.

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

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The publication of an addendum to the report providing feedback on the specific comments on the Borough Plan made by the Area Committee at its last meeting was welcomed.

·         Members welcomed the plan and thanked the officer team for the work that had been undertaken.

·         It was commented that clarity was needed for the that the Borough Plan was being put together, the process involved and what happens next.

·         It was stated that the Borough Plan was about making it practical, deliverable and more action driven.

·         The content of the Borough Plan was reflective of the feedback provided by the various engagement forums and provided reassurance that people were listening.

Holly Rae welcomed the feedback from the Area Committee and provided assurance that work will be ongoing on the Borough Plan to reflect a stronger positioning around the Stockport relationships.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (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: Charles Yankiah, 0161 474 3206 charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (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 details the current position on ward flexibility funding. The report also included the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.  

·         Reference was made to previous requests of the Area Committee made at its meetings on: -

o   November 2018 in relation to the Atkins report and it was requested that an update be submitted to the next meeting of the Area Committee detailing the current position.

o   17 July 2019 in relation to Residents Parking Permit and it was requested that an update be submitted to the next meeting of the Area Committee detailing the current position.

o   16 December 2020 in relation to Ridge Avenue and a road replacement scheme and it was requested that an update be submitted to the next meeting of the Area Committee detailing the current position.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Malcolm Allan.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Malcolm Allan.

Councillor Allan provided the Committee with an update relating to the Iron Bridge across the river in Brabyns Park that was Grade 2 listed and built in 1813 by Salford Ironworks as follows: -

·         in 2007/08 considerable restoration work took place funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund with conditions that there would be an inspection every year with a full inspection every six years.

·         the bridge was opened in June 2008, with a full inspection held in 2014.

·         the last full inspection was due to take place in June 2020, but due to Covid it could not be done.

·         inspection completed in 2014, with some work identified including £4,750 worth of engineering works and £3,00 worth of vegetation work, but this work was not done.

·         following discussions with the Council it has now been agreed that the inspection would be re-arranged for as early as practicable in 2021.

·         the work that needed to be done from 2014 needs to be done properly in order to ensure the bridge is protected.

·         requested that a report be submitted to the Area Committee at a future meeting outlining the work to be done and the proposed costs involved.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be requested to look into the issues raised and a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee.