Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and order that the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2021 be signed.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 10 March 2021 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 receive any announcements from the Chair about local community events or issues.

The Chair on behalf of the Area Committee: -

·         Extended best wishes to Councillor Tom Dowse on his retirement as a Councillor from Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council.

·         Expressed concerns relating to eating establishments across the area relating to the use of pavement space and the impact on the movement of pedestrians and the disabled community. In response, it was stated that there was an updated policy for establishments that had been published online providing further details on the ‘public highway’ for businesses operating outside/on the pavement.

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

No questions were submitted.

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 Beacon Counselling for a grant of £1000 (£500 from each ward allocation) towards the cost of anticipating even higher levels of demand for 2021 as financial hardship, isolation, and particularly bereavement, continue to impact mental health and support towards funding the voluntary service for those within the ward for 2021.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Beacon Counselling for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of anticipating even higher levels of demand for 2021 as financial hardship, isolation, and particularly bereavement, continue to impact mental health and support towards funding the voluntary service for those within the ward for 2021.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Beacon Counselling for a grant of £500 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget (£250 from each ward allocation) towards the cost of anticipating even higher levels of demand for 2021 as financial hardship, isolation, and particularly bereavement, continue to impact mental health and support towards funding the voluntary service for those within the ward for 2021.

To consider an application received from Etherow Country Park Sailing Club for a grant of £1,000 (£500 from this Area Committee) from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of providing ‘introduction to sailing’ courses for 10-16 year olds.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Etherow Country Park Sailing Club for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of providing ‘introduction to sailing’ courses for 10-16 year olds.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Etherow Country Park Sailing Club for a grant of £500 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget (£250 from each ward allocation) towards the cost of providing ‘introduction to sailing’ courses for 10-16 year olds.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Mellor Open Gardens for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of this year’s Mellor Open Gardens taking place on two consecutive afternoons: Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th July from 2 till 6pm for  advertising, the cost of printing tickets, posters and the provision of minibuses and another expenses.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Mellor Open Gardens for a grant of £500 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget (Marple North ward allocation) towards the cost of this year’s Mellor Open Gardens taking place on two consecutive afternoons: Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th July from 2 till 6pm for  advertising, the cost of printing tickets, posters and the provision of minibuses and another expenses.

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

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

Development applications were 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 of existing bungalow and erection of 1 no. dwelling-house.

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 of existing bungalow and erection of 1 no. dwelling-house.

The applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

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

Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of 1 no. dwelling-house.

The Area Committee is requested to grant planning permission.

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

In respect of the demolition of existing bungalow and erection of 1 no. dwelling-house.

a member of the public spoke against the application; and

the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer).

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 on 474 3219 or email: 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 report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

The report confirms that the Council has launched a “call for brownfield sites” to support work on our new Local Plan.  This briefing note provides more information on the activities taking place to promote the current call for brownfield sites exercise.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report and encourage local residents to get involved.

Officer contact: Emma Curle on 0161 474 3542 or email emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) confirming that the Council has launched a “call for brownfield sites” to support work on the new Local Plan and providing more information on the activities taking place to promote the current call for brownfield sites exercise.   

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members welcomed the report and informed the Committee that it was noted at Scrutiny without any disagreement.

·         Discussions were continuing with Council officers relating to Eastwood Drive and the site and it was hopeful that the landowners would want to develop it in the future.

·         It was commented that the deadline for submitting any recommendations would be 23 May 2021.

·         Discussions were also ongoing regarding the Compstall Mill site.

·         It was noted that it would be useful to have a mechanism in place to link the various developments to the neighbourhood plans and inform the council officers and discussions accordingly.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

The Resident Parking Policy was updated at the December cabinet meeting. As part of that agreement it has been decided that a prioritised approach to the backlog of residents parking zone (RPZ)/ resident parking schemes (RPS) requests will be implemented. 

This report provides an update on the residents parking zones/ schemes.

The Area Committee is recommended to note that preferred priorities with regards to the delivery of potential schemes within their area will be discussed at ward briefings and note the potential costs and the resource requirements for scheme delivery. 

Officer contact: Jon Brown on 07800 618197 or email: jon.brown@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the updated Residents Parking Policy that had been approved by the Cabinet in December 2020.   

The following comments were made/ issues raised:- 

·         Members expressed concern regarding the change to the scheme from a free to a paid scheme and the associated costs from £4,000 to £6,000 and would impact the Area Committee’s Delegated Budgets.

·         Concern was expressed regarding the fairness and bureaucracy of the process relating to existing schemes and new schemes and the potential for charges that would apply.

·         The associated costs should not be put on the Area Committee’s Delegated Budgets.

·         Members sought clarification regarding the fairness, equality and democratic process of the report and the impact it would have on communities, as the size of the areas vary across the borough and the smaller communities would be impacted the most.

·         It was suggested that the payment process be updated and that consideration be given to ‘parking scratch-cards’ and additional parking permits being issued to residents to assist with care workers, nurses and builders visiting etc

·         It was queried as to the schemes that would be deemed to predate the moratorium. It was clarified that this information would be sent to ward councillors.

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 onward flexibility funding. The report also included the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.  

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members requested that officers look into an earlier agreement of installing ‘dropped curbs’ on the corner of Shepley Lane and Upper Hibbert to assist wheelchair and motor scooter users.

·         The ‘Quiet Lane Status’ signs that were previously agreed in January 2020 for Marple North should be revisited and installed as soon as possible.

·         Coombs Avenue in the Ward Delegated Budget should be attributed to Marple South.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted. 

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be requested to provide updates relating to: -

·         ‘Dropped curbs’ on the corner of Shepley Lane and Upper Hibbert.

·         The ‘Quiet Lane Status’ signs for Marple North.