Agenda and minutes

Councillor Shan Alexander took the Chair.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2021.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 15 September 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Vice Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interest they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal & Prejudicial Interests

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

The Vice Chair on behalf of the Area Committee informed the Marple residents that:-

·         Marple Neighbourhood AGM –  was being held on 30^th October 2021 at 10.00am.

·         Cromwell Avenue Park Halloween family event – being held on 31^st October 2021 at 5.30pm.

·         Lime Hill light show and family event – being held on 29^th October 2021.

·         Stockport Climate Summit online event – being held on 9^th November 202.

·         White Ribbon Day – being held on 25^th November 2021.

·         Marple Bridge winter wonderland – being held on 4^th December 2021 at 1.00pm.

·         Eco Awareness day – being held on 30^th October 2021 at St Thomas’ Church, High Lane from 11.00am until 2.30pm

·         Marple area poppy appeal 100^th anniversary with a motorcade starting at St Paul’s Church car park and ending at the Memorial Park.

·         Remembrance Service – on Sunday 14^th November 2021 at 10.30am at the Memorial Park.

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 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 public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to the resurfaced footpath from Grosvenor Road to the canal and the issue of surface water covering the path and making it difficult to traverse for pedestrians.

·         Relating to Marple District Centre Traffic Calming Scheme.

In response, it was noted that a written response would be provided to the questioners and shared with Committee Members. 

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 the Stockport Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club for a grant of £549.60 from all Area Committees, including £52.34 from Marple Area Committee (£26.17 from each ward allocation only) towards the cost of replacing two pull-up banners and purchasing two large feather banners for signposting the venue used for the Breakfast Club.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Stockport Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club towards the cost of replacing two pull-up banners and purchasing two large feather banners for signposting the venue used for the Breakfast Club.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Stockport Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club for a grant of £52.34 (£26.17 from each ward allocation) towards the cost of replacing two pull-up banners and purchasing two large feather banners for signposting the venue used for the Breakfast Club.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of the Cash for Kids Charity towards the cost of providing Christmas gifts to children in Stockport.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from the Cash for Kids Charity for a grant of £666 (£333 from each ward allocation) towards the cost of providing Christmas gifts to children in Stockport.

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.

Erection of a park home to provide temporary farm workers accommodation.

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

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

In respect of plan no. DC080754 for the erection of a park home to provide temporary farm workers accommodation at The Poultry Farm, Chatterton Lane.

It was then

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

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (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 Marple Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates, 0161 474 3219 or 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) and Deputy Chief Executive.

This report summarises the responses received following a 6-week public consultation held between 18 August 2021 and 1 October 2021 and notes the next steps to be taken in authorizing the re-designation of the forum.

The Area Committee is asked to note the outcome of the public consultation and the progress for a decision at Cabinet.

Officer contact: Steven Johnson, 0161 474 3509, steven.johnson@stockport.gov.uk

Councillor Malcolm Allan left the room during the consideration of this item.

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) summarising the responses received following a 6-week public consultation held between 18 August 2021 and 1 October 2021 and noting the next steps to be taken in authorising the re-designation of the forum.

Members noted their support for the forum and their support for it to reconvene as soon as possible, given the success of the local plans created by similar groups in the area.

RESOLVED – That the outcome of the consultation be noted.

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

The report provides the Area Committee with an update on One Stockport frogs and to seek the authorisation of the Area Committee Delegated Budget towards the costs.

The Area Committee is asked to note the report.

Officer contact: Helen Waters on 0161 474 3734 or email: helen.walters@stockport.gov.uk

Councillor Malcolm Allan returned to the room.

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the One Stockport Frogs.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Welcomed the ability of local community organisations to purchase the frogs that are not successfully auctioned.

·         Concern was expressed that the delivery charges for the frogs and the inability to place purchased frogs on Council land without public liability insurance represented a significant barrier to selling the frogs to local groups.

·         It was suggested that the Council should waive the need for public liability insurance in parks and other areas in which the Council could cover these costs.

·         The project was praised overall for engaging local people and community groups, but concern was expressed that this would be hampered by an overly bureaucratic approach to the sale of the frogs.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the £2,400 sponsorship from the Marple Independent Businesses for the “Canal Frog” known locally as “Rose” that had been located in Market Street be noted.

(3) That the Corporate Director (Place) be recommended that the need for public liability insurance incurred by the placement of frogs on Council land be waived for local community groups. 

To consider a report of the  Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer

(Legal & Democratic Governance).

The report requests the Area Committee to nominate Councillors to lay wreaths on behalf of the Council at the Remembrance Day Services at Compstall, High Lane, Marple and Mellor War Memorials on Sunday 14 November 2021.

The Area Committee is requested to nominate Councillors as detailed in the report.

Officer Contact: Charles Yankiah on Tel: 0161 474 3206 or email: 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) requesting that the Area Committee nominates Councillors to lay wreaths on behalf of the Council at the Remembrance Day Services at Compstall, High Lane, Marple and Mellor War Memorials on Sunday 14 November 2021.

RESOLVED - That the following Councillors be appointed by the Area Committee to lay wreaths on behalf of the Council at the following sites on Sunday 14 November 2021: -

High Lane War Memorial – Councillor Colin McAlister

Mellor War Memorial – Councillor Becky Senior

Memorial Park – Councillor Steve Gribbons

Compstall War Memorial – Councillor Malcolm Allan

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

The Vice Chair reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Malcolm Allan.

Councillor Allan reported that he had asked for this item to be included on the agenda to propose a Local Scrutiny Review by Members into the ongoing planning application made by Whitebottom Farm in Compstall. It was reported that a number of residents had raised concerns about the site and alleged breaches of its planning requirements. It was proposed that the review would assess the reasons for the ongoing delay in consideration of the application by the Council, and whether the process had been unduly influenced by legal representation without appropriate challenge. It was also proposed that the review would investigate evidence of breaches of planning conditions, and whether these alleged breaches had been met with the appropriate response from the Council to minimise any potential detriment to the public. 

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         That the proposed Scrutiny Review would be a strictly investigative process and would not seek to appoint blame to any involved party.

·         Public health breaches could potentially be dangerous for residents and Members did not feel that these had been given full consideration or adequate responses by the Council.

·         Ward Members felt that they have a responsibility to investigate this issue due to the amount of concern that had been expressed by residents living locally to the site.

·         Members questioned whether a proposed Scrutiny Review would need to be linked to an established Scrutiny Panel. In response it was commented that it would not need to be as the issue fell within the Area Committee’s scheme of delegation.

·         That there was precedent for this kind of investigation from a similar use of this process by the Area Committee in 2017.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) be recommended to support the proposed Scrutiny Review relating to Whitebottom Farm, Compstall.

(2) That the following Members be appointed to sit on the proposed Scrutiny Review Panel:- Councillors Malcolm Allan, Becky Senior and Steve Gribbon.

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

The Vice Chair reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Malcolm Allan.

Councillor Allan reported that he had asked for this item to be included on the agenda to propose the commissioning of a Feasibility Traffic Study on Longhurst Lane, from the bend around Mellor Country House to house number 260.

It was commented that this was in response to a number of safety concerns that had been raised about the road, such as a lack of pavement and the blind bend, and discussions with Highways Officers in regard to the appropriate course of action to improve road safety. It was proposed that the study be undertaken by Highways Officers, with funding from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Marple North allocation) to cover the associated costs.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive be recommended to submit a report to a future meeting of the Area Committee in relation to the undertaking of a feasibility study at Longhurst Lane (at the Bend from around Mellor Country House Down to Number 260) with the intention that any associated costs be met from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Marple North allocation).

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

The Vice Chair reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Malcolm Allan.

Councillor Malcolm reported that he had asked for this item to be included on the agenda to propose that, on the three weekends prior to Christmas, district centre parking is free around the Marple area. It was proposed that the costs of this free parking would be subsidised by the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Marple North and Marple South allocations).

Members questioned whether there were other holidays or times that were normally included in this free parking scheme. In response it was commented that the scheme normally only covered the weekends in the lead up to Christmas.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport be recommended to consider the proposal for a scheme for free parking in Marple district centres on the three weekends prior to Christmas, with any associated costs to be met from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Marple North and Marple South allocations).

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

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 on 0161 474 3207 or email:

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 detailing the current position on ward 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 would meet following the meeting to follow up on longstanding items within the report. 

·         Members raised the issue of footpaths and public rights of way that had been raised at a prior meeting of the Area Committee on 23^rd June 2021. Members were expecting a report on the matter imminently, but reasserted the importance of this issue in the Marple area for residents in being able to access green spaces and safely move around the local area.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.