Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 October 2022.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 19 October 2022 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

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

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

·       The Marple Bridge Winter Wonderland being held on 3 December 2022. 

·       Santa coming to Rose Hill station on 6 December 2022

·       The Compstall Christmas market in the Andrew Arms car park on 10 December 2022

·       Carols in Cromwell Avenue Park on 10 December 2022

·       Santa Sleigh around Marple Bridge on 14December and around Compstall on 15 December 2022

·       Marple Festival in the centre of Marple from 12-9pm on 18December 2022

·       An update on local policing issues including that the police force across Greater Manchester had been taken out of special measures and that operation AVRO had recently undertaken a second sweep of the local area.

·       Congratulating everyone who had worked on the poppy appeal in Marple this year alongside the organiser, Kevin Murray, with £8974.55 having been raised in ASDA, and £23,523.65 raised across the whole Marple area.

·       The successful first Open Day in the town centre for the Marple Vision Group held on 19 November 2022.

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

Councillors and members of the public were invited to raise issues in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the area represented by the Marple Area Committee.

It was noted that a drop-in session with local police would be taking place at Marple Senior Citizen’s Hall at 11am on 1December 2022.

RESOLVED - That local policing issues be referred to the Neighbourhood Police representative.

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.

Five public questions were submitted as follows:-

·       Relating to the limited availability of public charging stations for electric vehicles in Marple and whether Members were aware of any council initiatives or other plans to bring more charging stations to Marple.

In response, it was commented that a publicly available proposal for the installation of a further 21 electric vehicle charging points around the borough was currently passing through the Council’s scrutiny process. It was noted that this proposal was not guaranteed to be implemented, but that Members strongly supported the installation of more charging points in future to match the increase in sales of electric vehicles.

Four questions were submitted relating to The Garden House Marple.

·        As these questions related to a site undergoing ongoing enforcement action by Stockport Council, Members did not comment on these questions during the meeting. It was noted that the questions would be forwarded on to the Chief Planning Officer for a formal response to be sent to the questioners.

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

No petitions were submitted.

To consider a report of the Director of Development & Regeneration.

The report provides an update on the Council’s partnership with the Institute of Place Management in supporting the development of Marple District Centre.

The Area Committee is requested to:

1)    Note and comment on the final report from the Institute of Place Management on Marple District Centre.

2)    Authorise the District Centre Manager, in collaboration with local stakeholders, to develop an Action Plan for Marple District Centre based on the recommendations in the Institute of Place Management Report.

3)    Request that the District Centre Manager reports progress on delivering the Action Plan to the Area Committee on a quarterly basis.

Officer contact: Helen Walters on 07800 618140 or email: helen.walters@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Development & Regeneration attended the meeting to provide an update on the Council’s partnership with the Institute of Place Management (IPM) in supporting the development of Marple District Centre.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·       The first meeting of the Marple Vision Team was on 7 November 2022, followed by a day of action on the 19 November 2022 alongside the Marple Makers Market. The Vision Team had a stall and engaged with members of the local community.

·       A member of the public noted that the IPM report referenced improvements to public transport and pedestrian access and questioned whether this would include previous proposals for transport infrastructure in the district centre. Members noted that it was important to bring different strands of information together in this regard and that useful information such as on crossing points would be taken into account. In response, Members emphasised that they were opposed to looking again at a proposed gyratory scheme.

·       Members requested that this item be included on the agenda as an Open Forum item three times per year going forward, so that members of the public can engage with its ongoing progress.

·       Officers welcomed the support and volunteering efforts of local organisations such as Marple Civic Society with their participation in the Vision Group and support of the aims of the report.

·       Members raised some areas of interest that had not been mentioned in the IPM report, such as a lack of public toilets and declining rail use in Marple. Members were thanked for these contributions and it was noted that the Vision Group and local stakeholders had an important role in identifying any areas of interest that had not been included in the report.

·       It was noted that agreement had been reached for unspent funds from a loan scheme for local businesses during the pandemic to be used for improvements to local district centres. This was welcomed by Members as a means to follow through with improvements identified by the Vision Group, particularly in the context of the different financial situation facing the Council.

·       It was commented that officers were working to identify potential sources of funding for local schemes. For instance, an event in another district centre involving a local youth group had received funding from a scheme led by Stockport Homes.

·       Members highlighted that Marple was the envy of other district centres in terms of its levels of community engagement, and that they needed to take full advantage of this.

·       Members advised that taking small, incremental steps to improve the local area would be the best way to facilitate the long-term success of the area.

·       It was noted that all stakeholders that had come forward so far had been forwarded a copy of the IPM report and Action Plan.

·       Officers committed to visiting local traders over the Christmas period to publicise the IPM report and encourage further involvement.

·       Overall, Members affirmed their belief in the importance of the district centre to the local community and of the need to be incorporate and be led by as many local groups as possible.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the District Centre Manager, in collaboration with local stakeholders, be authorised to develop an Action Plan for Marple District Centre based on the recommendations in the Institute of Place Management report.

(3) That the District Centre Manager be requested to report progress on delivering the Action Plan to the Area Committee three times per year.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Bee Sober CIC for a grant of £56.40 (£28.20 from Marple North and £28.20 from Marple South wards allocation) towards the cost of organising walk and talk events, supplying refreshments, and the printing of leaflets and posters to increase awareness to support those in recovery.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Bee Sober CIC towards the cost of organising walk and talk events, supplying refreshments, and the printing of leaflets and posters to increase awareness to support those in recovery.

RESOLVED – That the application be deferred until a later meeting of the area committee at the request of the applicant.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Brabyns Bike Track for a grant of £750 (Marple North ward allocation only) towards the cost of improving onsite drainage, creating a new track for beginners, and installing a safer start ramp.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Brabyns Bike Track towards the cost of improving onsite drainage, creating a new track for beginners, and installing a safer start ramp.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received from Brabyns Bike Track for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget of £500 (Marple North ward allocation only) towards the cost of improving onsite drainage, creating a new track for beginners, and installing a safer start ramp.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Stockport Canal Boat Trust/New Horizons for a grant of £300 (£150 from Marple North and £150 from Marple South wards allocation) towards the cost of replacing the canvas cover of their tent, to a more resistant fabric to mould, which can be stored away.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Stockport Canal Boat Trust/New Horizons towards the cost of replacing the canvas cover of their tent, to a more resistant fabric to mould, which can be stored away.

The applicant clarified during the meeting that they had mistakenly submitted a Ward Flexibility Funding application form that had previously been submitted in 2021. However, it was noted that the requested amount was correct and the proposed works pertained to the ongoing maintenance of the New Horizons canal boat by Stockport Canal Boat Trust.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received from Stockport Canal Boat Trust/New Horizons for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget of £300 (£150 from Marple North and £150 from Marple South ward allocations) towards the cost of maintenance works for the New Horizons canal boat. 

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Mellor Sports Club for a grant of £1000 (Marple North ward allocation only) towards the cost of replacing a defibrillator, which will be sited outside the clubhouse and accessible to all Mellor residents.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Mellor Sports Club towards the cost of replacing a defibrillator, which will be sited outside the clubhouse and accessible to all Mellor residents.

RESOLVED - That the item be deferred until a later meeting of the area committee, pending the outcome of fundraising efforts by the applicant organisation.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Cheshire Regiment Association (CRA – Stockport Branch) for a grant of £600 (£63.16 from the Marple Area Committee, £31.58 from each ward) towards the cost of travel of four members of the Stockport Branch to Ballykelly to commemorate the 40ht Anniversary of the bombing in Northern Ireland.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Cheshire Regiment Association towards the cost of travel and hotel expenses for 4 members of the organisation who were attending the 40^th anniversary commemoration service of the Droppin Well bombing in Ballykelly, Northern Ireland.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received from Cheshire Regiment Association for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget of £63.16 (£31.58 from Marple North and £31.58 from Marple South ward allocations) towards the cost of travel and hotel expenses for 4 members of the organisation who were attending the 40^th anniversary commemoration service of the Droppin Well bombing in Ballykelly, Northern Ireland.

There are currently no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

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 on 0161 474 3219, vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) summarising recent appeal decisions, listing current planning appeals and dates for local enquiries; informal hearings for planning appeals and enforcement action within the Marple Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report details the findings of a consultation exercise and to seek approval for the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) ‘No Waiting At Any Time’.

The Area Committee is asked to consider and recommend that the Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks & Leisure gives approval to the legal advertising of the following Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) set out in Appendix A at a cost of £1,100 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Marple North ward allocation) and subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date, the order can be made.

Officer contact: Nicola Ryan, 0161 474 4409

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the findings of a consultation exercise and to seek approval for the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) ‘No Waiting At Any Time’.

It was commented that this item related to rectifying a longstanding issue in Compstall of vehicles parking on wide pavements, which had been defined in plans a visibility splays and therefore should not be parked on.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks & Leisure be recommended to give approval to the legal advertising of the following Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) at a cost of £1,100 to be funded from the Area Committees’ Delegated Budget (Marple North ward allocation) and, subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the order:-

‘No Waiting At Any Time’

Redbrow Hollow (East Side)

From the intersection of the southern kerb line of Compstall Road, for a distance of 10 metres in a south westerly direction.

Compstall Road (South Side)

From the intersection of the south east kerb line of Redbrow Hollow, for a distance of 16 metres in an south easterly direction.

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 0161 474 3207 | charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) 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.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.