Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) on the meeting held on 27 July 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the following amendments:-

• Change of the meeting time from 6.00pm to 7.15pm
• The inclusion under Minute 4 (i) ‘Chair’s Announcements’ of “(a) The Chair reported that the commencement of the meeting had been delayed due to the large number of members of the public who wished to raise concerns about any potential redevelopment of the Hibbert Lane campus of the Cheadle & Marple Sixth Form College. Local councillors and the Council’s Service Director (Place Development) had addressed the public and responded to questions prior to the commencement of the meeting.”

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

No announcements were made.

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

Inspector Brendan O’Brien and Sergeant Chris Rigg (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer question from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the area represented by the Marple Area Committee.

The following issues were raised/ comments made:-

• Residents were reminded to ensure that the doors and windows of their cars were locked and no valuables were on display to prevent opportunist thefts. There had been a recent spike in thefts from vehicles.
• Reducing rates of crime across all indicators, including anti-social behaviour.
• Recent spate of graffiti incidents in Marple District Centre and the zero-tolerance approach the Police would take to such activities.
• The arrest of a suspect for the recent theft of grids and the recovery of over eight tonnes of grids which had been returned to the Council.
• Members of the public thanked the Police for their operation to police the recent public protest/event in connection with the Hibbert Lane campus.

RESOLVED – That Inspector O’Brien and Sgt Rigg be thanked for their attendance.

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 at the meeting and on the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/areacommittees).

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Chair on any 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 in relation to the voting on an opposition amendment to the Localism Bill in the House of Commons.

Councillor Candler replied that the Localism Bill had been sponsored by local MP Andrew Stunell and included many provisions which would be of interest to local residents.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager confirmed that details of Parliamentary votes could be obtained from Hansard.

The local Area Conditions Officer and the Highways Officer will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at previous committee meetings. Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise issues affecting local environment quality.

(a) Alan Whitfield (Area Conditions Officer) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to environmental issues within the area represented by the Marple Area Committee.

The following issues were raised:-

• A successful ‘Rogue Trader’ operation on Dooley Lane which had resulted in a number of notices being issued and advice given to traders.
• Recent spate of graffiti in Marple District Centre. Residents were encouraged to report any incidences to the Council which would, in most cases, remove the graffiti within two days. Residents and business owners were reminded that the number to call was 0161 217 6111. Members of the public thanked the Area Conditions Team by way of a round of applause for their work in removing the graffiti.

RESOLVED – That Alan Whitfield be thanked for his attendance.

(b) Rachel Bingham (Highways Officer) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer question from Councillors and members of the public in relation to highway issues within the area represented by the Marple Area Committee.

The following issues were raised:-

• Ongoing work to resolve drainage issues on Hibbert Lane
• Programmed work to improve drainage on Longhurst Lane.
• Condition of the footways over the bridge in Marple Bridge.
• Problems with gullies on Ley Hey Road/ Station Road, Marple.
• Cost effectiveness of temporary repairs to fill potholes.

RESOLVED – That Rachel Bingham be thanked for her attendance.

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.

Marple in Action (MiA)

The Chair reported that she had invited representatives of Marple in Action (MiA) to take part in an Open Forum about the newly formed group.

David Hoye and Di Jackson attended the meeting and gave a presentation on MiA, the work of the group and its aims and objectives.

The presentation set out the background and aims of the group and covered the following issues:-

·                 MiA was a community focussed group established in response to the possibility of a supermarket being built on Hibbert Lane at the Cheadle and Marple College site.

·                 It was an umbrella organisation representing residents and local business owners and other local groups such as the Civic Society and local churches. 

·                 MiA aimed to act as an official voice for the Marple community throughout any process for the sale and development of the Hibbert Lane site.

·                 The group was not affiliated to any political party.

·                 MiA was keen to cooperate with the Council and College and be involved with any consultation taking place. 

·                 A recent march from Market Street to Marple Memorial Park that was arranged by MiA and was attended by approximately 1000 people.  The group had also set up stalls on Market Street to provide information to residents and businesses.

·                 A petition had been started, with over 3500 signatures listed to date.

·                 The group wished to raise public awareness and ensure that the community was represented at all levels of negotiation concerning the site and any proposed development.  The group would feed back information to the public.

·                 MiA aimed to persuade the Governors and management of the College to reconsider the possible sale of land and to encourage the College to make a long term commitment to the Marple area.

·                 The group hoped to engage the College and be able to hold a meeting with the Governors and Principal.

·                 The group wished to lobby the Council to reject any planning application for a supermarket on the site.

·                 MiA believed that a supermarket development at the College site would have a negative impact on the Marple area, the local economy, loss of jobs from the College and local businesses, the quality of life of the community, the environment and the impact of increased traffic and congestion on many roads in the area.  It was also felt that such a development would be out of keeping with the atmosphere of the Marple village.

·                 From research done by the group, it was claimed that for every £1 spent in a small local business 80p would be recycled in the local community, whereas for a supermarket it would only be 10p. It was also claimed that £400,000 had to be spent in a supermarket to sustain 1 job whereas the figure for a small local shop was £60,000. To sustain a supermarket in Marple it was likely that it would need a turnover of £50m per annum which would equate to 200 vehicle movements per hour.

·                 80% of respondents to an online MiA survey were against a supermarket on the College site.

·                 The group planned to lead a rally in Marple Memorial Park on 11 September 2011 and had invited the local MP.

Members of the public were invited to ask questions of MiA.

The following comments were made:-

·          There was a suggestion that the land in question could not be used for anything other than educational purposes for legal reasons and this should be investigated further.

·          Many of the people who attended the recent rally admitted to not shopping in Marple on a regular basis. More needed to be done to encourage local shopping and to encourage businesses to do more to make themselves a more attractive and pleasant shopping experience.

The Chair thanked Marple in Action for their presentation and announced that she intended to hold an extraordinary meeting of the Area Committee in the near  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.(vi)

To consider any applications for Area Flexibility Funding or to receive feedback from organisations who have received funding.

(a)   Windlehurst Methodist Church

(b)   Marple Bridge Association - representatives of the Association will attend the meeting and provide an update on how funds previously granted were spent.

(a)   Marple Bridge Association

Gareth White and a colleague attended the meeting and made a presentation on the activities of the Marple Bridge Association and in particular the use of a number of grants from the Area Committee.

The presentation included the following:-

·          The continued success of the Winter Wonderland.

·          Recognition for the new Village sign

·          Continued investment in projects and equipment that will allow the association to become more sustainable and self sufficient and allow for more community events.

·          Future plans for the Association included increasing publicity through social media, preparations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the regular Winter Wonderland event.

·          Thanks to the Council and Councillors for their support.

Councillors commended the work of the Marple Bridge Association.

RESOLVED – That Gareth White be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

(b)   Windlehurst Methodist Church

John and Mary Chriscoli and Valarie Rowlands attended the meeting on behalf of Windlehurst Methodist Church to answer questions on an application for funding toward the costs of creating a nature garden at the church to complement the activities to support adults with learning difficulties.

Councillors commended the work of the group.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £500 (Marple South Ward allocation) to Windlehurst Methodist Church for the development of a nature garden.

There are no development applications to consider.

No development applications were considered.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal & 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: Joy Morton, 0161 474 3217, joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Legal & Democratic Services) (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements with the area represented by the Marple Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) will attend the meeting and provide an update in respect to this issue.

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) attended the meeting to discuss options for the use of outstanding commuted sum payments received from developments that could be used to improve play facilities in local parks. Consideration of a number of proposals had been deferred from the meeting in June.

Members discussed a number of sites and options for the expenditure of the commuted sums that had been accrued.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to the use of the following commuted sums:-

• Allocation in principal of a portion of the sum accrued from 22 Cross Lane for improvements at Cromwell Road, Marple (subject to further discussions with Ward Councillors and local residents) and improvements at Rose Lane Play Area, in conjunction with Moss Bank Homes (subject to further discussions with Ward Councillors and local residents)
• Allocation of £334.62 accrued from 2 Ley Lane, Marple Bridge to the play area at Mill Brow
• Allocation of £110.43 accrued from 8 Arkwright Road, Marple to the play ground improvement project at Brabyns Park

(2) That the Service Director (Place Management) be requested to give further consideration to the use of commuted sums for improvements at Greenbank Crescent, including the possibility of the installation of goal posts.

 (3) That the Service Director (Place Management) be requested to liaise with Ward Councillors to discuss the future of the site at Cromwell Road, including possible support to establishing a Friends of Group.

(4) That the Service Director (Place Management) be requested to repaint the goal posts on the Green at Hawk Green.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Learning & Achievement)

The report requests the Area Committee to consider making nominations to the vacancies at High Lane Primary and Windlehurst Schools.

The Area Committee is requested to provide nominations for the vacancies identified in the report.

Officer Contact: Libby Evans 0161 474 3847, libby.evans@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Service Director (Schools and School Management) (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to make nominations to the Local Authority Governor vacancies at High Lane Primary and Windlehurst Schools.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) be recommended to appoint Mr D Foulkes to the Local Authority Governor vacancy at Windlehurst School.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report provides an update on progress on decisions taken bay the Area Committee since the last meeting and details the current position on area flexibility funding.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer Contact: Steve Fox 0161 474 3206, 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 by the Area Committee, the current position on Area Flexibility Funding and the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budgets.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

(Note: The Chair was of the opinion that this item, although not included on the agenda should be considered as a matter of urgency, in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 in order that the Area Committee could consider the matter before the proposed date of the event).

Councillor Candler reported that the Marple Festival was due to take place in September 2011 and that in order to facilitate the event it was necessary for the Area Committee to grant consent for the use of the district centre.

RESOLVED – That approval be given, in principal, to the use of the Marple District Centre for the Marple Festival in September 2011 and that the Chair be authorised to give final approval to the detailed proposal.