Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2023.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 21June 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 residents of the following:-

·       Consultations – a consultation on the types of events that should be held for the Town of Culture was open on the Stockport website, and a consultation on the Northern proposed removal of staff from ticket offices was also open at northernrailway.co.uk/consultation-2023. Both consultations were due to close on 31 August 2023.

·       Events – the Eco exhibition at St Thomas’s Church hall in High Lane would be held from 11.00am until 2.00pm on 14 October 2023, and the Love Parks week was also taking place until the 6 August 2023.

·       Support – if families were struggling or had queries around the cost-of-living crisis, they were encouraged to contact the Stockport Council cost of living hub on the Council website, or to call 0161 474 2140 (open Monday-Friday, 9:30am - 4:30pm).

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

It was reported that the Neighbourhood Police representative (Greater Manchester Police) was unable to attend the meeting.

The Chair reported that the Neighbourhood Inspector circulated a briefing paper in advance of the meeting to the Committee.

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 highlighted from the report that individuals associated with a robbery in the Co-op had been apprehended.

RESOLVED – That the issues raised would be communicated 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.

One public question was submitted as follows:-

·       Relating to cameras installed under the CAZ; what new cameras had arrived and been installed since the scheme was placed on hold; when these had been installed; when the Strines Road camera had been installed; whether the cameras were live and collecting data; whether Marple had any air quality problem compared to rural areas beyond Strines Road; what justification had been provided if not; and whether it would be possible to discuss this with Members in a separate forum. 

The following comments were made:

·       It was commented that Members could set up a date and meeting to speak about this with the questioner.

·       It was commented that it would be right for the Council to investigate areas of concern by residents where achievable and backed by science, such as understanding why GMCA want the cameras and what they are being used for.

A formal response would be shared with the questioner 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.

Representatives of Climate Action Marple (CAM) attended the meeting to make a presentation with regards to their aims and recruiting new members to their group.

The CAM group highlighted the following: -

·       The destructive impact of climate change and the need for dramatic climate action. That Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) could focus on transport, biodiversity, and advertising.

·       For SMBC to create and manage wildflower meadows correctly, eliminate the use of herbicides on paths, plant more trees including fruit trees, ban the advertising of high carbon products on Council controlled holdings and to encourage posters and murals for climate action, and to develop and implement a policy for electric car charging including for those without off-street parking.

·       For transport, that there be an increase in safe lanes for cyclists, integrated public transport to combat congestion, more and novel electric vehicle charging points, and an encouragement of nonstandard working hours and home working.

·       For biodiversity, that SMBC completes a survey of Council owned properties to assess their biodiversity value, to employ ecologists, and to complete baseline surveys.

·       It was noted that the group had completed their own surveys in Brabyns Park and had identified frothing in the River Goyt which they stated was becoming anoxic due to run-off from agricultural properties. They called on the Council to look into this, to identify farmers as polluters, and to provide them with solutions. 

·       Recommended laws around development planning in the green belt be adhered to strictly, and the introduction of air quality and CO2 monitors along with neon signs to inform residents of these.

·       Stated that they did not believe SMBC was on target to meet their climate goals.

·       For advertising, SMBC was asked to ban all advertising of high carbon products on Council advertising signs and replace it with messaging encouraging the public to live low carbon lives, as they stated this would help the environment and help SMBC to reach their targets. They estimated that advertising was responsible for approximately 0.9 million tonnes of CO2 in the SMBC area and were willing to provide a more detailed analysis around this.

The Committee thanked the representatives for their presentation and considered their input valuable.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·       Members stated that SMBC was not communicating their own actions to tackle climate change to local residents to keep them informed and updated with developments.

·       Members highlighted the actions that had already been taken by the Council, including appointing a specific Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Carbon Neutrality, installing more charging points, introducing solar panels on nearly every Council building, having monitoring boxes, and within future plans to change Stockport homes from gas to heat pumps, and to plant 12,000 trees.

·       Members commented that air quality had generally improved since the pandemic and that the Council does not have control to introduce integrated transport as this is down to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

·       Members encouraged local residents to visit the Climate Action Now webpages and contribute to the plan and suggested that small steps to impact low carbon activities were important.

·       It was stated that the CAM conference at Marple Hall had been well attended and that Nick Leslie had covered most of what had been raised as to what SMBC were doing, and that events such as the High Lane exhibition were good for raising awareness.

·       It was encouraged that the group get involved in the neighbourhood forums to input on planning decisions regarding the green belt.

·       It was noted that due to the Children’s Climate Assembly, fruit trees would be planted.

·       Members generally agreed with the concerns around the climate crisis and would set aside some time to speak to the group.

RESOLVED – that the representatives of Climate Action Marple be thanked for their attendance and the issues raised be noted and shared with the Climate Action Now team.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Stockport Canal Boat Trust / New Horizons for an overall grant of £1,000 (£47.62 from each wards allocation) towards the cost of renewing windows, as part of the New Horizons refurbishment, which offers accessible narrowboat cruises.

A representative of the Stockport Canal Boat Trust / New Horizons attended the meeting and submitted an application for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget towards the cost of renewing windows, as part of the New Horizons refurbishment, which offers accessible narrowboat cruises.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Stockport Canal Boat Trust / New Horizons for a grant of £95.24 (£47.62 from each ward allocation) towards the cost of renewing windows, as part of the New Horizons refurbishment, which offers accessible narrowboat cruises.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Southeast Manchester Community Rail Partnership for a grant of £270 (Marple South ward allocation only) towards the cost of the production of new artwork of the Boars Head which will be displayed within the Middlewood Station.

A representative of the Assistant Director (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted an application received on behalf of Southeast Manchester Community Rail Partnership for a grant of £270 (Marple South ward allocation only) towards the cost of the production of new artwork of the Boars Head which will be displayed within the Middlewood Station.

RESOLVED – That the application be deferred pending the applicant attending the next meeting to respond to questions from the Committee.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Marple and District Allotment Association for a grant of £932.89 (Marple North ward allocation only) towards the cost of replacing a 7-metre boundary fence that separates the Seven Stiles Allotment from the public footpath.

A representative of the Assistant Director (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted an application received on behalf of Marple and District Allotment Association for a grant of £932.89 (Marple North ward allocation only) towards the cost of replacing the boundary fencing that separates the Steven Stiles Allotment from the public footpath.

RESOLVED – That the application be deferred pending clarification being sought on the status of the application relating to it being financed through the Highways budget.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

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 Corporate & Support Services 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 Democratic Services Manager outlined the procedure for public speaking on planning applications.

Demolition of existing storage building and erection of 1 no. residential dwellinghouse, with associated access, 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 plan no. DC083916 for the demolition of existing storage building and erection of 1 no. residential dwellinghouse, with associated access, parking and landscaping.

It was then,

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

Change of use of land to outdoor dog exercise area.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

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

In respect of plan no. DC087743 for the change of use of land to outdoor dog exercise area.

a member of the public spoke against the application; and

a representative of the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then,

MOVED AND SECONDED - That planning permissions be granted for a temporary period of one year following proposed weekday hours but with no weekend hours.

For the motion 2, and 3 against

MOTION NOT CARRIED

It was then,

RESOLVED – (3 for, 2 against) That planning permission be granted for a temporary period of 12 months, days/hours of operation restricted to those amended by the applicant and specified within the report, subject to the imposition of a condition requiring a review 12 months from commencement of use, and development to be implemented/carried out with the submitted and approved noise management plan.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director - 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 | vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director (Legal & Democratic Governance) 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 Director for Place Management.

The report details a desk-top study of the parking availability on Elmfield Drive, Marple, following a petition from the residents for a Resident Parking Scheme.

The Area Committee is asked to note the contents of the report and consider the following options:-

(a)  consider the proposal that the Council contacts the school again to discuss the possibility of a School Street, and to review their travel plan and understand if they are working in accordance with that travel plan.

(b)  Consider that if there is an immediate need for a parking scheme in the area then funding to the amount if £4k will have to be made available from the Marple North Delegated Ward Budget to enable consultation and further investigations.

Officer contact: Nicola Ryan, 0161 4744348 | nicola.ryan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a desktop study of the parking availability on Elmfield Drive, Marple, following a petition from the residents for a Resident Parking Scheme.

It was noted that the parking scheme was not relevant to the area as it does not meet the criteria with the alternative being to do school planning, and that the school could be approached.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Area Committee noted the contents of the report.

(2) That the Council contacts the school again to discuss the possibility of a School Street, and to review their travel plan and understand if they are working in accordance with that travel plan.

To consider a report of the Director for Place Management.

The report provides details relating to the installation of a STOP sign on Compstall Road at the junction with Glossop Road, with departure from design guidelines.

The Area Committee is asked to consider and comment on the report and recommend that the Cabinet Member for Park, Highways & Transport Services approve the recommendations and instruct Traffic Services on their decision to install STOP signs and associated lining.

Officer contact: Gemma Brady, gemma.brady@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director for Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details relating to the installation of a STOP sign on Compstall Road at the junction with Glossop Road, with departure from design guidelines.

It was commented that video evidence of severe accidents which had not been reported to officers had been viewed.

Members welcomed the report and expressed their appreciation for the prompt response and conclusion from officers despite the initial contrasting opinions.

RESOLVED – That the Area Committee considered and commented on the report and recommended that the Cabinet Member for Park, Highways & Transport Services approve the recommendations and instruct Traffic Services on their decision to install new illuminated STOP signs, advanced warning signage on yellow backing board and associated road markings.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance.

At the Budget Council Meeting on 23 February 2023, approval was given to the allocation of £0.260m to fund the creation and administration of a Ward Discretionary Budget to provide each ward with an additional discretionary sum of £10,000 to spend on ward priorities.

This report details the proposed governance arrangements for the making of allocations from the Ward Discretionary Budget and the delegation arrangements for the making of decisions with regard to those proposed allocations.

The Area Committee is recommended to:-

(1) Note that each ward has been allocated an additional discretionary sum of £10,000 to spend on ward priorities.

(2) Give approval to the identification of those priorities, or proposed allocations, on a ward-by-ward basis.

(3) Work with officers to draw up formal costed proposals that have the full support of all Members of the ward for submission to a future meeting of the area committee for recommendation to the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistance Director (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the proposed governance arrangements for the making of allocations from the Ward Discretionary Budget and the delegation arrangements for the making of decisions with regard to those proposed allocations.

It was asked whether there were any dates associated with the proposals. In response, it was noted that it was a single agreed funding scheme for this Municipal year, and the encouragement was to have it agreed before the end of the Municipal year as there were no guarantees for the next Municipal year.

It was stated that the funding was welcomed, and that environmental projects should be considered.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Area Committee noted that each ward had been allocated an additional discretionary sum of £10,000 to spend on ward priorities.

(2) That the Area Committee gives approval to the identification of those priorities, or proposed allocations, on a ward-by-ward basis.

(3) That the Area Committee works with officers to draw up formal costed proposals that have the full support of all members of the ward for submission to a future meeting of the Area Committee for recommendation to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources

To consider a report of the Assistant Director - 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 on 0161 474 3207 or email: charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director (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 area flexibility funding and the Delegated Budget.

It was commented that there were issues that had been resolved but not removed, so Members would speak to officers regarding this.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.