Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chair of the Area Committee for a period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Geoff Abell be elected Chair of the Area Committee for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

To appoint a Vice Chair for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Shan Alexander be appointed Vice-Chair of the Area Committee for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 April 2024.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 17 April 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

No declarations of interest were made.

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

The Vice Chair, on behalf of the Area Committee welcomed Councillor Micheala Meikle to the Committee and , informed residents of the Compstall Fair taking place on Saturday 22June from 12.00pm – 4.00pm.

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

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance informed the Committee that the Neighbourhood Inspector had been sent all the dates and times for the meeting of the Marple Area Committee for 2024/25.

The Vice Chair informed the Committee that the Neighbourhood Inspector had submitted their apologies for this meeting and any issues raised at the meeting would be passed onto the police for a response.

Members raised concern that there were a group of people in the area walking past parked cars and front doors of houses to check if they were open.

RESOLVED – That the issues raised would be forwarded to the Neighbourhood Inspector for their attention and response.

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 on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

Six public questions were submitted as follows, relating to: -

·         Planning evidence relating to building and residential laws.

·         Sutton Lane, Marple

·         Seven Stiles Allotment Site

·         Stockport Road, Swimming Baths

·         Compstall Village - anti social behaviour and crime related matters

RESOLVED – That the Director of Place Management be requested to respond to the questioners in writing.

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 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 DOSportUK for a grant of £200 from the Marple South & High Lane ward allocation only towards the cost of Stockport Jets Basketball sessions aimed at people with a learning disability and/or autism, but also open to all ages and abilities.

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted an application on behalf of DOSportUK for a grant of £200 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget from the Marple South & High Lane ward allocation only towards the cost of Stockport Jets Basketball sessions aimed at people with a learning disability and/or autism, but also open to all ages and abilities.

RESOLVED - That the application from DOSportUK for Ward Flexibility Funding Budget on this occasion be declined on the basis that the Committee was not satisfied that the application identified how the funding would benefit the local residents of Marple.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Friends of Etherow Country Park for a grant of £590 from the Marple North ward allocation only towards the cost of purchasing a heavy-duty strimmer/ brushcutter which would enable regaining ground for the meadows which has been lost in recent years, and improve the wildflower growing capability of the fields. This would enhance the overall appearance and diversity of the fields, making them more attractive for a variety of leisure activities – e.g. family activities – picnics, etc, wellbeing and mental health improvement.

Michael Ormston attended the meeting and and submitted an application on behalf of the Friends of Etherow Country Park for a grant of £590 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget from the Marple North ward allocation only towards the cost of purchasing a heavy-duty strimmer/ brushcutter which would enable regaining ground for the meadows which has been lost in recent years, and improve the wildflower growing capability of the fields. This would enhance the overall appearance and diversity of the fields, making them more attractive for a variety of leisure activities – e.g. family activities – picnics, etc, wellbeing and mental health improvement.

RESOLVED - That consideration of this item be deferred to a future meeting of the Area Committee following clarification being sought regarding the possibility of other funding options.

There are currently no development applications to consider.

No development applications were submitted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for Legal and 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: Vicki Bates | 0161 474 3219 | vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (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.

Members were informed that regarding 83 Stockport Road work was ongoing with the enforcement officers to resolve the issues.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Area Committee is invited to nominate Ward Spokespersons with whom the Director of Place Management can consult on highway maintenance and traffic management matters.

The Area Committee is recommended to nominate Ward Spokespersons.

Officer contact: Charles Yankiah, 0161 474 3207 or email:

charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk

The Area Committee was invited to nominate Ward Spokespersons with whom the Director of Development & Regeneration (Place) can consult on highway maintenance and traffic management matters.

RESOLVED – That the following Councillors be appointed as Ward Spokespersons for highways and traffic issues:-

Marple North – Councillor Geoff Abell

Marple South & High Lane – Councillor Shan Alexander

To consider a report of the Assistant Director - Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer.

The report requests the Area Committee to consider appointments of representatives on Outside Bodies.

The Area Committee is requested to make nominations for appointments on Outside Bodies.

Officer contact: Charles Yankiah, 0161 474 3206, charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to appoint representatives of the Council to local Outside Bodies.

RESOLVED – that the following representatives of the Council be appointed to outside bodies for 2024/2025:-

Bridge Alms House and Sick Nursing Home

Councillor Colin MacAlister

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for 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 and the ward discretionary budget balances.

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 for Legal and 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.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.