Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2021.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 24 June 2021 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.

No declarations of interest were made.

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

The Chair reported that the Worker Bee Market would be taking place in Bramhall on Saturday, 7 August.

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

The Chair noted the receipt of an apology from Greater Manchester Police who had confirmed that they were unable to attend the meeting on this occasion, as they had been moved to emergency duties.

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 submit questions to the Chair of the Area Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee.

Three public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to the issue of fly-tipping at 2 Bramley Close following the removal of the perimeter fencing at the property.

In response, it was commented that planning and enforcement officers had visited the site but had seen no evidence of fly-tipping at that time. It was noted that the site would be kept under review in this regard.

·         Relating to reports of fly-tipping, tampering with green bins and illegal parking on Bramley Road.

In response, members emphasised the dangers of irresponsible parking by a small number of residents but acknowledged that residents were becoming increasingly frustrated in relation to the lack of enforcement of parking restrictions across the borough. Members commented that they would continue to work closely with traffic enforcement officers to target serial offenders with a specific focus on the issues on Bramley Road.

·         Relating to expected changes to planning rules by central government, and the potential for the changes to enable developers to override local residents and change the character of villages like Bramhall.

In response, members noted that no decision on planning reform had yet been made by central government and that this was still in the consultation stage. However, members emphasised their continuing support for development that was in keeping with the character of the local area. 

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

No petitions were submitted.

The Area Committee will receive a brief presentation on the proposed approach to engagement on the Local Plan.

Emma Curle (Strategic Head of Place Making and Planning) attended the meeting to provide a brief presentation to the area committee on the proposed approach to engaging with communities and stakeholders as the Local Plan was developed and seeking input on further opportunities to engage with local communities.

The following comments were made /issues raised:-

·         It was noted that engagement work and the wealth of information and responses received during the development of Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) should inform the development of the Local Plan.

·         That was a danger of consultation fatigue as residents struggled to understand the difference between the GMSF and the Local Plan.

·         It was commented that, in order to drive engagement, the differences between GMSF and the Local Plan should be highlighted to local residents in order to show that this was a new project with a local focus.

·         Members questioned whether face-to-face engagement would ultimately become the focus of the engagement process as restrictions relating to COVID-19 were loosened over time. In response, it was commented that, while face-to-face engagement would be crucial in targeting specific groups, it was unlikely to become the dominant method for engagement as local authorities nationwide gradually shift towards a more digital focus to the planning system.

·         It was noted that the use of a wide range of platforms had enabled a higher level of engagement in the Borough Plan over the last 16 months than might otherwise have been the case.

·         Feedback would need to be ongoing over time in order to judge the success of the engagement process and to reassure local residents and groups that their opinions had been heard and responded to within the local plan.

·         An information pack would be provided to members to ensure that they could confidently engage with local residents about the local plan.

RESOLVED – That Emma Curle be thanked for her attendance and presentation.

To consider an application received from Stockport Neighbourhood Watch Association for a grant of £1,050 (£150 from this Area Committee) from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of establishing a website for the organisation.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Stockport Neighbourhood Watch Association for a grant of £1,050 (£150 from this Area Committee) from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of establishing a website for the organisation.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received from Stockport Neighbourhood Watch Association for a grant of £150 (£50 from each ward allocation) from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of establishing a website for the organisation.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from the East Cheshire’s Musical Theatre Company for a grant of £1,000 (£500 from this Area Committee) towards the cost of a production and assist in widening the promotional materials for members and for the audience.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of East Cheshire’s Musical Theatre Company for a grant of £1,000 (£500 from this Area Committee) towards the cost of a production and to assist in widening the promotional materials for members and for the audience.

Members noted that the proposed performance would take place in the Romiley area and as such not all the benefits associated with the proposed application would be felt within the area represented by this Area Committee.  As a consequence, members considered that it would not be appropriate to make a grant for the full amount applied for on this occasion.  It was suggested that consideration should be given to making an application for funding from the Werneth Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from The East Cheshire’s Musical Theatre Company for a grant of £250 from the Ward Flexibility Budget (Cheadle Hulme South ward allocation) towards the cost of a production and assist in widening the promotional materials for members and for the audience.

To consider an application from Drawing Board Productions Community Interest Company for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the launch of Cheadle Post in July 2021, a free community newspaper covering Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme & Gatley.

Consideration of this application was deferred from the previous meeting of the Area Committee pending clarification of a number of issues.  The following responses have now been provided:-

1) Cheadle Post is a monthly publication - each issue will be printed and distributed around the 15th of each month.

2) The first issue of Cheadle Post will go to print this week and will be available for collection from local shops from Friday. A copy will also be available to read only at: www.cheadlepost.co.uk and all copies of our first publication, Heatons Post, can be found online at: www.heatonspost.co.uk

3) The funding application is to help towards the setup costs of Cheadle Post and to help launch the first issue - details of costs are provided in the application. As detailed in the application, Cheadle Post is a platform for the community of Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme and Gatley to share and access hyperlocal news, ensuring all sectors of the community have access to printed local news and are kept informed and connected. News is contributed by community groups, churches, charities, schools, businesses, councillors and local residents - as the editors, we pull this together, add relevant press releases from SMBC, print in the newspaper and distribute (free publication to ensure as many people as possible can access).

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Drawing Board Productions Community Interest Company for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the launch of Cheadle Post in July 2021, a free community newspaper covering Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme & Gatley.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Drawing Board Productions CIC – Cheadle Post for a grant of £200 from the Ward Flexibility Budget (Cheadle Hulme South ward allocation) towards the launch of Cheadle Post in July 2021, a free community newspaper covering Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme & Gatley.

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

The following development applications will be considered by the Area Committee:-

A development application was 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 (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) outlined the procedure for public speaking on planning applications.

Proposed two storey and part single storey rear extension and alterations to front elevation including new ground floor cladding and entrance porch.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

Officer contact: James Appleton on 0161 474 3576 or email james.appleton@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. DC080047 for the proposed two storey and part single storey rear extension and alterations to front elevation including new ground floor cladding and entrance porch at 131 Woodford Road, Woodford,

a member of the public spoke against the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted.

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

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 Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates on 474 3219 or email: 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 Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee area.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email: damian.eaton@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 area flexibility funding. The report also included the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.

Members requested an update from officers in relation to the pedestrian crossing and the installation of wooden stumps on the grass verge on Turves Road. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.