Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 August 2024.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 1 August 2024 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.

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

The Chair reported that the car park at Bramhall Precinct was currently closed due to ongoing works by United Utilities aimed at improving water quality in the Micker Brook.  It was stated that businesses within the precinct remained open as usual and that alternative parking was available at the Meadway and Bramley Close car parks.  It was further reported that the International Food and Craft Event was due to place at Bramhall precinct on Saturday, 14 September between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm.

It was then stated that the Bramhall Arts Festival would be held between 27 September and 5 October 2024.

In addition, it was reported that the Friends of Hesketh Park would be holding their annual barbeque on Saturday, 21 September 2024 between 12.30 pm until 3.30 pm.

Finally, it was stated that Harrow Estates were due to hold a public drop-in session in relation to the extension of the Woodford Garden Village development at Woodford War Memorial Community Centre on Friday, 13 September between 4.30 pm and 7.00 pm.

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

It was reported that a representative of Greater Manchester Police had been unable to attend the meeting.

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 in the powers or duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out within the Code of Practice.

No public questions were submitted.

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.

A representative of the Assistant Director (Legal & Democratic Governance) reported that no organisations had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

To consider an application received from 2^nd Cheadle Scout Group for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £250 (Cheadle Hulme South ward allocation only) towards the cost of repairing and future proofing the sewer and drainage system at the Scout group’s headquarters.

A representative of the 2nd Cheadle Scout Group attended the meeting and submitted an application for a grant of £250 towards the cost of repairing and future proofing the sewer and drainage system at the Scout group’s headquarters.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application from the 2nd Cheadle Scout Group for a grant of £250 from the Ward Flexibility Funding budget (Cheadle Hulme South ward allocation) towards the cost of repairing and future proofing the sewer and drainage system at the Scout group’s headquarters.

To consider an application received from Bramhall Together Trust for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £1000 (Bramhall South & Woodford ward allocation only) towards the cost of staging, entertainment and marketing costs for Light-Up Bramhall and other subsequent events.

A representative of Bramhall Together Trust attended the meeting and submitted an application for a grant of £1,000 from the Ward Flexibility Funding budget towards the cost of staging, entertainment and marketing costs for Light-Up Bramhall and other subsequent events.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application from Bramhall Together Trust for a grant of £1,000 from the Ward Flexibility Funding budget (£500 from each of the Bramhall North and Bramhall South & Woodford ward allocations) towards the cost of staging, entertainment and marketing costs for Light-Up Bramhall and other subsequent events.

There are currently no developments to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for 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 Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: 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 Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee area.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report is to advise committee members of an objection/s received to a proposed Tree Preservation Order (TPO) at 47 Gillbent Road, Cheadle Hulme and to seek their decision to not confirm the Order.

The Area Committee is recommended to not confirm the Order.

Officer Contact: Peter Pollard on 0161 474 5637 or email: peter.pollard@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an objection received to a proposed Tree Preservation Order at 47 Gillbent Road, Cheadle Hulme.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·       Visually, the tree did not appear to make a significant contribution to the wider streetscene within which it sat.

·       There remained a public benefit to trees whether they were worthy of protection or not, and the policy of the Council was to replant as many trees as possible in respect of those trees within its control.

·       It was confirmed that following queries raised as part of the progression of this tree preservation order, the Council now undertook assessments using the most current guidance.

RESOLVED – That the Order be not confirmed.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance.

As part of its work programme, the Constitution Working Party has been examining the current range of delegations to area committees and other associated matters. This follows a request made by the Working Party that further consideration be given to:-

(a)      the remit of area committees including models of area governance implemented in other localities;

(b)      the current workload of area committees including agenda and meeting length;

(c)      arrangements for the chairing of area committees; and

(d)      venues for area committees.

The Working Party considered this report and requested that it be submitted to area committees to consult members on their views on the current operation of area committees. 

The comments of area committees will be collated and submitted to the Working Party to assist it in making any recommendations for change.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email: damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the ongoing work of the Constitution Working Party to examine the current range of delegations to area committees and other associated matters. 

It was reported that the Working Party has requested that area committees be consulted on these matters with the comments subsequently being collated and submitted to the Working Party to assist it in making any recommendations for change.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·       It was important that the arrangements for area committees were regularly reviewed to ensure that they remained appropriate.

·       It was noted that area committees were a long-standing and valued feature of governance in Stockport, and that the principle of devolving decision-making remained the right approach.

·       Notwithstanding recent changes to the planning scheme of delegation, area committees retained a valuable role in considering and determining development applications.

·       The view was expressed that it should remain at the discretion of relevant area committee who their chair should be.

·       It should be for each area committee to determine their venue, and for some, it may be more appropriate to be located in the Town Hall rather than selecting a community venue. 

·       It was emphasised that the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee considered that it was beneficial to meet within the locality and had changed its venue to ensure that it continued to be accessible to all parts of the communities it represented.

·       Area Committees enhanced transparency in decision-making.

RESOLVED – That the comments of the Area Committee be forwarded to the Constitution Working Party for its consideration.

To consider a report of the Executive Director People and Neighbourhoods.

The report provides an update on the One Stockport Local Neighbourhoods and Prevention Programme. It shares information on progress across the programme since the last update in January 2024 with steps for key elements to become operational and integration of practise to take place.

The Area Committee is recommend to:-

(a)  Note the report and engage in upcoming Neighbourhood Network meetings.

(b)  Comment on the programme as it continues to develop.

(c)  Request further updates on the programme at a frequency to be agreed.

Officer contact: Carolyn Anderson | 07800 617 588 | carolyn.anderson@stockport.gov.uk

Representatives of the Executive Director People and Neighbourhoods submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the One Stockport Local Neighbourhoods and Prevention Programme and sharing information on progress across the programme since the last update in January 2024 with steps for key elements to become operational and integration of practise to take place.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

It was noted that there had been an incremental improvement in the comparative levels of polarisation within the borough with other local authorities, however further work to reduce this gap further needed to be undertaken.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Executive Director People and Neighbourhoods be requested to provide further updates on the programme to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

A petition  signed by 16 residents of Hillbrook Road, Bramhall, requesting that the  parking be reviewed on Hillbrook Road, Bramhall was received and heard at Area Committee on 25 January 2024. 

The report details the assessment and respond of the Director of Place Management to the issues raised by the petition.

The Area Committee is recommended to consider the contents of this report and notes the recommendation and recommend that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services take no further action.

Officer contact: Diane Knight on 07929 777412 or email: diane.knight@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) providing an assessment and response to the issues raised by a petition submitted to the 25 January 2024 meeting of the Area Committee relating to a review of the parking arrangements on Hillbrook Road, Bramhall.

It was commented that while the report recommended no further interventions at this stage, local councillors would continue to keep the matter under review. 

RESOLVED - That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services be recommended to take no further action.

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.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.