Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 16 July 2015 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.

There were no announcements made.

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

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that representatives 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.

No public questions were submitted.

The local Public Realm Inspector will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at the last committee meetings. Councillors and Members of the public are invited to raise issues affecting local environmental quality.

Carolyn Turner (Public Realm Inspector) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to environmental and highways issues within the area represented by the Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The Community Payback Team had been working in the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South area since the last meeting of the Area Committee.

·         The leak on the footpath outside Bramhall Library had been reported to United Utilities.

·         Traffic lights would be in operation on Chester Road, Woodford until 28 August 2015 in connection with the ongoing Redrow Housing development in Woodford.

·         United Utilities had attempted to undertake remediation works to a manhole cover on Carrwood Road, Bramhall.  However, the volume of traffic on the highway had meant that traffic control measures would need to be put in place prior to the commencement of works.

RESOLVED – That Carolyn Turner 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.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager 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 form the St Ann’s Lourdes Group for funding to assist with the cost of a pilgrimage to Lourdes to care for the sick, disabled and elderly.

This item had been deferred from the last meeting of the Area Committee pending the attendance of the applicant.

Mrs Martina Riley attended the meeting and submitted an application on behalf of the St Ann’s Lourdes Group for funding to assist with the cost of a pilgrimage to Lourdes to care for the sick, disabled and elderly.

RESOLVED – (One against) That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £750 (£250 from each ward allocation) to St Ann’s Lourdes Group for funding to assist with the cost of a pilgrimage to Lourdes to care for the sick, disabled and elderly.

Councillor Bodsworth requested that his vote against the resolution be recorded.

To consider an application from the Friends of Lumb Lane Park for a grant of £603.19 to undertake a community consultation, provide a stall at the ‘Bramhall’s Got Talent’ event and for a de-seeeing and bulb planting event.

Michelle Hays, Alex Wood and Bernard Burgess attended the meeting and submitted an application on behalf of the Friends of Lumb Lane Park for funding to undertake a community consultation, provide a stall at the ‘Bramhall’s Got Talent’ event and for a de-seeding and bulb planting event.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £1,000 (£500 from each of the Bramhall North and Bramhall South & Woodford ward allocations) towards the cost of undertaking a community consultation, provide a stall at the ‘Bramhall’s Got Talent’ event and for a de-seeding and bulb planting event.

There are no planning applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

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: Joy Morton on 0161 474 3217 or email: joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The report outlines the findings of the review of outcomes tour undertaken on Friday 6th March 2015.

The Area Committee is recommended to:-

(1)        Comment on and note the findings of the Review of Outcomes Tour held on 6 March 2015.

(2)        Note that it is proposed to hold the next Review of Outcomes Tour on Friday, 6 November 2015; and to:-

(i)            nominate a completed development site to be included on the list of sites to be inspected on the Annual Review Tour.

(ii)          nominate Members to attend the Annual Review Tour.

Officer contact: Kevin Brooks on 474 4905 or email: kevin.brooks@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the findings of the review of outcomes tour undertaken on Friday, 6 March 2015.

It was further reported that it was proposed to hold the 2015 Annual Review of Outcomes Tour on 6 March 2015 and that the Area Committee was requested to submit a recommendation for a completed development site within the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South area to be included on the list of sites to be inspected by the Tour delegates.  In addition the Area Committee was also asked to provide nominations for delegates to attend.

RESOLVED – (1) That the findings of the Review of Outcomes Tour undertaken on Friday, 6 March 2015 be noted.

(2) That the Annual Review of Outcomes Tour be requested to inspect the AVRO Heritage Museum, Woodford.

(3) That Councillors Holt, Vine and Wyatt be nominated to attend the Tour.

The Planning & Highways Regulation Committee’s visiting team shall whenever practical, inspect one completed development each cycle and report to the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee on the quality of the decision and any matters which should be addressed.

The Area Committees are requested to select, on a rota basis, a recently completed development site for inspection as part of the Council’s approved practice of monitoring developments and reviewing current policies. 

The Area Committee is requested to select a site to be visited by the Visiting Team.

Officer contact: Emma Curle on 474 3542 or email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

The Planning & Highways Regulation Committee requested that the Area Committee select a recently completed development site for inspection as part of the Council’s approved practice of monitoring developments and reviewing current policies.

RESOLVED - That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be requested to undertake a monitoring visit to the residential development on Carrwood Road, Bramhall.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

To report details the findings of a consultation exercise with local residents following concerns being expressed that vehicles parked on Queensgate close to its junction with Woodford Road were causing drivers difficulties when trying to enter and exit Queensgate, and consequently outlines proposals for the introduction of a ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ Traffic Regulation Order on Queensgate and Woodford Road, Bramhall.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) gives approves the following, at a cost of £525, to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bramhall South & Woodford ward allocation):-

No Waiting at Any Time

Queensgate, Bramhall, both sides, from the easterly kerb line of Woodford Road for a distance of 10 metres in an easterly direction.

Woodford Road, Bramhall, east side, from a point 10 metres north of the northerly kerb line of Queensgate to a point 10 metres south of the southerly kerb line of Queensgate.

Officer contact: Nathan Copley on 0161 474 4808 or email: nathan.copley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the findings of a consultation exercise with local residents following concerns being expressed that vehicles parked on Queensgate close to its junction with Woodford Road were causing drivers difficulties when trying to enter and exit Queensgate.  The report consequently outlines proposals for the introduction of a ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ Traffic Regulation Order on Queensgate and Woodford Road, Bramhall.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) be recommended to give approval to the following scheme, at a cost of £525, to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bramhall South & Woodford ward allocation):-

No Waiting at Any Time

Queensgate, Bramhall, both sides, from the easterly kerb line of Woodford Road for a distance of 10 metres in an easterly direction.

Woodford Road, Bramhall, east side, from a point 10 metres north of the northerly kerb line of Queensgate to a point 10 metres south of the southerly kerb line of Queensgate.

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services.

The report details an objection that had been received to a proposed ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ Traffic Regulation Order at Newhaven Close, Cheadle Hulme.

The Area Committee is recommended to make the order as advertised. 

Officer contact: Nathan Copley on 474 4808 or email: nathan.copley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a joint report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an objection that had been received to a proposed ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ Traffic Regulation Order at Newhaven Close, Cheadle Hulme.

RESOLVED – That the Order be made as advertised.

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services.

The report details objections received to a package of Traffic Regulation Orders on Nevill Road, North Park Road, Rushton Drive, Earle Road, Abingdon Road and Handley Road, Bramhall.

The Area Committee is recommended to make the order as advertised.

Officer contact: Nathan Copley on 474 4808 or email: nathan.copley@stockport.gov.uk

(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 as objectors to the proposals had erroneously been advised that the matter would be considered by the Area Committee at the meeting and to delay consideration would unduly inconvenience those members of the public).

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a joint report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services (copies of which had been circulated) detailing objections received to a package of Traffic Regulation Orders on Nevill Road, North Park Road, Rushton Drive, Earle Road, Abingdon Road and Handley Road, Bramhall.

RESOLVED – That the Order be made as advertised.

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and the Corporate Director for Corporate & Support Services.

The report provides a response to a petition that had been presented to Area Committee at its meeting on 11 June 2015.   The report further details the current status of the land and outlines the view of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services that, in the circumstances, it would be prudent for the Council to pursue a purchase of the land.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the content of this report and to recommend that the Corporate Director for Corporate & Support Services seek to purchase the land on the basis identified within the report.

Officer contact: Murray Carr on 4743019 or email: murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a joint report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services (copies of which had been circulated) providing a response to a petition that had been presented to Area Committee at its meeting on 11 June 2015.   The report further detailed the current status of the land and outlined the view of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services that, in the circumstances, it would be prudent for the Council to pursue a purchase of the land.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted that the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be requested to pursue the purchase the land on the basis identified within the report.

This item has been has been placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.

On 16 July 2015 Central Stockport Area Committee considered proposals by Virgin Trains to place ticket barriers at either end of the underpass underneath Stockport Railway Station as part of Virgin Trains’ franchise commitment to reduce ticketless travel.  Members of the Area Committee expressed their concern that these proposals would have a significant impact on the longstanding pedestrian access between Edgeley and Stockport town centre.  The barriers are proposed to become effective on 18 August 2015.

Since the Central Stockport Area Committee considered this matter, Virgin Trains have agreed to introduce a ‘guest pass’ scheme to allow access to those who have valid reasons to use the underpass - this could be to families wanting to wave off relatives on the platform, residents heading into the town centre or football fans making their way to the match.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration outlining the changes that were being made to access arrangements for pedestrians through the underpass at Stockport Train Station which included proposals for the introduction of gate lines at both ends of the underpass.

The report further stated that Virgin Trains planned to introduce ‘Welcome Hosts’ and manage a ‘Guest Pass’ system so that non-rail users can still walk between the two sides of the Station.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The new Welcome Hosts were currently in post; however, the advice being provided to users at Stockport Railway Station in relation to the ‘Guess Pass’ system was inconsistent.

·         Connectivity between Edgeley and Stockport Town Centre would be undermined as a result of the proposals.

RESOLVED – That this Area Committee expresses its strong opposition to the planned introduction of gate lines at both ends of the underpass underneath Stockport Railway Station.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

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, 474 3207 or email: damian.eaton@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 on decisions taken by the Area Committee since the last meeting and the current position on the Area Flexibility and Ward Delegated budgets.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.