Agenda and minutes

The Chair reported that following the resignation of Councillor Ian Powney from the Council, this created a vacancy in the role of Vice-Chair of the Area Committee which was required to be filled.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Helen Foster-Grime 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 12 September 2024.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 12 September 2024were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

No urgent decisions were reported.

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:-

·       It was reported that Remembrance Sunday events were due to take place on Sunday, 10 November 2024. A procession was due to take place in Bramhall from 10.40 am from Holland Road to be followed by a service at the war memorial at 11.00 am.  A procession was due to begin at 9.55 am at Beech Road in Cheadle Hulme to be followed by a service at the war memorial at 10am.  A service and laying of wreaths was due to take place in Woodford at Christ Church on Chester Road at 10.45 am.

·       It was announced that a festive food and craft event was due to take place in Bramhall Village Square between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm on Saturday, 9November 2024.

·       The Light Up Bramhall event was reported to take place on Sunday, 1 December 2024 between 11.30 am and 5.30 pm.

·       It was announced that a Bonfire event was due to take place in Woodford on Tuesday, 5 November 2024 with the bonfire scheduled to be lit at 6.30 pm, a children’s firework display scheduled for 7.00 pm and the main display scheduled for 8.00 pm with residents encouraged to attend.

·       It was announced that a new toddler play area at Oak Meadow Park, Cheadle Hulme was due to officially open on Wednesday, 6 November 2024 at 1.00 pm.

·       It was reported that the Cheadle Hulme Artisan Market in conjunction with a wellness event was due to take place on Saturday, 16 November 2024.

·       Members commended Bramhall Methodist Church for the Christmas charity event they held on Saturday, 2 November 2024 which raised £2,000 from across the 13 charities in attendance.

·       It was reported that a craft fair was due to take place on Saturday, 16 November 2024 between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm organised by St Michael and All Angels Church, Bramhall.

·       Woodford Community Centre was reported to be hosting a Christmas Makers Market on Sunday, 17 November 2024.

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

Sergeant Matt Delaney (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer any questions from Councillors or members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the area represented by the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·       It was reported that Operation Rotation, Operation Wildflower, and Operation Picton had recently been conducted successfully and had provided reassurance to local communities in the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South area.

·       An update on crime statistics and trends in the area was provided. It was reported that the police solved 77% more residential burglaries than in the previous year. The number of people arrested on suspicion of burglary had also increased by 42.1% and reported burglaries had dropped by 24% in Greater Manchester and that these trends were reflected in local data. Burglaries had decreased month on month throughout the year until October. However, it was reported that two new criminal teams were operating in the area targeting performance vehicles which the police were actively investigating.

·       Residents were reminded to increase security where possible as darker nights approached.

·       An update on the issue of drugs was provided. Residents were encouraged to share intelligence with the police as previous intelligence had resulted in the seizure of cannabis with the value £250,000.  It was noted that proceeds of crime were invested back in to the community.

·       It was reported that the issue of off road and electric bikes and associated criminality remained an issue in the area however 10 arrests had been made in relation to this including incidents in the Woodford Garden Village area. One suspect was reported to have been charged with 20 offences. Identification of suspects remained a challenge and residents were encouraged to share intelligence with the police including but not limited to dashcam footage. It was also reported the Smart Spray was being utilised to easier link suspects to crimes.

·       An update was provided on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) with 28,000 instances recorded in Greater Manchester.  Stockport districts were reported to account for 2,276 of these instances with this area accounting for 405 instances. While levels of ASB remained relatively low in the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South area, there was a concentration of reported instances on Station Road, Cheadle Hulme that was associated with the night time economy. It was reported that ASB spiked in June however has since decreased each month.

·       Operation Treacle was reported to be underway with the busiest night being Halloween. 25 grade one incidents were responded to in a four hour time frame but there had been a reduction following this. High visibility patrols in the area had continued to reassure the community.

·       An update was provided on the Right Care Right Person model which was reported to be having a positive impact on attendance times and officer hours after being launched on the 30 September 2024.

·       Members raised concern regarding the issue of speeding on Woodford Road and sought clarity on how resources to address the issue were allocated. In response it was clarified that the Road Police unit would be deployed to an area as they had the resources to address speeding. Additionally, it was stated that Members were able to refer areas to the police if there were concerns. It was also reported that Community Speedwatch volunteers from outside the area were due to assist with training local Speedwatch volunteers.

·       Members sought clarity on the cause of a serious road traffic accident which occurred on Ravenoak Road, Cheadle Hulme a number of months ago and queried if improvements to road makings and signage would mitigate against the potential for further such incidents. In response, it was clarified that further information would be obtained and fed back to members.

·       Members sought clarity regarding the new system which reduced the police from four to three divisions across Stockport and the resources available to ensure that residents in this area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.(ii)

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.

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 for 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 S.E.A Social Events Activities for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £35.08 (Bramhall North ward allocation only) towards the cost of organising a Christmas dinner for vulnerable and isolated people.

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted an application received on behalf of S.E.A Social Events Activities for a grant of £35.08 from the Ward Flexibility Budget (Bramhall North ward allocation only) towards the cost of organising a Christmas dinner for vulnerable and isolated people.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application from of S.E.A Social Events Activities for a grant of £35.08 from the Ward Flexibility Budget (Bramhall North ward allocation only) towards the cost of organising a Christmas dinner for vulnerable and isolated people.

There are currently no development applications 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 for 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 Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance.

The report seeks the views of the Committee on the current and proposed polling arrangements within the area in order to inform the 2024 Polling District Review.

The Area Committee is recommended to give its views on the proposed polling arrangements.

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

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which sought the views of the Committee on the current and proposed polling arrangements within the area in order to inform the 2024 Polling District Review.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members welcomed the change of polling station for BN4 and BN7 to the Brookdale Theatre commenting that the new polling station would be better suited to the volume of residents attending but raised concern regarding the distance electors in BN7 would have to travel and suggested that consideration should be given to the use of Cheadle Hulme Methodist Church for BN7.

·         Members noted that there were no proposals to move polling station out of schools and would broadly support moves away from schools being used as polling stations where this was possible.

·         It was commented that changes to polling district boundaries can result in residents attending the incorrect polling station, notwithstanding that the poll card issues to those residents did identify the new location for their polling station.  It was suggested that there some areas of Cheadle Hulme where minor realignments of polling district boundaries would ameliorate some of these issues.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report details information about a nomination received in response to the Community Right to Bid.

The Area Committee is requested to determine if the asset should be added to the List of Assets of Community Value in accordance with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 and The Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012.

Officer contact: Alima Ahmed-Zaman 07356182688 | alima.ahmed-zaman@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 in order that the application could be determined within the timeframe approved by the Council).

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing members with information in relation to a nomination received and to determine whether to include Cheadle Hulme Garden and Allotments on the list of Assets of Community Value.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·       Members expressed support for the designation and further stated that they have been involved in supporting the group for some time.

·       It was commented that designation as an Asset of Community Value did not necessarily protect a site from future development, however members stated that they were not aware of any plans to develop the site.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the addition of Cheadle Hulme Garden and Allotments to the List of Assets of Community Value in accordance with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 and The Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive. 

The report details information about a nomination received in response to the Community Right to Bid.  

The Area Committee is requested to determine if the asset should be added to the List of Assets of Community Value in accordance with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 and The Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012. 

Officer contact: Alima Ahmed-Zaman 07356182688 | alima.ahmed-zaman@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 in order that the application could be determined within the timeframe approved by the Council).

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing members with information in relation to a nomination received and to determine whether to include Highfield Park on the list of Assets of Community Value.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the addition of Highfield Park to the List of Assets of Community Value in accordance with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 and The Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report details an application from Bramall to hold their annual Carols in the Courtyard event on 13th December 2024 between 18:00 and 21:30. Access will be required from 12:00 until 22:30 to set up and close the event.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant the application.

Officer Contact: Jane Bardsley on 0161 477 5637 or email: jane.bardsley@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 in order that the application could be determined well in advance of the date of the proposed event).

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) which detailed an application from Bramall Hall to hold their annual Carols in the Courtyard event on 13 December 2024 between 6.00 pm and 9.30 pm, noting that access will be required from 12:00 noon until 10.30  pm to set up and close the event.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted.

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

The report requests the Area Committee to nominate Councillors to lay wreaths at Remembrance Day Services at Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme and Woodford War Memorials on 10 November 2024.

The Area Committee is requested to nominate Councillors.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email: 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) requesting the Area Committee to nominate Councillors to lay wreaths on behalf of the Council at Remembrance Day Services at Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme and Woodford War Memorials on Sunday, 10 November 2024.

RESOLVED – That the following Councillors be appointed to lay wreaths on behalf of the Council on Sunday, 10 November 2024:-

Bramhall War Memorial                  - Councillor Jeremy Meal

Cheadle Hulme War Memorial      - Councillor Alex Wynne

Woodford War Memorial                 - Councillor Dallas Jones

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.