Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2025.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 30 January 2025 were 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 and Prejudicial Interest

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

The following announcements were made:-

·         It was noted that the annual garden waste permits would be required from 1April 2025 at a cost of £59 per year per bin or £35 for those receiving Council Tax Support. It was noted that food waste would still be collected through the green bins without a permit, and that the Council provides heavily discount compost waste bins which were available through the Council’s website.

·         Bin calendars and new food waste caddies would be provided for the new year with more details available on the Council’s website.

·         For Bramhall, it was noted that the Spring Market in the Village Square would be on 10 May, the Bramhall Duck Race would take place on 17May at Bramhall Hall, and the Bramhall Summer Festival would take place on 28 June.

·         It was noted for Bramhall South, that in preparation for the outline planning application to be submitted by Jones Homes off Hall Moss Lane there was a consultation open and residents were encouraged to participate in the consultation exercise.

·         Congratulations were given to Simply Books in Bramhall for winning the Best Independent Book Shop in the North of England as part of the British Book Awards.

·         It was noted that there would be many celebrations to mark VE Day in Bramhall also on 10 May.

·         It was highlighted that on week commencing 17 March, Bramhall and Woodford Rotary would be organising an event at Notcutts to raise money for Greater Manchester Blood Banks Charity, and it was further noted that blood donations could be given at the Total Fitness centre.

·         It was highlighted that for The Christie Charity, an Easter Egg Donation Appeal was taking place at The Aviator pub in Woodford.

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

The Chair 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 submit 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.

One public question was submitted in relation to the rules for public speaking on planning items at area committees.

In response, the following contributions were made by members:-

·         It was noted that local authorities are free to set their own procedure rules.

·         It was highlighted that the Council Meeting decides whether public speaking will be permitted and what rules will be applied for this.

·         It was explained that the Local Government Association does provide guidance on this to local authorities who wish to permit public speaking.

·         It was explained that the sharing of any personal details regarding public speaking registrations would need the expressed permission of the person registered in order to comply with statutory provisions regarding data protection. It was noted that the concerns expressed on the registration to speak would be taken to the Democratic Services team to discuss this when the Constitution was next reviewed.

·         It was further commented that many Councils in England do not allow for any public speaking at committees and that area committees were still a function of the Council which many other Councils do not have.

·         It was noted that all planning applications allow for comments to be submitted from the public, which are then considered by Council offers and incorporated into the reports by officers.

RESOLVED -  That the Assistant Director for Governance to requested to consider the views expressed by the questioner as part of any future review of the rules for public speaking on planning applications.

A further public question was submitted where the questioner was not attendance at the meeting, and in accordance with the Code of Practice, the Assistant Director for Governance was 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.

A representative of the Assistant Director for 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 Pixies Cheer for Ward Flexibility Funding for an overall grant of £1,000 (£35.71 from Bramhall North ward allocation only) towards the cost of the team competing in the All Star World Championships and Worlds competitive cheerleading competition.

A representative of the Assistant Director for Governance submitted an application received on behalf of Pixies Cheer for a grant of £35.71 from the Ward Flexibility Budget (Bramhall North ward allocation only) towards the cost of the team competing in the All Star World Championships and Worlds competitive cheerleading competition.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received from Pixies Cheer for a grant of £35.71 from the Ward Flexibility Budget (Bramhall North ward allocation only) towards the cost of the team competing in the All Star World Championships and Worlds competitive cheerleading competition.

To consider an application received from Stockport Sea Cadets for Ward Flexibility Funding for an overall grant of £1,000 (£58.82 from Bramhall North, £26.41 from Bramhall South & Woodford and £88.23 from Cheadle Hulme South ward allocations) towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

A representative of Stockport Sea Cadets submitted an application for a grant of £173.46 from the Ward Flexibility Budget (£58.82 from Bramhall North, £26.41 from Bramhall South & Woodford and £88.23 from Cheadle Hulme South ward allocations) towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received from Stockport Sea Cadets for a grant of £173.46 from the Ward Flexibility Budget (£58.82 from Bramhall North, £26.41 from Bramhall South & Woodford and £88.23 from Cheadle Hulme South ward allocations) towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

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

Development applications were 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. Deputy Chief Executive 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/planning. Copies of the schedule of plans, or any part thereof, may be obtained upon payment of the Council’s reasonable charges).

The Chair outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

At this stage in the proceedings, following the withdrawal of the Chair from the meeting, and in the absence of the Vice-Chair, a representative of the Assistant Director for Governance reported that it was necessary for the Area Committee to elect a Chair for the duration of the consideration of the plan no. DC/091485 – ‘Dairyground Farm, Lytham Drive, Bramhall, Stockport’.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Keith Holloway be elected Chair for the duration of the consideration of plan no. DC/091485 – ‘Dairyground Farm, Lytham Drive, Bramhall, Stockport’.

Outline planning application for the demolition of existing buildings and structures and the erection of up to 60 dwellings (including 50% affordable housing) with public open space, landscaping and vehicular access point from Lytham Drive. All matters reserved.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission subject to the imposition of conditions and the completion of a S106 agreement.

Officer Contact: Mark Jordan on 0161 474 3557 or email: mark.jordan@stockport.gov.uk.

In respect of plan no. DC/091485 for the demolition of existing buildings and structures and the erection of up to 60 dwellings (including 50% affordable housing) with public open space, landscaping and vehicular access point from Lytham Drive with all matters reserved at Dairyground Farm, Lytham Drive, Bramhall,

a member of the public spoke against the application; and

a representative of the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – (5 for, 1 against) That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to undertake a site visit.

A full application for the demolition of existing buildings / structures and the erection of a residential dwelling with car parking, landscaping and associated works.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission subject to the imposition of conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

Officer Contact: Sarah Wells by email at: sarah.wells@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. DC/092296 or the demolition of existing buildings / structures and the erection of a residential dwelling with car parking, landscaping and associated works on land and buildings off Church Lane, Woodford,

a representative of the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – (6 for) That the application be granted planning permission subject to the imposition of conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

A hybrid planning application comprising:

(a) Application for full planning permission for the provision of an Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) and extensions and enhancements to the club house; and

(b) Application for outline planning permission for the erection of:

- up to 60 new residential homes including 10% all affordable supported housing (Use Class C3);

- a residential care facility (Use Class C2), for up to 75 beds; and

- an extra care facility (age restricted 55+ years) (Use Class C3) for 70 all affordable units;

together with landscaping and open space, with all matters reserved

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Planning & Highways Regulations Committee grant planning permission subject to the imposition of conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

Officer Contact: Jane Chase on 0161 474 3550 or email: jane.chase@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. DC/093768 for a hybrid planning application comprising:

(a) Application for full planning permission for the provision of an Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) and extensions and enhancements to the club house; and

(b) Application for outline planning permission for the erection of up to 60 new residential homes including 10% all affordable supported housing (Use Class C3); a residential care facility (Use Class C2), for up to 75 beds; and an extra care facility (age restricted 55+ years) (Use Class C3) for 70 all affordable units; together with landscaping and open space, with all matters reserved, at Stockport Rugby Union Football Club to South of Jacksons Lane, Hazel Grove,

a member of the public spoke against the application; and

a representative of the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED - That the Planning & Highways Regulation be recommended to undertake a site visit to view the pitches affected by the proposal, assess the internal layout of the clubhouse and the issues that it currently experiences and the relationship between the application site and the wider locality.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for 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 Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding the 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.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

This report summarises CAN Seed Fund ward budgets to date and provides details of applications for which decisions must be made by ward Members.

(NOTE: The aggregate sum of the three applications exceeds the available budget, and as such the Area Committee will not be able to grant all three applications in full).

The Area Committee is recommended to determine the following applications from the Bramhall South & Woodford ward allocation:-

(1) Moss Hey Primary School for £1,000 to set up a school garden to grow different vegetables, fruit, herbs and edible flowers.

(2) Queensgate School Nature Project for £505 for a 30% for nature by 2030 project to support biodiversity and encourage children to protect nature. 

(3) Woodford Primary School PTA for £1,000 for their forest school space to help promote pupil wellbeing and increase biodiversity through planting trees, shrubs, fruit and vegetables.

Officer contact: Nick Leslie 07775804984 | nick.leslie@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Governance submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the CAN Seed Fund ward budgets to date and provides details of applications for which decisions must be made by ward Members.

It was noted that the aggregate sum of the three applications that had been submitted to the Area Committee for consideration exceeded the funds available for the Bramhall South & Woodford ward’s remaining CAN Seed Budget.

It was therefore proposed that shortfall of £1,005 be funded by way of a virement from the Ward Flexibility Budget.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to an application received from Moss Hey Primary School for a grant of £1,000 from the Stockport CAN Seed Fund (Bramhall South & Woodford ward allocation) towards the cost of setting up a school garden to grow different vegetables, fruit, herbs and edible flowers.

(2) That approval be given to an application received from Queensgate School Nature Project for a grant of £505 from the Stockport CAN Seed Fund (Bramhall South & Woodford ward allocation) towards the cost of a ‘30% for nature by 2030’ project to support biodiversity and encourage children to protect nature.

(3) That approval be given to an application received from Woodford Primary School PTA for a grant of £1,000 from the Stockport CAN Seed Fund (Bramhall South & Woodford ward allocation) towards the cost of the forest school space to help promote pupil wellbeing and increase biodiversity through planting trees, shrubs, fruit and vegetables.

(4) That approval be given to a virement of £1,005 from the Ward Flexibility Budget (Bramhall South and Woodford allocation) to the Stockport CAN Seed Fund (Bramhall South and Woodford allocation) to make up the budgetary shortfall associated with the making of the above three grant allocations.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for 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: Caleb Harris, 0161 474 3229 caleb.harris@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for 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.