Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 19 January 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

No announcements were made.

Inspector Steve Gilbertson (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the area represented by the Central Stockport Area Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•           There had been a reduction in the number of domestic burglaries, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour since the equivalent period last year.

•           The theft of vehicle number plates and the Safer Plates Scheme with regard to the fitting of tamper-proof screws to car number plates.

•           The use of Operation Antidote in helping to combat anti-social behaviour.

•           The work of Operation Alloy in helping to combat metal theft and the work carried out with scrap metal yards.

•           A community meeting with residents of Roslyn Road.

•           The work of the Stockport Intensive Partnership which would take place during the week commencing 20 February 2012.

•           Criminal behaviour on Neston Grove.

•           Arson attacks in the Manor Ward.

RESOLVED – That Inspector Gilbertson be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

No public questions were submitted.

(a)          Steve Barnes (Area Conditions Officer) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Environmental Services issues within the area represented by the Central Stockport Area Committee.  A written summary of the Area Conditions Officers’ activity was also provided (copies of which were circulated).

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Unattended vehicles on Beech Road in Cale Green.

·         The work carried out by people who attended the local church and those undertaking community service in order to clear the site of the former Adswood Working Men’s Club.

RESOLVED – That Steve Barnes be thanked for his attendance.

(b)       Simon Sherry (Highways Officer) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Highway Services issues within the area represented by the Central Stockport Area Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•           Whether any defects had been discovered following the inspection on Dale Street, Edgeley, near to the junction with Herbert Street.

RESOLVED – That Simon Sherry be thanked for his attendance.

A petition was submitted requesting residents parking on Colonial Road and for the road to be tarmaced and a ‘no through road’ sign erected at the entrance to the road.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to the Service Director (Place Management) for investigation and a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

In accordance with the Code of Practice, no organisation had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

There were no applications to consider.

(To be heard no earlier than 6.30pm)

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

(i) DC048909        Thatched House, 74 Churchgate, Stockport

Change of use from a public house to a dwelling house

The Area Committee is recommended to grant the application.

(ii) DC048981        Manufax Engineering Ltd, Cromer Street, Newbridge Lane

Erection of extension.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant the application.

(iii) DC043068      Land at Midland Road and Geneva Road, Bramhall

Development of landfill site to form 163 managed flats comprising of one, three/four storey blocks of flats (139 units) and one three storey block of twenty four sheltered flats for elderly persons with associated gas venting systems and construction of vehicular access from Midland Road (renewal of outline planning permission DC/0020309).

The Area Committee is requested to recommend the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee to grant the application.

(a)  To consider the development applications where members of the public have attended the meeting in order to speak or hear the Area Committee’s deliberations.

(b)  To consider the remaining applications.

(c)  To consider consultations (if any) received by the Service Director (Place Development) on any planning issues relevant to the Central Stockport Area Committee area.

Officer contact: Mark Jordan/ Jim Seymour, 0161 474 3557/ 3656, email mark.jordan@stockport.gov.uk / jim.seymour@stockport.gov.uk

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. The Corporate Director, Services to Place 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 Services to Place Directorate upon payment of the Council’s reasonable charges)

(i)            DC048909           Thatched House, 74 Churchgate, Stockport

In respect of plan no. 48909 for a change of use from a public house to a dwelling house at Thatched House, 74 Churchgate, Stockport, it was

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted.

(ii)          DC048981          Manufax Engineering Ltd, Cromer Street, Newbridge Lane

In respect of plan no. 48981 for the erection of an extension at Manufax Engineering Ltd, Cromer Street, Newbridge Lane, Stockport, it was

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted.

(iii)         DC043068       Land at Midland Road and Geneva Road, Bramhall

In respect of plan no. 43068 regarding the development of a landfill site on land at Midland Road and Geneva Road, Bramhall to form 163 managed flats comprising of one, three/four storey blocks of flats (139 units) and one three storey block of twenty four sheltered flats for elderly persons with associated gas venting systems and construction of vehicular access from Midland Road (renewal of outline planning permission DC/0020309).

RESOLVED – That the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee be advised that the Area Committee expresses concerns about the proposed number and type of accommodation, and the condition of the land.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal & Democratic Services)

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 Central Stockport Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Joy Morton, 0161 474 3217, joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Legal & Democratic Services) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by the Central Stockport Area Committee.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee about the current situation with regard to National House, 80-82 Wellington Road North, Heaton Norris.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Development) and Service Director (Place Management)

This report outlines the Council’s response to a petition which has been submitted to the Council by some of the existing businesses occupying premises on Little Underbank/ Lower Hillgate in Stockport Town Centre. The petition requests the abolition of the pedestrian zone, free short period parking, pay on exit parking, improved street lighting and Christmas lighting.

The Area Committee is requested to note the report and support an examination of a proposal for short duration paid parking.

Officer contact: Graeme Vout on 0161 474 4502, e mail: graeme.vout@stockport.gov.uk..

Representatives of the Service Director (Place Development) and Service Director (Place Management) submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the Council’s proposed response to a petition which had been submitted to the Council by some of the existing businesses occupying premises on Little Underbank/Lower Hillgate in Stockport Town Centre. The petition requested the abolition of the pedestrian zone, free short period parking, pay on exit parking, and improved street lighting and Christmas lighting.

The following comment was made/issues raised:-

•           A Member felt that the bollards should be removed from the Underbanks except on market days.

RESOLVED – (1) That the current actions, as outlined in the report, be noted.

(2) That an examination of a proposal for a short duration paid parking be supported.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Development)

This report provides an update on the statutory processes that have been carried out in respect of the gating order for Kingsland Road, Cheadle Heath and included details of the written representations received from local residents. It also seeks the support of the Committee to vary the existing gating order from 24 hour closure to a time limited order with closing hours of 9.00pm to 7.00am.

The Area Committee is requested to support the variation of the existing gating order for Kingsland Road, Cheadle Heath from 24 hour closure to a time limited order with closing hours of 9.00pm to 7.00am recommend that the Executive Councillors (Communities) and (Transportation).

Officer contact: Andy Dunn on 0161 474 4216, e mail: andy.dunn@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Development) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the statutory processes that had been carried out in respect of the gating order for Kingsland Road, Cheadle Heath and including details of the written representations received from local residents.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Councillors (Communities) and (Transportation) be advised that the Area Committee supports the variation of the existing gating order for Kingsland Road, Cheadle Heath from a 24 hour closure to a time limited order with closing hours of 9.00pm to 7.00am.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

This report summarises the key issues and elements of the Draft Obstruction Policy for Highways, Draft Highways Café Policy, Draft Control of Skips, Containers, Scaffolding and Hoardings on the Highway Policy, and the Draft Advertising Boards and Trade Goods Obstruction Policy. The draft policies are appended to the report.

The Area Committee is invited to comment on the policies.

Officer contacts: Andrew Suggett/Sue Stevenson/Graeme Vout, Tel: 474  5694/4351/4562

email: andrew.suggett@stockport.gov.uk/sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk/

graeme.vout@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee’s comments on the Draft Obstruction Policy for Highways, Draft Highways Café Policy, Draft Control of Skips, Containers, Scaffolding and Hoardings on the Highways Policy; and the draft Advertising Boards and Trade Goods Obstruction Policy. The aims of the policies were to promote consistency across the borough and disability and other user groups has raised a number of concerns about the current arrangements.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•           The cost of the proposed licences.

•           With regard to cafes on the highway, there needed to be adequate footway space, including for people in wheelchairs. Permission would not be granted in those instances where there was not enough space  on the pavement to accommodate a pavement café.

•           What controls were in place in order to ensure that street furniture was robust enough not to be blown away in adverse weather conditions.

•           Disability groups frequently complained about the effect on blind people of advertising boards, and Disability Stockport had been consulted extensively on the proposals.

•           Applications would be granted by Officers and there would be a right of appeal against refusal.

•           Licence holders would need to display a sticker in their shop window.

•           What would happen to shops who currently had goods displayed on the pavement.

•           The decision of the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee in June 2010 to remove advertising boards and other unauthorised advertisements from the highway and the subsequent decision for the Council and local businesses to work together to develop an agreed policy and guidance.

•           A Member did not feel that the way forward was with a licensing system that generated revenue. Planning permission should be retained for advertising boards and other unauthorised advertisements from the highway.

•           A Member suggested that the Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee should consider the existing enforcement on advertising boards, cafes and skips in order to establish what was wrong with the current process and that the guidance be prepared accordingly.

•           The Council’s legal department had been consulted on the policy.

•           When the scaffolding outside the Primark premises in Chestergate would be removed.

•           When the scaffolding on the Rock building adjacent to the Plaza Theatre (former ‘Stockport Village’) would be removed and whether the advertising on it needed planning permission.

•           Support was given for the continuation of the charges set for skips and action would be taken against companies if they did not acquire skip permits.

•           There were many examples of skip holders who were not following the existing rules.

•           In the Highways Obstructions Policy, whether the Council would identify areas where they would enforce against parking on the pavement.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted and the comments be referred to the Service Director (Place Management) for consideration as part of the consultation.

(2) That the Committee’s comments be included in the report to the Executive on this issue.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The report details the results of the public consultation exercise which was carried out in March 2011 regarding proposed traffic management measures at Dialstone Lane and seeking approval to proceed with the implementation of a reduced traffic management scheme and associated Traffic Regulation Orders.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Executive Councillor (Transportation) approves the implementation of the scheme and the introduction of the associated Traffic Regulation Orders as detailed in appendix 1 and shown on the post public consultation layout drawings sheets 1 to 7 (Appendix 3).

Officer contact: Georgina Summers, tel no. 0161 474 4853, e mail: georgina,summers@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Place Management) detailing the results of the public consultation exercise which was carried out in March 2011 regarding proposed traffic management measures on Dialstone Lane, Offerton.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the establishment of a Joint Ward Committee for the Offerton, Stepping Hill and Manor Wards and that a meeting be held on 5 March 2012 to discuss the proposed traffic management scheme for Dialstone Lane, Offerton.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The Area Committee is recommended to introduce no waiting and no loading restrictions along a section of Nangreave Road, Heaviley.

Officer contact: Max Townsend , tel. 0161 474 4861. E mail: max.townsend@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Place Management) in connection with the proposed introduction of no waiting and no loading restrictions along a section of Nangreave Road, Heaviley.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the introduction of restricted waiting and loading on Nangreave Road, Heaviley at an approximate cost of £400 to be funded from the commuted sum from the developer (Aquinas College) as follows:-

Introduce No Waiting Monday to Friday 7.30am – 6.00pm; Saturday 8.30am – 12 Noon/ No Loading Monday to Friday 7.30am – 6.00pm; Saturday 8.30am – 12 Noon:

Nangreave Road

North westerly side, from a point 23 metres south west of the projected south westerly kerb line of Diamond Street in a north easterly direction to a point 35 metres north east of the projected north easterly kerb line of Diamond Street and to tie in with the existing restriction.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Communities)

The report details commuted sums for play provision accrued in the area from developments and sets out proposals for where these sums are to be spent.

The Area Committee is invited to:-

•           Approve the use of £2,175.03 towards the provision of new safer surfacing at Moat Walk play area, Brinnington

•           The allocation of £334.62 from the development at 40a St. Petersgate.

•           The proposal for the allocation of the sum of £8,256.99 referred to in paragraph 2.3 of the report.

       Officer contact: Vanessa Brook, tel. 0161 474 4446, e mail: vanessa.brook@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing commuted sums for play provision accrued in the Central Stockport area from developments, and set out proposals for where these sums were to be spent.

RESOLVED – (1) That £2,175.03 be used towards the provision of new safer surfacing at Moat Walk play area, Brinnington.

(2) That the sum of £8,256.99 referred to in paragraph 2.2 of the report to the meeting of the Area Committee on 23 June 2011 be allocated to the creation of an access to the Covent Garden play area from London Place and the remainder split equally between Heaton Norris, St Thomas’s and Peak Street play areas for future improvements.

(3) That the allocation of £334.62 accrued from development no. 1011 for 40a St Petersgate be deferred.

To consider a report of the Operations Director, NPS Stockport Ltd.

This report considers the proposal to dispose of the land adjacent to 34 Millgate, Stockport.

The Area Committee is requested to agree that the site be sold to the owner of 34 Millgate.

Officer contact: Helen Ward, tel. no. 495 6098, e mail: helen.ward@nps.co.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding the proposed disposal of the land adjacent to 34 Millgate, Stockport.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services be recommended to sell the site to the owner of 34 Millgate, Stockport.

To consider a report of the Operations Director, NPS Stockport Ltd.

This report considers a proposal to accept a surrender and the granting of a new long ground lease in respect of land at Borron Street, Portwood.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services accepts a surrender of the present lease and that a new 125 year lease be granted in respect of the site in question.

Officer contact: John Coles , tel. no. 0161 496 6099, e mail: john.coles@nps.co.uk.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding a proposal to accept a surrender and the granting of a new long ground lease in respect of land at Borron Street, Portwood.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services be recommended to accept a surrender of the present lease and that a new 125 year lease be granted in respect of the site at Borron Street, Portwood.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Communities)

The Area Committee is recommended to approve an application from Legacy Event Series Ltd to hold a 10K race event at Woodbank Park on 5 August 2012.

Officer contact@ Tim Devine, tel. no. 0161 474 4419, e mail: tim.devine@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding an application from Legacy Event Series Ltd to hold a 10K race event at Woodbank Park on 5 August 2012.

RESOLVED – That the application from Legacy Event Series Ltd to hold a 10K race event at Woodbank Park on 5 August 2012 be approved, subject to it being clarified that food can be served for spectators.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Patrick McAuley

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

Councillor McAuley reported that complaints had been received from residents regarding anti-social behaviour on the footpath linking Bideford Road to Berkeley Close in Offerton.

RESOLVED – That the issue be referred to the Positive Path Management Group for investigation.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Learning & Achievement)

The Area Committee is requested to provide a nomination for the vacancies and re-appointments indicated in the report.

Officer contact: Libby Evans, 0161 3847, libby.evans@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Learning & Achievement) requesting the Area Committee to consider a re-appointment to the Governing Body at Cale Green Primary School.

RESOLVED - That the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) be recommended to make the following re-appointment:-

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee, the current position on Area Flexibility Funding and the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budgets.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.