Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 August 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 15 August 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and Officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

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

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Area Committee.

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

No announcements were made.

Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise neighbourhood policing issues with the Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Sergeant Philip Lowe attended the meeting to report on neighbourhood policing issues within the Central Stockport area. He also reported on recent crime committed in the Central Stockport area.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The police patrols whilst the Little Moor Local Centre Improvements were taking place had been successful in preventing motorists travelling the wrong way down temporary one way roads.

·         The combatting of pickpockets in the town centre was raised.

·         The publicity surrounding trying to prevent anti-social behaviour on halloween and bonfire night was welcomed.

RESOLVED – That Sergeant Lowe be thanked for his attendance.

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 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.

Six public questions were submitted as follows with regard to parking proposals for the Davenport and Cale Green Permit Parking Zone :-

·         The first public question asked whether Members would reconsider the ‘Compstall Model’ at least as a pilot.

Councillor Dickie Davies, the Ward Spokesperson for Highways and Traffic Management Issues in the Davenport and Cale Green Ward, referred to paragraph 9.3 of the report. The ‘Compstall scheme’ was a street-by-street scheme with a car park for residents only. There were 47 on street parking spaces for 79 properties and car ownership in Compstall from the 2011 Census was 1.3 to 1.5 per property. Complaints had been received from residents included in the Compstall scheme as they would like a zone to be able to park on adjacent streets instead of having to park on the car park when their street is full, which is considered restrictive. This option had been discounted in Davenport and Cale Green as there was no car park nearby.

·         Two questions were submitted with regard to whether parking restrictions within a zone could be in operation all the time.

Councillor Davies stated that the proposals consulted on in 2019 were for the scheme to be operational Monday – Saturday 8.00am – 6.00pm, giving maximum opportunity for visitor parking during quieter periods. Evidence had suggested that the parking problems were mainly caused by people working at local businesses and were, therefore, less of a problem during the evenings and on Sundays.

The other three public questions related to the whole process leading to the submission of this report, the consultation process, in particular, and the situation regarding a registered disabled person who needed to park near to their home.

RESOLVED – (1) That the responses to the first three public questions be noted.

(2) That the Deputy Chief Executive be requested to arrange for written responses to be sent to the questioners with regard to the other three questions.

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

The report presents the findings from a consultation undertaken in June and July 2019 on a proposed Permit Parking scheme in Davenport and Cale Green, and seeks approval to implement the proposed scheme.

The Area Committee is recommended to implement the proposed zonal scheme on a pilot basis, comprising the updates referred to in Section 7 of the report.

Officer Contact: Eraina Smith on 0161 474 4911 or email: eraina.smith@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the findings from a consultation undertaken in June and July 2019 on a proposed Permit Parking scheme in Davenport and Cale Green, and seeking approval to implement the proposed scheme.

The feedback from the consultation had been carefully considered. The implementation of a zonal scheme would allow flexibility and the introduction of controlled business parking permits. The ‘Compstall Scheme’ had been put forward by residents as a solution for this area. This was a street-by-street scheme with a car park for residents only and had been discounted because there is no car park nearby.

With the agreement of the Area Committee, a member of the public who was opposed to the proposals was permitted to address the Area Committee for three minutes.

RESOLVED – That the proposed zonal scheme be implemented on a pilot basis, to be funded from the parking budget, comprising the updates referred to in Section 7 of the report, and shown on drawing NM27-6228-04 at Appendix C to the report.

(2) That the scheme be subject to ongoing monitoring and reviews to be undertaken:-

·         after three months to consider any impact on the areas surrounding the zone.

·         after ten months to consider the operation of the zone itself, associated permits and any impact on the surrounding areas.

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

Mark Calderbank, 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 public realm issues within the area represented by the Central Stockport Area Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Fly tipping in the vicinity of Grimshaw Street and Glebe Street, Offerton was raised.

·         The success of the work of the Grow Edgeley community group and the Olive Branch Community Café on Castle Street were highlighted in the Edgeley and Cheadle Heath Ward, and Officers thanked for their help with these projects.

·         The issue was raised of the serving of a formal warning letter as part of an enforcement process on a business on Oakfield Road in relation to them using the public footpath and highway for the storage of stock as it was a danger to pedestrians and cyclists. Monitoring of the site would continue to ensure compliance.

RESOLVED – That Mark Calderbank be thanked for his attendance.

To receive any other petitions from members of the public and community groups.

No petitions were submitted.

A representative from the Rising Stars group will attend the meeting to discuss the work of the organisation and the impact they are having in Stockport and specifically in the Central Stockport area.

Solomon Onaolapo from the Rising Stars group attended the meeting to discuss the work of the organisation and the impact they were having in Stockport and specifically in the Central Stockport area.

The organisation was currently delivering a project funded through heritage lottery funding on ‘Black History Stockport’. The project was researching Stockport’s Black Heritage and history over the last 100 years to create the first archive which would be exhibited at Stockport Art Gallery, Stockport Libraries, Manchester Central Library and schools from October – December 2020.

As a way of generating interest and building appetite for the main exhibition, a series of interactive workshops and events was planned throughout October 2019 including a weekly radio show and podcasts, a live painting workshop and a live music event.

RESOLVED – That Solomon Onaolapo be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

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

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

(to begin no earlier than 6.30pm)

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 for Place Management and Regeneration 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 from the Place Directorate upon payment of the Council’s reasonable charges).

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

Erection of five houses.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission subject to conditions.

Officer Contact: Andrew Cotton on 0161 474 3622 or email: andrew.cotton@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no, 73258 for the erection of five houses on land to the rear of 178 to 184 Lowndes Lane, Offerton

a member of the public spoke against the application

It was then:-

RESOLVED – (Five for, three against) That planning permission be granted, subject to conditions.

Change of use from dwelling to children’s home (maximum 2 children and 2 carers).

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

Officer Contact: Andrew Cotton on 0161 474 3622 or email: andrew.cotton@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. 73476 for a change of use from dwelling to children’s home, it was:-

RESOLVED – That the application be deferred and a representative of the applicant be invited to attend the next meeting of the Area Committee to respond to questions from Members.

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 Central Stockport 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 Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcement activity within the area represented by the Central Stockport Area Committee.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That an update on the enforcement notice served on 287 Wellington Road South, Heaviley be submitted to the next meeting of the Area Committee.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report seeks the views of the Area Committee on a proposal for a permanent change of polling station for all future elections in Manor Ward, Polling District VB.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on the proposed amendment to the Council’s polling arrangements.

Officer Contact: Caroline Bell on 0161 474 3173 or email: caroline.bell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking the views of the Area Committee on a proposal for a permanent change of polling station for all future elections in the Manor Ward, Polling District VB.

RESOLVED – That the Deputy Chief Executive be advised that this Area Committee supports the permanent change of polling station for all future elections in the Manor Ward, Polling District VB from the Union United Reform Church, Maitland Street to Stockport Lads Club, Hempshaw Lane.

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

The purpose of this report is to update members on the operation of the Speed Indicator Devices operated by Road Safety on behalf of the Cabinet Member and the Area Committees.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Nick Whelan on 0161 474 4907 or email: nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the operation of the Speed Indicator Devices operated by Road Safety on behalf of the Cabinet Member and the Area Committees.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Members queried whether the Central Stockport area had received value for money from the devices. Concern was expressed that the Area Committee had provided funding to ensure that the Speed Indicator Devices could be re-sited on at least ten occasions per year, and this had not been achieved. 

·         Two of the devices in the Edgeley and Cheadle Ward had malfunctioned. Members asked for a report on the number of devices that had not worked

·         Some of the devices had been showing speeds in kilometres not miles per hour which had been problematical.

RESOLVED – That a representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be invited to attend the next meeting of the Area Committee to respond to Members’ concerns.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive

The report provides an update on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and details the current position on ward flexibility funding. The report also includes the current position on the ward delegated budgets.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer Contact: David Clee on 0161 474 3137 or email: david.clee@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive 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 and the current position on Ward Flexibility Funding.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.