Agenda and minutes

To approve as correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 19 October 2023.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 19 October 2023 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 and prejudicial interest

To report any urgent action taken under the constitution since the last meeting of the committee.

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

Town of Culture events continued to take place and further information about events could be viewed on the Town of Culture website.

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 in the powers of duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out within the Code of Practice.

No public questions were submitted.

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

Inspector John Picton (Greater Manchester Police (GMP)) attended the meeting to provide an update and answer questions in relation to neighbourhood policing issues within the area represented by the Area committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Inspector Picton was temporarily Chief Inspector for the area since week commencing 20 November 2023. In his new role, Chief Inspector Picton would move the unit out of the Cheadle base and into the town centre to increase visibility in the town centre. 

·         It was reported that two successful days of action to tackle retail crime and anti-social behaviour in Stockport had taken place since the last update to Area Committee. Two further days of action in Edgeley and the town centre were expected to take place in the run up to Christmas.

·         It was noted that a number of stop searches and arrests for several reasons which included but were not limited to, public order, theft and driving offences had been made.

·         A Stockport police officer had been named ‘Officer of the Year’.

·         Two officers had visited an address to give food to people in need as part of work to support local people and local charities.

·         Members were encouraged to feedback which specific updates and data were particularly useful for the Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That Chief Inspector John Picton be thanked for his 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 Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance reported that no organisation had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the open forum arrangements.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

(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 development applications.

(c) To consider consultations (if any) received by the Deputy Chief Executive on any planning issues relevant to the area.

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. The 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/planningdecisions. Copies of the schedule of plans, or any part thereof, may be obtained upon payment of the council’s reasonable charges).

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance outlined the procedure for public speaking on panning applications.

Proposed erection of a dedicated, purpose built shed for the packing of our harvested crops at Woodbank Community Food Hub, Woodbank Park, Turncroft Lane, Offerton, Stockport, SK1 4JR.  

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

Officer contact: Jane Chase 0161 474 3550 | jane.chase@stockport.gov.uk 

In respect of application DC/087427 for the proposed erection of a dedicated, purpose built shed for the packing of harvested crops at Woodbank Community Food Hub, Woodbank Park, Turncroft Lane, Offerton, Stockport, SK1 4JR,

the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted, subject to conditions.

Proposed change of use from cafe/ restaurant (Use Class E(b) to a drinking establishment (Sui Generis) (retrospective) at 8 Vernon Street, Stockport, SK1 1TY. 

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission for a change of use, subject to conditions. 

Officer contact: Dominic Harvey 0161 474 3544 | dominic.harvey@stockport.gov.uk 

In respect of application DC/089538 relating to the proposed change of use from cafe/ restaurant (Use Class E(b) to a drinking establishment (Sui Generis) (retrospective) at 8 Vernon Street, Stockport, SK1 1TY,

a member of the public spoke in objection to the application, and

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

It was then

MOVED AND SECONDED – That planning permission for a change of use be granted, subject to the imposition of a condition requiring that no part of the premises shall be open for trading purposes and no customers shall be within the premises outside of the following hours:

• Sunday to Thursday and Bank Holidays, 08:00 to 02:00hrs; and
• Friday and Saturday, 08:00 to 02:30hrs

in the interests of safeguarding the amenity of neighbouring residents situated in proximity to the proposed drinking establishment in accordance with the provisions of policies CS6 and SIE-1.

For the motion 3, against 7.

MOTION NOT CARRIED

FURTHER MOTION MOVED AND SECONDED – That planning permission be granted, subject to conditions as per the officer’s report.

For the motion 7, abstentions 3.

MOTION CARRIED

It was then

RESOLVED (7 for, 3 abstentions) - That planning permission be granted, subject to conditions as per the officer’s report.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for Legal and 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 Central Stockport Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates 0161 474 3219 | vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Development and Regeneration.

The report provides an update on the delivery of the Edgeley District Centre Action Plan, including initial thoughts as to how the £5,000 from UK Shared Prosperity Fund is to be allocated, as well as proposed support provision for Large Local Centres.

The Area Committee is requested to:

a)    Note the progress made in in developing the Edgeley District Centre Action Plan.

b)   Provide feedback on priority projects to allocate the £5,000 UKSPF to.

c)    Note the plans to develop an information portal to support businesses and organisations in large Local Centres.

Officer contact: Helen Walters 0161 474 3734 | helen.walters@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Director of Place Management providing an update on the delivery of the Edgeley District Centre Action Plan, including initial thoughts as to how the £5,000 from UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) could be allocated, as well as proposed support provision for large Local Centres.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         The Christmas light switch on in Edgeley had been a success, and had included music by Stockport Silver Band.

·         Traders had noticed less theft and issues relating to off-road bikes which tied into Chief Inspector Picton’s earlier update to Area Committee.

·         An online information portal would be available to traders to provide them with support and advice provided by the District Centre Managers.

·         It was suggested that the £5,000 UKSPF funding be used to tackle highways issues on Castle Street, and it was noted that discussions were taking place as to the allocation of the funds. The importance of ensuring the UKSPF funds were allocated to planned projects relating to community safety was stressed.

Thanks were expressed to officers for their work to date.

RESOLVED –

a)    That the progress made in in developing the Edgeley District Centre Action Plan be noted.

b)    That the plans to develop an information portal to support businesses and organisations in large Local Centres be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management. 

The report details action taken to date regarding anti-social behaviour on Davenport Playing Fields and requests members to consider whether any further action be taken.  

The Area Committee is requested to consider whether the existing access control methods are maintained and the provision of a pole mounted CCTV system as per 4.1.4 of the report.  

Officer contact: Adam Forbes 0161 474 3680 | adam.forbes@stockport.gov.uk  

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Director of Place Management detailing action taken to date regarding anti-social behaviour on Davenport Playing Fields and requested members to consider whether any further action be taken. 

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Actions taken to reduce anti-social behaviour on the playing fields to date were noted.

·         There was a need to maintain public access to the fields. Current access restrictions included access by pushchairs and wheelchairs, however these access restrictions served a purpose and officers sought to maintain these restrictions. The restrictions were reviewed annually.

·         It was reported that CCTV could deter anti-social behaviour in the car park. Members agreed that opportunities for funding for CCTV provision be explored (namely, the UKSPF fund and Ward Discretionary Budget).

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the existing access control methods be maintained.

(2)  That the representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance explore funding options for CCTV provision.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report details a proposal to amend the existing Experimental Prohibition of Driving (except for Permit Holders) Traffic Regulation Order at Broomfield Drive, South Reddish, Bulkeley Street, Edgeley and Ashfield Crescent, Cheadle, to that of a Permanent Traffic Regulation Order.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services approves the Traffic Regulation Order set out in Appendix A, to be established on a permanent basis.

Officer contact: Nicola Ryan 0161 474 4409 | nicola.ryan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Director of Place Management detailing a proposal to amend the existing Experimental Prohibition of Driving (except for Permit Holders) Traffic Regulation Order at Broomfield Drive, South Reddish, Bulkeley Street, Edgeley and Ashfield Crescent, Cheadle, to that of a Permanent Traffic Regulation Order.

It was suggested that the Cabinet Member be recommended to include Lucy Street and Bowdon Street within the scheme.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services be recommended to approve the Traffic Regulation Order as set out in Appendix A and with the inclusion of Lucy Street and Bowdon Street, to be established on a permanent basis.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management. 

The report details the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders to complement the local highway changes and reconfiguration following the development of Stockport Bus Station, now formally known as Stockport Interchange. 

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services approve the legal advertising of the proposed TROs set out in Appendix 1 and drawing 5174-INTERCHANGE-TROS-01 (Rev D) and that, subject to no objections being received within 21-days from the advertisement date, the order be made. 

Officer contact: Noel Nhengu | noel.nhengu@stockport.gov.uk  

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Director of Place Management detailing the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders to complement the local highway changes and reconfiguration following the development of Stockport Bus Station, now formally known as Stockport Interchange.</AI17>

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services be recommended to approve the legal advertising of the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders set out in Appendix 1 and drawing 5174-INTERCHANGE-TROS-01 (Rev D) and that, subject to no objections being received within 21-days from the advertisement date, the order be made.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management. 

The report provides the results of the recent consultation undertaken on the Mayoral Challenge Fund proposals for an improved walking and cycling route along Station Road between Stockport Railway Station and the bridgescape which links to the new Interchange, and seeks Cabinet Member approval for the scheme and introduction of permanent Traffic Regulation Orders for moving and static restrictions. 

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services approves the legal advertisement of the Moving and Static Traffic Regulation Orders set out in Appendix A and attached drawings and, subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date, that the order be made. 

Officer contact: Pam Hibbert 0161 474 4840 | pam.hibbert@stockport.gov.uk 

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Director of Place Management which provided the results of the recent consultation undertaken on the Mayoral Challenge Fund proposals for an improved walking and cycling route along Station Road between Stockport Railway Station and the bridgescape which links to the new Interchange, and sought Cabinet Member approval for the scheme and introduction of permanent Traffic Regulation Orders for moving and static restrictions.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services be recommended to approve the legal advertisement of the Moving and Static Traffic Regulation Orders set out in Appendix A and attached drawings and, subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date, that the order be made.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management. 

The report seeks approval to have a section of Highway extinguished by formally applying to the Magistrates Court for the Stopping Up of part of the adopted Highway on Charles Street, Heaviley. 

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the request and that an application to the Magistrates Court be made for the relevant section of the existing adopted Highway on Charles Street, Heaviley, to be legally Stopped Up. 

Officer contact: Mark James 0161 474 2077 | mark.james@stockport.gov.uk  

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Director of Place Management which sought approval to have a section of Highway extinguished by formally applying to the Magistrates Court for the Stopping Up of part of the adopted Highway on Charles Street, Heaviley.

RESOLVED - That the request and that an application to the Magistrates Court be made for the relevant section of the existing adopted Highway on Charles Street, Heaviley, to be legally Stopped Up be approved.

To consider a joint report of the Director of Place Management and Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance. 

The report details objections to the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders for the ATF2 Edgeley to Stockport scheme.   

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services approves the Traffic Regulation Orders for the ATF2 Edgeley to Stockport scheme as originally advertised. 

Officer contact: Zoe Allan 0161 474 3138 | zoe.allan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted joint a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Director of Place Management and Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance detailing objections to the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders for the ATF2 Edgeley to Stockport scheme.  

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services be recommended to approve the Traffic Regulation Orders for the ATF2 Edgeley to Stockport scheme as originally advertised.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report sets out a request for funds to facilitate the purchase of additional play equipment for the play area at Woodbank Memorial Park.

The Area Committee is recommended to request that the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources approves the use of £10,000 from the Ward Discretionary Fund (Manor ward allocation) towards the cost of improved play at Woodbank Memorial Park and for the funds to be deposited in Capital Schemes for Parks as soon as practicable to support future play equipment procurement.

Officer contact: Kath Hughes 0161 474 4418 | kath.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Director of Place Management which requested funds to facilitate the purchase of additional play equipment for the play area at Woodbank Memorial Park.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources be recommended to approve the use of £10,000 from the Ward Discretionary Fund (Manor ward allocation) towards the cost of improved play at Woodbank Memorial Park and for the funds to be deposited in Capital Schemes for Parks as soon as practicable to support future play equipment procurement.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for Legal and 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 ward flexibility funding and delegated budget.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Charlotte Douglass 0161 474 3235 | charlotte.douglass@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee, and detailed the current position on ward flexibility funding and delegated budget.

It was noted that work was in the pipeline for the Edgeley ward which would be reflected in future resumé reports.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.