Agenda and minutes

To approve as correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2023.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 30 November 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.

No declarations were made.

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

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

No announcements were made.

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

A question was asked in relation to the proposal to make the parking area behind St Matthews Terrace chargeable.

RESOLVED – That the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance be requested to respond to the questioner in writing.

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

Chief 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:

·         Members noted that Inspector John Barber had been appointed the Neighbourhood Officer for Central Stockport.

·         An update was given on recent arrests and warrants executed, as well as ongoing work to combat prolific shop lifting incidents.

·         Thanks were expressed to the team for their work and specifically for their support to Castle Street traders.

RESOLVED – That Chief Inspector John Picton be thanked for his attendance.

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

A petition was submitted in relation to a proposal to made Lilac Street Resident Parking only. The petition had 13 signatories.

A further petition was submitted in relation to a proposal to introduce car park charges in Manor. The petition had 160 signatories.

RESOLVED – That the petitions be referred to the Director of Place Management for investigation and response.

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 organisation had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the open forum arrangements.

There are currently no development applications to consider.

No development applications were submitted.

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

Thanks were expressed for the work that had been undertaken at 287 Wellington Road South.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Strategy.  

The report provides an update on the One Stockport: One Future work and seeks feedback on the proposed approach to delivering this work.  

The Area Committee is requested to note the report. 

Officer contact: Kathryn Rees 07989 208640 | kathryn.rees@stockport.gov.uk 

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report of the Director of Strategy (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the One Stockport: One Future work and sought feedback on the proposed approach to delivering this work.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Members welcomed the report and noted than the plan was reliant on the council receiving funding from government.

·         It was also noted that the breadth of educational provisional would be factored into the plan; this included SEND provision.

·         It was felt that homes were needed borough-wide, and that house building should not be confined to town and district centres.

·         The plan was expected to be formally adopted by council in March 2024.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Director for People and Integration

The report describes the Neighbourhoods and Prevention Programme. This is an ambitious and key programme of work for the council and partners and is a key priority in the Council Plan, Borough Plan and One Future. It will enable better integration and collaboration in our neighbourhoods across our public, private, Voluntary Community Faith and Social enterprise sector organisations to deliver on priorities.

The Area Committee is requested to:

(1) note the report; and

(2) request further updates on the programme at a frequency to be agreed.

Officer contact: Carolyn Anderson 07800 617 588 | carolyn.anderson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report of the Executive Director for People and Integration (copies of which had been circulated) describing the Neighbourhoods and Prevention Programme. This ambitious and key programme of work for the council and partners was a key priority in the Council Plan, Borough Plan and One Future and would enable better integration and collaboration in neighbourhoods across the public, private, and Voluntary Community Faith and Social Enterprise sector organisations to deliver on priorities.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         The piece of work was an ambitious programme of work devoted to how the council could secure the best experience for residents in neighbourhoods, with a much greater focus on prevention. The aim was to create a greater integrated and collated offer in neighbourhoods to better support communities.

• It was reported that some members had attended the launch of the Adswood Family Hub in the autumn of last year.
• Some concerns were raised in relation to the ambitious nature of the work against the backdrop of shrinking resources for local authorities.
• The team were keen to hear from councillors where they felt strengths/gaps were in the local support offer for neighbourhoods and would seek member support in due course.
• It was expected that a Team around the Place Captain would be designated within each Area Committee area.
• It was agreed that a further update be reported to Area Committee in summer, and that the frequency of future updates be decided at that meeting.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a further update be reported to Area Committee in summer, and that the frequency of future updates be decided at that meeting.

To consider a report of the Property Services Manager. 

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

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the addition of Edgeley Park Stadium to the List of Assets of Community Value for a further period of five years, in accordance with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 and The Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012. 

Officer contact: Paul Edgeworth 0161 218 1934 | paul.edgeworth@stockport.gov.uk

With the consent of the Area Committee, this item was deferred.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management. 

The report provide detail on the ‘On The Way Play SK’ pilot project, which will pilot two active travel trails 'Portable Play Time' and 'A Child’s Eye View' next year in Edgeley and surrounding areas as part of the Stockport Town of Culture programme of events. 

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Members for Parks, Highways & Transport Service and Climate Change & Environment approve the pilot project 'On The Way Play SK'. 

Officer contact: Liz Atherton | liz.atherton@stockport.gov.uk 

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing detail on the ‘On The Way Play SK’ pilot project, which would pilot two active travel trails 'Portable Play Time' and 'A Child’s Eye View' next year in Edgeley and surrounding areas as part of the Stockport Town of Culture programme of events.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

• The pilot project, based in Edgeley and funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, was expected to be delivered in spring 2024.
• It was noted that some of the equipment had been relocated from outside the public house towards the electronics shop.
• It was reported that the equipment could potentially be viable for non-pedestrianised locations.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Members for Parks, Highways & Transport Services and Climate Change & Environment be recommended to approve the pilot project ‘On The Way Play SK’.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report seeks approval for the installation of a ‘Generation Bench’ on the pedestrian area of Castle Street designed by Artist and Furniture Maker, Helen Middleton, and funded by Sky through the AgeUK Hub in Edgeley (see Figure 1).

The Area Committee is requested to approve the installation of ‘The Generation Bench’ on the pedestrian area of Castle Street.

Officer contact: Richard Daniels 0161 218 1621 | richard.daniels@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which sought approval for the installation of a ‘Generation Bench’ on the pedestrian area of Castle Street designed by Artist and Furniture Maker, Helen Middleton, and funded by Sky through the AgeUK Hub in Edgeley (see Figure 1).

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the installation of ‘The Generation Bench’ on the pedestrian area of Castle Street.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management. 

The report details findings of a consultation exercise for the Road Safety around Schools scheme for St Paul’s Primary School and seeks Cabinet Member approval for the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders and associated signage, implementation of dropped kerbs with tactile paving, Middleton pencil and wooden bollards and road markings. 

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services approves the legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders at Appendix A and measures shown on Drawing No. 0305/67/SP/01 Rev A (Appendix B), and that subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date, that the order be made (be funded from the Road Safety around Schools programme budget). 

Officer contact: Gillian Kidd 0161 474 4848 | gillian.kidd@stockport.gov.uk 

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which detailed findings of a consultation exercise for the Road Safety around Schools scheme for St Paul’s Primary School and sought Cabinet Member approval for the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders and associated signage, implementation of dropped kerbs with tactile paving, Middleton pencil and wooden bollards and road markings.

It was noted that an error in the report referred to ‘Queensgate Primary School’ in Bramhall, and members asked that the error be rectified within the report put to the Cabinet Member.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services be recommended to approve the legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders (Appendix A) and measures shown on Drawing No. 0305/67/SP/01 Rev A (Appendix B), and that subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date, that the order be made (to be funded from the Road Safety around Schools programme budget).

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management. 

The report sets out the intention of Fairway Parent Teacher Association to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park as part of The Fairway Five Trail Race on Sunday 3 November 2024 (between 10am – 1pm). 

The Area Committee is recommended to grant the application received by Fairway Parent Teacher Association to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park for The Fairway Five Trail Race on 3 November 2024 (between 10am – 1pm), subject to the organiser obtaining appropriate papers, event plans, health & safety documentation, licenses, insurances and any fees and charges that apply (and being presented to the ward councillors at least 2 weeks prior to the event taking place). 

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

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the intention of Fairway Parent Teacher Association to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park as part of The Fairway Five Trail Race on Sunday 3 November 2024 (between 10am – 1pm).

RESOLVED – That approval be given the application received by Fairway Parent Teacher Association to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park for The Fairway Five Trail Race on 3 November 2024 (between 10am – 1pm), subject to the organiser obtaining appropriate papers, event plans, health & safety documentation, licenses, insurances and any fees and charges that apply (and being presented to the ward councillors at least 2 weeks prior to the event taking place).

This item has been added to the agenda at the request of Councillor Matt Wynne.

Members were advised that there was a recurring issue of lack of oxygen in the reservoir during periods of hot weather, which was causing fish to die. A generator and oxygenation measures had previously been used at the reservoir, and members were keen for a permanent fixture at the site. It was asked that a report be brought to the next meeting of the Area Committee with options regarding a permanent fixture for oxygenation at the site.

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 Ward Flexibility Funding and the Delegated Ward Budget.

The Area Committee is requested to note the report.

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

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & 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 detailed the current position on Ward Flexibility Funding and the Delegated Ward Budget.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.