Agenda and minutes

To approve as 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 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 committee.

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

Members of Manor and Brinnington & Central wards informed local residents that they were working with officers to investigate and find a solution to the increased numbers of road traffic accidents on St Marys Way and that a report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

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 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 relating to littering on Countess Street, Davenport.

RESOLVED – That the Director of Place Management 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.

Sergeant James Senior, 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:-

·         Operation Rimini took place in Stockport town centre on 4 March 2025. The Operation had resulted in four arrests, ten stop and searches, four of which were positive, and 15 criminal charges were brought. Furthermore, seven traffic offence reports were issued, and one vehicle was taken off the street due to having no insurance.

·         To date Operation Rimini, which commenced in 2023, had resulted in 64 arrests,161 stop and searches and 177 criminal charges. The courts had made six behavioural orders and handed out over 90 weeks of custodial time.

·         The town centre team was in possession of ‘TruCam’ speed cameras which had been deployed at locations vulnerable to speeding. Members were invited to suggest locations for use of the TruCam. 

·         On 28 February 2025 action was taken against a group of youths behaving in an anti-social manner on Castle Street. The police had arrested one youth for failing to provide their name, under Section 50 of the Police Reform Act 2002.

·         On 9 March 2025 a bus at Stockport Interchange had caught fire. Whilst there was considerable damage to the bus, no one had suffered any harm. Three people had been identified in connection with the incident and were arrested on 13 March 2025. Members undertook to work with GMP to tackle incidents of arson.

·         Of the ten Greater Manchester Boroughs, Stockport ranked first for outcomes related to child protection, domestic abuse, serious violence, robbery, vehicle crime and theft from person. It ranked fourth for burglary.

·         Members reported incidents of youths launching projectiles from Alexandra Park at cars. It was further reported that 999 calls related to those incidents had been rerouted to 111. Sergeant Senior confirmed that such incidents should be classified as emergencies and undertook to investigate this matter further.

·         In response to an enquiry related to PC vacancies, it was reported that the interview process had been conducted and GMP were now in a position to fill those vacancies.

RESOLVED – That Sergeant Senior be thanked for his attendance and response to the questions and issues raised.

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

·         Reverse the Local Council's Decision to Relocate ‘Coffee to the Core’

Members of the public and community groups were invited to submit any petitions.

A petition was submitted by Holly Whittle with 1,350 signatures for a request to reverse Stockport Council’s decision to relocate ‘Coffee to the Core’.

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services be requested to find a solution which would allow ‘Coffee to the Core’ to move back to its original site.

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 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 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 requested to note the report.

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

A representative of the Assistant Director for 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.

Members requested that an update relating to Manor ward be included in the report for the next meeting of this Area Committee.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That an update relating to Manor ward be included in the report for the next meeting.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides an overview of the rationale and criteria being applied to those car parks within the borough that are currently free of charge. This is in terms of the viability and justification for the introduction of charges as agreed as part of the Medium-Term Financial Plan.

The Area Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer contact: Emma Stubbs | emma.stubbs@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the rationale and criteria being applied to those car parks within the borough that were currently free of charge. This was in terms of the viability and justification for the introduction of charges as agreed as part of the Medium-Term Financial Plan.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members asked about the methodology used to determine which car parks had been chosen, to identify the users of the car parks and how charges would impact the residents of streets adjacent to car parks.

·         In response it was stated that no such assessment had taken place; the car parks chosen were part of the Medium-Term Financial Plan.

·         Members asked whether the proposal to introduce parking charges had met the requirements of the socio-economic test. In response it was stated that an equalities impact assessment had been carried out and that the process was ongoing, with Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) yet to be consulted on. Members commented that the equalities impact assessment did not have equivalence to a socio-economic test and were of the view that a socio-economic test had not been carried out, contrary to the agreement reached at full Council.

·         The Green Street car park, being one chosen for the implementation of charging, was in an area which already experienced pressure in terms of on-street parking. Members expressed concern that charging would exacerbate that pressure. In response it was stated residents who needed to use the car park could be offered permits and that consideration could be given to the implementation of on-street permit parking.

·         The Network Management and Road Safety teams would be requested to look into the safety of travel to and from the local school.

·         Members expressed concern that the proposal for charging at the Arnold Street car park would increase on-street parking during Stockport County matches.

RESOLVED –  (1)That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services be requested to remove the Green Street, Arnold Street and Hallam Street car parks from the proposals.

(2) That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services be requested to refer the full package of proposed car park charges under this scheme to the Communities and Transport Scrutiny Committee to allow the Scrutiny Committee to give consideration to the budget amendment and the socio-economic test not having been adhered to in the formulation of the proposals. 

(3) That the Monitoring Officer be requested to exercise their functions under Article 14 of the Constitution provide advice to the Communities and Transport Scrutiny Committee in relation to whether proceeding to take a decision to implement ‘Free To Charged Car Parks’ proposal in the absence of a full assessment with due regard to the socio-economic duty was in accordance with the budget approved by the council.

(4) That the Chair of the Area Committee be requested to write to the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive expressing dissatisfaction in the way that the administration had continued to disregard decisions of the Council Meeting and commitments made at Scrutiny committee meetings.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Matt Wynne.

A representative of the Director of Place Management and representatives from Avanti West Coast Trains and Network Rail attended the Area Committee and provided a verbal report on Stockport Railway Station on the subject of current issues and the bridge replacement works due to commence on 31 March 2025.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·       In response to a question about accessibility for local residents when the Greek Street roundabout works commence, it was reported that the station and subway would remain open throughout the works, even when the station was closed to train services. It was also reported that progress was being made to fill the empty shop units at the station.

·       In relation to the station lifts, Network Rail advised that lift doors required repair and that parts were being sourced.

·       Members suggested that local Stockport artists could help to make the station more visually appealing. Rail industry representatives welcomed this suggestion and committed to using local artists.

·       The overall plan for the station, including design plans, would be put before relevant committees and it would come to a meeting of full council

Members thanked the rail industry representatives for their attendance at the meeting and contribution to the discussion.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

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

The report details objections made to the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) on Hempshaw Lane and recommends that the TROs are introduced as originally advertised.  

The Area Committee is requested to: 

(1)  give approval to the making of the Traffic Regulation Orders on Hempshaw Lane as originally advertised (as detailed in Appendix A and namely, those which fall within the purview of the Area Committee); and 

(2)  recommend that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services gives approval for the making of the Traffic Regulation Orders on Hempshaw Lane as originally advertised (as detailed in Appendix A and namely, those being on either the first 15 metres of any side road connecting with the Key Route Network or any district distributor road). 

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

A representative of the Director of Place Management and Assistant Director for Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing objections made to the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) on Hempshaw Lane.

RESOLVED - (1) That approval be given to the making of the Traffic Regulation Orders on Hempshaw Lane as originally advertised (as detailed in Appendix A and namely, those which fall within the purview of the Area Committee)

(2) That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services be recommended to give approval for the making of the Traffic Regulation Orders on Hempshaw Lane as originally advertised (as detailed in Appendix A and namely, those being on either the first 15 metres of any side road connecting with the Key Route Network or any district distributor road).

To consider reports of the Director of Place Management.

The report sets out the intention of JK Events to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park for their family inflatable, small rides and games event on 28 June and 29 June 2025 (access from 26 June 2025).

The Area Committee is requested to grant the application, 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 two weeks prior to the event taking place.

Officer contact: Kath Hughes 0161 474 4418 | kath.hughes@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) detailing an application from JK Events who wish to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park for their family inflatable, small rides and games event on 28 June and 29 June 2025 (access from 26 June 2025).

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received from JK Events to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park for their family inflatable, small rides and games event on 28 June and 29 June 2025 (access from 26 June 2025), 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 two weeks prior to the event taking place.

The report sets out the intention of Stockport Harriers & Athletic Club to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park for their 2025 road race event (Stockport 10) on 14 December 2025.

The Area Committee is requested to grant the application, 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 two weeks prior to the event taking place. 

Officer contact: Kath Hughes 0161 474 4418 | kath.hughes@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) detailing an application from Stockport Harriers & Athletic Club who wish to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park for their 2025 road race event (Stockport 10) on 14 December 2025.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an application received from Stockport Harriers & Athletic Club to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park for their 2025 road race event (Stockport 10) on 14 December 2025, 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 two weeks prior to the event taking place.

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 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 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.