Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 16 July 2015 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

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 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.

Four public questions were submitted.

The first question related to when the Council was first made aware of Virgin Trains’ proposals to introduce the ticket gates and why members of the public had not been advised earlier.

Ward Councillors advised that they became aware of the proposal on 4 July 2015 although Council Officers had first become aware of the proposal in January 2015.

The second question related to a resident’s specific case on 11 August 2015 when her 14 year old daughter had been refused permission to exit the station at the Edgeley side in order to speak to her mother who was waiting in the car.

Councillor Wendy Wild undertook to pursue the resident’s concerns directly with Virgin Trains.

The third question related to why there had been no consultation on Virgin Trains’ proposal and what the situation was if residents were in possession of a concessionary travel pass.

Ward Councillors advised that no consultation had been carried out by Virgin Trains on alternative options or prior notification given to members of the public. Ward Councillors had met with Virgin Trains and continued to be of the opinion that the proposal would lead to considerable problems at the station.

The fourth question related to a resident’s alternative proposal for the layout of the ticket gates.

The resident’s proposal would be passed to Virgin Trains by Council Officers for examination as to its feasibility.

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

The report updates the Area Committee on Virgin Trains’ plans to change the access arrangements for pedestrians through the underpass at Stockport Train Station, and to note the plans for Virgin Trains to introduce “Welcome Hosts” and manage a “Guest Pass” system so that non-rail users can still walk between the two sides of the Station, as part of the installation of gate lines at both ends of the underpass

The Area Committee is recommended to note the changes being introduced and receive an update report after the scheme has been in operation for six months.

Officer Contact: Pete Price on 0161 474 4901 or email: pete.price@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on Virgin Trains’ plans to change the access arrangements for pedestrians at Stockport Railway Station, introduce ‘Welcome Hosts’ and manage a ‘Guest Pass’ system so that non-rail users could still walk between the two sides of the Station as part of the installation of gate lines at both ends of the underpass.

The Area Committee agreed that this item be also taken as an Open Forum item and members of the public were also invited to address the Area Committee on the proposal from Virgin Trains.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         There was general concern that Virgin Trains had not consulted directly with members of the public regarding the proposal.

·         The introduction of the ticket gates would reduce potential revenue to the Ye Olde Vic public house on Chatham Street, Stockport, particularly from customers of the hotel being built at Stockport Exchange. The underpass used to be wider and it should be possible to segregate rail passengers from people wishing to access the town centre from the direction of Edgeley.

·         Ward Councillors had received correspondence from traders in Castle Street, Edgeley, Disability Stockport and Stockport County Football Club who were concerned about the proposal. They felt that Virgin Trains should delay the implementation of the proposal until the end of the year in order to allow representatives of these bodies and the people who used the underpass to be consulted.

·         The discretion afforded to the Welcome Hosts with regard to whether or not to issue guest passes was too great.

·         There had been no discussions by Virgin Trains with Council Officers about considering alternative options. Officers had been given assurances that people wishing to walk from one side of the underpass to the other would be given free access.

·         It was unclear what the situation would be for people with discretionary travel passes.

·         The scanning of train tickets at the ticket gates would become the norm should a ‘Oyster’ style smart card be introduced for public transport in Greater Manchester.

·         A member of the public queried why ticket gates were not being introduced at Manchester Piccadilly station.

·         The scheme would not deter people from avoiding buying train tickets. Virgin Trains did not know how much revenue they were losing from people not buying train tickets, nor how many people used the underpass who were not travelling by train.

·         Virgin Trains should liaise with local schools whose pupils used the underpass in order to access the local swimming pool.

·         People who wished to walk through the underpass would have to queue with people travelling by train and this would cause additional problems.

RESOLVED – (1) That Virgin Trains be requested to delay the implementation of the scheme until there has been full consultation with everyone affected by it and consideration of alternative proposals.

(2)That Virgin Trains be requested to hold a public meeting for Stockport residents regarding the scheme and that it be held in the vicinity of Stockport Railway Station.

The local Public Realm Officer 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.

Ian O’Donnell and Rachel Bingham from the Place Directorate 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. A written summary was also provided of the work carried out by the Public Realm Service and Public Protection Enforcement Officers in the Central Stockport area (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED – That Ian O’Donnell and Rachel Bingham be thanked for their attendance.

No petitions were submitted.

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/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).

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

Variation of condition 1 and deletion of conditions 3, 5 and 6 from DC055154

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

In respect of plan no. 58958 for the variation of condition 1 and deletion of conditions 3, 5 and 6 from development application DC055154

a representative of the applicant responded to Members’ questions

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted.

Erection of a single detached 3 bedroom home with integrated garage (resubmission of DC058381)

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission.

Officer Contact: Karyn Clarke on 0161 474 3551 or email: karyn.clarke@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. 58984 for the erection of a single detached 3 bed dwelling on land adjacent to 43 Victoria Road, Offerton

a representative of the applicant responded to Members’ questions

It was then

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions contained in the report.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive

The report summarises recent appeal decisions, current planning appeals and enforcement activity within the area represented by the Central Stockport Area Committee.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Joy Morton on 0161 474 3217 or email: joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (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 – That the report be noted.

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

The report outlines the findings of the review of outcomes tour undertaken on Friday 6th March 2015.

The Area Committee is recommended to:-

(1)        Comment on and note the findings of the Review of Outcomes Tour held on 6 March 2015.

(2)        Note that it is proposed to hold the next Review of Outcomes Tour on Friday, 6 November 2015; and to:-

(i)            nominate a completed development site to be included on the list of sites to be inspected on the Annual Review Tour.

(ii)          nominate Members to attend the Annual Review Tour.

Officer contact: Kevin Brooks on 474 4905 or email: kevin.brooks@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the findings of the review of outcomes tour undertaken on 6 March 2015 and advising the Area Committee that it was proposed to hold the 2015 Annual Review of Outcomes Tour on 6 November 2015. The Area Committee was requested to make a recommendation of a completed development site within the Area Committee area to be included on the list of sites to be inspected by the Tour delegates.  In addition the Area Committee was also asked to provide nominations for delegates to attend.

RESOLVED – (1) That the findings of the Review of Outcomes Tour undertaken on 6 March 2015 be noted.

(2) That the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to visit one or more of the following sites:-

·         Hopes Carr, Stockport – residential development

·         S Park business park, Stockport– office development

(3) That Councillor Sue Derbyshire be nominated to attend the Tour in addition to those Members of the Area Committee who serve on the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee.

(4) That a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee regarding the standards required to be met by developers when office blocks are converted to residential properties, for example at Hygarth House on Wellington Road  South, Stockport.

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

The report considers the results of an investigation into the difficulties caused by parked vehicles at the junction of Roslyn Road and Rostrevor Road, Adswood.

The Area Committee is requested to approve the statutory legal advertising of a No Waiting Traffic Regulation Order and, subject to no objections being received within the statutory period, the Order can be made.

Officer Contact: Vivian Butterworth on 0161 474 4848 or email: vivian.butterworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) regarding the results of an investigation into the difficulties caused by parked vehicles at the junction of Roslyn Road and Rostrevor Road, Adswood.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Area Committee be minded to approve the following Traffic Regulation Order on Roslyn Road and Rostrevor Road, Adswood at an approximate cost of £550 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Davenport and Cale Green Ward allocation):-

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – No Waiting Monday – Friday 8.30am - 9.15am and 3.00pm-4.00pm

Roslyn Road- south east side, from the north easterly kerbline of Rostrevor Road for a distance of 10 metres in a north easterly direction.

Rostrevor Road- north east side, from the south easterly kerbline of Roslyn Road for a distance of 10 metres in a south easterly direction.

(2) That approval be given to the statutory legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Order and, subject to no objections being received within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the Order can be made.

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

The report outlines the result of an investigation into parking in Portrea Close, Davenport and the difficulties for vehicles entering and exiting the driveways of property numbers 12-16 Portrea Close.

The Area Committee is requested to approve the statutory legal advertising of a No Waiting At Any Time Traffic Regulation Order and, subject to no objections being received within the statutory period, the Order can be made.

Officer Contact: Vivian Butterworth on 0161 474 4848 or email: vivian.butterworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) regarding the results of an investigation into the difficulties for vehicles entering and exiting the driveways of property numbers 12-16 Portrea Close, Davenport as a result of parking in the cul de sac area of the road.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Area Committee be minded to approve the following No Waiting At Any Time Traffic Regulation Order on Portrea Close, Davenport at an approximate cost of £550 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Davenport and Cale Green Ward allocation):-

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – No Waiting At Any Time

Portrea Close- south side, from a point 1 metre east of the projected easterly kerbline of Portrea Close for a distance of 26 metres in a westerly direction.

(2) That approval be given to the statutory legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Order and, subject to no objections being received within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the Order can be made.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services

The report considers a request from an existing tenant to lease land at Newbridge Lane, Stockport as shown on the plan attached to the report.

At the meeting of the Area Committee held on 11 June 2015 it was resolved that the report be deferred, pending more information regarding the proposed length of the lease and use of the land.

The Area Committee is requested to note the contents of the report and provide any comments on the proposal to offer a lease on the site as shown on the plan attached to the report to run concurrently with their existing lease on the adjoining property.

Officer Contact: Murray Carr on 0161 474 3019 or email: murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services (copies of which had been circulated) regarding a request from an existing tenant to lease land at Newbridge Lane, Stockport as shown on the plan attached to the report.

At the meeting of the Area Committee held on 11 June 2015 it had been resolved that the report be deferred, pending more information regarding the proposed length of the lease and use of the land.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be advised that the Area Committee supports the proposal to offer a lease on the site, as shown on the plan attached to the report, to run concurrently with their existing lease on the adjoining property.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services

The report considers a request from the Stockport County Supporters Co-operative to use the former Booth Street depot as the start location for a half marathon fundraising event on 6 September 2015.

The Area Committee is requested to note the contents of the report and provide any comments.

Officer Contact: Murray Carr on 0161 474 3019 or email: murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services (copies of which had been circulated) regarding a request from the Stockport County Supporters Co-operative to use the former Booth Street depot as the start location for a half marathon fundraising event on 6 September 2015.

A Member expressed concern that there maybe parking problems in the vicinity of the Booth Street depot on 6 September 2015 arising from the event.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be advised that the Area Committee supports the request from the Stockport County Supporters Co-operative to use the former Booth Street depot as the start location for a half marathon fundraising event on 6 September 2015.

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

The report considers an event application by Stockport Harriers on behalf of the police to host the Police National Cross Country Championships at Woodbank Park on 17 February 2016.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application.

Officer Contact: Kath Hughes on 0161 474 4418 or email: kath.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) regarding an event application by Stockport Harriers on behalf of the police to hold the Police National Cross Country Championships at Woodbank Park on 17 February 2016.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application from Stockport Harriers on behalf of the police to hold the Police National Cross Country Championships in Woodbank Park on 17 February 2016.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

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 Area Committee’s Delegated Budget.

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 Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on progress on decisions taken by the Area Committee since the last meeting and the current position on Ward Flexibility funding.  The report also included the current position on the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget.

 RESOLVED – That the report be noted.