Agenda and minutes

To approve as correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2024.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 12 September 2024 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 of interest 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.

The Chair reported that, on Remembrance Sunday, the Mayor of Stockport would lead the borough in paying respects at the Civic Act of Remembrance on the steps of the Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery, Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK3 8AB. At precisely 11am, a 2-minutes silence would be held, followed by prayers, hymns and reflections, and wreaths would be lain on the steps of the War Memorial. The Chair hoped that members and residents would be able to attend the service.

Members raised concerns relating to a policy change at Werneth School and were awaiting an official update from the school as to what the new policy meant for its pupils. It was reported that parents had not been informed about the policy change in advance of its implementation. The Area Committee expressed its support for pupils that might be feeling isolated at the present time.

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.

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 Jason Holmwood (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:

·         Recent policing activity saw the return of Operation Rimini and a national ‘week of action’, which had resulted in eight arrests locally. Members were welcome to join officers on ‘days of action’.

·         Arrests were owing to local intelligence and members of the public were encouraged to report issues directly to the police or anonymously via Crimestoppers.

·         Operation Hurricane was the GMP response to the anti-social use of bikes in the area. The operation begun in June 2024 and was ongoing. All in all, 125 bikes had been seized in Greater Manchester. It was asked that people do report where bikes were spotted, as this enabled the police to track routes and target patrols. Members were pleased that further resource had been provided to tackle the issue and it was felt that there had been a noticeable improvement locally.

·         Operation Treacle had begun and covered the Halloween and Bonfire Night period. Additional officers were on patrol this evening for Halloween. Other community safety initiatives would be ongoing.

·         Local updates and information were provided on the ‘Be In The Loop’ website. Members and members of the public were encouraged to sign up to receive information specific to their local communities.

·         Manor ward members requested a meeting to discuss anti-social behaviour at Woodbank Hall and Woodbank Park.

·         Edgeley ward members requested a meeting to discuss matters in Edgeley.

RESOLVED – That Inspector Jason Holmwood 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 & 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 Director for Place Management 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. 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 Place Directorate upon payment of the council’s reasonable charges).

The Chair outlined the procedure for public speaking on planning applications.

Proposed outline Planning Application for the erection of Class E foodstore with some matters reserved except access, layout and scale, with associated car parking, servicing, landscaping and wider site works.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grant planning permission, subject to:

·         the Assistant Director of Place Making and Planning (Chief Planning Officer) being delegated authority to negotiate the legal agreement indicated above; and 

·         the Assistant Director of Place Making and Planning (Chief Planning Officer) being delegated authority to issue the outline planning permission and impose conditions to secure (but not exclusively) conditions as per the report.

Officer contact: Daniel Hewitt 0161 218 1989 | daniel.hewitt@stockport.gov.uk   

In respect of plan DC/082052 for the proposed outline planning application for the erection of Class E foodstore with some matters reserved except access, layout and scale, with associated car parking, servicing, landscaping and wider site works at the Former Hope Mill Site, Water Street, Portwood, Stockport.

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

It was then,

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission, subject to:

·         the Assistant Director of Place Making and Planning (Chief Planning Officer) being delegated authority to negotiate the legal agreement indicated above; and 

·         the Assistant Director of Place Making and Planning (Chief Planning Officer) being delegated authority to issue the outline planning permission and impose conditions to secure (but not exclusively) conditions as per the report.

Proposed change of use of existing office building to Buffet Restaurant, Banquet Halls and storage with ancillary offices.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grant permission subject to conditions.

Officer contact: Daniel Hewitt 0161 218 1989 | daniel.hewitt@stockport.gov.uk   

In respect of plan DC/089342 for the proposed change of use of existing office building to Buffet Restaurant, Banquet Halls and storage with ancillary offices at The Pyramid Kings Valley, Yew Street, Heaton Mersey, Stockport, SK4 2JU.

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

It was then,

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission, subject to conditions.

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) summarising recent appeal decisions; listing current planning appeals and dates for local enquiries; informal hearings for planning appeals, and enforcement action within the Central Stockport Area Committee area.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance.

The report details the current and proposed polling arrangements within the area and

seeks the views of the Area Committee in order to inform the 2024 Polling District Review.

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 Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the current and proposed polling arrangements within the area and sought the views of the Area Committee in order to inform the 2024 Polling District Review.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         It was felt that communication with residents could be improved when changes were made to polling station locations. Although the new location appeared on a resident’s polling card, this new information could be reiterated to alert residents to the change.

·         It was requested that ward members be notified of changes made to schools being used as polling stations in advance of any changes being implemented.

·         Support was given to the proposals around the use of Kimberley Street Day Centre as a polling station.

·         It was reported that a change of use was anticipated at St Andrews Community Church, which could affect the church’s use as a polling station.

Thanks were expressed to the Elections Team for their hard work and the approach in which they operated.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Governance.

The report contains an update on outstanding Traffic Regulation Orders which fall into the area covered by the committee following the request for a more detailed update report at the Area Committee meeting held on 12 September 2024. 

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 Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an update on outstanding Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) for the area following the request for a more detailed update report at the Area Committee meeting held on 12 September 2024.

Vicki Bates (Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to speak to the report and answer any questions from members.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members were encouraged to raise queries relating to TRO’s, at any time.

·         It was noted that the MCF Remedial and TCAP Remedial TROs had been sealed, the orders made and had begun operating on 25 October 2024.

·         The objection report relating to Woodlands Drive and Offerton Lane, Offerton, formed part of the meeting agenda and would be considered shortly.

·         It was confirmed that an objection report for Neston Grove would be presented to Central Stockport Area Committee meeting for consideration.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report seeks funding approval for the provision of a public consultation to establish whether a permit parking scheme in Edgeley would be supported by residents.

The Area Committee is requested to:

1)    note the report; and 

2)    give approval to the allocation of £3000 from the Delegated Budget (Edgeley ward allocation) to facilitate the progression of a public consultation to establish whether a Permit Parking scheme would be supported by residents.

Officer contact: Graham O'Connor 0161 474 5057 | graham.oconnor@stockport.gov.uk   

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which sought funding approval for the provision of a public consultation to establish whether a permit parking scheme in Edgeley would be supported by residents.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Thanks were expressed to the Mayoral Development Corporation for their recognition of the potential increase in expected parking issues.

·         It was requested that a meeting be arranged with the Ward Highways Spokesperson in advance of the consultation release, to enable residents to be made aware of the approaching consultation.  

·         Members were interested to know how the council would identify which cars belonged to residents. Further, how the council intended to deal with people parking further out to avoid restrictions.

·         It was reiterated that work on the Controlled Parking Zone should be taken forward as soon as possible, as the work would impact all wards, and a joined-up approach was needed to tackle parking issues in the Central Stockport area.

RESOLVED – (1) that the report be noted; and

(2) that approval be given to the allocation of £3,000 from the Delegated Budget (Edgeley ward allocation) to facilitate the progression of a public consultation to establish whether a Residents Permit Parking Scheme in the Edgeley area would be supported by residents.

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

To report the objection made in relation to the proposed Traffic Regulation Order ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ on Woodlands Drive and Offerton Lane, Offerton. 

The Area Committee is requested to note the report and recommend that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services give approval to the Traffic Regulation Order being made as originally advertised. 

Officer contact: Graham O'Connor 0161 474 5057 | graham.oconnor@stockport.gov.uk  

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an objection made in relation to the proposed Traffic Regulation Order ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ on Woodlands Drive and Offerton Lane, Offerton.

RESOLVED – (1) that the report be noted; and

(2) That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services approves the Traffic Regulation Order at Woodlands Drive and Offerton Lane, Offerton, being made as originally advertised.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

To report the results of a consultation to change the existing ‘free’ Resident Permit Parking Scheme on Shaw Road South to that of a payable scheme.

The Area Committee is requested to consider the proposals and approve the removal of the free Resident Permit Parking Scheme and for the area to become unreserved parking available to any motorist on a first come, first served basis.

Officer contact: Graham O'Connor 0161 474 5057 | graham.oconnor@stockport.gov.uk   

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the results of a consultation to change the existing ‘free’ Resident Permit Parking Scheme on Shaw Road South to that of a payable scheme.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the removal of the free Resident Permit Parking Scheme on Shaw Road South and for the area to become unreserved parking available to any motorist on a first come, first served basis.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report sets out the intention of UK Tribute Festivals to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park for their annual family music festival on 23 May to 25 May 2025. 

The Area Committee is requested to grant the application, subject to all appropriate paperwork, fees, health and safety documentation and licences being obtained and submitted to the council at least two weeks prior to the event taking place and this being confirmed to the ward councillors.

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) which set out the intention of UK Tribute Festivals to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park for their annual family music festival on 23 May to 25 May 2025.

It was reported that ward members had been in regular contact with officers and the event organisers in relation to the application. 2024 had proved a challenging year for the festival, given the unprecedented rains which had waterlogged the park. The condition of the park had since improved back to its former condition, with the event organiser repairing the ground at their cost. Site visits had been had, and lessons had been learnt; in 2025, the site layout would be reconstructed, and security staff was expected to further support movement as a result. Further investment into the park was being investigated.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received on behalf of UK Tribute Festivals to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park for their annual family music festival on 23 May to 25 May 2025, subject to all appropriate paperwork, fees, health and safety documentation and licences being obtained and submitted to the council at least two weeks prior to the event taking place (and this being confirmed to the ward councillors).

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

The report provides an update on the condition of Land on the corner of Stockport Road and Kent Avenue.

The Area Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer contact: Charlotte Nicolls 0161 474 4229 | charlotte.nicholls@stockport.gov.uk   

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

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on the condition of Land on the corner of Stockport Road and Kent Avenue.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         It was reported that the patch of land was a former petrol station and had sat derelict for 10 or more years. The land had a wooden fence perimeter and was continually fly tipped.

·         It was hoped that the land, which was brownfield land, could be brought back into use. It was requested that the report be expanded to include a planning perspective on the land.

·         It was noted that the Cabinet Member had been written to on the matter.

·         It was also noted that the land was on Kent Road, and not Kent Avenue.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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 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 & 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.