Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 17 January 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

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 area flexibility funding. The report also includes the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: David Clee, 0161 474 3137, e mail: 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 since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee, the current position on Ward Flexibility Funding and the Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budget.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Chair announced that Café Unity, Heald Green had won the ‘Volunteering Champion’ Award at the Proud of Stockport Awards held on 7 February 2012.

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

Inspector Steve Gilbertson and PC John Bolton (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the area represented by the Cheadle Area Committee.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

•           Shoplifting on Finney Lane, Heald Green.

•           The work of Operation Harpoon in helping to combat burglaries.

•           The problems of vehicle crime as cars were stolen when motorists were de-frosting their cars in the morning.

•           The outcome of the meeting with residents of Marchbank Drive.

•           The work of Operation Alloy in helping to combat metal thefts.

•           The development of Business Watch in Cheadle Hulme.

•           The relocation of the Stockport West Neighbourhood Policing Team from Cheadle Heath Police Station to Cheadle.

•           Thefts from cash dispensing machines.

RESOLVED – That Inspector Steve Gilbertson and PC John Bolton be thanked for their attendance and presentation.

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 and on the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/areacommittees).

No public questions were submitted.

The local Area Conditions Officer and the Highways Officer will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at the last committee meetings. Councillors and Members of the public are invited to raise issues affecting local environmental quality.

David Wilson (Area Conditions Officer) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to environmental issues within the area represented by the Cheadle Area Committee.

In response to queries raised at the last meeting of the Area Committee, he clarified that:-

•           It costed £186 more per tonne to landfill waste rather than send it for recycling.

•           It costed £107 more per tonne to landfill waste rather than send it for composting.

•           Since the new recycling scheme had been introduced, an additional 30,000 tonnes of waste had been diverted from landfill, taking Stockport’s recycling rate to over 60%.

•           The Council’s collection system had been designed to reduce waste and maximise recycling, and had helped the Council to avoid £5.2 million pounds of additional waste disposal costs.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

•           How quickly glass was cleared up when bus shelters were damaged at weekends.

•           Dog fouling on William Scholes Fields.

.

RESOLVED – That David Wilson be thanked for his attendance.

(b) David Wilson also reported on highway issues within the area represented by the Cheadle Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Two petitions were submitted as follows:-

(a)       From the traders on Old Rectory Gardens requesting a reduction in the free parking limit from 1 hour to 15 minutes.

(b)       From the residents of Beech Avenue requesting an immediate review of the parking issues which they encounter on a daily basis and especially parking problems caused when sports events were being held.

RESOLVED – That the petitions be referred to the Service Director (Place Management) for investigation and reports be submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

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.

In accordance with the Code of Practice no organisation had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

To consider any applications for Area Flexibility Funding or to receive feedback from organisations who have received funding.

There were no applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Development)

The following development application will be considered by the Area   Committee:-

   (i)   DC 048627 - Mallard Court, 107 Finney Lane, Heald Green

The proposed development is a new build Extra Care Home for over 55s.   The accommodation will provide 55 one and two bed flats of which 50% will be affordable for rent and 50% shared ownership/private sale. There will also be communal facilities including a bistro, hairdressers and lounge which will be accessible to the public. The grounds will also be landscaped to provide a mixture of hard and soft landscaping for both public and private use. There will also be an on site car park providing 27 spaces.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant the application.

(a)  To consider consultations (if any) received by the Service Director (Place Development) on any planning issues relevant to the Cheadle area.

Officer Contact:Suzanne Broomhead, tel. no. 0161 474 3542,e mail: suzanne.broomhead @stockport.gov.uk

A development application was 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, Services to Place 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)

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

(i)         DC048627           Mallard Court, 107 Finney Lane, Heald Green

In respect of plan no. 48627 for a new build Extra Care Home for over 55s, providing 55 one and two bed flats of which 50% would be affordable for rent and 50% shared ownership/private sale, as well as communal facilities including a bistro, hairdressers and lounge which would be accessible to the public, the landscaping of the grounds to provide a mixture of hard and soft landscaping for both public and private use;  and an on site car park providing 27 spaces at Mallard Court, 107 Finney Lane, Heald Green

a representative of local residents spoke against the application,

and

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

It was then

RESOLVED – (1) That the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to undertake a site visit in order to assess the proposed balconies, amenity space, green space and whether nearby residents would be overlooked.

(2) That the applicant be requested to ‘peg out’ the site for the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee’s Visiting Team.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services).

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 Cheadle Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Joy Morton, 0161 474 3217, joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Development) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Legal & Democratic Services) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by the Cheadle Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

This report proposes schemes to lift the kerb height and reshape the footway and provide additional slot drainage to the rear of the footway at 253 Outwood Road, Heald Green, and lift the kerb height and reshape the footway at 189/197 Finney Lane, Heald Green.

The Area Committee is requested to approve the proposals as outlined in the report.

Officer contact: Chris Pollitt on 0161 474 5689, e mail: chris.pollitt@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Place Management) proposing schemes to lift the kerb height and reshape the footway and provide additional slot drainage to the rear of the footway at 253 Outwood Road, Heald Green, and lift the kerb height and reshape the footway at 189/197 Finney Lane, Heald Green.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the following schemes to be funded from the Area Committee’s Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management Delegated Budget (Heald Green Ward allocation):-

253 Outwood Road, Heald Green

To lift the kerb height and reshape the footway and provide additional slot drainage to the rear of the footway (approximate cost £1,500)

189/197 Finney Lane, Heald Green

To lift the kerb height and reshape the footway (approximate cost £1,000)

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

This report details a proposed policy for dealing with obstructions and three policies creating a unified policy and licensing approach for uses of the highway that the council is willing to consider. The policies recognise the need to address and balance the needs of a number of stakeholders including pedestrians, people with disabilities, residents. businesses and local traders and seeks to make controls more efficient and the response to problems more effective.

The Area Committee is requested to comment on the Draft Obstruction Policy for Highways, Draft Highways Café Policy, Draft Control of Skips, Containers, Scaffolding and Hoardings on the Highway Policy, and the Draft Advertising Boards and Trade Goods Obstruction Policy.

Officer contacts: Andrew Suggett/Sue Stevenson/Graeme Vout, Tel: 474  5694/4351/4562

email: andrew.suggett@stockport.gov.uk/sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk/

graeme.vout@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee’s comments on the Draft Obstruction Policy for Highways, Draft Highways Café Policy, Draft Control of Skips, Containers, Scaffolding and Hoardings on the Highways Policy; and the draft Advertising Boards and Trade Goods Obstruction Policy. The aims of the policies were to promote consistency across the borough, and disability and other user groups had raised a number of concerns about the current arrangements.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•           The Council was attempting to strike a balance between the economic concerns of traders and issues raised by disability groups.

•           It was proposed under the draft policy that unlicensed advertising boards would be removed.

•           How it would be ensured that there would be sufficient width on the pavements for wheelchair users.

•           The vision of the Highways Obstruction Policy and Advertising Boards and Trade Goods on the Highway Obstructions Policy would conflict with the vision of other Council policies.

•           With regard to Appendix 1 of the Advertising Board and Trade Goods on the Highway Obstructions Policy, clarification was sought on the statement that A-boards may only be displayed during trading and daylight hours.

•           Parking on the pavement would be considered to be an obstruction to the highway under the terms of the policy. Additionally, clarification was sought on the legal position with regard to parking on verges.

•           With regard to the Highways Café policy, the licence should be free for cafes run by registered charities.

•           In rural locations where there was a grass verge and footway widths would prohibit an A-board, the practicalities of an A-board on the grass verge in such locations would be considered on a case by case basis.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted and the comments be referred to the Service Director (Place Management) for consideration as part of the consultation.

(2) That the Committee’s comments be included in the report to the Executive on this issue.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

This report considers the results of the recent consultation exercise carried out with frontage residents and residents of The Downs.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Executive Councillor (Transportation) approves No Waiting at any Time restrictions along sections of Schools Hill, and NO Stopping except for buses along a different section of Schools Hill.

Officer Contact: Mark James on 0161 474 2077, e mail mark.james@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) in connection with the results of the recent consultation exercise carried out with frontage residents and residents of The Downs.

RESOLVED –  That the Executive Councillor (Transportation) be requested to approve the following Traffic Regulation Orders at an approximate cost of £950 to be funded from the Strategic Budget:-

(i)         Proposed No Waiting At Any Time

Schools Hill – North side, from a point 53 metres east of the easterly kerb line of Turnfield Road, for a distance of 4 metres in a easterly direction.

(ii)        Schools Hill – North side from a point 74 metres east of the easterly kerb line of Turnfield Road, for a distance of 4 metres in a easterly direction.

(iii)       Proposed No Stopping Except for Buses: established under Section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (None TRO Based)

Schools Hill – North side, from a point 19 metres west of the westerly kerb line of The Downs for distance of 28 metres in a westerly direction.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

This report considers the results of the recent consultation exercises carried out with frontage residents/businesses around the Gatley Green area.

The Area Committee is requested to consider the findings of the consultation exercise and determine whether to include properties on Cheadle Road into the existing Permit Parking scheme in operation on Victoria Avenue, Cheadle Hulme.

Officer Contact: Mark James on 0161 474 2077, e mail: mark.james@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) in connection with the results of the recent consultation exercises carried out with frontage residents /businesses around the Gatley Green area.

RESOLVED –  (1) That the Executive Councillor (Transportation) be requested to approve the implementation of the following measures, as shown on drawing number 1424/005 attached to the report, and subject to funding becoming available in the 2012/13 Capital Programme:-

(i)         The through road between the Green and the Memorial be closed to vehicular traffic under a prohibition of driving traffic regulation order and the highway surface dressed with a buff resin bonded surfacing. In addition, a new footway would be created from the centre of the Green to the closed highway;

(ii)        Provide and lay conservation paving/kerbing (to the same specification as used in others areas of Gatley Village) at the junction of Gatley Green/Church Road, (adjacent to numbers 46-63 Gatley Green). The works in this area were also to incorporate the tightening up of the junction to reinforce the No Entry signs, but also to maintain parking outside businesses. This parking would be subject to 2 hours limited waiting to prohibit all day parking;

(iii)       Introduce No Waiting at any Time (Double Yellow Lines) restrictions around Gatley Green/War Memorial junction so as to improve inter-visibility between drivers and drivers/pedestrians;

(iv)       Provide a No Waiting 8am – 6pm on all days restriction outside St. James Church. This would allow funeral and marriage vehicles to pull up outside the Church frontage;

(v)        Replace the No Waiting 8am – 11pm restriction on Gatley Green with No Waiting at Any Time, (between numbers 11-51 Gatley Green);

(vi)       Provide and lay conservation paving/kerbing (to the same specification as used in other areas of Gatley Village) adjacent to the Prince of Wales public house. This would tie into the paving works currently being carried out on the south east side footway of Church Road;

(vii)      Widening of the footway between the Service Road and Church Road adjacent to 72 to 92 Church Road, to allow easier access for pedestrians. This will incorporate a No Waiting at Any Time restriction on the corner of the Service Road and Church Road.

(2) That the Executive Councillor (Transportation) be requested to approve the implementation of the following Traffic Regulation Orders:-

i)          No Waiting At Any Time

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

This report details proposals for the use of commuted sums for play provision in the area represented by the Area Committee.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the allocation of commuted sums as follows:-

•           The use of £886.55 towards the provision of new safer surfacing at Bruntwood Park, Cheadle.

•           The use of £669.24 towards the new junior play equipment at Gatley Recreation Ground.

•           The allocation of commuted sums from developments at Barnes Hospital, Cheadle; land adjacent to 25 Park Road, Cheadle; The Paddock, Cheadle; and 3 Ashfield Road, Cheadle.

•           The moving of £739.45 from Cross Road to East Avenue as referred to in paragraph 2.6 of the report.

Officer Contact: Vanessa Brook on 0161 474 4446 or e mail: vanessa.brook@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals for the use of commuted sums for play provision in the area represented by the Area Committee.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to the allocation of the commuted sums outlined in the report and appendix as follows:-

•           The allocation of £886.55 towards the provision of new safer surfacing at Bruntwood Park, Cheadle.

•           The allocation of £669.24 towards the new junior play equipment at Gatley Recreation Ground.

•           £739.45 being moved from Cross Road play area to East Avenue Recreation Ground to support the development of the play area.

(2) That the other requests for the allocation of commuted sums be deferred to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The Area Committee is requested to consider an application from the Gatley Festival Committee requesting permission to hold the Gatley Festival at William Scholes Playing Fields and Gatley Recreation Ground between 23 June – 3 July 2012.

The Area Committee is requested to approve the application.

Officer Contact: Tim Devine  on 0161 474 4419, e mail: tim.devine@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to consider an application from the Gatley Festival Committee requesting permission to hold the Gatley Festival at William Scholes Playing Fields and Gatley Recreation Ground between 23 June – 1 July 2012.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the application from the Gatley Festival Committee to hold the Gatley Festival at William Scholes Playing Fields and Gatley Recreation Ground between 23 June – 1 July 2012.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Learning & Achievement)

The Area Committee is requested to provide political nominations for the Authority vacancies and re-appointments as outlined in the report.

Office contact: Libby Evans on 0161 474 3847, e mail: libby.evans@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Learning & Achievement) requested the Area Committee to consider an appointment to the governing body at Gatley Primary School and re-appointments to the governing bodies at Prospect Vale Primary School and The Kingsway School.

RESOLVED -  (1) That the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) be recommended to make the following appointment:-

(2) That the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) be recommended to make the following re-appointments:-