Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 28 January 2020 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 and Prejudicial Interest

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive

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 ward delegated budgets.

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 Deputy Chief Executive 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 and the current position on Ward Flexibility Funding.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Chair reported that she had emailed the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration expressing the Area Committee’s concerns about the operation of the Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) in the Cheadle area, and agreed to update Members on the issue when she had received a response.

·         A Member expressed concern about the length of time it was taking to investigate improvements to the exiting of vehicles at Francis Street/Stockport Road, Cheadle.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Chair reported that a litter pick would be taking place in Heald Green on 20 March 2020 starting at 10.00am, opposite Café Unity.

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.

No public questions were submitted.

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

In January 2019 Area Committee was informed of the creation of the Neighbourhoods Team (Appendix A). This report provides an update and outlines the duties of the officers within the team.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Ian Walmsley on 0161 474 4382 or email: ian.walmsley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the creation of the Neighbourhoods Team and outlining the duties of the Officers within it.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         It was clarified that the arboricultural Officers provided services which were delivered borough-wide.

·         Support was given to the integration of services, but a Member enquired what the section hoped to have achieved in twelve months’ time.

·         Officers in the service were working on a baseline performance management system and more meaningful performance measures for different parts of the Neighbourhood Service which Members would be advised of in due course.

·         The fact that Councillors often emailed Officers direct at the moment meant that a lot of the work which they carried out went unrecorded.

·         Councillors welcomed the opportunity to meet with officers from the Neighbourhood Service on a regular basis in order to discuss issues within their Ward.

·         Members appreciated the current system of a named contact Officer which enabled a quick acknowledgement and response to an issue, and expressed concern that this may not be the case with the new system.

·          It was acknowledged that a change in certain Officers’ job roles would require training needs, particularly in the short term.

·         It would be useful for Councillors to know if the priorities of the service changed, so that residents could be advised that the resolution of an issue had been delayed as a result.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

No petitions were submitted.

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

The report builds on the recent Scrutiny review into the health and prosperity of the borough’s District Centres and is seeking early views from Members to shape a future programme of work that will feed into the Council’s Local Plan and future delivery of regeneration and investment.

The report also proposes a number of proposals that could be implemented quickly whilst further engagement takes place over the coming months.

There is also a high level update in this report on the early week following the announcement that Cheadle has been identified as part of the Government’s Town Fund initiative.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer Contact: Paul Richards on 0161 474 2940 or email: paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a number of proposals arising from a recent scrutiny review into the health and prosperity of the borough’s District Centres. It sought early views from Members to shape a future programme of work that would feed into the Council’s Local Plan and future regeneration and investment.

The report also proposed a number of proposals that could be implemented quickly whilst further engagement took place over the coming months.

There was also a high level update in the report on the early work following the announcement that Cheadle had been identified as part of the Government’s Town Fund initiative.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Members were most interested in practical improvements, for example building improvements or improvements to the public realm.

·         The strategy had to look at how public behaviour could be influenced. Members of the public did have responsibility, for example they needed to be encouraged to support local businesses.

·         The designation of district centres as opposed to large local centres was largely driven by the planning process.

·         Members of the Licensing, Environment and Safety Committee could influence the night time economy by the opening hours they agreed for places to eat and drink.

·         With regard to Appendix A – IPM High Street UK 2020 – 25 Key Factors, it was noted that the Cheadle area had strong networks and partnerships with the Council such as the village partnerships in Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme and Gatley. The Cheadle Village Partnership had been involved with the Town Fund initiative.

·         Support was given to the creation of a £200,000 interest-free loan scheme to cover an initial two year period to encourage businesses to occupy vacant premises by contributing towards the financial costs of physical property improvements.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from Cheadle Get Connected and Cheadle Civic Society towards the cost of the fees required to host an event in the park aimed at bringing people of all ages together and showcasing local talent.

A representative of Cheadle Get Connected PIC attended the meeting to present an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from Cheadle Connected C.I.C and Cheadle Civic Society towards the cost of the fees required to host an event in the park aimed at bringing people of all ages together and showcasing local talent.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to Ward Flexibility Funding of £800 towards the cost of the fees required to host an event in the park aimed at bringing people of all ages together and showcasing local talent, to be funded as follows:-

Cheadle Hulme North Ward allocation - £650

Heald Green Ward allocation - £150

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from the Friends of Shahnameh towards the cost of events for the local Persian community during the year, but particularly the annual celebration of The Book of Kings/Shahnameh.

A representative of the Friends of Shahnameh attended the meeting to present an application for Ward Flexibility Funding towards the cost of events for the local Persian community during the year, but particularly the annual celebration of The Book of Kings/Shahnameh.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to Ward Flexibility Funding of £379 towards the cost of events for the local Persian community during the year, but particularly the annual celebration of The Book of Kings/Shahnameh, to be funded as follows:-

Cheadle and Gatley Ward - £50

Cheadle Hulme North Ward - £204

Heald Green Ward - £125

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from the African & Caribbean Community Association for a grant towards the cost of computer and projection equipment.

Consideration was given to an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from the African and Caribbean Community Association for a grant towards the cost of computer and projection equipment.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to Ward Flexibility Funding of £138.42 (£46.14 from each Ward in the Cheadle area) to the African and Caribbean Community Association towards the cost of computer and projection equipment.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from the ‘Stockport Volunteer Police Cadets’ for a grant towards the cost of offering targeted crime prevention advice. 

Consideration was given to an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from Stockport Volunteer Police Cadets for a grant towards the cost of providing crime prevention equipment.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to Ward Flexibility Funding of £100 (£33.33 from each Ward in the Cheadle area) to the Stockport Volunteers Police Cadets for a grant towards the cost of providing crime prevention equipment.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from ‘Help the Hatters’ for a grant towards the cost of a number of initiatives at Stockport County Football Club.

A representative of ‘Help the Hatters’ attended the meeting to present an application for Ward Flexibility Funding towards the cost of a number of initiatives at Stockport County Football Club.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to Ward Flexibility Funding of £142.83 (£47.61 from each Ward in the Cheadle area) to ‘Help the Hatters’ towards the cost of a number of initiatives at Stockport County Football Club.

There are no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive

The report summarises 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: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcement activity within the area represented by the Cheadle Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out an application from Heald Green Festival Committee to hold Heald Green Community Festival on Saturday 27th June 2020.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application, subject to all the relevant paperwork and licences being submitted to the Council at least one week prior to the event taking place and the payment of ant associated fees and charges.

Officer contact: Jane Bardsley on 0161 474 2279 or email: jane.bardsley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) setting out an application from Heald Green Festival Committee to hold Heald Green Community Festival at Outwood Road Playing Fields on 27 June 2020.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to a park event application from the Heald Green Festival Committee to hold the Heald Green Community Festival at Outwood Road Playing Fields on 27 June 2020, subject to all the relevant paperwork and licences being submitted to the Council at least one week prior to the event taking place and the payment of any associated fees and charges.

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

The report sets out an application from Gatley Festival Committee to hold Gatley Festival weekend between 3rd -5th July 2020 at Gatley Recreation Ground and Gatley Hill Playing Fields.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application, subject to all appropriate paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the Council at least a week prior to the event taking place and the payment of any events fees and charges.

Officer Contact: Jane Bardsley on 0161 474 2279 or email: jane.bardsley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) setting out an application from Gatley Festival Committee to hold the Gatley Festival weekend between 3-5 July 2020 at Gatley Recreation Ground and Gatley Hill Playing Fields.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application from Gatley Festival Committee to hold Gatley Festival weekend between 3-5 July 2020 at Gatley Recreation Ground and Gatley Hill Playing Fields, subject to all appropriate paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the Council at least a week prior to the event taking place and the payment of any associated fees and charges.

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

The report sets out an application from Cheadle Get-Connected to hold its annual Picnic in the Park at Abney Hall Park on 19 July 2020.

The Area Committee recommends that the application be approved, subject to all appropriate paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the Council at least a week prior to the event taking place and the payment of any event fees and charges.

Officer Contact: Jane Bardsley on 0161 474 2279 or email: jane.bardsley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) setting out an application from Cheadle Get Connected to hold its annual Picnic in the Park at Abney Hall Park on 19 July 2020.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application from Cheadle Get Connected to hold its annual Picnic in the Park at Abney Hall Park on 19 July 2020, subject to all appropriate paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the Council at least a week prior to the event taking place and the payment of any associated fees and charges.

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

The report sets out an application from Meadowbank Primary School Parents Group of to hold a Year 6 leavers celebration event at Brookfield Recreation Ground on 24 July 2020.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application, subject to all the relevant health and safety paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the Council at least one week prior to the event taking place and make the appropriate arrangements for any waste generated from the event to be disposed of responsibly.

Officer contact: Jane Bardsley on 0161 474 2279 or email: jane.bardsley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) setting out an application from Meadowbank Primary School Parents Group to hold a Year 6 leavers celebration event at Brookfield Recreation Ground on 24 July 2020.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application from Meadowbank Primary School Parents Group to hold a Year 6 leavers celebration event at Brookfield Recreation Ground on 24 July 2020, subject to all the relevant health and safety paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the Council at least one week prior to the event taking place and the appropriate arrangements being made for any waste generated from the event to be disposed of responsibly.

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

The report sets out an application from a local family to host a family party in Abney Hall Park on 29 May 2021.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application, subject to all appropriate paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the Council at least a month prior to the event taking place and the payment of any event fees and charges.

Officer Contact: Jane Bardsley on 0161 474 2279 or email: jane.bardsley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) setting out an application from a local family to host a family party in Abney Hall Park on 29 May 2021.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application from a local family to host a family party in Abney Hall Park on 29 May 2021, subject to all appropriate paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the Council at least a month prior to the event raking place and the payment of any associated fees and charges.

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

The report sets out an application from Abney Community Cafe to hold the Great Annual Abney Easter Egg Hunt between 10th and 13th April 2020.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the application, subject to all the relevant paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the Council at least one week prior to the event taking place and the payment of any associated events fees and charges.

Officer Contact: Jane Bardsley on 0161 474 2279 or email: jane.bardsley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) setting out an application from the Abney Community Café to hold the Great Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Abney Hall Park between 10 and 13 April 2020.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application from the Abney Community Café to hold the Great Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Abney Hall Park between 10 and 13 April 2020, subject to all the relevant paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the Council at least one week prior to the event taking place and the payment of any associated fees and charges.