Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 August 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 18 August 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

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

On the last week of July and first week of August 2019, extreme rainfall events hit parts of north-west England and the south Pennines, with flooding observed across Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The main event day was 31st July 2019.

This report presents the various aspects of the flood events in July and specifically incorporates the draft Independent Section 19 Investigation Report in accordance with the Flood & Water Management Act (FWMA) 2010 on the investigation into the flooding events undertaken independently by Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers.

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

fficer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk or Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the various aspects of the flood events in July 2019 and specifically incorporating the draft Section 19 Investigation Report in accordance with the Flood & Water Management Act 2010 on the investigation into the flooding events undertaken independently by Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         It was confirmed that the updated version of the draft investigation report would be on the Council’s website the day after this meeting.

·         Concern was expressed that the part of the A555 which had an exit at Handforth/Heald Green, near to the Lakeland store, appeared to have been omitted from the report. Although this section of the A555 was in the area of Cheshire East, a lot of the residents affected by the flooding lived in Heald Green.

·         In response to a Member’s question, it was clarified that that residents who had had the inside of their homes flooded should be entitled to Council tax relief.

·         A Member enquired what recourse the Council had if the Environment Agency had not carried out recommendations from a previous flooding investigation report in 2016.

·         It was unlikely that the A555 had contributed to the severity of the flooding in residential properties.

·         There were many flooded areas recorded as surface water flooding and this could be attributed to a combination of the capacity of the drainage systems and the drainage flows to the nearby rivers.

·         As some of the flooding in Stockport was caused by Lyme Park and villages higher in the Mersey Catchment in Cheshire flooding, a Member enquired whether the Council was liaising with Cheshire East Council to discuss ways the problems could be alleviated in the future.

·         Members should have been offered the opportunity to attend the pre-consultation on the draft investigation report.

·         At the time of the flooding more residents were concerned about issues such as insurance rather than the technical issues which had caused the flooding.

·         The Council needed to review its flood plans as flooding was now more prevalent than at the time the plans were prepared.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Council placed a moratorium on the introduction of any new resident parking schemes in 2019 to enable a full review of the existing approach to be taken. This review was required as elements of the existing policy were not working effectively and were not meeting the needs of residents. There were also concerns relating to the impact of schemes on local services and the town and district centres. In order to ensure a coordinated approach, it was agreed that all policies and procedures relating to residents parking, including the Town Centre, would be reviewed.

In light of the above, the purpose of this paper is:

·         To seek comments on the proposed revised principles to guide future parking policy decisions

·         To seek feedback on the proposed changes to resident parking policy and town centre parking policy to reflect the revised principles.

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

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking comments on the proposed revised principles to guide future parking policy decisions and seeking feedback on the proposed changes to resident parking policy and town centre parking policy to reflect the revised principles.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The proposals would make the residents’ parking service more sustainable in the future. It was important to have a system that paid for itself.

·         The inclusion of charging points for electric vehicles was commended, although this would be more problematic for those who lived in terraced streets without their own driveways.

·         One of the variety of options considered for parking controls was the ‘potential for the inclusion of secure cycle parking where appropriate’. A Member that this should be worded in a more definitive manner.

·         It was clarified that the proposal for Councillors to receive a free permit covering all residents parking zones to enable them to carry out their responsibilities would be withdrawn.

·         Support was given to the proposal to reconsider the cost of a permit.

·         It was useful to have a breakdown of the cost of the proposed permits and how the recovery of the cost had been derived at. Concern was expressed about how much of the extra cost of a permit Area Committees would be required to pay, as well as the cost of the surveys being carried out.

·         As Heald Green did not have any permit parking it was queried whether it was still reasonable to expect the Ward to contribute towards the costs.

·         In the list of professions eligible for a medical and carers permit, it was suggested that carers who visited people’s homes should be added.

·         A Member expressed a wish for there to be a greater emphasis on public transport in the proposals and for it be improved.

·         The issue of parking on pavements should be referred to in the policy.

·         The report stated that Blue Badge holders who were residents would be issued with a visitor or a residents permit free of charge. As a number of disabled people received a Council tax rebate, it may be possible to introduce a similar system with regard to residents’ parking permits.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer

(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. 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 Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) 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 removal of yellow lines on Park Road, Gatley needed to be included in the schedule of traffic schemes.

·         With regard to the Councillor Lane Service Road, there had been funding allocated to Councillor Lane as part of the Cheadle Town Fund.

·         The works at Brown Lane, Heald Green had been completed and should be removed from the schedule.

·         The problems caused by vans parking on the bend at Boundary Road/Bangor Road, Cheadle continued and it maybe that a further round of consultation and survey work needed to be carried out.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Chair made the following announcements:-

·         All Hallows’ Church were collecting donations for the Wellspring’s Rucksack Project. Those wishing to donate were requested to take clothing, sleeping bags or rucksacks to the church on Wednesdays from 1.00pm - 2:30pm or Sundays from 9:45am - 11:30am. The collection would run from 5th - 31st October 2020.

·         There was a Heald Green community litter pick on. Saturday 24 October 2020, socially distanced and strictly by registration with Councillor Adrian Nottingham.

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 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 enquiring why no barriers, chicanes or speed cameras had been installed on Styal Road despite a number of serious collisions.

RESOLVED – That a written response be sent to the questioner.

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.

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 Ward Flexibility Funding or to receive feedback from organisations who have received funding.

There were no applications to consider.

There are currently no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer

(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 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 Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) 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 Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report advises Members of the consultation plans and proposals of thirteen schemes along the A34 corridor. The proposals aim to alleviate congestion, unlock growth potential in the surrounding area and enhance accessibility by sustainable modes.

Officer Contact: Nick Whelan on 0161 474 4907 or email: nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer reported that the Council was running a six-week consultation on a proposed scheme along the A34 corridor between the A560 and A555 to alleviate congestion, unlock growth potential in the surrounding area and enhance accessibility by sustainable modes. The consultation would be hosted online at www.stockport.gov.uk/consultations and run from 5thOctober to 13th  November 2020. All comments would be collected and analysed to help inform the development of this scheme. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out the results of an investigation into parking on the inside of the bend at top of the incline on the ‘woodland’ part of St. Ann’s Road North which was causing conflict with oncoming traffic and related safety concerns.

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

Officer Contact: Max Townsend on 0161 474 4861 or email: max.townsend@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the results of an investigation into parking on the inside of the bend at the top of the incline on the ‘woodland’ part of St. Ann’s Road North, Heald Green, which was causing conflict with oncoming traffic and related safety concerns.

RESOLVED – (1) The Area Committee was minded to approve the following No Waiting At Any Time Traffic Regulation Order on part of St. Ann’s Road North, Heald Green at an approximate cost of £700 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (£350 from the Cheadle and Gatley Ward allocation and £350 from the Heald Green Ward allocation):-

No Waiting at any Time:

 St Ann’s Road North

South easterly side, from the northerly kerb line of the access to High Grove Farm (a point level with the projected northerly building line of No.113) for a distance of 58 metres (following the kerb line) in a North Easterly direction.

(2) The Area Committee further approved 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 be made.

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

The reports sets out a proposal to install additional seating and new gated entrances at Carrs Road Play area.

The Area Committee is recommended to approve the installation of seating and improvements to the site entrance at Carrs Road Play area, to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Cheadle Hulme North Ward allocation).

Officer Contact: Richard Booker on 0161 474 4829 or email: richard.booker@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a proposal to install additional seating and new gated entrances at Carrs Road Play area.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the installation of additional seating and new gated entrances at Carrs Road Play area at a cost of £3,780 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Cheadle Hulme North Ward allocation).

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer

(Legal & Democratic Governance)

The report requests the Area Committee to nominate Councillors to lay wreaths at Remembrance Day Services at Cheadle, Gatley and Heald Green War Memorials on 8 November 2020.

The Area Committee is requested to nominate Councillors.

Officer Contact: David Clee on 0161 474 3137 or email: david.clee@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to nominate Councillors to lay wreaths at Remembrance Day Services at Cheadle, Gatley and Heald Green War Memorials on 8 November 2020.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the appointment of Councillors to lay wreaths at Remembrance Day Services at Cheadle War Memorial, Gatley War Memorial and Heald Green War Memorial on Sunday 8 November 2020 as follows:-

Cheadle War Memorial – Councillor John Pantall

Gatley War Memorial – Councillor Keith Holloway

Heald Green War Memorial – Councillor Anna Charles-Jones

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

The report sets out the findings of a Parking Survey carried out on Vaudrey Drive, Cheadle Hulme.

The Area Committee is requested to consider the options set out in paragraph 4.1 of the report.

Officer Contact: Nicola Ryan on 0161 474 4409 or email: nicola.ryan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) which reported the findings of a parking survey on Vaudrey Drive, Cheadle Hulme.

RESOLVED – That the issue be put on hold until the Residents’ Parking Review has been completed and traffic movement has been returned to some kind of ‘normality’ following Covid-19, and further surveys being carried out.