Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 10 November 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 agenda items for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer)

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 and 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:

·         A Member confirmed that a ward briefing had taken place in relation to the parking issues at the junction of Fernlea/Brown Lane, Heald Green and it had been agreed that the work would take place to enable a report to be submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

·         It was confirmed that work had been completed on the dropped kerb at the entrance to The Griffin car park on Finney Lane, Heald Green.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Chair reiterated that, as advised at the last meeting of the Area Committee, the Heald Green ‘Carols around the Tree’ on Christmas Eve had been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  However, anyone who was interested in other initiatives planned in the Heald Green area should look at the Facebook page of the Heald Green Ratepayers’ Association.

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.

Two public questions were submitted regarding road safety at Styal Road, Gatley requesting that measures be considered to slow down motorists or enforce the speed limit such as fixed speed cameras; barriers be considered to protect pedestrians and traffic lights be considered at the junction of Styal Road and Hollyhedge Road.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members commented that it may be helpful if the specialist Police Unit were asked for their views on what measures could be introduced.

·         This issue has been raised previously and there were serious concerns in relation to road safety in this area as Styal Road was very narrow.  Various options had been suggested but there were no easy answers.

·         It was pointed out that Hollyhedge Road was in Manchester and Officers were requested to liaise with Manchester City Council in this regard.

RESOLVED – That a written response be sent to the questioners and a meeting take place between Ward Members and Officers to discuss the issue further.

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

An electronic petition containing 117 signatures had been submitted objecting to the alleged threat of redundancy faced by the lollipop man at Bolshaw Road Primary School, Heald Green. 

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to appropriate Officers for investigation and the outcome reported back to Members 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.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (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 an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from the Friends of Scholes Park towards the introduction of a ‘Trim Trail’, an adventure trail for children.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted an application received on behalf of the Friends of Scholes Park for Ward Flexibility Funding towards the cost of the installation of a Trim Trail, an adventure park for children.

RESOLVED – That the application be referred to the Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust for consideration.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility from Heald Green Village Hall Community Association towards the cost of a security firm to patrol the premises on a trial basis.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received on behalf of Heald Green Village Hall Community Association towards the cost of a security firm to patrol the premises on a trial basis.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to Ward Flexibility Funding of £1,000 to Heald Green Village Hall Community Association towards the cost of a security firm to patrol the premises on a trial basis, to be funded from the Ward Flexibility Budget (Heald Green Ward allocation).

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from Stockport Garrick Theatre Limited towards the cost of completing a basement renovation project.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received on behalf of Stockport Garrick Theatre towards the cost of completing a basement renovation project.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to Ward Flexibility Funding of £300 to Stockport Garrick Theatre Limited towards the cost of completing a basement renovation project, to be funded as follows:-

Cheadle and Gatley Ward - £100

Cheadle Hulme North Ward - £100

Heald Green Ward - £100

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from the CPR Group towards the cost of donating lifesaving billboards to 13 high schools in Stockport. The billboard contains Northwest Ambulance Services step by step guide to learn CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) and also features a QR code that allows pupils to download the Northwest ambulances lifesaving video onto their mobile phone.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received on behalf of the CPR Group towards the cost of donating lifesaving billboards to thirteen high schools in Stockport.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to Ward Flexibility Funding of £555 to the CPR Group towards the cost of donating lifesaving billboards to thirteen high schools in Stockport, to be funded as follows:-

Cheadle and Gatley Ward allocation - £185

Cheadle Hulme North Ward allocation - £185

Heald Green Ward allocation - £185

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from Cheadle Civic Society towards the loss of income which it uses to help pay for the upkeep of Cheadle Green which it leases from the Council.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received on behalf of Cheadle Civic Society towards the loss of income which was used to help pay for the upkeep of Cheadle Green which was leased from the Council.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to Ward Flexibility Funding of £400 to Cheadle Civic Society towards the loss of income which is used to help pay for the upkeep of Cheadle Green which it leases from the Council, to be funded as follows:-

Cheadle and Gatley Ward allocation - £200

Cheadle Hulme North Ward allocation - £200

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 (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer)

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 0162 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 (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive.

This report builds on the One Stockport update presented to Area Committees in November 2020 where there was discussion about the shape of One Stockport to outline our approach to developing a shared One Stockport borough plan. This report covers how we are progressing the borough plan, our approach to capturing the views of our residents, businesses and workforce, the data and insight we are considering - and how this will inform our priorities for the future

We previously presented to Area Committees in November 2020 to outline our approach to One Stockport and our emerging borough plan. We committed to bringing an update on the progress of the borough plan and as such this report sets out our approach to engagement, data and insight that will inform our priorities for the future.

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

Officer contact: Holly Rae on 0161 474 3014 or email: holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing how the Council was proposing to progress the development of the borough plan; the approach to capturing the views of residents, businesses and the workforce; the data and insight that would be considered, and how this would inform the priorities for the future.

Kirsteen Roe (Service Director – Citizen Focus) attended the meeting to present the item and to respond to questions from councillors.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         A Members expressed disappointment at the lack of engagement with local cultural groups.

·         In terms of wellbeing, it was stressed that activity of any kind, not just physical activity, was important.

·         Members felt that it was important to emphasise individual behaviour as well of that of big corporations in relation to climate change and to discuss the use of public transport in addition to cycling and walking.

·         Members were pleased to note that the report mentioned the diverse nature of Stockport and its residents.

·         Members felt that it was important to consider what it was that the plan aimed to achieve.

·         It was acknowledged by Members that some areas of Stockport had less favourable chances in terms of health, education and employment outcomes.  The plan provides an opportunity to support those who needed it most.

·         Members queried how the framework of social values would be approached in the plan.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive

The reports sets out details of the results of a recent consultation for the Cheadle Towns Fund Accelerated Measures.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration gives approval for proposals C and E and the legal advertising of the associated Traffic Regulation Orders relating to Strategic Highways and District Distributor Roads (contained in appendix D) and, subject to no objections being received within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the Orders.

Officer Contact: Katy Farrer on 0161 474 4907 or email: katy.farrer@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which set out details of the results of a recent consultation for the Cheadle Towns Fund Accelerated Measures.

In July 2020 the Government had announced that £500k of Accelerated Towns Funding was available to Cheadle, in addition to the main Cheadle Towns Fund. A package of projects had been approved by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and supported by the Cheadle Town Board in principle, and had now been developed in detail for delivery as part of  these advanced works by March 2021.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members asked what the practicalities were in relation to installing a speed camera. Members were advised that the Council did not have the power to enforce moving traffic offences. As only the Police could do this, there would be limited benefit to installing a camera.

·         Members commented that the measures on Councillor Lane would be welcomed by local residents.

·         A short discussion took place relating to the design of the splitter island as part of the Councillor Lane improvements and how this would work in practice.

·         Concerns were raised relating to the ‘policing’ of the school streets pilot on Ashfield Crescent, Cheadle and why the Council was not following the successful model of other school streets.  It was felt by Members that by not doing this, the scheme was at risk of failing. In response, Members were advised that this could be investigated further along with different methods of enforcement.  At this stage the proposals were only being introduced on a trial basis.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to proposals A and B, and the statutory legal advertising of the associated Traffic Regulation Orders relating to Local Distributor and Local Access Roads (contained in Appendix D) and, subject to no objections being received within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the Orders be made.

 (2) That the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration be recommended to give approval to proposals C and E and the statutory legal advertising of the associated Traffic Regulation Orders relating to Strategic Highways and District Distributor Roads (contained in Appendix D) and, subject to no objections being received within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the Orders be made.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive

The report sets out the findings of a consultation exercise and seeks approval to the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order.

The Area Committee is requested to consider and comment upon the proposals set out in the report and recommend the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport gives approval to the legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders set out in Appendix A and, subject to no objections being received within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the Order.

Officer Contact: Nicola Ryan on 0161 474 4348 or email: nicola.ryan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the results of an investigation into safety concerns which had been raised due to parked vehicles causing an obstruction and reducing visibility for other motorists and pedestrians, particularly at junctions and on bends.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport be recommended to approve the statutory legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Order set out in Appendix A of the report and shown on plan NM8/5123/003 attached to the report, and, subject to no objections being received within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the Order be made.