Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 31 January 2017 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 interests were declared:-

Personal and Prejudicial Interests

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 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 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 and the current position on Ward Flexibility Funding. The report also included the position on ward delegated budgets.

In accordance with Minute 8 of the meeting of the Area Committee held on 31 January 2017, the Area Committee was advised that the sub-group established to consider the applications received for funding from the Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust had met on 16 February 2017 and the grants awarded were set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Chair advised the meeting that a drop-in session would be held at Cheadle Mosque at 2.00pm on 12 March 2017 in connection with the plans to redevelop the mosque.

The Chair further reported that volunteers were needed to assist with bulb planting at Park Road Cemetery on 1 April 2017 and that there would be a community litter pick in Heald Green on 18 March 2017, meeting at Café Unity at 10.00am.

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.

The local Public Realm Inspector 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 (Public Realm Inspector) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from councillors and members of the public in relation to public realm issues within the area represented by the Cheadle Area Committee. He reported that the following routes would shortly be subject to their annual highway safety inspection:-

·         Cheadle and Gatley Ward – Cheadle District Centre and Oak Road, Cheadle.

·         Cheadle Hulme North Ward – Meadway Road and Kings Road, Cheadle Hulme.

·         Heald Green – Outwood Drive and Newbury Road, Heald Green.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

• there was a lack of lighting on the bollards on Adswood Road.
• a pothole was reported on Gatley Road, Cheadle, between Chadvil Road and High Grove Road, which needed investigating.
• fly tipping had been reported on the central section of the Micker Brook valley, and on Worcester Road, Cheadle Hulme.
• the temporary traffic lights on Finney Lane, Heald Green were too close to the pedestrian lights.
• people were thanked for taking part in the litter picks in the Cheadle area.
• the drain outside 176 Wilmslow Road, Heald Green was blocked and the footpath was continually flooded on that part of  Finney Lane from the junction with Wilmslow Road to the shops.
• incidents of dog fouling on Crossefield Road  and Meadway Road, Cheadle Hulme were reported.
• smoke from log burners on Grange Avenue, Cheadle Hulme was reported as a problem to some local residents.

RESOLVED – That David Wilson be thanked for his attendance.

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 & Regeneration.

 On the 13th September 2016, extreme rainfall events hit parts of south west England and the south Pennines, with significant flooding observed across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Staffordshire, and also in parts of west Cornwall.  The rainfall event significantly affected Stockport, with the borough receiving approximately 44% of its total monthly rainfall in just one day. Leading up to this day Stockport had experienced a period of warm dry weather and as a result ground conditions were not saturated and water levels within the local watercourses were quite low. However, the volume and intensity of rainfall overloaded the local drainage system, causing surface water flooding throughout large parts of the borough.

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

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on the draft Jacobs Section 19 Report for the September 2016 floods in Appendix A and recommend that the Executive approves the final report.

Officer contact: 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) providing the opportunity for Councillors and members of the public to comment on the Council’s response to the extreme rainfall event which had occurred on 13 September 2016, as well as on the draft Independent Section 19 Investigation report.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Work carried out in the past to try and prevent flooding from Chorlton Brook appeared to have been successful.

·         There was a strong element in new development schemes for sustainable drainage and this needed to be adhered to.

·         Concern was expressed that the risk of flooding in the Cheadle area was more widespread than anticipated

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

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

The report outlines the current review of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) and provides an opportunity to comment on the current state of the Rights of Way network.  This is part of the ongoing consultation reviewing the Council’s current ROWIP. To do this, the Council wants to know what people think of the current Rights of Way network and their priorities on how it could be improved. The ROWIP review is looking at all off road walking, cycling and equestrian routes in Stockport and it is not limited to recorded Public Rights of Way.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on the current provision of off road facilities in the borough to assist in the development of the future Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the ongoing consultation reviewing the current Rights of Way Improvement Plan and seeking comments on the current provision of off road facilities in the borough to assist in the development of the future Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from Saint Mary’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit towards the cost of a charity halloween event at the Village Hotel, Cheadle on 28 October 2017.

An application was submitted regarding an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from Saint Mary’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit towards the cost of a Charity Halloween event at the Village Hotel, Cheadle on 28 October 2017.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £700 to Saint Mary’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit for ward flexibility funding towards the cost of a Charity Halloween event on 28 October 2017, subject to the receipt of additional detailed information regarding the marketing and publicity for the event.

(2) That, subject to (1) above, the application be funded as follows:-

Cheadle and Gatley Ward - £200

Cheadle Hulme North Ward - £500

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from Cheshire Parenting Collective CIC seeking support to take over existing lending facilities for baby carriers and training of volunteers to provide advice to parents and pregnancy, birth, infancy and toddlerhood.

A representative of the Cheshire Parenting Collective CIC attended the Area Committee to answer questions from Members in relation to an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from Cheshire Parenting Collective CIC seeking support to take over existing lending facilities for baby carriers and training of volunteers to provide advice to parents on pregnancy, birth, infancy and toddlerhood.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to make a grant of £210 to Cheshire Parenting Collective CIC for ward flexibility funding towards taking over existing lending facilities for baby carriers and training of volunteers to provide advice to parents on pregnancy, birth, infancy and toddlerhood, to be funded as follows:-

Cheadle and Gatley Ward - £70

Cheadle Hulme North Ward - £70

Heald Green Ward - £70

To consider an application for Ward Flexibility Funding from ‘Help the Hatters’ towards the cost of a community museum.

(NOTE: The Central Stockport Area Committee has referred this application to all area committees for consideration).

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted an application on behalf of ‘Help the Hatters’ for Ward Flexibility Funding towards the cost of a community museum. 

RESOLVED - That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to decline to make a grant to ‘Help the Hatters’ and the applicant be advised to seek funding from other sources other than Ward Flexibility Funding given the scale of the project.

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

(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 Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration on any planning applications relevant to the Cheadle 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 Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration 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).

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

Demolition of bungalow and creation of a detached building containing 4 no. two bedroom apartments.

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions contained in the report.

Officer Contact: Dominic Harvey on 0161 474 3544 or email: dominic.harvey@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. 63994 for the demolition of a bungalow and creation of a detached building containing 4 no. two bedroom apartments at 210 Outwood Road, Heald Green

a member of the public spoke against the application; and

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

It was then

RESOLVED – That the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to undertake a site visit in order to gain a full appreciation of the proposal, given the high number of objections to the proposal.

Two storey side/rear extension, single storey rear extension and canopy to front (amended plans received).

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions contained in the report.

Officer Contact: Anthony Smith on 0161 474 3569 or email: anthony.smith@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no.64313 for a two storey side/rear extension, single storey rear extension and canopy to front (amended plans received) at 65 Crossefield Road, Cheadle Hulme

a representative of the applicant spoke in support of the application

It was then

RESOLVED – That the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to undertake a site visit in order to fully assess the impact of the proposal in view of the significant changes to the level of the land at the site.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive

The report summarises recent appeal decisions, current planning appeals and enforcement activity within the area represented by the Cheadle Area Committee.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer Contact: Joy Morton on 0161 474 3217 or email: joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (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 seeks comments regarding the proposed highway traffic regulation orders associated with the proposed Cycle City Ambition Grant 2 (CCAG2) scheme.

The Area Committee is requested to comment on the report and recommend that the Executive Councillor (Communities and Housing) approves the legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders contained in Appendices A and B of the report and, subject to no objections being received within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the Orders be made.

Officer Contact: Mark James on 0161 474 2077 or email: mark.james@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking the comments of the Area Committee with regard to the proposed highway traffic regulation orders associated with the Cycle City Ambition Grant 2 (CCAG2) scheme.

The report would also be considered by the Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee at its meeting to be held on 9 March 2017.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         a number of complaints had been received from residents regarding the speed of traffic on Demmings Road, Cheadle. Support was given to the introduction of additional 20mph roundel road markings which would highlight the speed limit to drivers.

·         complaints had been received from a number of residents that the bridge which would carry the cycleway over the Micker Brook to Warwick Close was not stable enough. It was confirmed that the bridge would be inspected as part of the design work.

RESOLVED - That the Executive Councillor (Communities and Housing) be recommended to give approval to the legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders contained in Appendices A and B of the report 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 Democratic Services Manager

At the meeting of the Constitution Working Party held on 8 February 2017 Members agreed that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Cheadle Area Committee and the Bramhall Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee regarding whether the Cheadle Hulme North Ward and the Cheadle Hulme South Ward should sit within the same Area Committee

The Area Committee’s views are requested.

Officer Contact: Craig Ainsworth on 0161 474 3204 or email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) advising the Area Committee that at the meeting of the Constitution Working Party held on 8 February 2017 Members had agreed that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Cheadle Area Committee & the Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee regarding whether the Cheadle Hulme North Ward and the Cheadle Hulme South Ward should sit within the same Area Committee. The comments of the area committees would be submitted to the Executive Meeting when it considered the matter at its meeting to be held on 14 March 2017.

The feedback from consultation with councillors had indicated three possible options:-

·         retain the existing remits of the Area Committees

·         create an eighth area committee by merging Cheadle Hulme North and Cheadle Hulme South Wards into a single area committee with all the powers and functions of an area committee.

·         establish a joint consultative (ward committee) for the Cheadle Hulme North and Cheadle Hulme South Wards in order to ensure a single discussion forum for cross boundary issues. This would not result in an ability to determine planning applications for the combined area.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         the ward boundary for the Cheadle Hulme North Ward was nonsensical as it did not include the district centres of either Cheadle Hulme or Cheadle.

·         there were a number of common issues between the Cheadle Hulme North Ward and the Cheadle Hulme South Ward which required collaboration between the two wards, for example on highway issues, drainage issues, the shopping precinct in Cheadle Hulme, planning issues and in particular those that affected the Cheadle Hulme district centre, and any proposals for new schools in Cheadle Hulme.

·         until such time as the ward boundary for the Cheadle Hulme North Ward was altered, the best solution was to establish a joint consultative committee (ward committee) for the Cheadle Hulme North Ward and the Cheadle Hulme South Wards in order to ensure a single discussion forum for cross boundary issues

·         there were also cross boundary issues affecting the Cheadle Hulme North Ward and the Cheadle and Gatley Ward, for example in the vicinity of the Micker Brook.

RESOLVED – That the comments of the Area Committee be submitted to the Executive for consideration at its meeting to be held on 14 March 2017.

The meeting was advised that this would be the last meeting of the Area Committee that the Area Committee’s Planning Officer, Jim Seymour, would be attending as he was leaving the employment of the Council.

RESOLVED – That Mr Seymour be thanked for his services to this Area Committee, and offered Members best wishes for the future.