Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2024.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 5 March 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The following interests were declared:

Personal interest(s)

To report any urgent action taken under the constitution since the last meeting of the committee.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance.

The report provides an update on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee, including its executive Sub Committee, and details the current position on ward flexibility funding, the Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust, and delegated budget.

To receive a verbal update (if any) from the Democratic Services Officer on the progression and/ or success of projects which have received a grant from the Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust to assist members of the Area Committee in the monitoring of the effectiveness of the fund.

The Area Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer contact: Charlotte Douglass 0161 474 3235 | charlotte.douglass@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director for 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 committee and its executive Sub Committee, and detailed the current position on Ward Flexibility Funding, the Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust, and Delegated Budget.

Members received a verbal update on the progression of a project which was in receipt of a grant from the Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust:

Friends of Scholes Park

‘Our project is to install a small section of fencing with an access gate to separate the children's play park in Scholes Park Gatley from the wider fields. This is to provide some separation between dogs being exercised on the field and the children's play area to improve safety.

The council green space and parks officers agreed to the need for the gate and fence, but were unable to fund it, originally quoting £3500. We were very kindly awarded the £2500 grant from the Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust and were able to fund the remaining cost from our existing funds, including a £500 donation from the Dudley Trust to our general funds for park improvements and events. The council have now informed us that the cost has reduced to £2,706.50 due to a reduction in material prices and because the council are placing the order along with additional work required at other parks.  They have now placed the order and are going to inform us of the installation date as soon as this is set. We hope it will within the next two months.’

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Members noted that a jobs fair was scheduled to take place at All Hallows Church, Cheadle, on 25 April 2024.

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 put questions to the Chair on any matters in the powers or duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out within the Code of Practice.

A public question was asked at the meeting in relation to a sink hole on Queen’s Road. Ward members responded that United Utilities had, this afternoon, begun to repair the problem.

Two public questions were submitted in relation to parking issues around Greenway Road as a result of people parking to attend the mosque.

RESOLVED – That the Director of Place Management be requested to respond to the questioners in writing.

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

Inspector Baker (Greater Manchester Police) was unable to attend the meeting due to unforeseen circumstances and sent his apologies for the meeting.

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.

A representative of the Assistant Director for 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 received from PTFA at Bolshaw Primary School for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £1,000 (Heald Green ward allocation only) towards the cost of obtaining blinds for the school hall and dictionaries and thesauruses for the children.

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted an application (copies of which had been circulated) received on behalf of PTFA at Bolshaw Primary School for a grant of £1,000 from the Ward Flexibility Funding budget (Heald Green ward allocation) towards the cost of obtaining blinds for the school hall and dictionaries and thesauruses for the children.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application for Ward Flexibility Funding received from PTFA at Bolshaw Primary School for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £1,000 (Heald Green ward allocation) towards the cost of obtaining blinds for the school hall and dictionaries and thesauruses for the children.

To consider an application received from The Emma Cosgrove Foundation for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £500 (£250 from Cheadle West & Gatley, £250 from Cheadle East & Cheadle Hulme North) towards the cost of hosting a community gathering at Cheadle Green, featuring a diverse range of activities to foster a sense of unity and camaraderie within the community.

Andrew Frazer attended the meeting to speak to the application, having previously submitted the application (copies of which had been circulated) on behalf of The Emma Cosgrove Foundation for a total grant of £700 from the Ward Flexibility Funding budget towards the cost of hosting a community event ‘Cheadle on the Green’ featuring a diverse range of activities to foster a sense of unity and camaraderie within the community.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from The Emma Cosgrove Foundation for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £500 (£250 each from the Cheadle West & Gatley and Cheadle East & Cheadle Hulme North ward allocations) towards the cost of hosting a community event ‘Cheadle on the Green’ featuring a diverse range of activities to foster a sense of unity and camaraderie within the community.

To consider an application received from Pakistani Resource Centre for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £1000 (£200 from Cheadle East & Cheadle Hulme North, £200 from Cheadle West & Gatley, £600 from Heald Green) towards the cost of setting up a Peer Support Group to reduce isolation and promote socialisation and healthy living in women of South Asian background.

Tahir Abbasi attended the meeting to speak to the application, having previously submitted the application (copies of which had been circulated) on behalf of the Pakistani Resource Centre for a total grant of £1000 from the Ward Flexibility Funding budget towards the cost of setting up a Peer Support Group to reduce isolation and promote socialisation and healthy living in women of South Asian background.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Pakistani Resource Centre for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £1000 (£200 from the Cheadle East & Cheadle Hulme North, £200 from the Cheadle West & Gatley and £600 from the Heald Green ward allocations) towards the cost of setting up a Peer Support Group to reduce isolation and promote socialisation and healthy living in women of South Asian background.

To consider an application received from Friends of Shahnameh for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £330 (£120 from the Cheadle East & Cheadle Hulme North, £140 from the Cheadle West & Gatley and £70 from the Heald Green ward allocations) towards the cost of their annual celebration event and regular online poetry and literature events. 

Shahireh Sade attended the meeting to speak to the application, having previously submitted the application (copies of which had been circulated) on behalf of Friends of Shahnameh for a total grant of £330 from the Ward Flexibility Funding budget towards the cost of their annual celebration event and regular online poetry and literature events.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Friends of Shahnameh for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £330 (£120 from the Cheadle East & Cheadle Hulme North, £140 from the Cheadle West & Gatley and £70 from the Heald Green ward allocations) towards the cost of their annual celebration event and regular online poetry and literature events.

To consider an application received from Friends of Shahnameh for funding from the Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust for a grant of £855 towards the cost of their annual celebration event and regular online poetry and literature events.  

Shahireh Sade spoke to the application, having previously submitted the application (copies of which had been circulated) on behalf of Friends of Shahnameh for a total grant of £855 from the Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust towards the cost of their annual celebration event and regular online poetry and literature events.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to application received from Friends of Shahnameh for a grant of £256 from the Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust towards the cost of their annual celebration event and regular online poetry and literature events.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

(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 Deputy Chief Executive on any planning issues relevant to the 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 Corporate & Support Services 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 upon payment of the council’s reasonable charges).

The Clerk outlined the procedure for public speaking on planning applications.

Proposed two storey extension to side and rear part single storey rear extension. Attic conversion with dormer. Porch.  

The Area Committee is recommended to grant planning permission, subject to conditions.  

Officer contact: Rob Farris | rob.farris@stockport.gov.uk  

In respect of application DC/091222 for the proposed two storey extension to side and rear part single storey rear extension. Attic conversion with dormer, porch, at 50 Windsor Avenue, Gatley, Cheadle, Stockport, SK8 4DU,

a member of the public spoke against the application.

It was then

RESOLVED - (1) That no specific recommendation be made in relation to the determination of the application; and

(2) that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to undertake a site visit in the light of the Area Committee’s concerns in relation the scale of the proposed development, aesthetics and street scene.

At 19.26, it was

RESOLVED – That the meeting be adjourned.

The meeting reconvened at 19.33.

Proposed demolition of existing dwelling and erection of replacement dwelling. 

That, should the Area Committee be minded to grant permission, the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission, subject to conditions and the satisfactory completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement to secure developer contributions toward open space.  

Officer contact: Rebecca Whitney 0161 474 4405 | rebecca.whitney@stockport.gov.uk  

In respect of application DC/089576 for the proposed demolition of existing dwelling and erection of replacement dwelling at 153 Stanley Road, Heald Green Cheadle, Stockport, SK8 6RF,

the agent for the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission, subject to conditions and the satisfactory completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement to secure developer contributions toward open space. 

Proposed demolition of buildings and structures to construct an employment development (Use Classes B2, B8 and E(g)(ii)(iii)) with ancillary office space (Use Class E(g)(i)) and associated service yards, car parking, landscaping and infrastructure works. 

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grant planning permission, subject to conditions, informative and the signing of a legal agreement to secure £50,000 towards improvements to Pedestrian and Cycling.  

Officer contact: Paula Fitzgerald | paula.fitzgerald@stockport.gov.uk  

In respect of application DC/090553 for the proposed demolition of buildings and structures to construct an employment development (Use Classes B2, B8 and E(g)(ii)(iii)) with ancillary office space (Use Class E(g)(i)) and associated service yards, car parking, landscaping and infrastructure works at Phoenix House, Bird Hall Lane, Cheadle Heath, Stockport, SK3 0RA,

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

It was then

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission, subject to conditions, informative and the signing of a legal agreement to secure £50,000 towards improvements to Pedestrian and Cycling. 

Thanks were expressed to the Cheadle Towns Fund Board for their good work on the consultation process.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for 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 requested to note the report.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates 0161 474 3219 | vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcement within the area represented by the Cheadle Area Committee.

It was asked 5 Merwood Avenue remain on the report for monitoring purposes.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides detail on the launch of two new Climate Action Now (CAN) Funds: the CAN Seed Fund and the CAN Catalyst Fund.

The Area Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer contact: Nick Leslie | nick.leslie@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) which provided detail on the launch of two new Climate Action Now (CAN) Funds: the CAN Seed Fund and the CAN Catalyst Fund.

Nick Leslie (Head of Climate Action Now, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to speak to the report and respond to any questions from the Area Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         It was noted that the grant allocation process for the CAN Seed Fund would mimic the Ward Flexibility Funding grant allocation process.

·         Members were asked to encourage members of the public to make applications for their projects, which could focus on local/seasonal growing, encouraging local and sustainable travel, planting for biodiversity and more.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.