Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 10 July 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

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

Sergeant Edward Palmer and PCSOs Martin Heys and Mark Turner (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to Neighbourhood Policing issues within the Hazel Grove ward.

Crime and anti-social behaviour figures for Hazel Grove were distributed.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

·         Crime statistics had improved in Hazel Grove with a significant reduction in burglary rates (24 incidents in the period from 30 October to 11 December 2012 compared to 12 incidents in the period 11 December 2012 to 22 January 2013).

·         There was also a reduction in anti-social behaviour figures from 74 incidents to 66 incidents.

·         It was noted that there had been an increase in reports of “theft from person”.

·         A new PCSO had been appointed to the area meaning there were now three PCSOs in Hazel Grove.

·         A member of the public reported that they had witnessed young people throwing snowballs at passing vehicles. In response Sergeant Palmer stressed that members of the public should report incidents when they happen as there is little that can be done to tackle the problem afterwards.

·         A member of the public asked if young people were the main perpetrators behind the reported incidents of criminal damage. In response it was stated that criminal damage can be committed by a range of people and incidents can be related to Hazel Grove’s late night economy.

·         Councillor Corris thanked the police team for their work over the festive period but expressed concerns over glasses being left on the streets. Sergeant Palmer explained it was the licensees’ responsibility to prevent glasses and bottles being taken from their premises and asked members of the public observing such activity to inform the police.

·         PCSO Turner distributed forms for the Ringmaster ‘community messaging portal’ which was a computerised communication system run by the Safer Stockport Partnership offering local residents information about crimes, incidents and events in their local area. Completed forms could be emailed or posted back or alternatively handed to the police or Councillors. Members of the public were encouraged to sign up to the service and notify friends and family.

RESOLVED – That Sergeant Palmer and PCSOs Heys and Turner be thanked for their attendance.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair of the Ward Committee. Questions on quasi-judicial matters (e.g. current or potential legal proceedings, licensing applications, planning applications or appeals) or confidential matters are not permitted.

A member of the public asked the Chair of the Ward Committee if the Stockport Homes flats on Bosden Fold Road were age-restricted for the use of the elderly. In response it was stated that Stockport Homes was in the process of removing age restrictions from a number of properties where it was considered appropriate and that the concerns of the member of the public with specific regard to Bosden Fold Road would be reported back to Stockport Homes.

The Public Realm Inspector will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at the last meeting. Councillors and members of the public are invited to raise issues affecting local environment quality.

Kay Williams (Public Realm Inspector) attended the meeting to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to environmental and highways issues within the Hazel Grove area.

The following issues were raised/comments made:-

·         Concern was expressed that the non-illumination of road signs on Grove Street and Vine Street, which had been reported at the committee on previous occasions, had not been addressed. Kay Williams agreed to pass this on to engineering services and would report back at the next meeting of the Ward Committee.

·         It was reported that the majority of defects raised at the last meeting of the Ward Committee had now been addressed. It was further stated that it was not always possible to provide feedback to individual members of the public who raised concerns at the Ward Committee but that any such progress would be reported back at the following meeting.

·         Kay Williams informed the Committee that gullies were cleaned on a routine cleansing schedule but can be programmed on an ad hoc basis. Members of the public were advised to telephone the contact centre on 0161 217 6111 and report any blockages.

·         A member of the public requested that a gulley on Beech Avenue be re-positioned. Kay Williams agreed to refer this matter on to the private drainage team.

·         A member of the public complained about dog fouling on Bosden Fold Road. It was agreed that dog fouling stickers would be positioned on lampposts in the area.

RESOLVED – That Kay Williams be thanked for her attendance.

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

No petitions were submitted.

To consider any applications for Area Flexibility Funding or to receive feedback from organisations who have received funding.

There were no applications to consider.

To agree the date for the next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday 16 April 2013.

RESOLVED – That the next meeting be held on Tuesday 16 April 2013 at 6:30 pm at Hazel Grove Civic Hall.