Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 June 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 22 June 2015 were approved as a correct record.

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive any announcements from the Chair of the Joint Ward Committee.

The Chair explained that it would be Jane Bardsley’s last meeting in her current role, as she had taken on new duties in the directorate.

The Chair expressed his best wishes to Jane in her future role.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair any matters within the powers and duties of the Ward 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 card provided.  These are available at the meeting. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

One question was submitted in relation to vandalism of barriers at the Brindale Road entrance to Reddish Vale Country Park.

RESOLVED – That representatives of Greater Manchester Police be invited to attend the next Committee to discuss this issue.

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

No petitions were submitted.

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

No ward funding applications were submitted.

To consider any applications for funding from the Frank Bramwell Legacy Fund or to receive feedback from organisations who have received funding.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted an application for funding from the Frank Bramwell Legacy Fund from Friends of Reddish Vale Country Park requesting funding towards the creation of x4 wildlife information boards on Reddish Vale Country Park.

RESOLVED – That a representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to make a grant of £2,000 to Friends of Reddish Vale Country Park for funding towards the creation of x4 wildlife information boards on Reddish Vale Country Park.

A representative of Chelwood Foodbank Plus will attend the meeting to provide the Committee with an update on their activities.

Steve Hough (Chelwood Foodbank Plus) and Judith McGarty (INspirED Stockport) attended the meeting and provided an overview of their activity in the Brinnington area.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The foodbank was volunteer led and operated in Edgeley, Adswood, Brinnington and Stockport;

·         There had been a steady increase in demand in Brinnington and there were regular users of the foodbank;

·         INspirED Stockport had been operating an ICT skills workshop in the foodbank between February and August but the funding had expired;

·         There had been an increase in demand as a result of increasing sanctions on benefits;

·         The foodbank often ran out of particular items and had been working alongside other providers in the area to swap items;

·         The foodbank could make use of Ward Flexibility Funding and/or the Labour Group newsletter.

RESOLVED – That Steve and Judith be thanked for their attendance.

The Housing Options Manager (Stockport Homes) will attend the meeting to provide an update to the Committee on their activities in the area.

Joanne Claridge (Stockport Homes) attended the meeting and provided an overview on The Pantry network and their involvement in the Brinnington area.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Pantry was set up by Stockport Homes to offer local residents affordable shopping, healthier options and employment experience;

·         The Pantry was set up like a shop with colour coding category restrictions, and guaranteed users 10 items for £2.50 a week;

·         Stockport Homes monitored the need for help and could offer qualifications and training;

·         Stockport Homes were offering to franchise pantries to local groups if there was a need in a particular area;

·         There were 150 memberships and any resident within the catchment area could apply to be a member, however those outside the catchment needed a referral to identify their need;

·         There had been reports of residents feeling stigmatised using The Pantry, however it was felt that that stigma was felt more around foodbanks.

RESOLVED – That Joanne be thanked for her attendance.

A representative of Re:dish will attend the meeting to provide the Committee with an update on their activities.

Rev Angie Stanton, Colin Barson, Laura Thompson-Harper and Andy Zuntz (Re:dish) attended the meeting and provided an overview on their activities in the Reddish area.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Re:dish was established as a foodbank from St Elisabeth’s church in 2013, however it had since evolved into a registered charity involved in numerous youth projects supported by Life Leisure and PCSOs;

·         The group had also set up “Common Ground” which provided supported and friendship for isolated people in the community, as well as “Community Champions” providing training on issues including literacy and mental health;

·         Members had supported Re:dish in the past and could continue to do so by introducing the group to relevant partners, informing them of funding opportunities and involving them in plans for the future;

·         The act of volunteering helped address the feeling of being stigmatised when using foodbanks;

·         There was an issue with referrals from local schools as families did not want to tell the school they were in need of the service;

·         There was a need for somewhere for children who did not want to participate in sport activities but did not want to be in their home.

RESOLVED – That the representatives of Re:dish be thanked for their attendance.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration will attend the meeting and provide an update on issues affecting the management of Reddish Vale Country Park.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration attended the meeting and provided an update on issues affecting the management of Reddish Vale Country Park.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         River revetment work had been completed on site, however there had been damage to koi matting on site 1;

·         Northern Divers who had carried out the work were in communication with National Grid to arrange for the repairs;

·         A Section 59 sign had been ordered for Willow Avenue to address motorbikes accessing this area;

·         There had been reports of hare coursing at Tiviot Dale, however it was confirmed that there had never been hares at Tiviot Dale and the police were investigating the reports.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to invite The Friends of the Vale to make a presentation at the next meeting.

Councillors are invited to suggested items for inclusion on future agendas.

Councillors were invited to suggest items for inclusion on future agendas.

RESOLVED – That the Chair be requested to approach representatives of Reddish Vale High School to discuss the possibility of attendance at a future meeting of the Ward Committee.