Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 October 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 4 October 2012 were approved as a correct record.

No declarations of interest were made.

The Chair reported on the success of the ‘You Say We Pay’ events in Brinnington and Reddish held in late 2012 and how the projects had benefited the local community. 

He further reported on the volunteering opportunities through ‘Friends of The Vale’ at Reddish Vale Country Park and how additional information could be found on the Country Park’s website: www.reddishvalecountrypark.co.uk or by telephoning 07757 298 198.  

The Chair reported that a representative of the Neighbourhood Policing Team had been unable to attend the meeting.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair of the Joint Ward 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 and at local libraries and information centres.  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 Joint Ward Committee, subject to the exclusions set out within the Code of Practice.

One question was submitted relating to the relationship between the Council, members of the public and Solutions SK in relation to the services provided by the company. 

The Greenspace Manager (Public Realm) answered the question at the meeting.

A further question was submitted by a member of the public who was not present at the meeting. It was stated that in accordance with the Code of Practice a written response would be provided.

RESOLVED - That the Service Director (Place Management) be requested to investigate this issue and provide a written response to the questioner within seven days.

No petitions were submitted.

In accordance with the Code of Practice no organisation has indicated that they wished to address the Joint Ward Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

No organisation had indicated that they wished to address the Joint Ward Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

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

There were no funding applications to consider.

This item has been placed on the Agenda at the request of the Joint Ward Committee.

The Service Director (Place Management) will attend the meeting to discuss the management and running of Reddish Vale Country Park.

The Greenspace Manager and the Senior Ranger at Reddish Vale Country Park (Public Realm) attended the meeting and provided an update on the management and running of Reddish Vale Country Park.

The Greenspace Manager (Public Realm) reported on the development and implementation of the redesign of the Public Realm Service, which included the rationalisation of staff including countryside rangers, arboriculture and service support staff; working with communities and partners to collaborate on the management of countryside visitor centres including Reddish Vale Country Park.

The following comments were made / issues raised:-

·         A resident expressed concern in relation to the perceived reliance on voluntary organisations contributing to Council Services in particular at the Visitors’ Centre in Reddish Vale County Park.

·         The Visitors’ Centre in Reddish Vale Country Park was an asset and the valuable work of volunteers was noted.  

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the proposed changes for Reddish Vale Country Park and the anticipated timescale for change.

·         Clarification was sought and provided in respect of the proposals to reduce the number of Ranger posts and the projected cost savings.

·         A councillor enquired how other parks in the Borough such as Etherow Country Park had been affected by the anticipated proposals.  

·         The Executive Meeting on Monday, 17 December 2012 had considered a report on the Medium Term Financial which addressed the redesign of the Public Realm Service.

·         Councillors highlighted the importance and requirement for a Ranger to be on site at Reddish Vale Country Park full-time due to the size of the park and for health and safety reasons.  Concern was expressed that if a Ranger was not present full time at the park, the park would deteriorate. 

·         Future staffing arrangements was discussed and concern was expressed in respect of the continuity of officers. 

·         Councillors praised the work of staff at Reddish Vale Country Park and the valued the range of activities on offer at the Visitors’ Centre. 

·         The important role of volunteers was highlighted and that Reddish Vale Country Park had the largest number of volunteers when compared to other parks in the Borough.

·         A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) further reported that in relation to the Frank Bramwell Legacy the information / educational interpretation boards were in the process of being organised and that the Koi fibre roll had been planted up by the suppliers and once established would be delivered to site and installed on the eroded banks of the islands.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Executive Councillor (Public Realm) and the Head of Public Realm be invited to attend the next meeting of the Joint Ward Committee to discuss the change to the Public Realm Service and its effect  on Reddish Vale Country Park.

(2) That the relevant information from the Medium Term Financial Plan report considered by the Executive Meeting on Monday, 17 December 2012 be included with the agenda for information to the next Brinnington and Reddish Joint Ward Committee.

(3) That representatives of the Friends of the Vale be invited to provide information relating to the numbers and role of volunteers at Reddish Vale Country Park to the next meeting of the Brinnington and Reddish Joint Ward Committee.

(4) That the Senior Ranger (Reddish Vale Country Park) be thanked for her commitment and hard work in relation to the Frank Bramwell project.

(NOTE: The Chair was of the opinion that this item, although not included on the agenda for the meeting, should be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 in view of the safety concerns).

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) reported on the substance that had been found in Reddish Vale Country Park.  The substance was a beauty product, mostly made of cocoa with traces of caffeine.  She reported that Reddish Vale Country Park was investigated and that the substance had been removed.

A resident expressed concern that members of the public had been not informed of the infected area immediately and that it should have been publicised sooner reassuring residents.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

RESOLVED – That the meeting scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 17 April 2013 be cancelled and that the Democratic Services Manager in consultation with the Chair be requested to identify a suitable date for the next meeting of the Brinnington and Reddish Joint Ward Committee between the 11 March 2013 and 29 March 2013 and that the date be circulated to Members at the earliest opportunity.