Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2021.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 13 September 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interest which they had in any o fth eitem osn the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

No urgent decisions were reported.

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

The Chair reported that a clothes recycling bank had now been installed at St Barnabas Church, Bredbury with proceeds going towards supporting Francis House Children’s’ Hospice.

It was then reported that the first Stockport Climate Action Now Summit was due to be held on Tuesday, 9 November 2021.  It was stated that the event was free to attend and would run from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm with tickets available via Eventbrite.

Finally, it was announced that the Mayor would be holding the annual Stockport prayer breakfast on Wednesday, 17 November 2021 between 7.30 am and 9.00 am with tickets available free of charge from Eventbrite.

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.

One public question was submitted in relation to the condition of the surfacing on Cambridge Drive, Woodley and other footways and carriageways in the immediate vicinity.

In response it was stated that a response had already been sent to the questioner confirming that a review would be undertaken of Balliol Close, Woodley with this being included in the planned maintenance programme at the earliest opportunity.  It was further stated that highway gullies were visited as part of a routine programme and that ad hoc requests for clearance were not normally undertaken.  With regard to Cambridge Drive specifically, it was stated that it was not possible to resurface every road in the borough, and that this work was prioritised on a needs basis, however a reassessment of the condition of the carriageway had been requested prior to the end of the financial year.  However, seven reactive repairs had been carried out in the area and the annual inspection was due in December where any actionable defects in the carriageway would be picked up.

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 Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) reported that no organisations had indicated that they wished to address the Area Committee as part of the Open Forum arrangements.

To consider an applications for Ward Flexibility Funding from the Stockport Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club towards the cost of replacing two pull-up banners and purchasing two large feather banners for signposting the venue used for the Breakfast Club.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of the Stockport Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of replacing two pull-up banners and purchasing two large feather banners for signposting the venue used for the Breakfast Club.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to an application received from Stockport Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club for a grant of £60 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of replacing two pull-up banners and purchasing two large feather banners for signposting the venue used for the Breakfast Club.

(2) That the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance be recommended to give further consideration to the establishment of a ‘borough-wide fund’ to consider applications for grant funding that had an impact across more than one area committee area.

To consider an application received from Romiley Bowling and Tennis Club for a grant of £1,000 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of converting two Tennis courts into Petanque (otherwise known as French Boules) courts.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of Romiley Bowling and Tennis Club for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of converting two Tennis courts into Petanque (otherwise known as French Boules) courts.

It was commented that in the light of the remaining budget available to the area committee, and so as to preserve the committee’s ability to make grants to other organisations during the remainder of the financial year, it would not be possible to make the full allocation requested on this occasion.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to an application received from Romiley Bowling and Tennis Club for a grant of £500 from the Ward Flexibility Budget towards the cost of converting two Tennis courts into Petanque (otherwise known as French Boules) courts.

To consider an applications for Ward Flexibility Funding from the Cash for Kids Charity towards the cost of providing Christmas gifts to children in Stockport.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted an application received on behalf of the Cash for Kids Charity for a grant from the Ward Flexibility Budget 340 towards the cost of providing Christmas gifts to children in Stockport.

It was commented that in the light of the remaining budget available to the area committee, and so as to preserve the committee’s ability to make grants to other organisations during the remainder of the financial year, it would not be possible to make the full allocation requested on this occasion.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to an application received from the Cash for Kids Charity for a grant of £340 towards the cost of providing Christmas gifts to children in Stockport subject to the receipt of satisfactory confirmation that any allocation of funding would be ring-fenced to residents of Stockport, and if possible to those resident within the Werneth area.

(2) That the applicant be requested to provide feedback to the area committee on the use of the awarded grant allocation.

There are currently no development applications to consider.

There were no development applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer).

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 Werneth Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates on 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.

It was noted that an eight day public inquiry had now been scheduled to commence on 1 February 2022 with regard to an appeal against the refusal of planning permission for a commercial/ industrial development at Bredbury Park Way (land bounded by Ashton Road, the River Tame, Turner Lane and Bredbury Industrial Estate).

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides the Area Committee with an update on One Stockport frogs and to seek the authorisation of the Area Committee Delegated Budget towards the costs.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to:-

(1) The balance of £1,200 for “Theatre Frog” to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocation).

(2) £2,400 for “Baker Frog” to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury & Woodley Ward allocation).

Officer contact: Helen Waters on 0161 474 3734 or email: helen.walters@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Area Committee with an update on One Stockport frogs and to seek the authorisation of the Area Committee Delegated Budget towards the costs.

RESOLVED – That approval to:-

(i)            the allocation of £1,200 from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocation) for the outstanding balance of the ‘Theatre Frog’ that had been located in Romiley Precinct.

(ii)               the allocation of £2,400 from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury & Woodley ward allocation) for the full cost of the ‘Baker Frog’ that had been located in Woodley Precinct.

To consider a report of the of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance).

The report requests the Area Committee to nominate Councillors to lay wreaths at Remembrance Day Services at Bredbury War Memorial and Romiley War Memorial on 14 November 2021.

The Area Committee is requested to nominate Councillors.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 474 3207 or email: damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Area Committee to appoint Councillors to lay wreaths at Remembrance Day Services at Bredbury and Romiley War Memorials on Sunday, 14 November 2021.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the appointment of the following Councillors to lay wreaths on Sunday, 14 November 2021:-

Bredbury War Memorial      - Councillor Angie Clark

Romiley War Memorial        - Councillor Sue Thorpe

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer).

The report provides an update on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and details the current position on area flexibility funding. The report also includes the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email:  damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on progress on decisions taken by the Area Committee since the last meeting and the current position on the Area Flexibility and the Delegated budget.

It was reported that at the previous meeting of the Area Committee, it had been requested that a further report be submitted to this meeting detailing any further developments that had arisen.  It was stated that because the matter had not yet been concluded, it was not considered appropriate to bring a report to this meeting, however a report would be submitted at such a point that the final position was known.

Further comments were made in relation to the number of outstanding highways schemes detailed within the appendices to the report and the importance and value of these schemes to local residents.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That this Area Committee recognises the importance, benefit and value to local residents of small-scale highways and traffic interventions that that can be determined by Area Committees, and reaffirms its continued support for the associated delegation of funding through the Delegated Budget.

(3) That the Corporate Director (Place) be requested to confirm when appropriate resources would be made available to ensure that the current backlog of works previously approved by the Area Committee and as detailed within Appendix A to the progress report could be completed.