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.
Minutes:
Members of the public were invited to submit questions to the Area Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee, subject to exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.
Eight public questions were submitted.
The first questioner was not in attendance at the meeting and so the Chair reported that, in accordance with the Code of Practice, the questioner would receive a written response.
Questions two to seven related to parking problems the section of Ripley Avenue, Great Moor that was closest to the Stepping Hill Hospital site. Questioners outlined their difficulties relating to the existing permit parking scheme covering less than the whole of this road; inconsiderate and dangerous driving, parking and manoeuvring in this area by visitors and staff of the hospital; and difficulties experienced by residents who had disabilities in gaining access to their vehicles and being blocked in.
In particular the questioners asked what the Council was doing to address these problems; why residents were being given an ultimatum of agreeing to pay for a new permit scheme or lose their existing scheme; what the Council would do to assist those with disabilities who were experiencing difficulties with parking a reasonable distance from their homes; whether the Council would consider making the whole of the road a permit zone.
In response, Councillor Booth expressed her sympathy for residents and highlighted the ongoing challenges with hospital related parking in the wider area. Residents were encouraged to attend the public meeting taking place on 27 September at 6pm at the Hospital.
In relation to specific problems on this section of Ripley Avenue, Cllr Wright stated that the cost of the removing the pavement buildout was so significant because of the utilities that were under this part of the pavement. He further stated that having discussed with the Chief Executive of the Trust the possibility of closing the hospital access on Ripley Street that this would not be acceptable to the Trust as it would limit access to the site for pedestrians using Woodsmoor Station. He acknowledged the desirability of a free permit scheme in this area but stated that it was no longer Council policy to provide such a facility.
In relation to the ongoing consultation with residents of Ripley Avenue about the possibility of implementing a paid-for permit scheme, Councillor Hadfield stated that the Area Committee had previously discussed the possibility of seeking approval to waive the requirement for 51% support from residents in order to upgrade the scheme, however the Area Committee did not wish to set a precedence that would disadvantage a number of residents.
Councillor Lewis-Booth emphasised the need for majority resident support for the introduction of a scheme and the need for an anonymous Council consultation to determine the level of support. He also encouraged residents to note details of cars where motorists were persistently driving dangerous as persistent offenders could be referred to the Police.
A representative of the Democratic Services Manager clarified that for a permit zone to be enforceable this required a legal Traffic Regulation Order, and that this involved further public consultation. It was not possible, as suggested in the questions, to erect signage suggesting it was a permit zone unless such an Order was in place.
The final question related to Swanage Avenue, Offerton and asked why the Council was refusing to acknowledge the problems being experienced by residents following the re-development of the former Dialstone Centre site and specifically the provision of a pedestrian access between Swanage Avenue and the new development.
In response a representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that following a similar question last meeting further guidance had been sought from the Council’s Legal Services in relation to the feasibility of gating or stopping up orders. The feedback received suggested that the Council may struggle to demonstrate that this access was no longer needed given that it had been conditioned into a planning permission, as well as demonstrating a causal link between the access and any anti-social behaviour or crime experienced by residents. The cost of pursuing a gating order and the physical measures would also need to be met and could be in excess of £10,000. In relation to anti-social behaviour it was stated that the Council had no record of anti-social behaviour being reported at this location, notwithstanding the reports residents had made to the police about issues in the area.
Councillor Booth confirmed that she had been liaising with the Police and Stockport Homes (who managed properties on the new development) in relation to concerns about anti-social behaviour and these issues were being addressed. The Police regularly patrolled this area, and others as there had been a general increase in concerns about anti-social behaviour in the ward.