Decisions

The Area Committee has given approval to an application received from Marple Fest for a reduced grant of £1,800 (£800 from Marple North and £1,000 from Marple South & High Lane ward allocations) towards the cost of installing festoon lighting in the Marple Precinct to improve the ambiance and functionality of the town centre and the outdoor space. The extra lighting will make the southern end of Market Street easier to negotiate when it is dark.

The Area Committee has given approval to an application from JK Events to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park for their family inflatable, small rides and games event on 28 June and 29 June 2025 (access from 26 June 2025), subject to the organiser obtaining appropriate papers, event plans, health & safety documentation, licenses, insurances and any fees and charges that apply and being presented to the ward councillors at least two weeks prior to the event taking place.

The Area Committee has given approval to the making of the Traffic Regulation Orders on Hempshaw Lane, Stockport, as originally advertised and as detailed in Appendix A (namely, those which fall within the purview of the Area Committee).

The Area Committee has given approval to an application from Stockport Harriers & Athletic Club to utilise Woodbank Memorial Park for their 2025 road race event (Stockport 10) on 14 December 2025, subject to the organiser obtaining appropriate papers, event plans, health & safety documentation, licenses, insurances and any fees and charges that apply and being presented to the ward councillors at least two weeks prior to the event taking place. 

The Area Committee has given approval to an application received from Stockport Sea Cadets for a grant of £117.64 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget (£88.23 from Marple North and £29.41 from Marple South & High Lane ward allocations) towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

The Area Committee has given approval to an application received from Pixies Cheer for a grant of £107.13 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget from Marple South & High Lane ward allocation only towards the cost of the team competing in the All Star World Championships and Worlds competitive cheerleading competition.

The Area Committee has given approval to an application received from The Garden House Marple Charity a reduced grant of £350 for Ward Flexibility Funding for (£175 from Marple North and £175 from Marple South & High Lane ward allocations) toward the cost of 12 nature discovery kits for use by families, individuals and groups when visiting the site.

The Area Committee has given approval to an application received from Mellor Open Gardens for a grant of £500 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget (Marple North ward allocation only) towards the cost of marketing and publicity for the Mellor Open Gardens fundraising event.

The Area Committee has given approval for the following funding application for the Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Seed Funds: -

The Area Committee has given approval to instruct officers to continue with the updated proposals shown on Drawing No: NM8 4119 Rev B and that the objectors are informed of the decision as follows:-

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) – ‘No Waiting At Any Time’

Clement Road, Marple Bridge

East Side

From the intersection of the projected northern eastern kerb line of Longhurst Lane for a distance of 42 metres in a north easterly direction.

Longhurst Lane, Marple Bridge

North Side

From the intersection with the projected southeastern kerb line of Clement Road for a distance of 10m in an easterly direction.

That the Area Committee has given approval to an application received from Stockport Sea Cadets for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £173.46 (£58.82 from Bramhall North, £26.41 from Bramhall South & Woodford and £88.23 from Cheadle Hulme South ward allocations) towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

The Area Committee has given approval to an application received from Pixies Cheer for a grant of £35.71 (Bramhall North ward allocation only) towards the cost of the team competing in the All Star World Championships and Worlds competitive cheerleading competition.

RESOLVED: That the Area Committee has given approval to a total virement of £1,005 from the Ward Flexibility Budget (Bramhall South and Woodford allocation only) to the Stockport CAN Seed Fund (Bramhall South and Woodford allocation only) to fund the following projects:

(1) £1,000 to Moss Hey Primary School to set up a school garden to grow different vegetables, fruit, herbs and edible flowers.

(2) £505 to Queensgate School Nature Project for a 30% for nature by 2030 project to support biodiversity and encourage children to protect nature.

(3) £1,000 to the Woodford Primary School PTA for for their forest school space to help promote pupil wellbeing and increase biodiversity through planting trees, shrubs, fruit and vegetables.

The Area Committee has given approval to an application received from the Friends of Romiley Station for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £312 towards the cost of large timber planters (80 cm x 80 cm x 50 cm) which will be constructed by another voluntary organisation, Men in Sheds, Marple.

The Area Committee has given approval to an application received from Cheadle Muslim Association Welfare Trust to celebrate Eid in the Park at Bruntwood Park on a date to be confirmed due to the Moon Cycle, subject to all appropriate paperwork and licences being obtained and submitted to the Council at least one week prior to the event taking place.

The Area Committee has given approval to an application received from Stockport Sea Cadets for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £235.28 towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

The Area Committee has given approval to an application received from Pixies Cheer for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £571.48 towards the cost of the team competing in the All Star World Championships and Worlds competitive cheerleading competition.

The Area Committee has given approval to an application received from Stockport Sea Cadets for Ward Flexibility Funding for a total grant of £1000 (£58.82 from Cheadle East & Cheadle Hulme North and £58.82 from Cheadle West & Gatley ward allocations) towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

The Area Committee has given approval to an application received from Newboult Road Allotments for a grant of £2,000 from the Ward Flexibility Fund (£1,000 from the Cheadle West & Gatley ward allocation and £1,000 from the Cheadle East & Cheadle Hulme North ward allocation) towards the cost of the replacement of a section of boundary fencing to improve the security of the site.

The Area Committee has given approval to an application received from Stockport Sea Cadets for Ward Flexibility Funding for a grant of £117.64 towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

The Area Committee has given approval to an application from Stockport Sea Cadets for a grant of £88.23 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget (£29.41 from Heatons South and £58.82 from Reddish South ward allocations) towards the cost of purchasing archery equipment to start an archery club for the sea cadets and other cadet forces to be held at Stockport Sea Cadet unit.

The Area Committee has given approval to an application from Stockport LGBT+ Centre CIC for a grant of £188 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget (£47 from each ward allocation) towards the cost of hosting the ‘Fabulously Me’ event at a central, accessible Stockport location.

The Area Committee has given approval to an application from Reddish Eagles Basketball Team for a grant of £586.85 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget (Reddish South ward allocation only) towards the cost of training equipment, team kit and a social team building actiivity.

The Area Committee has given approval to an application received from Friends of Abney Hall Park Group for a grant of £400 from the Stockport CAN Seed Fund (Cheadle East & Cheadle Hulme North ward allocation) towards the costs for four more half days of pruning delivered by Manchester Fruit Tree Coop.

The Area Committee has given approval to applications received from:

(1)  Greave School - Forest School & Agents of Change for a grant of £500 from the Stockport CAN Seed Fund (Bredbury and Woodley ward allocation) towards the cost of the purchase of tools such as spades, mallets, trowels and wheelbarrows and soil, compost, seeds and plants.

(2)  Romiley Primary School for a grant of £1,000 from the Stockport CAN Seed Fund (Bredbury Green and Romiley ward allocation) towards the cost of to developing a small sensory and vegetable garden and helping to educate children about caring for the environment.

The Area Committee has considered a number of objections to the proposed Traffic Regulation Order ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ on Greenway Road and surrounding roads in Heald Green, and has agreed that, notwithstanding the objections, the orders be made as advertised.

The Area Committee has given approval to the legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Order scheme on School Street, Hazel Grove, and, subject to no objections being received within 21 days from the advertisement date, that the orders be made (at a cost of £950, to be funded from the Delegated Ward Budget (Hazel Grove ward allocation)):

Revoke No Waiting at Any Time

School Street, Hazel Grove

North West side from the South Western kerb line of London Road (A6) for a distance of 47 metres in a South Westerly direction.

Introduce No Waiting at Any Time & No Loading Monday to Friday 7.30 –

9.30am & 4.00 – 6.00pm:

School Street, Hazel Grove

North West side from the South Western kerb line of London Road (A6) for a distance of 47 metres in a South Westerly direction.

Note: the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services is requested to give approval to the element of the scheme that falls within 15 metres of the Strategic Route.

The Area Committee has given approval to fund a feasibility study at a cost of £5,000 (from the Heatons South Delegated Ward Budget) for a pedestrian crossing facility on Station Road in Heaton Mersey.

The Area Committee has considered a number of objections to the proposed Traffic Regulation Order No Waiting at Any Time and Moving Traffic Regulation Order(s) '20mph Zone' and 7.5t Weight Limit (Except for Access), and has agreed that, notwithstanding the objections, the orders be made as advertised.

The Area Committee has approved an event application received from ‘Run Through’ on behalf of Decathlon to host a 5k Run at Reddish Vale Country Park (Woodhall Car Park entrance) on Sunday the 20 July 2025 between the hours of 8.00am and 12.00pm subject to the event organiser obtaining and providing the relevant paperwork at least 2 weeks prior to the event, including any necessary licences, health and safety documentation, insurance certificates, and the payment of agreed fees and charges.

The Area Committee has considered a number of objections to a proposed introduction of a ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) on Brookfield Avenue, Bredbury, and has agreed that notwithstanding the objections, the orders be made as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education has nominated the following persons to the governing board vacancies at the schools indicated:

Councillor C Carrigan - St Thomas’ CE Primary School (S’port)
Councillor C Carrigan - St Simon’s Catholic Primary School
Mr Charles Vey - Harrytown Catholic High School
Mrs Alison O’Regan - St James’ Catholic High School
Ms Hannah Harrison - Didsbury Road Primary School

The Director for Place Management has given approval to an application from Grow Edgeley for a grant of £934 from the CAN Seed Fund budget (Edgeley ward allocation) to purchase equipment to support habitat creation and greenspace maintenance in the area.

The ward councillors have been consulted on this grant allocation and are in agreement that it be made.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services has given approval to the introduction of the Traffic Regulation Order and Variable 20mph Speed Limit Order for the Integrated Transport Block scheme (A6 to Bramhall Park) to be made as originally advertised (attached at Appendix A and associated drawing).

The Council’s 3-year council plan was agreed in March 2024. The plan has been refreshed for 2025/6 with progress from last year and updated priorities for the three years.

The Council Meeting has adopted the refresh of the 2024-2027 Council Plan.

The Council Meeting has:-

(1) Approved the Budget for 2025/26 described in the report and set out in Appendix 2 and 3.

(2) Noted the risk assessment of the 2025/26 Budget at Appendix 5 and the report of the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer on the adequacy of proposed financial reserves and robustness of the estimates also included at Appendix 5.

(3) Approved the required Council General Fund Balance to reflect the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer’s assessment of risks.

(4) Noted and approved the financial forecasts and assumptions for 2025/26 to 2028/29 at Appendix 6, and the key issues to be addressed in formulating a response to the future financial challenges facing the council.

(5) Agreed that the appropriate Council Tax resolutions should be passed which produce a Council Tax increase of 4.99% in 2025/26 (2.99% General Increase, 2% Adult Social Care Precept increase) as illustrated in Appendix 7.

The Council Meeting has noted the Medium Term Financial Plan forecasts for the Council’s finances for the period 2025/26 to 2028/29.

The Council Meeting approved:-

(a) An increase of 2.7% for social rent and affordable rent.

(b) An increase of 3.2% for rent of shared ownership properties.

(c) Service charge increases as outlined in Section 5, with authority delegated to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration & Housing, to agree a lower increase should this be necessary.

(d) The Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 1.

The Council Meeting will set the Council Tax for 2024/25, and the precept levels as appropriate.

The Council Meeting has agreed:-

(1) That it be noted that on 16 January 2025, the Council has calculated the Council Tax base for 2025/26 as:

·         99,339.6 for the whole Council area. [Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the "Act")]

(2) That the Council Meeting approve the Council Tax Requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2025/26 as being £206,234,970.

(3) That the following amounts be calculated by the Council for the year 2025/26 in accordance with sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

(a)  £867,902,681 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in section 31A(2) of the Act (Appendix Two).

(b)  £661,667,711 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in section 31A(3) of the Act (Appendix Two).

(c)  £206,234,970 being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 31A(4) of the Act, as its Council Tax Requirement for the year (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act). (Appendix Two).

(d)  £2,076.06 being the amount at 3(c) above, all divided by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year.

(e)  £0 being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in section 34(1) of the Act.

(f)   £2,076.06 being the amount at 3(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 3(e) above by the amount by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates.

(4) That it be noted that for the year 2025/26 the Mayoral Police and Crime Commissioner precept for Greater Manchester and the Mayoral General precept (including Fire Services) have been issued to the Council in accordance with section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each category of dwellings in the Council's area as indicated in the table below.

(5) That the Council, in accordance with Sections 30 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the aggregate amounts shown in the tables below as the amounts of Council Tax for 2025/26 for each part of its area and for each of the categories of dwellings.

(6) That the Council, in accordance with section 52ZB of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 hereby determines that the Council’s relevant basic amount of council tax for 2025/26 is not excessive in accordance with the principles determined by the Secretary of State under section 52ZC of the Act.

The Council Meeting has given approval to:-

·         The Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2025/26.

·         The Capital Expenditure forecasts and Capital Financing Requirement projections.

·         The Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26.

·         The Treasury and Prudential Indicators and limits 2025/26-2027/28.

·         The Annual Investment Strategy 2025/26.

The Council Meeting has given approval to:-

(1) The Capital Strategy at Appendix 1.

(2) The prudential indicators supporting the 2025/26 Capital Programme set out in Appendix 1 (under Appendix A).

(3) The 2025/26 to 2027/28 Capital Programme and the funding arrangements as described in the report and set out at Appendix 2.