Welcome to Our Monthly Meetings Minutes

CommunityPolice Report:

 PC Rigg provided an update on issues raised during the previous meeting.  Chris stated he’d visited The Bulls Head – nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary, the Landlord accepted that on occasions there had been litter on the towpath but this isn’t always connected to the patrons of his establishment and made an effort to ensure the area was kept clear.  The smoking shelter didn’t appear to have had too many alterations; CR has referred this onto the council.  The trees taken from the park had been replaced.  The issue of parking on Russell Avenue had been looked into, unfortunately on all the occasions that CR and other members of his team had visited the area, there had been no issues – an eye will be kept on this.  There had been an incident where 2 goods vehicles had had their catalytic converters stolen by forcible means whilst parked on The Conservative Club car park.   PC Rigg made the group aware of a white van in the area that had been travelling around suspiciously; the registration of this vehicle is R781 TWG – keep an eye out for it and report the matter.  Operation Alloy is still up and running to combat the issue of scrap metal thefts. 
A report of a suspicious male in The Brookside School area had been received and this was being  investigated.  PC Rigg described the male as white, 50-60 years old 5’ 8” tall, smoking, wearing a grey pullover and wearing glasses – parents to be aware of this situation and be vigilant.  A serious incident had been reported on Norwood Avenue where a male had sawn through a gas pipe; some residents had to
leave their property.  The male has been arrested and charged.  The council has successfully secured an order preventing the individual returning to the property.  PC Rigg reminded everyone about the dangers of scam callers – there has been a massive rise in the number of reports of this.  PC Rigg reiterated that people should not disclose any information; do not allow anyone any access to your computer via remote access IF IN DOUBT HANG UP. TL reported that some individuals had been causing a nuisance at Hawk Green Reading Rooms – initially putting stones through the letterbox and then finally putting dog faeces through the letter box.  CR to investigate further.  MM stated that on Tuesday evening during a meeting held at The Village Hall, a resident had come into the hall believing that the meeting was the residents ommittee meeting.  She reported that she had accosted several people at various times of the day and light that had been using the Village Hall Car Park and had been leaving lots of litter etc.  Request made for a larger bin to be placed on the grassed area of the car park.  Cllr A. to make enquiries.  PC Rigg to speak with Alan Whitfield.  PC R and Cllr A also confirmed that Alan Whitfield had been in consultation with British Waterways with regards to the large amount of litter on the canal bankside next to the Pizza Pan. 

 

Guest:  Suzanne Broomhead – Senior Planning Officer

  Suzanne introduced herself and gave a brief outline of her role within Stockport Council. EH put a question to SB regarding who would be consulted regarding a planning application within High Lane. 
SB confirmed there are strict guidelines set down as to who would be consulted be that statutory and neighbouring. 
With reference to concern raised over a recent application where some residents had not been consulted SB confirmed that this had been looked at.  It was acknowledged that some residents, who should have been, had not been consulted. A second notification had been sent out thus extending the consultation
period.  Leo Doyle who lives, he believes, within the consultation area had not been notified. SB to look into this.  Next question related to revisions in planning applications / retrospective planning etc.  SB stated an application is submitted – it may be that an application is withdrawn and then resubmitted however it would never be the case that part of an application is accepted / refused, the application is dealt with in its entirety. 
When asked more specifically about 196 Buxton Road SB relayed the conditions as per all previous ocumentation discussed at previous meetings and reiterated that if the conditions were not adhered to then the council would not hesitate and were prepared to take it back to court.   The suggestion was made that there were so many loop holes in the planning system that delay tactics can become the norm.  SB noted that in the particular case of 196 Buxton Road the demolition order had no time limits.  SB assured that the site would be visited to ensure everything was being carried out that should be.  SB highlighted that until the conditions had been discharged work could not begin.   SB to confirm schedule.  SB confirmed that the Planning Inspectorate makes the final decision.   EH asked if there would be a relaxation of the planning law when considering the National Planning Policy Framework,  SB assured the group that Stockport, through the consultation that had taken place had ensured Stockport were in a good position as they had invested time and money into the sustainable development strategy 2011.   Thanks given to Suzanne for taking the time to attend the meeting and providing such valuable information and advice. 

 

MattersArising:

Diamond Jubilee Fun Day:   TL confirmed that Helen, Eryl and himself had delivered and visited business / traders in the village and had raised a substantial amount of money so far along with donations of many raffle prizes. Permission had been received from Stockport Council to carry out Phase 1 of the War Memorial work.  TL stated that roses would be planted in the beds and the trees will be cut back.  TL went on to talk about the names on the plaque and whether there are any relations still living in the village.  Linda Morton suggested putting something in the Parish Magazine.   MM advised that he had permission to use the park for the party from the council.  Suggestion for the park – organisations / groups wishing to put a gazebo up would give a donation rather than a set fee.  Suggestion for the hall – invite elderly to
come for tea and biscuits with entertainment laid on by the users of the hall.  TL and HR are organising the
raffle so will be looking for donations soon. Cllr A agreed to draw the raffle. Cllr A stated she would get vouchers for Stockport Museums as a raffle prize. 

United Utilities Funding: Confirmation given that there had been 4 applications received.  Some were concerned over the short notice for the first tranche of application reassurance given that all the monies not used in the first tranche would go over to the second.  PF asked if any further thought had been given regarding the gritter.  TL promised he would look into it.  JL had received information from Peter Stephens with regards to the themed bins [discussed at earlier meetings as a way of encouraging children to put litter in the bin at the High Lane Park].  JL enquired whether the group considered it would be a good idea to put a bid into the UU Funding to acquire the bins.  Cllr Alexander stated as the bins were not standard council bins the council would not empty them and thus the group would have to find a contractor willing to empty them and obviously would have to pay for this service.  It was therefore decided that this would not be a feasible exercise. 

SEMMMS: Darrell Williams had produced a fantastic on-going progress report on the South-East manchester Multi-Modal Study A6 Manchester Airport Relief Road.  Several people requested if they
could have a copy.  JL to email.  JL confirmed that dates had been given to Andrew Stunell who had confirmed he would attend April 5th.  [After consideration during the latter part of the meeting decision made to move April meeting to April 12th.  JL to provide new date to Andrew Stunell].

Village Green Planning Application:  Thanks given to Helen and Tom who had attended a meeting at the Medical Centre with regards to the proposed planning application.  Cllr A had confirmed that the application had since been withdrawn. 

 

Marple Area Committee:

 JL confirmed she’d attended the January Marple Area Committee meeting.  Nothing relating directly to High Lane had been discussed.  GG confirmed he would attend the next meeting on February 15, 2012. 

Current planning applications: Current applications in, 68 Cromley Road – Non material amendment to DC047808 also two storey pitched roof extension DC048975.  Wybersley Hall Farm – Renovation and change of use DC048749.  23 Wybersley Road – Renovation and change of use DC48883  4 Grassmere Crescent Single storey kitchen extension DC048916. 


Residents Contributions: 

 Attending resident questioned why she’d not heard about The Residents Association before.  TL confirmed that newsletters were sent out twice a year and included in that is a notice informing residents of the AGM which takes place every year.  There is also information found in The Parish Magazine, a website and the minutes are displayed in the library every month.  If anyone has any ideas of how HLRA could get more of the village residents involved the committee is open to any suggestions.  Cllr A had received an email from a resident with regards to the footpath around the Brookside School / Woodside Tennis Club area where there was now so much rotting leaves and vegetation it was becoming
a hazard to walk along.  Cllr A had informed the footpath office and requested he look at the area and had also advised the resident about HLRA.  HR noted that there used to be a working party from the school that had tended to that area in past times.  HR to contact and make further enquiries.  HR noted that
High Lane Garage were asking residents to save their old stamps, ‘bag ‘em up and bring them in’.  This is part of HLG 2012 ‘Worthy Causes’ Initiative. 

 

Parks:

 Cllr A. confirmed a bench had been taken away from the Brookside Park.  Confirmation given that the bench would be replaced. 

 

Highways:

  TL talked about the two planters and where he considered they should be located, suggesting near to The Royal Oak.  Cllr Alexander confirmed he should speak with Rachel Bingham to take this forward.  
The issue of the overgrown hedging at the Middlewood Layby and Carr Brow corner was revisited. Cllr A confirmed there was a dispute over the ownership of this land i.e. whether it belongs to Stockport Council or Highways.  Paul Parkinson is currently dealing with this as it is now a legal issue.  

Hartley Woods Bus Shelter – TL and HR to speak with Parbans suggestion that HLRA should provide some money towards the reconditioning of it.  

GG provided an update regarding the Street Pride Survey he’d carried out around the village and confirmed he had identified several post/signage that could be relocated onto lamps.  The next stage of this process is to contact Rachel Bingham to move this forwards.   GG to speak with Rachel Bingham.

 

Transport: 

 394 bus service.  Speedwell Bus Company lost the contract and Bowers are currently running this service up until 26/3/2012.  A new contract has been awarded to Smiths Of Marple.  Cllr A noted that the 372 and
394 buses run into Hawk Green at roughly the same time – research into whether the bus times should altered in order to stagger the buses. 

 

Treasurer: 

 £2,409 [£873 ring-fenced]  2nd account to be opened in order to deal with the War Memorial account. 

 

Correspondence:

  HLG request for stamps as discussed.  Email from resident regarding Brookside School/Woodside Tennis Club footpath as discussed.

 

A.O.B: 

 HR unable to attend meeting on April 5th suggestion that there could be a lot of people unable to attend due to holiday commitments.  Decision made to move the meeting to April 12th, 2012 at 8pm. 

 GG commented about the type of tarmac that had been used when the A6 had been resurfaced last time and that when it is time for the stretch to be resurfaced again noise reducing tarmac should be used.  PS had investigated this fully and had provided feedback.  Request for PS to provide information to GG regarding this. 

Group informed that St. Thomas Church will be listed as a Grade II listed building. 

 

Next Meeting: Thursday March 1st 2012 at 8pm.  High Lane Library 

 

HLG STAMP COLLECTION

Don’t throw your stamps away – we are collecting them as part of our 2012 “WORTHY CAUSES” initiative.  Please bring in as many as you can, leaving approx. 1 centimetre of envelope around each side.  We want to collect 1 million stamps – Bag ‘em up and bring ‘em in!! 
Thanks [and thank you to those who have already responded!] 
 
 

HLRA Meeting Dates 2012:

 
March 1st, 2012

April 12th, 2012

May 3rd. 2012

June 7th, 2012

July 5th, 2012

August 2nd, 2012

September 6th, 2012

October 4th, 2012

AGM – TBC

November 1st, 2012

December 6th, 2012

 

Marple Area Committee Meeting Dates 2012

January 18th, 2012

February 15th, 2012

March 28th, 2012

April 18th, 2012

June 6th, 2012

July 18th, 2012

August 29th, 2012

October 10th, 2012

November 21st, 2012 

                                                                                                                    

 
 Useful Telephone Numbers: 
 
Parks Services or Stockport Homes (24hr non-emergency hotline): 0161 217 6111
 
Neighbourhood Policing Team: 0161 856 9770
 
Dog Warden:  0161 474 4207
 
Anti Social Behaviour Team:  0161 217 6111
 
Police General Switchboard:  0161 872 5050