Cheadle Hulme Partnership 2nd July
| Published: 28th July 2008 10:38 |
Cheadle Hulme Partnership Minutes of Meeting
Date: Wednesday 2nd July 2008
Venue: New Hope Community Church
Present
Mike Ibbotson (Local Resident & Chair), Katie Roberts (SMBC Regeneration), Steve Long (Waitrose)
Cllr Suzanne Wyatt, Cllr Paul Porgess, Cllr Stuart Bodsworth, Cllr Lenny Grice
Trevor Mobbs (New Hope Community Church), Richard Watson (Cheadle Hulme Methodist Church), Chris Monkhouse (Monkhouses), Mac McLeod (Hilma Travel), Anna Triantis (AboutMyArea/SK8), G Butterworth (Butterworth Bakery), Ken Anstis (Resident), Derek Bevington (Resident), Janet Bevington (Resident), Joyce Buxton (Resident), George Codnor (Resident), Sidney Jones (Resident), Diana Sheldon (Resident), June Walsh (Resident), Hazel Hiley (Resident), Hazel Akhtar (Friends of Hesketh Park), Duncan Booth (Cheadle Hulme Methodist Church), John Basnett (John's Barber Shop)
Apologies
Cllr June Somekh, Cllr John Pantall,
Brian Nash (SMBC Regeneration), Steve Fishwick (District Centre Steward), Gill Newton (Cheadle Hulme Methodist Church), Robert Jewell (Friends of Hesketh Park), John French (Resident), Myra Woodcock (Cheadle Hulme Methodist Church).
1.0 Welcome and Introductions
MI made the appropriate welcomes.
2.0 Apologies
KR recorded the apologies received.
3.0 Minutes of Last Meeting (14th May 2008) and matters arising.
MI asked if the minutes of the last meeting were a true and correct record.
The minutes were then accepted as a true record.
Following on from the discussion about the property at 33 Swann Lane, the Councillors present asked that if people notice that the boarding on the property has been taken out they ring the Council to report it. The Council can only require the landowner to secure the building itself and not the whole site.
3.1 Community Bus Project
No update was provided
4.0 Post Office Closures
MI explained that a report had been presented to the last round of Area Committees that details the proposed Post Office closure programme in Stockport. Of the 11 earmarked for closure none are in Cheadle Hulme. The nearest affected post office is at 105 Silverdale Road in Gatley. The Council is in the process of putting together a response to the proposals that involves speaking to the affected post offices and neighbouring businesses.
5.0 Action Plan Projects
MI provided an update on the priority areas to be the focus of attention:
5.1 Station Road,
BN is investigating the potential for trees and is currently looking at issues such as the position of underground services and the problems surrounding the number of private forecourts. A discussion followed about the poor condition of some of the private forecourts. BN to look at what can be done to improve their condition
5.2 Warren Road.
The same issues as above apply at Warren Road. The scope for tree planting is more limited in this area.
5.3 Mellor Road
The overgrown nature of this area restricts the street lighting. The fencing to the Conservative Club is not conducive to conservation area status. There are problems with cars encroaching at entrances. The future plans for the library involve only short-term improvements. It was also highlighted that the metal bollards prevent access for mowers.
5.4 Smithy Green
The questionnaire sent to businesses was responded to by two businesses. The main issues they highlighted were around short term parking.
6.0 Updates
6.1 Waitrose - one year on
Steve Long, Waitrose Store Manager attended the meeting in order to report on Waitrose's first year in Cheadle Hulme. He reported the following:
There have been various problems with the building such as drainage off the car park and noise pollution from the plant on the roof. A query was raised about when the store lights are switched off at night. SL explained that he would look at putting a timer on the lights to ensure they are off when the store is closed.
The car park barriers have been moved to reduce anti-social behaviour in the car park and this change has proved to be effective.
A review of staff car parking was carried out at the start of this year. Staff can now park on the top car park at the store from Sunday to Thursday. On Friday and Saturday only staff who are working on a late shift are permitted to park on the top deck.
Surveys carried out have shown that the vast majority of Waitrose customers visit the store by car and that a significant number travel to the store from outside the Cheadle Hulme area.
Waitrose have concluded that their marketing strategy was not right for a ‘non-known area'. In the next few months they will be launching a local marketing initiative to try and encourage more local people to use the store. Signage is to be rebranded in the store in order to put across the message that they use local suppliers. A delivery service, ‘Waitrose Deliver' has been launched from the store. Events to publicise the store have taken place in the foyer of John Lewis.
An initiative called ‘Community Matters' is to be launched shortly where £1000 a month will be committed to three local charities chosen by the staff at the store. Customers will be able to vote for their preferred charity at the checkout.
The store has been broken into six times since it opened and a number of security measures have subsequently been applied. There is now a rolling cigarette kiosk that can be locked away. Security film had been applied to the windows. Security shutters are to be fitted at the main entrance.
Waitrose, like other premium retailers, is beginning to feel the effect of the credit crunch.
The feasibility of retro-fitting a café is still being looked at.
SL confirmed that there will always be avenues open for assistance to be provided to local events and asked that such requests be put in writing to him.
6.2 Climate Change
An extra clause has been added to the Climate Change Bill that forces companies to say what their carbon footprint is. RW reported on the Transition Towns initiative which aims to address the issues of climate change and peak oil. The environment group in Stockport are looking at how they can pursue Stockport becoming a Transition Town. The target for recycling rates in Stockport is 40% by 2011. This rate has already been exceeded. It was asked why all households have not yet received blue bins. It was explained that the scheme is being rolled out in stages.
6.3 Car Parking Issues
Cllr JP reported that the proposals for Cheadle Hulme North (excluding the Permit Parking) were advertised and no objections were received. Some objections were received to the proposals for Cheadle Hulme South and these will have to go to area committee for consideration. It is planned that the changes in both the north and the south will be implemented at the same time.
Support from residents for a parking scheme at Queens Road has exceeded the required 50% and a report will be considered at Area Committee at the end of July.
6.4 Police
No police representative attended the meeting
Councillors regularly receive updates from the Area Inspector. Work is ongoing to address anti-social behaviour issues at the Penny Black.
6.5 District Centre Steward
Steve Fishwick is on holiday
6.6 Cheadle Hulme Station
BN has had no response from Network Rail however it was reported at the meeting that contact had been made with a representative who had informed that work is to start in August.
6.7 Oak Meadow Focus Group
The garden party was very successful. Future dates to note are the 25th of October (bulb planting) and the 20th of December (carol singing in the park).
6.8 Planning Applications
Nothing to report
7.0 AOB
MI thanked Trevor Mobbs for providing the room and refreshments for the partnership meetings and wished him well for his move.
Date, Time and Venue of Next Meeting
Next meetings:
New Hope Community Church, 6.30 - 8.00 p.m
• Wednesday 10th September
• Wednesday 12th November
What do you think?
You will need to sign in to post a comment to this article. if you do not have an AboutMyArea account, you can join now for free.
