The Heatons & Reddish Area Committee met on Monday 7 September 2026, approving several ward flexibility funding applications totalling £2,650 and discussing significant changes to national planning reforms. The committee also received updates on neighbourhood policing, Stockport Homes Group activities, and a highway improvement scheme on the A6 corridor.

Neighbourhood Policing Update

Inspector Damien Lutman of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) provided an update on neighbourhood policing. He highlighted the impact of a 50% reduction in Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) staffing on community engagement. Burglaries, particularly opportunistic parcel thefts, were noted, though overall vehicle theft had reduced following an arrest. Shoplifting of high-value items and anti-social behaviour involving off-road bikes remain concerns, with operations underway to address these. GMP is also deploying a live facial recognition van in the area. Inspector Lutman urged residents to report incidents and use the 'Bee in the Loop' messaging service. Councillors expressed concerns about the proliferation of vape shops and the impact of removing barriers to open land on illegal off-road bike usage.

Ward Flexibility Funding Applications

The committee approved several applications for Ward Flexibility Funding:

• Anchor and Rise (Rise to Bloom): £999 from the Reddish South Ward allocation was approved to support vulnerable women on Lancashire Hill through a 6-week programme of pampering sessions, workshops, and family events.
• Inspire: £500 (£250 from Reddish North and £250 from Reddish South) was approved to support 14 members, aged 75-97, with a day trip to Lytham St Anne's, including travel and refreshments.
• Inclusive for All CIC: £500 (£250 from Reddish North and £250 from Reddish South) was approved for free Halloween and Christmas community events at 'The Place to Play' in North Reddish, providing 132 free child places in total.
• Rehab Fitness CIC: A reduced grant of £500 from the Reddish South Ward allocation was approved towards a walking group project for residents of Lancashire Hill flats and the local area, including those in recovery from addiction and individuals experiencing social isolation. The original request was for £1,000.
• Stockport Normandy Veterans Legacy: A total of £650 was approved from various ward allocations (£50 from Reddish South, £200 from Reddish North, £200 from Heatons South, and £200 from Heatons North) towards the creation of a piece of artwork with accompanying information boards at the Stockport War Memorial to commemorate local veterans of the Normandy campaign.

Planning Committee Reforms and National Scheme of Delegation Implementation

Dominic Harvey, Chief Planning Officer and Assistant Director for Planning & Place Making, presented a report on significant changes to planning decision-making processes mandated by national reforms. These reforms, effective from 31 October 2026, introduce a national scheme of delegation, meaning a greater number of applications will be determined by officers. Planning committees will now focus on more complex or contentious developments.

Key changes include:

• Schedule 1 Applications: Must be fully delegated to officers. This covers most householder applications, minor residential schemes (up to 10 dwellings), minor commercial developments, and technical consents.
• Schedule 2 Applications: May be referred to the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee (PHRC) only if they meet specific gateway tests, requiring agreement between a nominated member (Chair of PHRC) and a nominated officer (Chief Planning Officer). These tests assess if an application raises significant planning matters or economic, social, or environmental issues of local significance.
• Area Committees: Will still have a role in commenting on Schedule 2 applications that meet the gateway test, but will no longer have the authority to determine them. Local ward members can still provide input and recommend site visits.
• Public Speaking: Public speaking will no longer occur at Area Committees but will be consolidated at the PHRC, where decisions are made. Proposals were discussed regarding extending speaking time and allowing two speakers per side.
• Officer Decisions: Gateway decisions will be formally recorded with reasons to ensure legal compliance.

Councillors raised concerns about the reduced role of Area Committees in planning decisions and the potential impact on local democratic oversight. They also discussed the implications for councillors not on the PHRC and the need for clear guidance and training on their roles and respons with the new framework.

Stockport Homes Group Update

Representatives from Stockport Homes Group (SHG) provided an update on their work. Key points included:

• Fire Safety: The waking watch is being removed from several blocks (The Bentleys, The Longsons, Clarkethorne Terrace, and Stonemill Terrace) following the installation of new fire alarm systems. Buildings will operate under a simultaneous evacuation policy. Progress was reported on addressing building safety compliance notices, with Gateway approval granted for fire door replacements at Pendlebury Towers.
• Customer Feedback: In Heatons & Reddish, between April 2025 and March 2026, SHG received 76 Stage 1 complaints and 20 Stage 2 complaints. The most common Stage 1 complaints related to repairs (49%), followed by tenancy and estate issues. MP and Councillor enquiries were most frequently about tenancy/estate matters, including pests and pets.
• Community Engagement: Upcoming initiatives include a Community Voice Forum trial in Reddish and continued engagement with residents at Lancashire Hill and Hanover Towers regarding building safety works. An annual customer roadshow, 'Help us, Help You,' was scheduled to begin in September.
• Lancashire Hill: Members expressed frustration about the ongoing issues at Lancashire Hill, highlighting the need for significant investment or replacement of the estate. While acknowledging the importance of statutory safety works, concerns were raised about the impact on funding for other estate improvements, such as access control systems. SHG reported that a deep-dive review of Lancashire Hill was underway, which would provide more detailed data on complaints and trends.

City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements – A6 Corridor Improving Journeys – Lamb's Fold

Nick Whelan presented updated proposals for Lamb's Fold as part of the 'A6 Corridor: Improving Journeys' Highway Scheme. The scheme aims to improve bus journeys and active travel along the A6. The updated proposals include widening the northern footpath of Lamb's Fold to create a shared walking and cycling route, connecting to an approved Toucan crossing on Manchester Road. Consultation with residents of Lamb's Fold revealed one response raising concerns about parking and construction disruption, which were addressed by the project team. The scheme is to be funded from the CRSTS fund, subject to business case approval by Transport for Greater Manchester. The committee recommended that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services approve the scheme.

Amendment Order - Whitehill Primary School

A report was presented regarding an amendment to the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the Whitehill Primary Academy Road Safety Around Schools scheme. It was identified that a one-way traffic restriction had been inadvertently omitted from the original TRO schedule. The proposed Moving Traffic Regulation Order (MTRO) aims to regularise and consolidate existing traffic restrictions associated with the school scheme and Horace Grove. The committee endorsed the advertisement of the proposed MTRO and recommended that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services approve its advertisement and, subject to no objections, authorise its making.

Progress on Area Committee Decisions

The committee noted the report providing an update on progress since the last meeting regarding decisions taken by the Area Committee, including the current position on area flexibility funding and the highway and traffic management delegated budget.