The Marple Area Committee received reports on the listing of three local sites as Assets of Community Value, an application for Ward Flexibility Funding, planning appeals, enforcement actions, car park charging proposals, and the progress of previous decisions.

Assets of Community Value

Reports were presented regarding the potential listing of three local sites as Assets of Community Value, a designation made in accordance with the Localism Act 2011. This designation means that if these sites are put up for sale, the local community will have a period of time to prepare a bid to purchase them.

The sites considered for listing are:

• Etherow Country Park Sailing Club, located at Etherow Country Park, George Street, Compstall, Stockport, SK6 5JD. The club is the only sailing club within Stockport and offers sailing courses and activities for juniors and adults. It also hosts various community groups, including the Compstall Community Council and the Manchester Microscopic Society.
• Hawk Green Recreation Ground, located at Hawk Green Road, Marple, Stockport, SK6 7HU. The nomination for this site was supported by the Hawk Green Residents Association.
• Jubilee Methodist Church, located at Cotes Green Lane, Marple Bridge, Stockport, SK6 5EB. The nomination for this site was put forward by the Marple Bridge Mellow, Mill Brow and Compstall Neighbourhood Forum.

Ward Flexibility Funding

An application from Stockport LGBT+ Centre CIC for £94 from the Ward Flexibility Funding budget was presented. This funding, to be split equally between the Marple North and Marple South & High Lane ward allocations, would contribute to the cost of hosting the ‘Fabulously Me’ event. This event is described as a celebration of the organisation's fifth birthday, offering an opportunity for individuals who may have missed their school proms or were unable to attend as their true selves to experience a similar coming-of-age event in a supportive environment. The event is planned to take place at a central, accessible Stockport location.

Planning Appeals and Enforcement Actions

The committee received a report summarising recent appeal decisions, current planning appeals, and enforcement actions within the Werneth Area Committee area. The committee was recommended to note this report. The report detailed ongoing enforcement cases, including one at 83 Stockport Road, Marple, concerning the change of use of land from a drinking establishment to a restaurant, and another at Land at Holly Head, Hollywood Road, Mellor, relating to the change of use of land to a residential use and the construction of a dwelling. There were also updates on enforcement notices served regarding a fence at 149 Buxton Road, High Lane, and land at Brookdale Avenue, Marple, concerning waste removal. A high hedge remedial notice at 12 Green Croft, Romiley, was also mentioned.

Free to Charged Car Parks Budget 2024/25

Reports were presented detailing proposals for the introduction of charges in car parks that are currently free of charge, as agreed in the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).

For Marple North, the car parks affected are Andrew Street, Brabyns Brow (Lower and Upper), and Brabyns Park. The proposed charges range from £0.50 for one hour to £2.40 for ten hours, with costs subject to annual review. The report outlined the rationale for introducing charges, including managing occupancy, ensuring proper maintenance, supporting public transport, and promoting active travel. It also detailed plans for installing pay-and-display machines and a cashless parking solution via RingGo. Resident parking permits and contract permits will also be available.

In Marple South and High Lane, the car parks affected are Brookside Lane, Buxton Road Library, Buxton Road Medical Centre, Hibbert/Church Lane, and Windlehurst Road (High Lane Park). Similar parking charges and rationale apply. However, an exception was made for the Buxton Road Medical Centre car park, where three 30-minute free parking bays will be trialled due to high patient demand and limited alternatives. These bays will be unenforceable in practice. Pay-and-display machines and the RingGo cashless solution will also be implemented. Resident and contract permits will be available in this ward as well. The committee was asked to note these reports.

Progress on Area Committee Decisions

A report was presented detailing the progress made on decisions taken by the Area Committee since the last meeting. This included an update on Area Flexibility Funding and Ward Discretionary Budget funding. For Marple North, £2,810.44 of the £4,442.02 available Area Flexibility Funding had been committed to various grants, including to Marple Carnival and Friends of Etherow Country Park. In Marple South & High Lane, £1,720.44 of the £4,988.24 available Area Flexibility Funding had been committed. The report also detailed progress on delegated budgets for highway and traffic management schemes. For Marple North, £1,475 of the £3,200 allocated for approved schemes had been spent, with £28,850 remaining. For Marple South & High Lane, £1,125 of the £3,000 allocated had been spent, with £6,612 remaining. The report indicated that there were no outstanding non-traffic items.