The Werneth Area Committee received updates and considered several items.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

The Werneth Area Committee noted information regarding appointments of councillors to represent the council on various outside bodies for the 2025/2026 period. Councillor Rachel Bresnahan and Councillor Angie Clark were noted as appointed to the Barrack Hill Educational Trust. Councillor Joe Barratt, Councillor Rosemary Barratt, and Councillor Sue Thorpe were noted as appointed to the Civic Hall, Woodley User Group Management Committee.

Ward Flexibility Funding - Odyssey Art Academy

The committee considered an application for a £40 grant from the Ward Flexibility Funding to the Odyssey Art Academy to support a series of acting workshops designed to empower individuals, particularly those from marginalised or vulnerable backgrounds, culminating in a public performance.

Park Use Application - Chadkirk Well Dressing 26th July 2025

The committee considered an application from the Friends of Chadkirk for their annual Well Dressing Community Event. The event is scheduled to take place at Chadkirk Country Estate on Saturday, 26 July 2025, between 12 pm and 5 pm.

Area Committee Ward Highway Spokespersons

The committee noted information regarding the appointment of Ward Spokespersons for highway and traffic management issues. Councillor Joe Barratt was noted as the Ward Spokesperson for the Bredbury & Woodley Ward. Councillor Angie Clark was noted as the Ward Spokesperson for the Bredbury Green & Romiley Ward.

Free to Charged Parking - Final Report

The committee received a briefing on the project to introduce charges to currently free car parks across the borough. The report detailed the rationale and criteria for selecting these sites, which included proximity to district centres, commuter use, operational impacts, and cost-benefit analysis. The aim is to support active travel, manage occupancy, and ensure consistency with existing charging policies. Revenue generated will fund maintenance and operations, with a socio-economic assessment indicating the proposals are not skewed towards specific deprivation cohorts. Mitigation measures include discounted contract and resident permits, with specific criteria for resident permits to ensure they are offered only where no alternative parking is available. The report also confirmed that no free parking periods will be introduced, and blue badge holders will continue to receive up to three hours of free parking. The introduction of charges will require a new Off-street Parking Places Order.

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order 'No Loading At Any Time' on Thomas Street, Bredbury

The committee considered a report on a proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to introduce No Loading At Any Time restrictions on Thomas Street, Bredbury. This proposal stems from resident and local councillor concerns about access and visibility issues at the junction with Higher Bents Lane, exacerbated by vehicles parking close to the junction. Despite many vehicles displaying blue badges, the existing No Waiting At Any Time order did not fully address the access problems. The proposed TRO, costing £1,000 and funded from the Bredbury Green & Romiley delegated ward budget, aims to improve safety and traffic flow. Consultation with affected residents showed a majority in favour of the proposals, though some expressed concerns that it might not fully resolve all parking issues.

Development Applications - Former Springlynn Foundry, Manor Road, Woodley

The committee considered a report on the proposed erection of 10 dwellinghouses at the former Springlynn Foundry site. The application had been deferred at a previous meeting to allow the applicant to address issues related to highway works, landscaping, and amenity space. The report detailed the site's location within a predominantly residential area and its proximity to the Peak Forest Canal Conservation Area. The proposal was assessed against local and national planning policies, including those related to housing supply, design, residential amenity, noise, highways, trees, ecology, land contamination, energy efficiency, and flood risk. Objections were received regarding design, parking, and potential flooding. Consultee responses included no objections from the Highway Engineer, Environmental Health, Conservation Officer, and Design for Security, subject to conditions. The Nature Development Officer recommended landscaping for habitat protection, and the Canal and River Trust requested conditions for canal wall protection. The Drainage team required further information on the drainage scheme. The report concluded that the development, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement for open space contributions and a traffic regulation order, represented sustainable development and was recommended for approval.

Neighbourhood Policing Update

The committee received an update on neighbourhood policing issues. While specific details of the update were not detailed in the provided documents, this item typically involves discussions on local crime trends, police initiatives, and community safety concerns.

Planning Appeal, Enforcement Appeals and Enforcement Notices

A report was presented summarising recent appeal decisions, current planning appeals, and enforcement actions within the Werneth Area Committee area. The committee was recommended to note the report. The report indicated no planning appeals were currently active for the Werneth area, but listed two enforcement appeals: a High Hedge Remedial Notice at 12 Green Croft, Romiley, with a compliance date of 16 February 2026, and an Enforcement Notice at 5 Manor Road, Woodley, regarding the construction of a dormer, with a compliance date of 28 August 2025.

Ward Flexibility Funding - Heaton Mersey Village Cricket Club

The committee considered an application for £45 from the Ward Flexibility Funding for the Heaton Mersey Village Cricket Club to contribute towards the cost of hosting a family fun day.

Progress on Area Committee Decisions

An update was provided on the progress of decisions made by the Area Committee. This included information on area flexibility funding and the highway and traffic management delegated budget. The report noted that there were no outstanding non-traffic items. The Area Flexibility Funding for 2025-26 had £11,759.71 remaining after grants totalling £2,074.97 had been made. The delegated budget for Bredbury & Woodley had a balance of £14,745, and for Bredbury Green & Romiley, it was £10,886.