The Marple Area Committee approved funding for local initiatives, including acting workshops and a summer event, and allocated funds for highway repairs. The committee also made an appointment to an outside body and discussed various reports on parking, planning appeals, and progress on previous decisions.

Ward Flexibility Funding - Odyssey Art Academy

The Marple Area Committee approved an application from Odyssey Art Academy for a grant of £100 from the Ward Flexibility Funding Budget. This funding, split equally between the Marple North and Marple South ward allocations, will contribute to the cost of hosting a series of acting workshops. These workshops are designed to empower individuals, particularly those from marginalised or vulnerable backgrounds, and will culminate in a public performance.

Park Use Application - Cromwell Avenue Recreation Ground Summer Event

Approval was granted for the Friends of Cromwell Avenue Park to hold their Summer Event on Sunday 13th July 2025. The event is scheduled to run from 2pm to 4pm, with access required from 11am to 7pm. The approval is subject to the event organiser providing all necessary paperwork, including licences, health and safety documentation, insurance certificates, a traffic management plan, and payment of agreed fees and charges, at least two weeks prior to the event. The event will feature a cake stall and donkey rides, with an estimated attendance of 50 to 150 people.

Highways Maintenance Delegated Budget Report - School Lane, Compstall

The committee approved a proposed maintenance scheme for School Lane, Compstall. This involves carriageway repairs following a road collapse, with a part contribution of £10,000.00 to be funded by the Area Committee’s Highway Maintenance and Traffic Management delegated budget for the Marple North ward.

Appointment to Outside Bodies

Councillor Colin MacAlister was appointed as the Council's representative on the Bridge Alms House and Sick Nursing Home for the 2025/2026 period.

Free to Charged Parking – Final Report Including Socio-Economic Assessment

The committee received an update on the 'Free to Charged Parking' project, which involves introducing charges to 25 public council car parks across the borough that are currently free. The report detailed the rationale for these changes, including encouraging active travel and managing occupancy levels to benefit local businesses. A socio-economic assessment was conducted, indicating that the proposed changes do not disproportionately affect any particular socio-economic group. Mitigation measures include discounted contract and resident permits, with specific provisions for blue-badge holders and park-and-stride schemes for schools. The standard 'Band C' district/local centre charge will apply, with discounted rates for residents within 100m of the car parks, provided they have no private parking. The report also outlined the intention to create and implement an Off-Street Parking Places Order.

Resident Parking Scheme - Old Reading Rooms

The committee considered the findings of observations assessing the impact of issuing temporary parking permits to properties at The Old Reading Rooms and 229A Market Street for use of Etherow Car Park. The observations indicated that while parking was generally available on weekdays, it could be limited during weekends and events. The recommendation was to provide one permit per property for Etherow Car Park at an individual cost of £47.50 per annum, with costs to be reviewed annually. This recommendation is to be approved by the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services.

Planning Appeals, Current Planning Appeals and Enforcements

The committee noted a report summarising recent appeal decisions, current planning appeals, and enforcement actions within the Marple Area Committee area. The report indicated no current planning appeals but detailed ongoing enforcement actions, including one at 83 Stockport Road, Marple, concerning a change of use from a drinking establishment to a restaurant, and another at Land at Holly Head, Hollywood Road, Mellor, regarding a change of use to a residential dwelling.

Development Applications

The committee considered a report on development applications. The application for the replacement of two windows at All Saints Church of England Primary School, Brickbridge Road, Marple, Stockport, SK6 7BQ, was called up by councillors due to received letters of support, contrary to the officer's recommendation to refuse. The proposal involved replacing existing timber windows with white uPVC heritage-style units. Officers recommended refusal due to the potential harm to the character and appearance of the All Saints Conservation Area and the locally listed school building. The report highlighted that while uPVC windows are cheaper initially, timber windows offer greater longevity and repairability. The officer's analysis concluded that the proposed uPVC windows would not adequately replicate the historic qualities of the existing timber windows and that less harmful alternatives had not been sufficiently explored.

Progress on Area Committee Decisions

The committee received an update on the progress of decisions made at previous meetings. The report indicated no outstanding non-traffic related items. Progress on traffic schemes was detailed in an appendix. The report also provided an update on the status of Area Flexibility Funding and the Highway and Traffic Management delegated budget for the 2025/26 financial year.