The Central Stockport Area Committee approved funding for several community groups and events, including art sessions, acting workshops, and a day trip. The committee also made decisions on traffic regulation orders, including the installation of new 'No Waiting At Any Time' restrictions and the revocation of an existing residents' permit scheme. Several applications for the use of local parks for events were also approved.

Ward Flexibility Funding Approved for Community Initiatives

The committee approved several applications for Ward Flexibility Funding, supporting a range of community activities. The Brinnington Community Art Group received £998 towards the cost of hosting weekly arts and crafts sessions for local residents and care home residents. The Odyssey Art Academy was granted £150 for a series of acting workshops aimed at empowering individuals, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds, culminating in a public performance. Feel Good Fridays @ Heaton Norris Community Centre received £300 for a day trip to Buxton for members. The Fosbrook Folk Education Trust was awarded £685 to support their performance at the Sidmouth Folk Festival, showcasing traditional North West music and dance. Finally, Stockport Baptist Church received £1,000 towards hosting a 'Fun in the Park' event in Alexandra Park, which is expected to attract over 100 people daily.

Park Events Given Green Light

Several applications for events in local parks were approved. Parkrun UK received permission to continue holding their Saturday morning events at Woodbank Memorial and Vernon Parks. MLS Contracts Ltd were granted permission to hold a 5k staff run at Woodbank Memorial and Vernon Parks on Sunday, 20 July 2025. Stockport Harriers & Athletics Club were approved to host School Cross Country League races at Woodbank Memorial Park on six Saturdays between September 2025 and February 2026. M&B Attractions were granted permission to hold a family funfair at Woodbank Memorial Park between 9-17 August 2025. Stockport Baptist Church also received approval to hold a 'fun in the park' event at Alexandra Park on 26, 27 and 28 August 2025. All park event approvals are subject to the organisers providing necessary paperwork, licences, health and safety documentation, insurance, a traffic management plan, and payment of agreed fees.

Traffic Regulation Orders Approved in Edgeley

The committee approved the legal advertising of several Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) for 'No Waiting At Any Time' restrictions in Edgeley. These include proposals for Northgate Road, Chatham Street, and Eldon Road, Old Chapel Street and Adelaide Road, and Alder Grove and Northgate Road. These orders are intended to address safety concerns related to parking obscuring visibility and hindering traffic movement. The cost for these orders, totalling £1,200 for each set of roads, will be funded from the Edgeley ward allocation of the Area Committee's Delegated Budget.

Shaw Road South Residents' Parking Order Revocation to Proceed

Despite objections, the committee resolved to proceed with the revocation of the 'Residents Permit Holders Only' Traffic Regulation Order on Shaw Road South, Cale Green. The existing scheme was a 'free' scheme, and the council's policy is to phase out such schemes due to resource limitations for enforcement. While some residents expressed concerns about the impact on parking availability, the committee noted that the required majority support for a paid scheme was not met, and the council cannot guarantee parking spaces even with a permit.

Resident Parking Scheme Investigation Approved for Broadhurst Street

Following a petition from residents experiencing parking difficulties on Broadhurst Street, Cale Green, the committee noted the findings of a desk-top study. The study indicated that while there is sufficient kerb space for residents' parking, the area is experiencing issues. The committee approved the allocation of £4,000 from the Davenport & Cale Green ward budget to enable Network Management to conduct further investigations and resident consultations regarding a potential Resident Permit Parking Scheme.

Give Way Signs to be Installed on Beech Road

Approval was given for the installation of two 'Give Way' signs on Beech Road, Cale Green, at the junction of Warren Road. This measure is intended to improve motorist awareness and safety at the junction, addressing concerns about drivers not paying attention to existing road markings. The cost of £1,200 will be funded from the Davenport & Cale Green delegated ward budget.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

The committee appointed Councillor Asa Caton, Councillor Matt Wynne, and Councillor Leah Taylor as representatives for the Cheadle Heath Community Association for the 2025/26 period. The committee declined to make appointments to the Woodbank Community Association at this time.

Ward Spokespersons Appointed

The committee appointed Ward Spokespersons for highway and traffic management issues. Councillor Kerry Waters was appointed for Brinnington & Stockport Central, Councillor Wendy Wild for Davenport & Cale Green, Councillor Asa Caton for Edgeley, and Councillor Jon Byrne for Manor.

Development Applications Considered

The committee considered several development applications:

• DC/092096 - 111-117 Stockport Road, Edgeley: Proposed conversion of a commercial unit into 13 one-bedroom and one two-bedroom apartments. Authority was delegated to the Head of Planning to determine the application, subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 Agreement including a 'clawback mechanism' for developer contributions.
• DC/092211 - Stockport County Football Club, Edgeley Park: A hybrid planning application for stadium expansion to provide up to 7,405 additional seats, including new stands, retail, food and beverage facilities, offices, community space, car and coach parking, and associated infrastructure. The committee recommended that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grant planning permission, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement covering biodiversity net gain monitoring, highway matters, resident parking permit schemes, wayfinding improvements, and a monitoring fee.
• DC/094341 - 151 Northgate Road, Edgeley: Conversion of a dwelling into a 7-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). The committee recommended granting planning permission, subject to conditions and a Section 106 legal agreement to secure financial contributions of £4,488.00 towards public open space provision and maintenance, plus monitoring and reporting fees.
• DC/094653 - Land at Victoria House and Fletcher Street Car Park, Stockport: Demolition of existing buildings and erection of residential development comprising 245 dwellings, car and cycle parking, and landscaping. The committee recommended that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grant planning permission, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement to secure Traffic Regulation Orders, a late-stage viability review for affordable housing, education and public open space provision, and accessibility improvements, along with a monitoring and management fee.

Planning Appeals, Enforcement Appeals and Notices Noted

The committee noted a report summarising recent appeal decisions, current planning appeals, and enforcement actions within the Central Stockport Area Committee area.

Free to Charged Parking Project Update

The committee received an update on the 'Free to Charged Parking' project, noting the intention to create and implement an Off Street Parking Places Order. A socio-economic assessment was provided, indicating that the proposed changes to car parks are distributed across the borough and do not disproportionately affect deprived areas. Mitigation measures include discounted contract and resident permits, and a park-and-stride scheme for school drop-offs/collections where appropriate. Blue badge holders will continue to receive three hours of free parking.

St Mary's Way Road Safety Study Noted

The committee noted a report presenting road safety statistics for St Mary's Way, Stockport. The data included traffic volumes, speeds, collision statistics, asset damage records, and speed camera functionality. Analysis indicated a general increase in traffic volume but reductions in average and 85th percentile speeds. Collision data highlighted two main clusters of incidents at the junctions with New Bridge Lane and Spring Gardens/Hall Street. Connected vehicle data revealed numerous near misses, particularly around these junctions and the junction with Hempshaw Lane. The report concluded that while the overall collision rate on St Mary's Way is lower than the national average for urban A-roads, the identified clusters and near misses warrant further consideration.

Traffic Regulation Orders Approved for Edgeley

The committee approved the legal advertising of 'No Waiting At Any Time' Traffic Regulation Orders on Northgate Road, Chatham Street, and Eldon Road, Edgeley. These measures aim to improve safety by preventing parking near junctions that obstruct visibility. The cost of £1,200 will be funded from the Edgeley Delegated Ward Budget.

Similarly, 'No Waiting At Any Time' TROs were approved for legal advertising on Old Chapel Street and Adelaide Road, Edgeley, also to address safety concerns related to parking near junctions. The cost of £1,200 for these orders will also be funded from the Edgeley Delegated Ward Budget.

Additionally, 'No Waiting At Any Time' TROs were approved for legal advertising on Alder Grove and Northgate Road, Edgeley, to prevent parking near junctions and address issues with refuse collection. The cost of £1,200 will be funded from the Edgeley Delegated Ward Budget.

Resident Parking Scheme Investigation Approved for Broadhurst Street

The committee noted the findings of a desk-top study regarding parking on Broadhurst Street, Cale Green, which indicated that while there is sufficient kerb space for residents' vehicles, parking issues are being experienced. The committee approved the allocation of £4,000 from the Davenport & Cale Green Delegated Ward Budget to enable Network Management to conduct further investigations and resident consultations for a potential Resident Permit Parking Scheme.

Give Way Signs to be Installed on Beech Road

Approval was given for the installation of two 'Give Way' signs on Beech Road, Cale Green, at the junction of Warren Road, at a cost of £1,200 funded by the Davenport & Cale Green delegated ward budget. This is to improve motorist awareness and safety at the junction.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

Councillor Asa Caton, Councillor Matt Wynne, and Councillor Leah Taylor were appointed as representatives for the Cheadle Heath Community Association for the 2025/26 municipal year. The committee decided not to make appointments to the Woodbank Community Association at this time.

Ward Spokespersons Appointed

The committee appointed Ward Spokespersons for highway and traffic management issues: Councillor Kerry Waters (Brinnington & Stockport Central), Councillor Wendy Wild (Davenport & Cale Green), Councillor Asa Caton (Edgeley), and Councillor Jon Byrne (Manor).

Progress on Area Committee Decisions Noted

The committee noted a report detailing the progress on decisions made by the Area Committee, including the current position on Ward Flexibility Funding and the Delegated Ward Budget. All wards within the Central Stockport Area Committee have available balances for Ward Flexibility Funding for 2025/26, with no grants having been committed at the time of the report. The Delegated Budget also shows significant balances remaining for each ward, with some expenditure already approved for traffic schemes.