The Marple Area Committee approved funding for several community groups and events, including a Poppy Appeal Ride of Remembrance and a Heritage Facts and Fun Day. The committee also discussed and made decisions on various highway and parking matters, including the introduction of charges for previously free car parks and the installation of a new Puffin Crossing.

Ward Flexibility Funding Approved for Community Initiatives

The Marple Area Committee granted funding to several local organisations through the Ward Flexibility Funding budget. The 1st High Lane Scouts received £500 towards the cost of two members attending a trip to the Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland in August 2026. The Rural Cultural Foundation was awarded £880 to host a community Heritage Facts and Fun Day in September 2025 at the Roman Lakes and Mellor Mill. This event aims to showcase local history and heritage through interactive rural craft activities. The committee also approved a £100 grant for Reddish Men in Sheds to support the staging of a theatre show called Shed Stories, which celebrates the world of Men's Sheds.

Park Use Application for Poppy Appeal Ride of Remembrance Granted

Approval was given for the Marple Area Poppy Appeal to hold their Ride of Remembrance event in Marple Memorial Park on Sunday, 26 October 2025. The event will involve approximately 100 motorbikes, with riders carrying poppies in memory of fallen soldiers. The poppies will be transferred to the Wall of Remembrance within the park. The approval is subject to the event organiser providing all necessary paperwork, including licences, health and safety documentation, insurance, and a traffic management plan, at least two weeks prior to the event.

New Ward Highway Spokesperson Appointed

Councillor Geoff Abell was appointed as the Marple North Ward Spokesperson for Highway matters, replacing Councillor Steve Gribbon. In this role, Councillor Abell will consult with the Director of Place Management on highway maintenance and traffic management issues.

Objections to Free-to-Charged Parking Proposals Considered

The committee reviewed objections to the proposed introduction of charges for several previously free car parks in the Marple area, including those at Hibbert/Church Lane, Brabyns Brow, and Brookside Lane. A total of 361 area-specific objections and 277 signatures on a petition specifically concerning the Hibbert/Church Lane car park were received. Concerns raised included the impact on local residents, businesses, and specific user groups, as well as potential displacement of vehicles onto residential streets. The report noted that approximately 80% of Stockport's off-street parking spaces already incur charges and that revenue generated would fund car park maintenance and operation. The committee recommended that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services proceed with introducing the charges as originally advertised, despite the objections.

Puffin Crossing on Station Road, Marple to Proceed

The Marple Area Committee recommended that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services approve the implementation of a Puffin Crossing on Station Road, Marple. One objection and two feedback responses were received regarding the proposed crossing between Winnington Road and St Martins Road. Concerns included safety due to visibility and vehicle speed, potential congestion, and the necessity of the crossing given the limited number of fronting properties. Officers responded that road safety audits had been conducted and found no major issues, and that pedestrian surveys indicated significant demand, particularly with the upcoming Marple Community Hub development. The crossing is funded by the Levelling Up Fund and cannot be used for other purposes.

Traffic Survey to be Commissioned for Hibbert Lane/Stockport Road Junction

The committee was asked to comment on and recommend the approval of costings for a traffic survey at the junction of Hibbert Lane and Stockport Road, Marple. The survey, commissioned by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), will investigate concerns raised by local councillors regarding motorists turning right from Hibbert Lane onto Stockport Road blocking the junction. The cost of the survey is £1,650 and will be funded by the Marple North Delegated Ward Budget. A public question also requested that the survey's scope be widened to include pedestrian impact, which officers indicated could be investigated separately. Consideration of this item was deferred pending further consultation.

Marple District Centre Action Plan Update Received

An update was provided on the progress of the Marple District Centre Action Plan. Recent successes include the installation of festoon lighting on Market Street, the enhancement of planters with artwork, and the installation of a public art display. The District Centre Manager continues to engage with local businesses, providing information on support services and assisting with new business premises. Future priorities include developing art projects with murals on the Marple Cinema and other sites, and continuing to build the events programme. Footfall in Marple increased by 1% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year, and the vacancy rate remains low at 4.6%, below the Stockport and national averages. An increased allocation of £10,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) has been made for district centre projects, to be spent by March 2026. A new online Information Portal for businesses in district and local centres is also being developed. The committee was asked to note the progress and provide feedback on priority projects for UKSPF funding.

Appeal Decisions and Enforcement Actions Noted

The committee noted a report summarising recent appeal decisions, current planning appeals, and enforcement actions within the Marple Area Committee area. No current planning appeals were listed for the Marple area. One enforcement notice served in February 2022 regarding a change of use of land at Holly Head, Hollywood Road, Mellor, to a residential use, was noted to have had its compliance date extended to October 2026 following a planning permission grant for conversion of a bleachworks.