The Werneth Area Committee approved funding for local community projects and a children's Shakespeare festival. The committee also agreed to advertise experimental traffic regulation orders for Romiley and discussed updates on neighbourhood policing and housing services.

Community Engagement and Funding

The committee considered several applications for Ward Flexibility Funding. Approval was given for a £1,000 grant to Woodley Primary School to support Year 4 children participating in the Children's Shakespeare Festival. This initiative aims to promote social inclusion and voluntary participation in the arts, with the preparation taking place over several months and culminating in a performance at The Lowry Theatre in Salford.

Additionally, St. Mark's Church Bredbury received £960 to host a Christmas Day meal for individuals who would otherwise be spending the day alone. The church plans to cater for up to 80 people, with a particular focus on elderly residents, care leavers, and those without family or friends.

An application from Hurricanes Cheerleading for £1,000 to host a Community Family Fun Day was deferred to allow the applicant to present to the committee. The event aims to raise funds for stunt groups to attend a competition in Disneyland Paris.

Neighbourhood Policing Update

Sergeant Mike Lindup provided an update on neighbourhood policing. He informed the committee that he would be leaving his post in January 2026 and would be replaced by a new sergeant. Sergeant Lindup highlighted ongoing challenges with staffing levels, noting that neighbourhood staff were operating at approximately 50% capacity. He also mentioned the new Chief Superintendent for the Stockport area, Natalie Dalby, who is reportedly interested in tackling deceptive crimes.

Regarding the Right Care, Right Person initiative, Sergeant Lindup stated that while police call-outs for certain issues had reduced, the data on where this demand had shifted was not being captured by the police. He also provided an update on Operation Hutton, which involved increased patrols following a terrorist attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Synagogue. The committee heard about incidents of anti-social behaviour, including fireworks being thrown at police officers and a large group of youths causing a disturbance in Great Moor. An act of vandalism at the War Memorial in Marple, which occurred shortly before Remembrance Day, was also discussed, with thanks extended to the council and police for their swift repair efforts.

Sergeant Lindup also detailed the Safer Business Week of Action, which involved plain clothes and uniform patrols in Woodley and Bredbury Precincts to disrupt shoplifters. He also spoke about Operation Ceptor, aimed at reducing knife crime, which involved stop searches, arrests, and educational inputs in schools. Looking ahead to the Christmas period, he mentioned Operation North Star, focusing on the town centre with a mobile police station deployed. Police activity in Marple involving drug warrants resulted in two arrests and the seizure of drugs and CS spray.

The committee discussed the ongoing issue of burglary, with 206 neighbourhood crimes recorded in the last month. Mondays and Thursdays were identified as peak days for offences. Sergeant Lindup noted that domestic burglaries had declined nationally and locally, partly due to Operation Siberia, which dedicates a car to respond to burglary call-outs. He also highlighted the importance of residents signing up for Be In The Loop for crime prevention messages.

Councillor Barratt raised concerns about the continuity of neighbourhood policing and the long wait for PACT (Police and Communities Together) meetings. Sergeant Lindup acknowledged the need for more frequent PACT meetings, ideally quarterly. Councillor Bresnahan thanked Sergeant Lindup for his service and acknowledged the unacceptable nature of fireworks being thrown at police officers. Councillor Clark requested that the mobile police station be deployed to local centres, including Romiley.

Development Applications

The committee considered a planning application for a change of use at 8 Barnfield Avenue, Romiley, Stockport, SK6 4LF. The proposal was to convert a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) into a children's residential care home (Use Class C2) for up to two children. The application included reconfiguration of the front driveway, modification of access points, and the installation of a sliding gate.

Mr Sid Lloyd spoke against the application, raising concerns on behalf of 45 local residents. Key objections included the suitability of the location for a children's home, potential parking issues, concerns about anti-social and criminal behaviour, noise, and a lack of operational and safeguarding information. He argued that essential information was missing and that material issues raised by residents had been dismissed.

Ms Carol Latham spoke in support of the application, stating that the proposed home would provide a stable environment for children in the care of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. She emphasised that the operation would be as close as possible to a normal residential environment, with two adults always present and overnight staffing. She noted that noise levels would be unaffected and that the home would be regulated by Ofsted.

The Highway Engineer raised no objection, subject to conditions regarding parking, access widening, and cycle parking. The Environment Team also raised no objection, stating that the use would not introduce unreasonable noise sources. The Children's Commission confirmed the development was part of the Greater Manchester Skyline initiative, aiming to provide homes for children in the region's care.

Councillor Mark Roberts declared a potential conflict of interest due to his portfolio at Greater Manchester level for children and young people but stated he did not believe it to be a personal or prejudicial interest. He questioned whether the proposed alterations would ordinarily require planning permission. The officer confirmed that for a family home, most works would be permitted development.

After discussion, the committee voted to approve the planning application.

Traffic Regulation Orders

The committee considered proposals for Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs). Approval was given for the legal advertising of an ETRO on The Tang, Romiley, to restrict access for motor vehicles except for access. This measure aims to address concerns about vehicles, potentially delivery drivers, using the narrow lane as an alternative route after recent active travel scheme changes on Green Lane.

The committee also considered a report on a proposed ETRO for a 7.5T weight restriction in Romiley, affecting several residential streets surrounding Romiley Board Mill. This is intended to prevent Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) from using unsuitable roads, which have reportedly caused damage and disruption. The proposal is to be funded by the Active Travel Fund Tranche 4 (ATF4) scheme.

Additionally, approval was sought for a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for 'No Waiting At Any Time' on The Broadway, Bredbury. This aims to address concerns about vehicles parking at junctions, causing visibility and access issues, particularly at the junction with Stockport Road West. The proposal, which includes double yellow lines, was supported by the majority of consulted residents, though some expressed concerns about the loss of parking.

Stockport Homes Update

Liz Smith and Sinead Hegerty from Stockport Homes Group provided an update on their performance. They covered areas including repairs, damp and mould, anti-social behaviour (ASB) interventions, right-sizing of properties, and partnership working with Greater Manchester Police. The committee welcomed the opportunity for Stockport Homes to be scrutinised at area committees.

Councillor Roberts noted the absence of possession orders, community triggers, or ASB case reviews in the data presented, despite 155 ASB cases. He questioned the process from complaint to action. Ms Smith encouraged tenants to report ASB directly to Stockport Homes, while also advising reporting criminal offences to the police. She committed to reviewing the reporting process to streamline it and reduce duplication.

The committee discussed the process for obtaining injunctions, with Ms Hegerty explaining the incremental approach taken, starting with early intervention and warnings before moving to Community Protection Notices and, as a last resort, injunctions or evictions. The committee noted that there were no Community Protection Notices (CPNs) issued, despite three injunctions, and questioned why the process appeared to jump directly to injunctions in some cases. Ms Hegerty clarified that the process is incremental, and CPNs are used when appropriate.

Councillor Bresnahan requested a point of contact for more regular, informal updates from Stockport Homes, rather than relying solely on formal six-monthly reports. She also expressed disappointment regarding the perceived lack of transparency and communication when ASB issues are not fully resolved, urging that residents feel heard and that action is being taken.