March 2025 Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of High Lane Residents’ Association

Date: 6th March 2025                                                                                                 Time: 8pm

Venue: High Lane Village Hall

Present: Caroline Smith; Darrell Williams; Barry and Angie Sequeira; Sue Forrester; David Burks, John Baker, PCSO Simon Carr, Cllr Shan Alexander and MP Lisa Smart accompanied by Christian (a Youth Engagement Officer)

Apologies: Eryl Hughes; Cllr Aron Thornley

  1. Welcome given by Caroline Smith and a thank you to everyone for attending. Caroline also introduced and welcomed Lisa Smart MP.
  2. Minutes of the last meeting – approved.
  3. Police and Crime Report - given by PCSO Simon Carr. He reported that crimes in High Lane in the last month amounted to 12 in total involving the odd burglary and car theft and some anti-social behaviour (ASB) on the park which equates to 0.6% for the month within the Stockport division. A resident queried why we never see an on-foot policeman patrolling anywhere in High Lane. Simon replied that the police often prefer to use a patrol car so they can get to any reported incidents quicker that if they were on foot. He agreed that a member of the police force on foot would provide a police presence and deterrent in the area. Simon also spoke about limited resources – 4 uniformed police officers to cover Marple, Marple Bridge, Mellor, Compstall, Bredbury, Romiley and High Lane. He said they are hoping to recruit more PCs in the future. As part of the consultation process for the opening of a children’s home on Carr Brow, a resident asked who would be the point of contact? Simon replied that it would be himself or the police inspector at Marple. He was asked by the resident to investigate further. A question was asked about re-opening Hazel Grove Police Station – Simon replied that there are no plans for this. Marple Police station has been re-allocated to The Civic Hall. All police matters are dealt with at the hub in Cheadle. He was also asked if the police have any influence on the speed cameras by the police station. Simon replied in the affirmative and mentioned that Operation Avril had taken place on Meadway and Carr Brow. The resident had noticed that recently there had been 14 individuals outside the police station who were being trained in the use of speed cameras. When he approached them and asked if they could come up to the High Lane area they didn’t seem to know where it was. Simon said he would speak to the Area Officer.
  4. Finances – John Baker/Barry Sequeira

    The report covers February.

    The HLRA General account. We started February with a balance of £5509.69 Income

    During February, the income to HLRA consisted of: Two subscription payments of £10 each, the total income being £20.

Expenditure. 

The outgoings from the account for February were only 2 items:

    1. There was a nominal payment of £5.00 to cover the hire of the office in the village hall for a committee meeting on 9th January

    2. One payment to IONOS for the website monthly charge of £9. The total expense being £14.00

Balance going forward to March was £5,515.69

The HLRA War memorial account as of 6th March has a balance of £2031.46 with £48.89 having been taken from the book table at the Doctor’s surgery.

5. Planning applications 

    a. Lea Cote Farm   DC/094930 - rendering of existing garage and change of use to garden room 
    b. 1 Broadwood Close  CD/ 095009 - two storey rear extension and garage conversion - OFN
    c. Virgin media O2 58 WINDLEHURST RD DC/ 095060 - proposed cabinet site notification STKP-X-YE - OFN
    d. 9 Carr Brow DC/094783 - change of use from residential dwelling house (Use Class C3) to children's care home (Use Class C2) to accommodate up to 5 children - OFN
    e. 18 Fletcher Drive  DC/095071 - single storey rear extension, first floor extension over garage, open front porch. Seems no issue with this one – OFN

6. Reporting Back:

    • Fly Tipping - Caroline had contacted SMBC in connection with fly tipping reported in last month’s meeting. She reported that it seemed to have been dealt with.

    • Verge near milestone - a grant from Stockport CAN Seed fund had been applied for to be used to remove some self-seeding sycamore saplings and to plant native wildflowers /shrubs to help absorb carbon dioxide fumes from the busy A6. Unfortunately this grant wasn’t successful – see the email from Ellie - Climate Action Now (CAN) team member Stockport Council received below:
      “We can only progress applications that make changes to land where we have written permission from the landowner, which isn’t possible with unregistered land. Additionally, removing trees to protect property does not fit with the aims of the fund, and whilst a wildflower meadow would be eligible, in this case removing trees is not eligible. Therefore we can’t progress this application. I’m sorry for any inconvenience and thank you again for taking the time to submit your application.”

    • Steps from the Cricket Club - they have been reinstated in the original position instead of bringing them down onto the tow path therefore avoiding the destruction of part of the historic canal wall.

    • High Lane sign - The “T” has been removed from the “THIGH LANE” sign as you approach the village from Hazel Grove

7.  Questions for Lisa Smart MP:

Lisa began by introducing herself to the meeting and thanking the HLRA for the invite.

    •  Car Parking Charges – Lisa gave some background information to explain why a decision has been made to introduce car parking charges. SMBC are under-funded as are councils across the country. Stockport is a well-managed council and is not in danger of bankruptcy. The council income comes mainly from Council Tax; business rates; government grants; fees and charges.  The services that use up most of the council’s expenditure (73-74%) are adult and children social care – people are now living longer and costing more. Lisa thinks that the way councils are funded is “crackers” and the way we look at social care just isn’t working. She will continue to push the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Governments on funding councils properly. She also reassured residents that the parking charges are fairly cheap compared to neighbouring areas.  David added that payment can be made by cash; card or phone - there will be no ANPR installed.  The main objection to the car parking charges in High Lane is that volunteers at the village hall (which is the hub of the village and hosts many groups and activities) will be charged for volunteering their services and the fear is that groups who use the hall will withdraw.  David was under the assumption that there should have been a full public consultation before the charges were introduced. A resident had been told that the council are under no obligation to hold a public consultation as they know what the answer will be. Lisa told the meeting that there is no minimum standard to define a consultation and posting a notice on the website can be classed by the council as a consultation. It was suggested that people who volunteer at the hall should be exempt and Lisa told the meeting of an operation at a school in Romiley who use a “Park & Stride” scheme which allows 20 minutes of parking whilst parents drop off and collect their children from school. Lisa advised the meeting to explore this option and the way it might work for volunteers at the VH. One compensation for bringing in charges to park in the VH car park is that it will deter camper vans and commercial vehicles from parking there permanently.  There is a sign in place that states that the car park is for village hall and park users only but it is just an advisory sign not enforceable – proper signage is needed for larger vehicles.  A question was raised about who has ownership of the VH and car park.  Mike (the VH chair) replied that the hall was gifted to the village but the car park is owned by SMBC.  This was queried and a resident asked if SMBC have proof of ownership.  Lisa replied that anyone can access the Land Registry and check for themselves. Residents are becoming increasingly worried about more cars being parked on residential streets to avoid paying the charges.  There is a link on the HLRA website whereby an online form can be accessed to report illegal parking ie across a residential driveway but as David explained if a vehicle is insured and taxed and not parked illegally there is no case against them.
    • Bus Services – Lisa is willing to support a better bus service through High Lane and beyond which would in turn reduce car traffic. She added that more investment is needed to help provide this.  A direct link to train services and Stepping Hill would be useful.  The residents feel that because High Lane is a small community, it has been overlooked/ignored in relation to a comprehensive service.  The village would benefit from the 192 extending its route to High Lane – this was originally asked for in 1970. The 199 timetable is subject to bad weather conditions in Buxton and any motorway incidents on its return trip from Manchester Airport although there is a High Peak app you can download to track the 199’s progress.
    • Stepping Hill – Lisa has been working to try and obtain more investment for the hospital.  The current building is not fit for purpose and staff are working in poor conditions.  She is heading a campaign for more outreach clinics around Stockport Town Centre near to the train station and the new bus interchange. A question was asked about The Park & Ride at Hazel Grove which is owned by the bus company.  The plans are to house an ambulance station using half of the space.  It was stressed that the car parking area is still being used regularly.
    • Post Office – there is a strong strength of feeling that High Lane needs a Post Office.  Lisa  supports the call for re-opening the Post Office and  has met with Senior Management of the Post Office and the staff who worked at the recently closed office.  The only answer is to find a postmaster/mistress or sub-postmaster/mistress who is willing to take on the position.  She was asked if she could put pressure on the call for a banking hub.  She replied that the size of the community in High lane isn’t big enough to trigger a hub but maybe an updated ATM where you can do more than just withdraw cash and she will push for that. Lisa thanked everyone who had signed the petition to save the post office in High Lane.
    • Children’s Home planning application – a resident from Carr Brow stated that people who live on Carr Brow should have their say and be engaged in a formal consultation process but Lisa replied that people have to have a good enough reason for the planning application not to be granted.  Lisa hasn’t yet seen the planning application. She stressed that it is everyone’s responsibility to look after youngsters who haven’t had the best start in life and the opening of a children’s care home should be welcomed in a positive way.  Concerns were raised about staff-to-children ratio; parking and house prices being affected by a children’s home in a residential area where some people are elderly and vulnerable and worried about ant-social behaviour. It was suggested that the immediate neighbours engage with Mark Burgess at SMBC.

    • Traffic – a report on the effect of the A555 for High Lane (the increase of heavy vehicles adding to air pollution) has still not yet been published. Sue Stevenson from SMBC is due to attend a future HLRA meeting to discuss.

    • Dog Fouling and bins – carried forward to the next meeting

    • Inconsiderate parking issues – carried forward to the next meeting

    • Recycling – carried forward to the next meeting

    • Refuse bins (green bin charges) – as from April 2025, residents will have to pay a yearly fee of £59 for collection of their garden waste. Councils are not required to provide a kerbside collection of garden waste. This service is valued by residents with gardens and the council are keen to continue to provide it. However, with pressure on council budgets they can no longer provide the service free of charge. The permit can be applied for online by accessing SMBC website or an application form can be collected from the library.

The next HLRA meeting will be on Thursday 3rd April 2025 at 8pm at the Village Hall