Thursday 3rd October Minutes
Minutes of the meeting of High Lane Residents’ Association
Date: 3rd October 2024 Time: 8pm
Venue: High Lane Village Hall
Present: David Burks; Caroline Smith; Barry Sequeira; Angie Sequeira; Sue Forrester; Darrell Williams; John Baker; Cllr Shan Alexander; Richard Jones (HLVNF); 2 members of the Police Community Force; Paul Ramsden from Stockport Talking Newspapers and 2 representatives from the new Sainsbury’s
Apologies: Eryl Hughes
1) Welcome and Introduction
David welcomed residents to the meeting and introduced the committee members. He thanked Mike, Linda and the Village Hall gang; Carol who was on tea duty; all the volunteers who have been invaluable during the year and the committee members for their work.
2) Police Report/Crime Statistics by PCSO Simon and PCSO Ahmed
David introduced Simon and Ahmed and informed the room that statistics compiled from reported crime in the village denote how many members of the police force are allocated to the area and urged residents to report any crimes either through Crimestoppers or online to Greater Manchester Police. Simon stated that High Lane have a very low crime rate – the statistics from September showed that High Lane had 0.6% of all crimes in their division. These included 1 attempted access to a property and 2 thefts from motor vehicles. He also reported that there is an operation taking place called Operation Hurricane to try and reduce the numbers of illegal off-road bikes with 100 bikes being seized across the force during June 2024 – 20 bikes seized locally. Simon invited questions from the room.
Q1. Drug running using bikes and cars had been reported on Fairacres Road and also from Orford Close to Andrew Lane and on Meadway. Simon urged residents to continue to report such incidents either through Crimestoppers (which is completely anonymous) or online. David advised that residents should make sure that when reporting a crime they specify the area as High Lane in Stockport (SK6 postcode). [Editor’s Note: Because there is a street called “High Lane” in Woodley, Stockport that is also within SK6 postcode (SK6 1), it would seem better to say something like, “High Lane Village in Stockport” or else give more of the postcode, e.g. “SK6 8”, which applies to most of the postcodes in High Lane, although there are some starting SK12 2 (like in Disley).] Simon reassured residents that the police do undertake regular patrols around the areas specified.
Q2. A resident reported that there have been occasions when neighbours are unable to sit in their gardens because of someone smoking illegal substances nearby and creating an unpleasant smell. Simon again advised the resident to report these incidents and stated that any punishment would depend on the offender and the severity of the crime and would be a court issue.
Q3. A resident asked if a vehicle was driven illegally onto a “No Access” road, would the driver’s insurance be null and void if he had an accident. Simon replied that he was unable to answer as again that it is a court issue.
David thanked the PCSOs for their time.
3) Chair’s Report
David opened his report with an explanation of and purpose of the High Lane Residents’ Association:-
“The Association is now over 90 years old originally formed as the High Lane Rate Payers Association, so the fact we are still going after all this time must mean something
Our Constitution states that we:
- reflect and voice local feeling and opinion
- encourage community spirit and interests and foster good community relations
- undertake surveys and identify residents’ needs and consider ways of meeting them
- consult with and be consulted by the local authority and other relevant authorities on matters of local concern
- ensure that a representative view is both presented to and considered by the local authority and other relevant authorities
- facilitate, coordinate and/or enable small projects for the benefit of the village community as approved from time to time by the Executive Committee together with any reasonable associated fundraising where and to the extent that’s appropriate.
We publish an annual newsletter and the display boards show projects that the RA have been involved with.
But why an RA?
As an individual you only have as small voice, one that might not be heard, it’s like a small toffee hammer, when we all come together as an Association, we have a much bigger voice like a sledgehammer. As a recognised Association we have that voice and others listen, we also are invited to give our opinion on various matters. Recently the National Trust as Lyme Park consulted us and some other groups on improving the entrance into the park. Our committee had a meeting at the hall last winter with Lyme Park management where together we looked at possible solutions and ideas. The Lyme Park management came back to High Lane with a popup meeting here in the village hall, then asked to attend one of our RA meetings. You will recall they came to explain those new plans for a revamped entrance pay station at our last meeting in September. We hope all goes well and are pleased to have been involved.
Recently as you know, our Post Office closed. As soon as we heard, and thanks to Peter Howard for bringing our attention to this matter, we contacted the PO to verify the story, then immediately contacted all your local councillors and your MP to make them aware. We were pleased to get a reply from your MPs office in approx. 2 hours. During the closure period we have had conversations and emails with The Post Office, local businesses, shops, leaseholders, Sainsbury’s, your councillors and your MP. At our last meeting a suggestion was made by a resident of a Post Office community subscription scheme, this has been put forward. The general feeling in the village by residents and business is we need a Post Office, we had a meeting with an interested party only 2 days ago, we will have future meetings so are not giving up just yet, although it will be an uphill struggle.
A few months ago, we became involved in a right of way problem on a footpath. The RA got a local councillor involved; the matter was raised with SMBC. The residents themselves are following guidance to get this matter resolved and is an ongoing issue. We will continue to support them until a satisfactory solution is found. I’ve brought these few matters to your attention, so you have an idea of what goes on in the background, things that are important to the community but have nothing to see or display. we are not just about bins and dog poo!
In order for the RA to carry on we need more residents to join us, none of the committee are getting any younger, we already have vacancies to fill. There are probably somewhere around 4000 residents in High Lane and the committee needs 11 members, so we want your help, otherwise the RA’s voice will be lost. We are going to need a strong voice in the future. We all know that changes could be coming, the government is proposing a new housing policy, and redefining types of land for consideration eg the introduction of grey belt sites and they are looking at the numbers of properties Stockport will need to build, we don’t know exactly how this might affect High Lane. The planning matters will be led by the Village Forum but supported by the RA, and your views will be raised. Any new developments, not only in High Lane but Disley, New Mills and beyond will affect the traffic on the A6, we have already raised concerns with relevant bodies about the congestion and pollution, thanks to Darrell and Angie, who analyse all reports and statistics. They have been involved in this from before the A555 was built and are aware of all the promises made.
We have been promised new data when it is available plus a meeting with the head of highways, we will ensure this promise is kept.
Your Participation with the RA is Essential !
I have heard comments that we are a group of “Has Beens” and I am proud of that title, because I would rather be a Has Been than a Never Was”.
4) Treasurer’s Report – John Baker
The HLRA General account. The opening balance for the HLRA General account, at the beginning of September 2023, carried forward from the previous financial year, was £2,750.73
Income
During this financial year the income to HLRA has been £2,329.90. This consisted of:
£39.50 cash float carried forward
£1,065.60 from Subscriptions
£90 from the Refreshments and Raffle at the last AGM
Two donations of £250
A charitable donation from MacNair Trust for the Defibrillator maintenance of £634.80
Expenditure
The expenditure for the financial year was £1,850.27. The large item payments over £100 were:
| Flowers and shrubs for the High Lane Planters | £ 103.45 |
| To the War Memorial account 50% of donation as agreed | £ 125.00 |
| Public Liability Insurance | £ 125.80 |
| IONOS for website licensing | £ 188.20 |
| HLRA newsletter printing | £ 330.00 |
| Defib Store for the Defibrillator service | £ 552.00 |
The difference between the donation and service is for future pads.
The accounts were verified and signed off by R Taylor on 13th September and we are carrying forward £3,230.36 into this financial year. We have two invoices for the Sunflower project totalling £378.75 these were received after the close of the year, so these will be paid during this financial year. John thanked Lloyds Bank and Robert Taylor.
Memorial Account - Barry Sequeira
Total receipts from the Medical Centre book table and one legacy = £716.30
Average monthly income = £59.70
Total payments made for plants, compost, purchases and work completed = £830.18
A new battery-powered leaf blower has been purchased for the War Memorial area and a rare payment of £262.00 was made for a power clean of the War Memorial and surrounding areas.
5) Appointment of Executive Committee
David introduced the members of the HLRA committee: Caroline Smith; Barry and Angie Sequeira; Darrell Williams; John Baker and Sue Forrester and asked the room if there were any objections to the above-mentioned being re-elected. The answer was in the negative. He told the meeting that Eryl was stepping down from the committee due to poor health and that also that David himself was to step aside from Chair duties although he will still be active on the committee to oversee the completion of ongoing projects. He invited residents of High Lane to join the committee.
6) A.O.B.
- A resident queried the fact that there is no access to the Park and Ride from the A6 side and that it is an awkward turn to approach the car park from the Macclesfield Road side. The office and toilets are often closed. There was also mention of the 192 from Stockport which turns round at Stepping Hill but the 192 from Park and Ride doesn’t enter Stepping Hill grounds. The fact that High Lane no longer has a post office could be used as another lever to ask the bus company for an extension of the 192 bus service to High Lane. The rumour that the post office at Fiveways is to close has been discounted.
- A resident asked if there were any plans to build on the land opposite the houses on Middlewood Road. David replied that he hadn’t heard of any such plans but pollution caused by the increased traffic through the village is a good argument against any future plans for building. Richard Jones would follow this up.
- Angela stated that the 5 year evaluation report due in 2023 which looks into the impact caused by the construction of the A555, has not yet been published. She went on to say that as soon as the report is available and the data analysed with Darrell’s help, she was hoping to invite a representative from the town hall to come and address a meeting of the residents. David told the meeting that permission was given to Sainsbury’s to build a store in High Lane because the site already had an existing building on it and is classed as a brownfield
- Richard from the HLVNF reported that the national planning proposals were out for consultation which ended last week. HLVNF had put in a formal response to the NPPF (national planning proposals forum). A report is due to be published around Christmas time – updates on this to follow. Richard announced that there would be to a meeting on Nov 19th and he was hopeful that a member of the planning department at RHGM and councillors would be attending and stated that everyone was welcome to come along.
- Shan spoke about a new charity called Re-engage for the over 75’s to help combat loneliness and isolation. This group meet on the first Thursday of every month in The Railway pub in Marple. It operates on a drop-in basis and features a variety of fun activities to suit all interests, including dominoes, cornhole, play your cards right and skittles. She told the meeting that a scheme called DigiKnow has been set up to help people improve their I.T. knowledge and there are free classes available in Stockport to teach or improve your digital skills.
- Re the closing of the post office, David and Aron have been in touch with the local doctor and further meetings are planned. One idea to consider is to try and get a banking hub or a mobile unit in High Lane. David announced that Balloon Ur Room are selling stamps as is Spar. One resident commented that the recent closure of the post office doesn’t take into account the number of elderly people in the village who will suffer because of this. David agreed with the resident and went on to say that he had spoken about this to everyone involved. The resident remarked that a free transport bus taking people to other local post offices eg Marple and Hazel Grove would be useful.
Guest Speaker Paul Ramsden from Stockport Talking Newspaper
The guest speaker from STN explained that the charity was established 47 years ago and was started by the Stockport Express. The charity provides a weekly audio transcript of the local newspaper for the blind and visually impaired and is run by 45 volunteers from a studio in Walthew House. Included are articles from local people about the history of Stockport and from local businesses, short stories, crosswords, a quiz and what’s on in Stockport. The STNA have about 120 listeners and he would welcome new listeners from High Lane village and the charity are always on the lookout for new volunteers. Tape cassettes were used initially and then CDs and now a memory stick with up to 3 hours of listening material. A free player is provided via Freepost. RNIB also provide audio magazines. Leaflets were available to pick up with application forms on the reverse. David thanked Paul and praised the STN for their operation and product and would recommend it to any blind or visually impaired residents of High Lane.
Guest Speakers Andrew and Richard from Sainsbury’s
Andrew (Construction Project Manager) and Richard (Store Manager) spoke about the progress of the new Sainsbury’s store in High Lane. Andrew explained that there would be an external ATM, 3 Blue Badge bays and 4 EV bays with super-fast smart charging for electric cars. The car park would allow customers to park for 45 minutes. He continued to say that unfortunately the store would not be open until the new year. The delay is due to the local electricity supply not being suitable for the development site particularly in relation to the electric chargers and they are waiting for an electrical connection from a new substation. An update of the travel plan has still to be completed eg the management of buses, service routes and how people get to work. Richard explained that the store would provide a comprehensive range of goods including a bakery and fresh produce which will be delivered 7 days a week. Opening hours will be Monday to Saturday 7am to 11pm and Sundays 11am to 5pm. To support the local community food will be donated to a food bank.
Questions were invited from the room:
- Would the pedestrian island affect the traffic going in and out of the store?
This will be investigated
- Is the 199 bus stop staying in situ?
The answer was in the affirmative
- Will there be a separate entrance and exit for vehicles?
There will be one entrance/exit for traffic using the store
- Will the installation of the new electricity supply cause more roadworks on the A6?
The answer was - yes possibly
- Why weren’t the new electrical supply and drainage connections installed when the road was dug up previously?
The contractors weren’t aware at that time that a power upgrade was needed but Andrew will investigate
- Are the existing trees staying?
The answer was in the affirmative
- When will job vacancies become available?
The middle of November accessed through the Sainsbury’s website or through Indeed Jobs
The raffle prizes consisted of a hamper from Home Instead; a £50 voucher from the Red Lion; a voucher from Blueberries for 2 mini breakfasts; a bottle of brandy from Marchington Stone plus a donation to the R.A. of £250.00; a bottle of red wine donated by Spar; a box of chocolates from Simon Dunn and further prizes donated by the HLRA Committee. There was also a £50 donation for the R.A. from the Coach House Garage. There was a display of empty spirit bottles lit from within by a variety of fairy lights which David and Janet had put together. They were on sale for £10 each and all proceeds to go towards the RA. David thanked everyone for their kind donations.
David closed the meeting by thanking everyone for attending and thanked the guest speakers Paul, Andrew and Richard. He was presented with a gift voucher for Afternoon Tea for 2 at Chatsworth House as a thank you for his services as Chair to the HLRA and the residents of High Lane Village.
Shan also spoke about the projects conceived and achieved with David’s help and she said that it had been a pleasure to work with him over the years.
The HLRA next meets on Thursday 7th November 2024 at the Village Hall at 8.00pm