Iain Roberts

From the Council:

Stockport residents are being encouraged to complete a questionnaire on the Council’s Highways and Transport Services.

The survey, running for the third year, includes questions on the condition of roads and footpaths, walking and cycling, congestion and local bus services, and takes about 20 minutes to complete. A random sample of 4,500 local households has started to receive a National Highways and Transport Public Satisfaction survey.

The deadline for returning the surveys is 16th July. People’s views in Stockport can be compared directly with those in 100 other local authorities in England and North Wales as all the questions are the same. The survey is a joint initiative between the National Highways & Transport Network and regional Highways Service Improvement Group. The results are expected to be published by the late summer.

From Mark Hunter:

Last Saturday 26th June local MP Mark Hunter joined residents at this year’s Heald Green Festival, held on the playing field behind the Village Hall on Outwood Road. Held in the blazing sunshine, the day was a great success and was attended by record numbers of local people.

Dozens of local organisations had a stall at the event and the fairground and other sideshows provided a variety of the entertainment for young and old alike. The Mayor of Stockport, Cllr Hazel Lees, was in attendance and Mark Hunter MP presented prizes to local children who were competition winners.

Commenting, Mark said:

“Heald Green Festival is a great community event and date in my diary that I look forward to every year, and it meets – and exceeds - expectations every time. Well done to all concerned!

“The efficient organisation is always matched by a resounding response from local groups and the wider public.

“This year the weather was glorious and I’m sure everyone who came along enjoyed themselves – once again it really was a great day out for all the family.”

From the Council:

A turf cutting ceremony was held recently to mark the start of the construction of a new state-of-the-art education facility in Reddish. Work has now begun for Reddish North Primary School, Children’s Centre and Fir Tree Nursery School which will transform primary and early years education in the area.

The high quality new school will accommodate pupils from the current North Reddish Infants and Junior Schools and Fir Tree Primary Schools and will be fit for the 21st century. The new school will have places for over 500 children and is due to open in September 2011. It will include the following:-

· high quality teaching classrooms

· specialist areas for food, science and ICT

· special needs learning rooms

· childcare and multipurpose rooms

· wide range of hard and soft play facilities

· staff and visitor parking

· sports facilities available for community use

From the Council:

Stockport Council has been crowned joint ‘Public Sector Team of the Year’ at the Insider Property Awards North West 2010.

Over 800 property professionals attended the award ceremony at Manchester Central, which toasted the region’s top property performers.

Developers recommended Stockport Council for the award and judges described Stockport’s year as “jobs, jobs and more jobs”. Recent investment successes for Stockport have included the BSkyB announcement of 550 new jobs at BAM Properties’ St Peter’s Square development on the A6; 300 new jobs at Jacobs Engineering at Cheadle Royal Business Park; and over 100 new jobs at Stockport Business Incubator in Reddish.

I’m including the 1983 results for completeness but, as you’ll see below, the records seem to have been largely lost.  The share calculations are all over the place and most of the names are missing but, assuming the party standing are accurate, it looks like the best year to date for the Liberal/SDP Alliance.

From the Council:

Anyone interested in the future development of the borough over the next 15 years is asked to comment on Stockport Council’s Core Strategy Proposed Submission document. A public consultation is taking place on the document until July 19th. The document sets down a broad plan for the development of Stockport up to 2026. Residents can feedback on:-

· Sustainability

· Climate issues

· Housing needs

· Safeguarding the environment

· Access to services

· Transport

· Economic development to boost the borough

The documents are available to view at Hygarth House, Wellington Road South, Stockport, all local libraries (including mobile libraries), and Stockport Direct Local Centres, between 9am-4.30pm Monday to Friday. The documents may be viewed on the Council website www.stockport.gov.uk/ldf.

Comments can be submitted by completing the form on the website, or forms can be picked up at the same locations and sent to The LDF Team, Communities, Regeneration & Environment, Stockport Council, FREEPOST, Stockport SK1 3YQ, or faxed to 0161 474 3572. For more information contact the LDF Helpline on Tel: 0161 474 4395; email: planning.policy@stockport.gov.uk or visit the Council’s web-site at www.stockport.gov.uk/ldf.

From the Council:

Stockport Council, on behalf of the Stockport Partnership, has commissioned a research and engagement project, to review employment and skills issues, and improve awareness of support services in the Town Centre residential area.

The Neighbourhood Renewal Team will be carrying out this work. They have extensive knowledge and experience of worklessness and a proven track record in engaging with local communities and stakeholders.

The work will include consultation with local residents and employers in these areas. It is anticipated this piece of work will provide a blue print for future consultation and engagement on economic drivers in other Priority 1 areas of the borough.

For further information please click here (pdf) or contact Liz Madge on 0161 476 1262 or elizabeth.madge@stockport.gov.uk.

From the Council:

Stockport Town Hall is flying the Armed Forces Flag throughout the week, and the Council has organised special events including the presentation of a Veteran’s Badge and displays by the armed services in the Market Place. The weekend also marks the 70th anniversary since wartime evacuees from the Channel Islands arrived in Stockport.”

The programme of events for the day is:

· 10.00am: The Mayor of Stockport and the Leader of Stockport Council, Councillor Dave Goddard, will present a Veteran’s Badge to a war veteran in a private ceremony at Stockport Town Hall.

· 10.30am: Photograph of evacuees from Guernsey and the Mayor of Stockport next to the War Memorial to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the evacuation of children from Guernsey to Stockport. A photo was taken at this spot exactly 70 years ago.

· 11.00am: Army, Air, Sea and Royal Marine Cadets will parade from St Petersgate to Stockport Market where the Mayor will take the salute outside Staircase House.

· 11.00am onwards: Market Place: There will be an inflatable obstacle course, an armoured military vehicle, the Boon Army XFM mini, and information stalls from the Army, Air, Sea and Royal Marine Cadets

· 11.30am-3.30pm: Armed services displays as follows: 11.30am: Sea Cadets - PT Display; 12noon: Royal Marines Cadets - camouflage and concealment display; 12.30pm: Army Cadets - foot drill display; 1pm: Air Cadets; 1.30pm: Sea Cadets - PT display; 2pm: Royal Marines Cadets - camouflage and concealment display; 2.30pm: Army Cadets - foot drill display 3pm: Air Cadets; 3.30pm: Sea Cadets - PT Display.

For more information about Armed Forces Day visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk.

Gatley festival starts on Saturday with the carnival and fun day on Sunday 4th July.

There’s a great programme of events during the week - check out the full list on the Gatley Festival website.

So, for example, we’ve got a day of living history from an authentic 18th century British Redcoat unit in Gatley Rec from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 26th June (sorry - I’ll be at the Heald Green festival), the stream clean at Gatley Rec at 10am on Sunday 27th and a gentle 8 mile cycle ride setting off from Gatley Station at 7pm on Wednesday 30th.

I’m not going to copy down all the events, so visit the site.

As reported in Messenger Newspapers, Trafford Council has given planning approval for a new business park on the old National Grid site at Partington.

The plan is to develop the site over the next few years with up to 27 units which may include research, light industry, workshops, storage or distribution but not (as currently planned) standalone offices.

Partington lies on the western edge of the Borough of Trafford, about half way between Manchester and Warrington centres.