But it was done, first with a main road “Merseyway” and later with the Merseyway shopping centre. This short video has footage of both.

Business includes

• Consultation on the Council’s proposed Obstructions policy, to reduce the problems of A-boards and similar obstructions on the pavements
• Proposals for improvements to Gatley Green (previously covered in some detail on this website)
• Approval of the second part of safety improvements on Schools Hill

Cheadle Area Committee 14th Feb 2012

We’ve been out and about this morning (Sunday) and the main gritting routes all seem very clear. The other roads we checked (e.g. Troutbeck and Keswick) are passable – they’ll be gritted if needed.

There are a couple of locations we know have problems and don’t have a grit box that close, and we’ve spread some grit there to help residents (Rydal Close in Gatley and part of The Spinney in Cheadle).

But grit isn’t a magic solution. It helps melt the snow, especially on busier roads where the traffic grinds it into the snow. We still need to take care on the roads and pavements.

The snow code gives advice on clearing snow from pavements and public spaces. You can do your bit by clearing snow in front of your property.

If you have to travel in the snow, here are some useful tips on doing it safely.

If you’re a Cheadle and Gatley resident and you’re concerned about anything or need some help, please get in touch with the Lib Dem team.

The main improvements are

• Blocking off the cut-through section to bring the whole Green together.  This has been supported by around 80% of local residents around the Green and we believe it will enhance Gatley Green for everyone, without losing car parking spaces.
• The Tesco end of Gatley Green is being remodelled.  It should reduce traffic dangerously going the wrong way along the road and provide proper short-stay parking for the shops.
• The paving in front of the Co-op and the car park is being improved too.

There are a few other improvements – see the map below.

Gatley Green latest proposals

View Cheadle and Gatley in a larger map

This is the audit report for the year 2010/11 for Stockport Council, which the auditor published just a few days ago.

I’m going to pick out a few positive quotes – which I think are representative of the report as a whole, but please take a look for yourself.

Financial governance at the Council is good. The Executive clearly understands the significant and rapidly changing financial management challenges and risks facing the Council and is taking appropriate action to secure a stable financial position. The Executive is actively involved in business decisions leading the promotion and delivery of good financial management.The Executive provides constructive scrutiny and challenge on financial matters to ensure arrangements remain robust and fit-for-purpose. Members scrutinise and challenge financial performance effectively, holding officers to account.

the Council has proper arrangements in place to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources.

The medium term financial plan is soundly based and has clear links to underlying efficiency plans. In 2010/11 the Council identified that significant savings were required and developed an effective strategy to deliver the savings.

The quality of the Council’s draft financial statements and the supporting working papers was good. This is a particular achievement given that the 2010/11 financial statements were the first to be produced under the IFRS requirements

My audit has not identified any weakness in internal control that might result in a material error in your financial statements.

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council 2012 Audit

Stockport Council is supporting National Libraries Day by hosting a special event at Cheadle Library featuring North West based writers.

Residents are invited to come along and meet award winning North West writers Michael Stewart, Helen Walsh and M.J. Hyland at Cheadle Library on Saturday 4th February from 4.30pm to 6.00pm.

The free event will give attendees the chance to take part in discussions about the book prize culture.

The event at Cheadle Library is part of a series of sessions being held at libraries across the region co-ordinated by Time To Read, the North West libraries reading partnership, as part of a project called Here & Now: New NW writing in NW Libraries.
Reading groups across the region have been asked to read a selection of recent titles by North West writers. These titles range from personal poetry to fiction inspired by memory as well as imagination. The authors are all published and are at varying stages in their writing careers.

To book a free place at the event or for more information, contact Stockport Council’s Library team on 0161 217 6009 or email learners@stockport.gov.uk

For more details of National Libraries Day visit www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk

Stockport has achieved the highest number of new 16-18 Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships in Greater Manchester in a 12 month period in 2010/2011.

A total of a 307 16-18 year olds started an Advanced (L3/A Level standard) Apprenticeship in the borough from July 2010 to July 2011 – a 77% increase on the previous 12 month period.

The figure is the highest in Greater Manchester, and Stockport’s increase is higher than both the North West (23.9%) and national average (23.3%) over the same period.

Stockport’s success is due to a number of factors including:
• New Council initiatives such as the 50:50 Apprenticeship Scheme which increases apprenticeship opportunities with employers by grant funding.
• Close working by the Council, colleges and training providers with the National Apprenticeship Service so that expert knowledge is shared by everyone.
• High levels of employer engagement which enables Stockport Council’s 14-19 Service and others to promote apprenticeship vacancies within companies.
• Close liaison with schools, Stockport Homes and other organisations to encourage uptake.
• Promotion of progression pathways from level 2 to level 3 Apprenticeships.
• New providers/businesses increasing their Apprenticeships.
• Increased publicity by the 14-19 service with young people around apprenticeships in schools, and at Council-organised events.

Councillor Stuart Bodsworth, Executive Member for Children & Young People, said: “This is extremely good news especially at this time of increased pressures on youth employment. Over 300 young people have made Advanced or Higher Apprenticeship starts in the borough last year. This demonstrates the excellent close working between the Council’s 14-19 team and employers, schools and other organisations in Stockport.

“Stockport Council strongly supports all forms of educational attainment for our young people, including academic and vocational qualifications. Increasing the number of young people obtaining apprenticeship starts is one of the Council’s key targets,” Cllr Bodsworth added.

The tennis and basketball courts also need repairing, and the aim is to do those in the next financial year (2012/13).

The Recreation Ground is a well-used, and well-loved local resource all year round, with its childrens’ playground, skateboard ramps (used by all ages), football pitch, tennis court and basketball court, plus the adjoining bowling green.

It’s excellent news that such an important resource for the local community will get this work done.

View Cheadle and Gatley in a larger map

The problem has arisen because the roads are not adopted by the Council – they are still in the ownership of the developer who therefore has responsibility for fixing these sorts of problems.

Since the Lib Dem team intervened, Council officers have been working to get the roads properly adopted.

Normally, the developer has to hand them over in the proper condition – with all the streetlights working. However, in this case the Council has made an exception and will make sure the streetlights are working before it takes ownership of the roads.

We hope the issue can now be quickly resolved with the Council adopting Orchard Gardens and Rosewood Gardens, and ensuring the streetlights are properly working.

View Cheadle and Gatley in a larger map

The outcome was strong support for a plan to thin out the trees – removing some and cutting back others – to improve the overall feel and appearance of the Green.

This major tree work is scheduled to start on 13th February 2012.

Click on the image below to see the proposals for the Green. These may have changed slightly, so the work carried out may not be exactly what’s on this picture.