Town Councillors present: C. Barnes, S.E. Rae, M. Williams (Chair).
Others attending: Susan Stevens (Clerk), Frank Bullough (Sett Valley House), Dorothy Scapens (Volunteer Centre), David Swinburne.

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Letter of reply from Stepping Hill Hospital regarding a new station - Dorothy Scapens said she had made a request for parking permits at Stepping Hill, and had been told there are no such permits. Even with a permit, the problem would remain of finding a place to park. She would renew her request for permits in light of a letter from Stepping Hill regarding them. Frank Bullough said there is a station nearby at Woodsmoor. He agreed that a permit sticker is no use if there are on places to park. These will not be available until some older buildings are pulled down. Cllr Sheila Rae argued that Woodsmoor station is a long walk from the hospital. Susan Stevens thought that an area at the maternity unit would be appropriate for a station. Frank Bullough said a bus runs from Stockport station. Regarding parking, some use Sainsbury's or the Co-op car parks. There are generally no problems parking in the evening, but it is no good at 1-3pm. Cllr Chris Barnes described an planning application by Stepping Hill for a multi-storey car park, which had been turned down by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Susan Stevens described cars as a way of life, some people won't use public transport. Cllr Marion Williams said that if ill, people may need to use a car. Cllr Sheila Rae considered that if people rely on public transport they may miss appointments. Dorothy Scapens said there is no way to distinguish those who need a car. When trying to get a permit she had been passed all around different departments. David Swinburne said there are a few parking places reserved fro handicapped people. He didn't see how any improvement was possible until land is found, old buildings knocked down or they build upwards.

Letter of reply from East Midlands Ambulance Service regarding cover - Frank Bullough described the difficulties of getting to Stepping Hill along the A6. In view of this, Cllr Susan Rae felt the council should raise the matter of air-ambulance cover for the area. David Swinburne considered the review of services would take quite some time. Susan Stevens thought they should question the statement that 'front-line crews no longer need local knowledge'. This had been raised by Cllr Roy Bickerton (then at Development Control Meeting). Roy had also suggested the council request a quarterly report on statistics, as a standard matter.

Meals on Wheels - Chair Marion Williams felt the service of daily delivery to be a good source of contact for old people. There have been problems with the cooking of the new frozen meals. David Swinburne said he had organised Meals on Wheels in New Mills and been involved for many years. The fear was that some people could not cope with cooking the meals. They had been told there would be help, but it sounds as if it isn't happening. Marion Williams thought there are not enough Home Helps to cope. The Home Helps complain that it is not working. David Swinburne wondered how WRVS had failed to get the contract when they have many volunteers. The contract was awarded on the basis of taste of a meal. Although there are reports of problems, we have no details of specific cases. Susan Stevens said there have been problems with scalding, one microwave oven had blown-up, and the food containers go floppy on heating and so are difficult to carry. David Swinburne suggested they write to Social Services about suggestions of dissatisfaction, and ask for an assurance that the deal people are getting is at least as good as previous. Sheila Rae suggested they ask also what surveys have been done regarding the acceptability of the meals and on whether the system is working. Frank Bullough reiterated the importance of contact for old people. The change is down to DCC, and is despicable. He said he would not have a microwave oven personally, and old people should not be dictated to and forced to have them.

 

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