Attendees: Mike Corlett, Chair, Carol Wilkinson, Gordon Browne, Ellie Sams, Ian Johnson, Mark Clayton, Cllr Leslie Bell, Cllr Debbie Hilal
Apologies for Absence:
Cllr. John Leech, Cllr. Andrew Simcock, Cllr. Richard Kilpatrick, Mary Christie.
Acceptance of the Minutes for the 13th April 2026:
Proposed: Gordon Browne Seconded: Carol Wilkinson.
Matters arising from the Minutes:
None
Agenda:
- Phil Downs MBE:
For those who were not aware, the meeting was advised of Phil`s passing, and his funeral arrangements. Service at St James on the 20th May 2026 at 1:30, Cremation at the south Manchester Crematorium at 3pm followed by a Wake at the Didsbury Cricket Club. Phil will be sadly missed, RIP.
It was agreed that the Trustees will meet to discuss a recurring award in Phil`s name in recognition of his commitment to disability awareness, especially his work on football grounds.
- Parrs Wood Veranda Update:
The DCS has for many months continuously raised the dilapidated state of the Victorian walk way. We have on several occasions been advised by word of mouth that it has been checked and is safe. Despite at least 7 of the glass roofing inserts being missing, the absent guttering, and the obvious lack of repair or care. The DCS understands that it is the responsibility of the landlords to have a duty of care and continually maintain the structure. We would respectfully request sight of proof, from MCC Planning (Building Safety) they have raised this problem with the landlord and some form of Safety Certificate has been issued confirming its safe condition to the public and school children who use this walking route?
On the night a copy of a quotation was circulated submitted by a professional engineering company to estimating the repairs required, with foreseen costs amounting to over £44,000.00.
Cllr Debbie Hilal agreed to raise this recurring matter on our behalf within MCC. It was also suggested that we should approach the Towers Business Park management to test their response in helping with this matter due to their heritage and history in Didsbury. Ellie Sams agreed to speak with the estate management team.
- Recent Didsbury Traffic Disruptions and Diversions:
Recently there has been significant disruption to the flow of traffic along Kingsway A34, Parrs Wood Road B5093 and Wilmslow Road A5145. It is understood that
emergency gas works access was required by Cadent. Presumably a “Wayleave” certificate of working was issued by MCC Planning and Highways to carry out the work and the scope understood? However, and importantly no advance warning appears to have been issued to the travelling public or GMPTE buses, which resulted in several days of traffic chaos on the route especially to those who use public transport for their day-to-day travel, and those who use cars to get to work. There was also no advice signage at bus stops to help the public, even to advise the start and the finish of the work. It is advised that the bus drivers tried to help make the best of a very badly planned job.
Many car drivers also added to the problems using Ruabon Road as a rat run to speed along the minor streets towards Didsbury and Wilmslow Road generally. The problems were mentioned several times on the Didsbury Park Estate WhatsApp Group during this problem. It was also seen to be adding to the already problematical issues of illegal and dangerous parking on Sandhurst Road at school going home times, which have also been raised many times previously.
- MCC Enforcement of Parking:
Sandhurst Road illegal parking still remains a significant problem with parents picking up children from Beaver Road School (Wilmslow Road site). It is a dangerous situation with 6-7 parents parking on and ignoring the double yellow lines. The road is also less than the width of a normal single carriageway. This parking then narrows the already narrow road even more so as it has a high brick wall to one side. The road also has a mandatory 20 mph speed limit.
Some of the parents leave their cars/ commercial vehicles and taxi`s idling to keep the air con on or heater running dependent on the season, which is contrary to the projected school policies of a green agenda etc. Originally, there was also a travel plan submitted when planning was applied for to promote walking, pedalling or scooting to school.
Can the DCS request a traffic survey by MCC of what is actually taking place around the Didsbury Park area, as more and more cars are parked up along Didsbury Park Road and to the Wilmslow Road end of Sandhurst Road again on double yellow lines.
The non-enforcement of the traffic regulations eg ticketing and towing away sends the incorrect message which leads to a sense of entitlement to continuously park dangerously.
- Installation of the Garden of Contemplation Watering Facility:
Could Neighbourhoods advise on the status of delivering the external water supply from Didsbury Library a Listed Building, to within the gated pedestrian area for the use of Didsbury in Bloom and the Didsbury Civic Society enabling the groups of volunteer`s to water both the War Memorial Garden and the Flower Butts as required. Currently the captured and stored water will continuously run out during the dry summer months.
- Bunneys Licensing Hearing:
We were advised at the meeting that the requested change granting some later weekend openings had been granted, despite public opinion, the recorded objection
by the DCS and Didsbury West Councillors. This bar is in a Heritage area and also residential area. We understand the Appeal being allowed due to the lack of
complaints by the general public, which may be simply due to the time and effort required by the public to lodge a complaint? It also appears that the will or the enablement is not in place to protect our special historical and heritage areas in Didsbury.
This comment is supported by the fact that a gaudy lilac neon signage light is still in place across the M1 Nail Bar upstairs window, along with the illegal steel signage across the Bunneys Outpost upstairs window, which could be regarded as a hazard if there was a fire. Surely more forward thinking is required by the MCC managers, and demonstrates a lack of continuous forward thinking. Making the taking of reactive action normal and usually too late.
Finance Update:
The DCS has £19656.10 on deposit at the HSBC.
Any other business:
The Didsbury Civic Society regularly ask and Minute questions and send out copies.
The Questions are serious and in good faith. How is it that there is only usually a
limited response from MCC`s employed senior management?
Last Updated: June 2, 2026 by Ellie
DCS Minutes of the General Meeting held on the 11th May 2026 at the Old Parsonage
Attendees: Mike Corlett, Chair, Carol Wilkinson, Gordon Browne, Ellie Sams, Ian Johnson, Mark Clayton, Cllr Leslie Bell, Cllr Debbie Hilal
Apologies for Absence:
Cllr. John Leech, Cllr. Andrew Simcock, Cllr. Richard Kilpatrick, Mary Christie.
Acceptance of the Minutes for the 13th April 2026:
Proposed: Gordon Browne Seconded: Carol Wilkinson.
Matters arising from the Minutes:
None
Agenda:
For those who were not aware, the meeting was advised of Phil`s passing, and his funeral arrangements. Service at St James on the 20th May 2026 at 1:30, Cremation at the south Manchester Crematorium at 3pm followed by a Wake at the Didsbury Cricket Club. Phil will be sadly missed, RIP.
It was agreed that the Trustees will meet to discuss a recurring award in Phil`s name in recognition of his commitment to disability awareness, especially his work on football grounds.
The DCS has for many months continuously raised the dilapidated state of the Victorian walk way. We have on several occasions been advised by word of mouth that it has been checked and is safe. Despite at least 7 of the glass roofing inserts being missing, the absent guttering, and the obvious lack of repair or care. The DCS understands that it is the responsibility of the landlords to have a duty of care and continually maintain the structure. We would respectfully request sight of proof, from MCC Planning (Building Safety) they have raised this problem with the landlord and some form of Safety Certificate has been issued confirming its safe condition to the public and school children who use this walking route?
On the night a copy of a quotation was circulated submitted by a professional engineering company to estimating the repairs required, with foreseen costs amounting to over £44,000.00.
Cllr Debbie Hilal agreed to raise this recurring matter on our behalf within MCC. It was also suggested that we should approach the Towers Business Park management to test their response in helping with this matter due to their heritage and history in Didsbury. Ellie Sams agreed to speak with the estate management team.
Recently there has been significant disruption to the flow of traffic along Kingsway A34, Parrs Wood Road B5093 and Wilmslow Road A5145. It is understood that
emergency gas works access was required by Cadent. Presumably a “Wayleave” certificate of working was issued by MCC Planning and Highways to carry out the work and the scope understood? However, and importantly no advance warning appears to have been issued to the travelling public or GMPTE buses, which resulted in several days of traffic chaos on the route especially to those who use public transport for their day-to-day travel, and those who use cars to get to work. There was also no advice signage at bus stops to help the public, even to advise the start and the finish of the work. It is advised that the bus drivers tried to help make the best of a very badly planned job.
Many car drivers also added to the problems using Ruabon Road as a rat run to speed along the minor streets towards Didsbury and Wilmslow Road generally. The problems were mentioned several times on the Didsbury Park Estate WhatsApp Group during this problem. It was also seen to be adding to the already problematical issues of illegal and dangerous parking on Sandhurst Road at school going home times, which have also been raised many times previously.
Sandhurst Road illegal parking still remains a significant problem with parents picking up children from Beaver Road School (Wilmslow Road site). It is a dangerous situation with 6-7 parents parking on and ignoring the double yellow lines. The road is also less than the width of a normal single carriageway. This parking then narrows the already narrow road even more so as it has a high brick wall to one side. The road also has a mandatory 20 mph speed limit.
Some of the parents leave their cars/ commercial vehicles and taxi`s idling to keep the air con on or heater running dependent on the season, which is contrary to the projected school policies of a green agenda etc. Originally, there was also a travel plan submitted when planning was applied for to promote walking, pedalling or scooting to school.
Can the DCS request a traffic survey by MCC of what is actually taking place around the Didsbury Park area, as more and more cars are parked up along Didsbury Park Road and to the Wilmslow Road end of Sandhurst Road again on double yellow lines.
The non-enforcement of the traffic regulations eg ticketing and towing away sends the incorrect message which leads to a sense of entitlement to continuously park dangerously.
Could Neighbourhoods advise on the status of delivering the external water supply from Didsbury Library a Listed Building, to within the gated pedestrian area for the use of Didsbury in Bloom and the Didsbury Civic Society enabling the groups of volunteer`s to water both the War Memorial Garden and the Flower Butts as required. Currently the captured and stored water will continuously run out during the dry summer months.
We were advised at the meeting that the requested change granting some later weekend openings had been granted, despite public opinion, the recorded objection
by the DCS and Didsbury West Councillors. This bar is in a Heritage area and also residential area. We understand the Appeal being allowed due to the lack of
complaints by the general public, which may be simply due to the time and effort required by the public to lodge a complaint? It also appears that the will or the enablement is not in place to protect our special historical and heritage areas in Didsbury.
This comment is supported by the fact that a gaudy lilac neon signage light is still in place across the M1 Nail Bar upstairs window, along with the illegal steel signage across the Bunneys Outpost upstairs window, which could be regarded as a hazard if there was a fire. Surely more forward thinking is required by the MCC managers, and demonstrates a lack of continuous forward thinking. Making the taking of reactive action normal and usually too late.
Finance Update:
The DCS has £19656.10 on deposit at the HSBC.
Any other business:
The Didsbury Civic Society regularly ask and Minute questions and send out copies.
The Questions are serious and in good faith. How is it that there is only usually a
limited response from MCC`s employed senior management?
Category: Minutes
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