Agenda and minutes

The Leader of the Council opened the meeting by making the following statement in relation to the impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

“I think we're living through unprecedented times and coronavirus (Covid-19) is not a Stockport issue or even a Greater Manchester issue; it's a national and global issue. Stockport Council is monitoring the national and regional position closely.  We are working together with our health partners to stop

the virus spreading and to protect our residents.  

“We’re following Public Health England, government and NHS advice and guidance and are advising our partners and providers to do the same.  Our communications are essential at this time and we're provided the latest information and signposting our residents our partners and local organisations and businesses to the information the government and Public Health England are providing on our website and on our Twitter and Facebook pages.

“Our advice to residents is the same advice that is provided nationally - to focus on good hand hygiene; to ensure that anyone with symptoms manages these at home with the whole household self-isolating for 14 days from the start of those symptoms; and only accessing NHS 111 if those symptoms are no longer manageable at home.  The NHS website contains lots of information about looking after yourself and I urge residents to go there for information.

“In terms of delivering services for our residents the Council's role is so important at a time like this.  We are paying particular attention to prioritising the health and wellbeing of all of our residents, especially those in vulnerable groups.  Our priority and that of our partners and counterparts across Greater Manchester is our vulnerable people.  We need to safeguard these groups as much as possible while also putting in place measures to support our staff that are delivering essential services to these groups.  We are working with our partners in the borough and our counterparts across Greater Manchester to ensure our business continuity planning and civil contingency plans are robust and put in place at the appropriate times.

“I know lots of kind-hearted people out there also want to support their neighbours especially those that are more vulnerable.  Social media support

groups are springing up and people are trying to find out who might be most vulnerable.  Offers of support such as shopping or being made.  However, there are also risks within this that more vulnerable people may be preyed upon at this time.  To avoid this, I would urge everyone not to share the personal details of others on social media.  The Council and our partners are looking at how we can support these efforts and we will share more information as soon as we are able.

“We have an ambition in Stockport to have a thriving high street.  That has not changed.  Following the prime minister's announcements yesterday, our night-time economy sector in particular are likely to be understandably nervous.  The government has already set out some measures to support SMEs with sick pay but more is needed.  This evening I believe that several announcements were made on this by the government but whilst I welcome that and it is really good, it would have been better to have come yesterday with the other announcements.  I also have some concerns over an over-reliance on loans that will obviously need to be paid back at some point and the ability to do so of the very groups of businesses that are trying to be supported.

“I know that this is an unprecedented and worrying time for us all.  We all want to be happy and healthy. We all want that for our families and friends.  This is a rapidly changing situation and Stockport Council will continue to respond and to prioritise our most vulnerable residents as we do so.”

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 4 February 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Cabinet.

No urgent decisions were reported.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and Cabinet Members on any matters within the powers and duties of the Cabinet, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.  (Questions must be submitted no later than 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the meeting on the card provided.  These are available at the meeting. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

Members of the public were invited to submit questions to the Cabinet on any matters within its powers and duties, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

Two questions had been submitted by questioners who were not present at the meeting. It was stated that, in accordance with the Code of Practice, written responses would be provided.

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of the following agenda items which contain information “not for publication” and to consider any representations received to the notice of the intention to consider exempt information at this meeting.

At the time of publication no representations have been received.

The Leader of the Council invited the Cabinet to consider whether to exclude the public and press from the meeting during consideration of agenda item 14 as this item contained information that was ‘not for publication’.

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was ‘not for publication’, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of following item in the event that the content of the not for publication appendix to the report needed to be discussed

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance.

The report details a request from Stockport School for a £0.659m Prudential Borrowing loan to finance their contribution towards the cost of a joint Local Authority/ School capital scheme to address urgent and key health and safety issues and other conditional aspects of the school building.

The Cabinet is recommended to support and approve the proposed Prudential Borrowing request from Stockport School on the terms detailed in the report.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or email:  peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a request from Stockport School for a £0.659m Prudential Borrowing loan to finance their contribution towards the cost of a joint Local Authority/ School capital scheme to address urgent and key health and safety issues and other conditional aspects of the school building.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to a request from Stockport School for a £0.659m Prudential Borrowing Loan to finance their contribution towards the cost of a joint Local Authority/ School capital scheme to address urgent and key health and safety issues and other conditional aspects of the school building on the terms detailed in the report.

To consider a joint report of the Cabinet Members for Adult Care & Health and Sustainable Stockport.

The report provides an update on implementation of the Active Communities Strategy which was approved by Cabinet in June 2019.

This report also seeks approval for a new approach to a delivery partnership within the Active Communities Strategy following the end of current arrangements with Life Leisure in March 2022 and authorisation to commence the pre-procurement process.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(a)       Note progress on implementation of the Active Communities Strategy.

(b)       Delegate authority to the Corporate Directors for Place Management and Regeneration and Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport to commence developing the procurement strategy in line with the approach outlined in this report and proposals for the procurement route and final timescales.

(c)       Authorise the Corporate Directors for Place Management and Regeneration and Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport to commence the pre-market engagement in relation to the procurement exercise to inform the development of specifications.

(d)       Note the forthcoming indoor leisure investment strategy and the potential requirement for future capital investment.

(e)       Note progress on work to develop options for a replacement leisure and community facility in Marple and the potential requirement for future capital investment.

(f)        Request the Corporate Directors for Place Management and Regeneration and Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport report back at appropriate points of the process and in the event of any significant departures from the indicative timescales detailed in this report.

Officer contact: Jennifer Connolly on 0161 474 2442 or Paul Richards on 0161 474 2940 or by email on jennifer.connolly@stockport.gov.uk or  paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care & Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on implementation of the Active Communities Strategy which was approved by Cabinet in June 2019.  The report also sought approval for a new approach to a delivery partnership within the Active Communities Strategy following the end of current arrangements with Life Leisure in March 2022 and authorisation to commence the pre-procurement process.

RESOLVED – That:-

·         progress on implementation of the Active Communities Strategy be noted.

·         authority be delegated to the Corporate Directors for Place Management and Regeneration and Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport to commence developing the procurement strategy in line with the approach outlined in this report and proposals for the procurement route and final timescales.

·         the Corporate Directors for Place Management and Regeneration and Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport be authorised to commence the pre-market engagement in relation to the procurement exercise to inform the development of specifications.

·         the forthcoming indoor leisure investment strategy and the potential requirement for future capital investment be noted.

·         progress on work to develop options for a replacement leisure and community facility in Marple and the potential requirement for future capital investment be noted.

·         the Corporate Directors for Place Management and Regeneration and Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport be requested to report back at appropriate points of the process and in the event of any significant departures from the indicative timescales detailed in this report.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport.

The Council declared a Climate Emergency in March 2019 and agreed that the impacts of global temperature rises above 1.5°C are so severe that governments at all levels must work together and make combating climate change their top priority. To do its part, it was agreed that Council would develop a Climate Action Plan. This report provides an overview of a proposed strategy for Stockport to meet its climate obligations, covering all aspects of the Council and Borough, as well as making it clear that tackling climate change will require every stakeholder in Stockport to play their part: Council, residents, businesses and communities.

The Cabinet is recommended to give approval to the Climate Emergency Plan as our approach to climate action and to recommend that the report be submitted to the Council Meeting for its consideration.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161 474 3700 or email mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) stating that the Council had declared a Climate Emergency in March 2019 and agreed that the impacts of global temperature rises above 1.5°C are so severe that governments at all levels must work together and make combating climate change their top priority. To do its part, it was agreed that Council would develop a Climate Action Plan. The report provided an overview of a proposed strategy for Stockport to meet its climate obligations, covering all aspects of the Council and Borough, as well as making it clear that tackling climate change would require every stakeholder in Stockport to play their part: Council, residents, businesses and communities.

RESOLVED – That the Stockport Climate Emergency Strategy be approved and adopted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance.

The Asset Management Plan 2020/21 capital programme sets out upgrade work and improvements to operational buildings within the Council’s estate. Corporate funding is approved for the Asset Management Programme as the capital financing costs of these works cannot be met from within the Single Property Budget cash limits.

The report also details the progress of the 2019/20 Asset Management Plan capital programme and details the proposed programme of work for inclusion in the 2020/21 financial year and the indicative programme up to 2024/25.

The Cabinet is recommended to:

·         Approve the implementation of the updated Asset Management Plan Capital programme for 2020/21 and the financing thereof, and the Indicative AMP programme for up to 2025, as set out in the report;

·         Approve the application of corporate resources to fund the AMP programme 2020/21 to 2024/2025; with the application of funding types (capital receipts and borrowing) being delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive in conjunction with the Estates Capital Board (ECB);

·         Authorise the Deputy Chief Executive to award construction contracts as required to deliver the works programme.

Officer contact: Charlotte Cordingley on 0161 474 4240 or email: charlotte.cordingley@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out upgrade work and improvements to operational buildings within the Council’s estate.  Corporate funding is sought for the Asset Management Programme as the capital financing costs of these works cannot be met from within the Single Property Budget cash limits

RESOLVED - That:-

·         approval be given to the implementation of the updated Asset Management Plan Capital programme for 2020/21 and the financing thereof, and the Indicative AMP programme for up to 2025, as set out in the report.

·         approval be given to the application of corporate resources to fund the AMP programme 2020/21 to 2024/2025; with the application of funding types (capital receipts and borrowing) being delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive in conjunction with the Estates Capital Board (ECB).

·         the Deputy Chief Executive be authorised to award construction contracts as required to deliver the works programme.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education.

The report outlines the business case for the proposal to TUPE staff currently employed across four partner local authorities to Stockport.

The Cabinet is recommended to give approval to the proposal in principle, subject to all parties agreeing to the revised Integrated Services Agreement and schedules.

Officer contact: Sue Westwood on 0161 474 2726 or by email on sue.westwood@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the business case for the proposal to TUPE staff currently employed across the four partner local authorities in the Adoption Counts Regional Adoption Agency to Stockport

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the transfer of the currently seconded staff to Stockport Council through the application of TUPE regulations subject to all parties agreeing to the revised Integrated Services Agreement and schedules, on the basis identified in the report.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate & Support Services.

Colleagues across the Council and with STaR have been working jointly to consider Stockport’s approach to Social Value. To this end, a formal ‘Social Value Charter’ has been drafted to outline the aims of adopting a more structured approach to social value. Similar Charters have been agreed in the other STaR Authorities of Trafford and Tameside.

The Charter supports Stockport to recognise, account for, report on and analyse the use of social value and provides a commitment to develop a robust social value decision making framework.

Cabinet are asked to consider and approve the draft Charter, insofar as it relates to executive functions, ahead of proceeding to full Council in April.

Officer contact: Holly Rae on 0161 474 3014 or email: holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposed ‘Social Value Charter’ that had been drafted to outline the aims of adopting a more structured approach to social value.  It was reported that similar Charters have been agreed in the other STaR Authorities of Trafford and Tameside.

The proposed Charter would support Stockport to recognise, account for, report on and analyse the use of social value and provided a commitment to develop a robust social value decision-making framework.

RESOLVED – That the Social Value Charter be approved and adopted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance.

The report provides the Monitoring Officer’s proposals and recommendations for various amendments to the Constitution as detailed below.  The proposed amendments have been endorsed by the Constitution Working Parking at its meetings on 14 October 2019, 6 November 2019 and 20 February 2020:-

The Guide to the Constitution (Appendix A)

Part 1 to the Constitution – Summary and Explanation (Appendix B)

Part 2 – Articles of the Constitution (Appendix C)

Part 5 – Procedure Rules

CP1 - Code of Conduct for Councillors and Co-opted Members (Appendix D)

CP 2 - Officers Code of Conduct (Appendix E)

CP4 – Confidential Reporting Policy (Appendix F)

CP5 – Procedure for Question Time at Cabinet and Committee Meetings

The Cabinet is requested to recommend that the Council Meeting approves and adopts the proposed amendments to the Constitution.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a schedule of proposed amendments to various sections of the Constitution.  It was reported that the proposed amendments have been endorsed by the Constitution Working Parking at its meetings on 14 October 2019, 6 November 2019 and 20 February 2020.

RESOLVED - That the Council Meeting be recommended to give approval to the proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution as detailed in the report.

On:-

(a)  Matters (if any) referred to the Cabinet Meeting

(b)  Any called-in Cabinet Executive Decisions

There were no recommendations to consider.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance.

(NOTE: An appendix to the report contains information ‘not for publication’ and has been circulated to cabinet members only)

The report sets out a proposal to re-profile and realign pooled budget contributions between the Council and Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group over the period 2019/20 – 2020/21.

The Cabinet is recommended to agree the proposal to agree a two year funding agreement as set out in the report with the final per annum contribution levels delegated to the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance.

Officer contact: Michael Cullen on 0161 474 4631 or email: michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a proposal to re-profile and realign pooled budget contributions between the Council and Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group over the period 2019/20 – 2020/21

(NOTE: The report contained information ‘not for publication’ in its appendix that had been circulated to cabinet members only).

RESOLVED - That approval be given to a two year funding agreement, as set out in the report, with the final per annum contribution levels delegated to the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer and Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

(NOTE: the Chair is of the opinion that this item, although not included on the agenda, should be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 in order that the Cabinet could consider the matter and take action to ensure the Council was able to exercise the necessary delegations previously approved by the Cabinet.  It would not be possible for the matter to wait until the next meeting of the Cabinet as it is likely that investment decisions would need to be taken in advance of that date).

In line with the Council’s ambitious long-term vision for the future of Stockport’s Town Centre West, Cabinet approved the creation of a strategic investment facility at its meeting on 1 October 2019 to support investment which could kick start the regeneration of the Town Centre West area.

As the Council has worked through potential investment opportunities in line with the principles set out in the October report, it has become clear that the wording of the delegation for the approval of investments does not allow for equity or grant investment to be approved.

This report recommends an amendment to the wording of the approved delegated authority to allow the approval of equity and grant investments, as well as loan investments.

The Cabinet is recommended to amend its decision taken in response to the recommendation at paragraph 8.1.3 in the 1st October Cabinet report to read:

(1) Authority be delegated to the Borough Treasurer and Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Resources, Commissioning, & Governance, Economy & Regeneration and for Sustainable Stockport, for the appraisal, due diligence, and approval of individual investment agreements (including but not limited to land assembly, loan, equity, and grant agreements) on a scheme-by-scheme basis.

Officer contact: Michael Cullen on 0161-474-4631 or email: michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk or Caroline Simpson on 0161-474-5000 or email: caroline.simpson@stockport.gov.uk.

(NOTE: the Chair was of the opinion that this item, although not included on the agenda, should be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) in order that the Cabinet could consider the matter and take action to ensure the Council was able to exercise the necessary delegations previously approved by the Cabinet.  It would not be possible for the matter to wait until the next meeting of the Cabinet as it is likely that investment decisions would need to be taken in advance of that date).

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) noting that the Cabinet had previously given its approval the creation of a strategic investment facility at its meeting on 1 October 2019 to support investment which could kick start the regeneration of the Town Centre West area.  This was published as an executive decision with the reference CAB191.

The report stated that as the Council had worked through potential investment opportunities in line with the principles set out in the October report, it had become clear that the wording of the delegation for the approval of investments did not allow for equity or grant investment to be approved.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Cabinet gives its approval to the amendment of its         previous decision, and has agreed that authority be delegated to the Borough Treasurer and Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Resources, Commissioning, & Governance, Economy & Regeneration and for Sustainable Stockport, for the appraisal, due diligence, and approval of individual investment agreements (including but not limited to land assembly, loan, equity, and grant agreements) on a scheme-by-scheme basis.

(2) That it be noted that the remaining elements of decision reference CAB191 in response to the recommendations in paragraphs 8.1.1 and 8.1.2 of the October report remained unaffected by this amendment and decision as do the context, rationale, and investment principles set out in the main body of the October report.