Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 October 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 2 October 2018 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 their powers and duties, subject the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

Five questions were submitted.

(i)            Clarification was sought on the costs of the A6MARR scheme in light of differences between the figures quoted on the SEMMMS website (£290m) and those in the Mid-Year Corporate Performance & Resources Report (£224m), and when finalised figures for the scheme costs would be available.

In response, the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration stated that the overall budget allocation for the scheme was £290m, which would include detailed design, construction, mitigation measures, purchase of land and compensation to affected residents and landowners. It was anticipated that the latter elements would take several years to be finalised so the £224m referred to was the forecast for the current scheme costs and did not include outstanding matters such as compensation. The overall scheme allocation therefore remained £290m.

(ii)          In relation to the A6MARR reference was made to comments posted online about the ongoing work connected to the road scheme and the lack of immediate impact of the road in improving traffic flow. Clarification was sought on what was proposed to address these issues and why the road had been opened with so many matters outstanding, including safety features.

In response, the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration acknowledged that the opening of a road of this scale would have significant impact on traffic patterns as motorists adjusted to additional options for their journeys, but that the A6MARR project team was working closely with Greater Manchester Urban Transport Control to monitor the impact of the new signalised junctions and to make adjustments to maximise the efficiency of the junctions.

In relation to the A34, it was stated that works at this location were close to completion and that would assist traffic movements in the area. Specifically in relation to concerns about outstanding safety matters the Cabinet Member clarified that an independent assessment had been undertaken of the road prior to opening that had found no issues that would prevent that opening. She stated that the Council endeavoured to exceed national safety standards where it was right to do so and would address any concerns the operation of the new road brought to light.

(iii)         Clarification was sought on the process for assessing the impact of the A6MARR and how this would inform the SEMMMS Refresh and what the timetable was for the final draft of the refreshed SEMMMS to be published.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration replied that there would be an assessment of the impact of the road one year after opening and further assessment after five years.

In relation to the SEMMMS Refresh it was stated that feedback on the consultation was being analysed and it was hoped to publish a final draft during the Winter, although the date for this was dependent on outside factors include the release of the next iteration of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

(iv)         In relation to the implementation of Universal Credit in Stockport it was asked whether the Cabinet would propose a motion to the Council Meeting, similar to that proposed by the Cabinet of Leeds City Council, expressing concern about the impact of the programme and calling on the Government to stop the implementation.

In response the Leader of the Council said yes.

(v)          In relation to the Greater Manchester Mayor’s ‘A Bed Every Night’ initiative, clarification was sought on whether there were more than two rooms available in Stockport, when this programme would commence and whether it would be external temperature dependent.

In response the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing stated that the Council worked to prevent homelessness throughout the year and had a range of policies in place. While temporary accommodation was provided the Council worked with individuals to find permanent homes that would help them  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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.

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 be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the exempt appendices to the following items, in the event that the content of these appendices needed to be discussed:-

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Mid-Year Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides an update on progress in delivering the Council’s priority outcomes and budget during the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September).

Updates are included on delivery of policy priorities and the growth and reform programme. The report also includes the latest forecast budget and performance data, along with an update on the Corporate Risk Register. It is supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports which were considered by the most recent Scrutiny cycle.

The Leader’s Mid-Year Report reflects on achievements, key issues, events and changes since the First Update Report. 

Cabinet is asked to:

·           Review progress against delivering Council priorities and capital schemes alongside budget and performance forecasts contained within the report;

·           Note the key policy drivers identified and progress in managing corporate risks set out in section 2;

·           Approve the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 3.2.3;

·           Note the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast positions for 2018/19 as set out in section 3.3 to 3.6;

·           Note the position on the 2018/19 budget savings programme set out in section 3.4;

·           Note the Dedicated Schools Grant and Housing Revenue Account forecast positions as set out in sections 3.7 and 3.8;

·           Approve the use of Non Cash Limit surpluses to address the in-year deficit on the Dedicated Schools Grant and avoid having to carry forward a deficit position into 2019/20;

·           Approve the appropriations to/from reserves and balances as set out in section 3.9 and note the resulting reserves and balances position;

·           Note the forecast position for the 2018/19 Capital Programme as set out in section 4.1 and 4.2;

·           Note the changes to the Capital Programme during the quarter as set out in 4.1.5;

·           Approve the proposals for resourcing and additional resources required for the Capital Programme as set out in 4.3;

·           Approve the 2018/19 actual prudential indicators as set out in section 4.4; and

·           Identify key areas for further investigation and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any existing or forecast issues or risks.

Officer contact: Peter Owston / Jonathan Davies, 0161 474 3274 / 218 1025,

peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk / jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Cabinet with an update on the delivery of the Council’s priority outcomes and budget during the first half of 2018/19, with a particular focus on the second quarter.

The Leader’s Mid-Year Report was also included, summarising achievements, key issues and changes since the last report.

The Leader of the Council highlighted a number of significant issues:-

·         ongoing work to produce balanced budget proposals while protecting frontline services and the most vulnerable members of the community; the need to avoid ‘false economies’ when making savings was emphasised as was the increasing difficulty of identifying savings;

·         work with partners to prepare for the implementation of Universal Credit in Stockport;

·         increased investment in LED lighting and children’s play provision;

·         continued demand pressures on children’s and adult’s services meant that there was a projected deficit although this was anticipated to be offset by surpluses in non-cash limits budgets;

·         performance at this point in 2018/19 was significantly better than performance at the equivalent point in 2017/18;

·         performance in relation to permanent admission to care homes and the number of NEETs was off-target, although in the case of the latter target this may be due to changed data collection methodologies;

·         the Springboard Report into carbon neutrality had recently been published and set out the ambitious approach for Greater Manchester; efforts were also underway to develop a business case to Government to draw down funding to address stretches of roads in Greater Manchester that had illegally high levels of NO2;

·         the GMSF had been delayed pending a Government consultation on the methodology for calculating housing need;

·         there were pressures on the Dedicated Schools Grant, particularly in the High Needs Block, and proposals were set out in the report to address these pressures;

·         collection of Council Tax and Business Rates was ahead of projections;

·         the Review of the Armed Forces Covenant was due to be completed soon.

The Cabinet Member for Education highlighted the positivity of the ‘Invest to Save’ approach the Cabinet had taken to respond to pressure on the Dedicated Schools Grant through expanding provision for SEND pupils after historic underinvestment and continued underfunding from the Government. He commended other Cabinet Members for their commitment to fund this investment although it may put pressure on their portfolios.

The Cabinet Member for Children & Families also highlighted investment in children’s care capacity to reduce the cost pressures of placements. In response to recent media reports of other local authorities ‘auctioning’ care placement to private providers the Cabinet Member condemned the practice and gave an assurance that such practices did not take place in Stockport. He also reported his continued efforts in conjunction with the LGA to press Government for increased funding for children’s services.

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance highlighted a discussion at the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee in relation to traded services, and that this would inform the development of the Commercialisation Strategy.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Corporate Performance and Resources Mid-Year Reports 2018/19:-

·         the key policy drivers identified and progress in managing corporate risks set out in section 2 of the report be noted;

·         the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 3.2.3 of the report be approved;

·         the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast positions for 2018/19 as set out in sections 3.3 to 3.6 of the report be noted;

·         the position on the 2018/19 budget savings programme set out in section 3.4 of the report be noted;

·         the Dedicated Schools Grant and Housing Revenue Account forecast positions as set out in sections 3.7 and 3.8 of the report be noted;

·         the use of Non Cash Limit surpluses to address the in-year deficit on the Dedicated Schools Grant and avoid having to carry forward a deficit position into 2019/20 be approved;

·         the appropriations to/from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

This report provides Cabinet with a mid-year review of the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2018/19 approved by Council on 22 February 2018 and has been prepared in accordance with the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management in the Public Services.

There are no key changes required to the Treasury Management and Capital strategies for 2018/19, which continue to be relevant and effective. Interest rate forecasts (explained in Section 8) engendered by the current economic situation (given in Section 13) of the report, will lead the Council’s investment and borrowing strategies for the remainder of the financial year.

The Cabinet is invited to recommend the Council Meeting that it:

·         note the report and the treasury activity in the first half of the financial year;

·         note the revised interest rate forecasts for PWLB rates over the short and medium-term which will drive the Council’s long-term borrowing strategies going forward.

Officer contact: Lorna Soufian, 0161 474 4026, lorna.soufian@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Cabinet with a mid-year review of the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy for 2018/19, and providing an economic update for the first six months of the year and the implications for the interest rate predictions and the outlook provided in the initial Strategy.

The Leader of the Council commended the work of the Borough Treasurer and his team for their continued stewardship of the Council’s investments and borrowings. Other Cabinet Members emphasised the importance of this work to support the Cabinet’s investments in service reform.

The Leader emphasised the continued impact of low interest rates on Council borrowing and the realisation of cash-savings through the flexibility in the Council’s borrowing Strategy. He also highlighted the challenges caused by uncertainty over Brexit.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to receive the Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy 2018/19 Mid-Year Review Report and note:

•      the report and the treasury activity in the first half of the financial year;

•      the revised interest rate forecasts for PWLB rates over the short and medium-term which would drive the Council’s long-term borrowing strategies going forward.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing.

The report provides Cabinet with the findings of the review of the Stockport Council Gambling Policy – Statement of Licensing Principles 2019 – 2022 and asks for final comments before being put before the Council Meeting on 29 November 2018. The consultation took place from 15 August 2018 – 10 October 2018 and the report will present the consultation responses, provide recommended actions and a proposed final version that both Legal Services and the Gambling Commission are satisfied that the response to the consultation results is sufficiently robust to withstand challenge.

The Cabinet is invited to recommend to the Council Meeting that the Gambling Policy as set out in the report be adopted for the next three years.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn, 0161-474-3700, mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider the outcome of a consultation on a new Gambling Policy – Statement of Licensing Principles for 2019 – 2022, the previous Policy having been reviewed in accordance with the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to adopt the Gambling Policy – Statement of Licensing Principles for 2019 – 2022 to cover the next three year period.

To consider a report of Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

The Well-managed Highways Infrastructure Code of Practice (WMHI) was published in 2016. As part of the documents to deliver the policies and plans for the implementation of the WMHI it was identified that The Council needed to review its Functional Network Hierarchy (FNH). The FNH identifies the relative importance of a section of adopted highway and so the maintenance levels and inspection levels it will need to receive. This report explains how the hierarchy has been reviewed.

Cabinet is recommended to:-

·           approve the amendment of the Functional Network Hierarchy using the above process;

·           agree that amendments to the Functional Network Hierarchy will be made with the approval of the relevant Service Director in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, 0161-474-4351, sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider a review of the Functional Network Hierarchy (FNH) that had been undertaken as part of the implementation of the Well-Managed Highways Infrastructure Code of Practice. The new FNH would be used to review the Resilience Network and the Gritting Network routes and maintenance regimes.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Well Managed Highways Code of Practice:

•        the amendment of the Functional Network Hierarchy using the process set out in Section 4 of the report be approved;

•        the Service Director for Place Management be authorised to approve amendments to the Functional Network Hierarchy in consultation with the appropriate cabinet member.

To consider a joint report of the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

(Note: the report contains information ‘not for publication’ in its appendices that have been circulated to cabinet members only)

The report provides an update on the redevelopment strategy for Merseyway, an overview of the work undertaken since its approval at the meeting of the Cabinet held on 19 December 2017, and sets out the rationale for the review of the original strategy and provides summaries of the key projects being taken forward.

The Cabinet is requested to:

·           support the overall direction of the Merseyway redevelopment strategy and note the ongoing risks and challenges of the individual projects.

·           approve the three schemes to be financed from non-recurrent resources as detailed in paragraph 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6, with the optimal blend delegated to the Borough Treasurer and the Leader of the Council, which will be reported and scrutinised via the Corporate Performance and resource reporting mechanism.

·           approve the recommendation for the other asset management opportunities set out in confidential appendix 6.

·           delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Services to Place Management & Regeneration and the Borough Treasurer, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration to take all necessary steps to implement the strategy in the report, reporting back as necessary and appropriate to the Cabinet.

·           authorise the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to do all things necessary or incidental to the implementation of the above resolutions.

Officer Contact: Paul Richards on 0161 474 2940 or email: paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Cabinet on the redevelopment of Merseyway and proposes revisions to the plans in light of significant changes to the retail market since the Cabinet approved plans in December 2017.

(Note: the report contained information ‘not for publication’ in its appendices that had been circulated to cabinet members only).

The Cabinet Member highlighted the continued strong performance of the Town Centre despite adverse conditions for ‘high-street’ retail nationally, but emphasised the changing shopping habits of the public and the need to diversify the usage of property in the Town Centre, including introducing a more residential provision.

Specifically in relation to the investment proposals in the report, the Cabinet Member stated that while many would realise a financial return some proposals, such as the amenity block and Mersey Square, would not lead to an identifiable return although they would provide a wider benefit for the whole of the Town Centre.

The Leader of the Council emphasised that when acquiring Merseyway it was clear that there would need to be investment in the asset in order to secure its future and enhance its offer and that the Council would be best placed to make necessary investments that a private sector investor would not. He further stressed that the resources being used for investment were not being diverted from other Council budgets and services.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the redevelopment of Merseyway:-

·           the overall direction of the Merseyway redevelopment strategy be supported and the ongoing risks and challenges of the individual projects be noted;

·           approval be given to the three schemes to be financed from non-recurrent resources as detailed in paragraph 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6 of the report, with the decision on the optimal blend being delegated to the Borough Treasurer in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to be reported and scrutinised via the Corporate Performance and Resource Reporting mechanism;

·           the recommendation for the other asset management opportunities set out in confidential appendix 6 be approved;

·           authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and the Borough Treasurer, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration to take all necessary steps to implement the strategy in the report, reporting back as necessary and appropriate to the Cabinet;

·           the Head of Legal, Democratic Governance and Estates & Asset Management be authorised to do all things necessary or incidental to the implementation of the above resolutions.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance.

(Note: the report includes information ‘not for publication’ in its appendices that have been circulated to cabinet members only)

The purpose of this report is to present a collaborative proposal produced by the finance officers of both the Council and Totally Local Company Ltd (TLC) for replacing TLC’s fleet of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and light vehicles used for delivering the company’s services.  This will involve the Council providing a loan facility arrangement to facilitate and support implementation of this strategy.

A detailed business case was considered by the TLC board and subsequently the Contributor’s Committee on 6 September 2018.  The Contributor’s Committee gave its full endorsement to the strategy and the provision of financing by the Council.

The Cabinet is recommended to:

•      Support the Fleet Replacement Strategy; and;

•      Approve the provision of a loan facility to TLC to implement the strategy with the terms of individual tranches delegated to the Borough Treasurer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Reform and Governance.

Contact: Michael Cullen, 0161 474 4631, michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider a strategy for the replacement of the Totally Local Company Ltd (TLC) fleet of Heavy Goods Vehicles through a state-aid compliant local facility arrangement between the Council and TLC.

(Note: the report included information ‘not for publication’ in its appendix that had been circulated to cabinet members only).

Cabinet Members welcomed the collaborative approach taken by the Council and TLC in developing the proposals.

RESOLVED – That support be given to the Fleet Replacement Strategy and approval be given to the provision of a loan facility to the Totally Local Company Ltd to implement the strategy with the terms of individual tranches being delegated to the Borough Treasurer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Health.

On 2 October 2018 the Cabinet considered a report of the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee into a Whole System Approach to Healthy Weight. Cabinet received the report which included findings and a series of recommendations, and requested that the Director of Public Health prepare a response to the recommendations. The attached report provides the proposed response to each of the recommendations.

The Cabinet is recommended to adopt the attached response to the Scrutiny Review.

Officer contact: Dr Donna Sager, 0161-474-3928, donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider a proposed response to the recommendations made by the Adult Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee in its Scrutiny Review ‘A Whole System Approach to Healthy Weight’.

The Cabinet Member emphasised the complexity of the challenge that obesity presented to public services and how collaboration with other agencies was vital to encouraging lifestyle and behavioural change.

Cabinet Members discussed the challenge of finding the right balance between encouraging development and discouraging unhealthy activity, such as fast food or less healthy food outlets. It was commented that the Council and its partners had a range of tools available, such as the Local Plan, to encourage choice and variety as opposed to preventing certain providers. The choices people made were often determined by factors such as convenience and cost rather than the health benefits of those options.

RESOLVED – That the response to ‘A Whole System Approach to Healthy Weight’ Scrutiny Review Final Report and recommendations be approved.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Cabinet is invited to note the decisions taken by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on 26 October 2018.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out decisions taken by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) on 26 October 2018.

The Leader highlighted the importance of the GMCA’s decision on the Clean Air Plan for taking steps to improve air quality, although recognising the need for national actions.

The Leader also welcomed the decision in relation to the devolution of the Adult Education and Skills Budget that was a further element of the original devolution agreement for Greater Manchester. The Leader stressed that local councils and residents would gain real influence over decisions about provision as a result of this decision.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

On:-

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

(b)  Any called-in Cabinet Executive Decisions

There were no recommendations to consider.