Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 July 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 21 July 2015 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

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

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and Executive Councillors on any matters within the powers and duties of the Executive, 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 on any matters within the powers and duties of the Executive, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

Three questions had been submitted in advance of the meeting by members of the public who were not present at the meeting. The Chair confirmed 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it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of the following agenda items which contain information “not for publication”

* Consent was provided by the Chair of the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee to exempt this report from the 28 Day Notice required on the grounds it was not reasonable to delay consideration of this report

RESOLVED – (1) That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ appendix to the following item, in the event of the content of this appendix needing to be discussed:-

(2) That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item:-

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance).

This item comprises (i) the First Update Corporate Performance and Resources Report (CPRR) 2015/16, and (ii) the First Update Leader’s Report 2015/16.

The First Update Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides an overview of progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the first quarter of 2015/16. It is the first report based on the new Council Plan 2015/16 and the Medium Term Financial Plan 2015/18, and is presented in a new format.

Project updates are largely focused around the Investing in Stockport programme, and the report also includes forecast budget and performance data where this is available, along with an update on the refreshed Corporate Risk Register. It is supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports which were considered by the last Scrutiny cycle.

The Leader’s Report highlights a number of the Council’s significant achievements over the last quarter, including significant decisions at Greater Manchester level.

The Executive is asked to;

·        Review progress against delivering the Council Plan’s Investing in Stockport outcomes and capital schemes alongside budget and performance forecasts contained within the report;

·        Approve the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.3;

·        Note the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast positions for 2015/16 as set out in sections 2.3 and 2.6;

·        Note the position on the 2015/16 budget savings programme set out in section 2.4;

·        Note the Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account forecast positions as set out in sections 2.7 and 2.8;

·        Approve the contributions to/from earmarked reserves and balances as set out in section 2.9 and note the forecast reserves and balances position;

·        Note the forecast position for the 2015/16 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1;

·        Approve the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.6;

·        Approve the proposals for resourcing the Capital Programme as set out in 3.3.4 and 3.3.5;

·        Note the treasury review and activity during the first quarter as set out in section 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, 0161 474 3274, peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Executive with a report on the delivery of the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget for the first quarter of 2015/16. The report was based on the new Council Plan 2015/16 and the Medium Term Financial Plan 2015/18 and was presented in a new format.

The Leader’s Report for the first quarter of 2015/16 was also included within the report, and summarised significant Greater Manchester level decisions.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Corporate Performance and Resources First Update Reports 2015/16:-

·         progress against delivering the Council Plan’s Investing in Stockport outcomes and capital schemes alongside budget and performance forecasts contained within the report be noted;

·         the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.3 of the report be approved;

·         the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast positions for 2015/16 as set out in sections 2.3 and 2.6 of the report be noted;

·         the position on the 2015/16 budget savings programme set out in section 2.4 of the report be noted;

·         the Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account forecast positions as set out in sections 2.7 and 2.8 of the report be noted;

·         the contributions to/from earmarked reserves and balances as set out in section 2.9 of the report be approved and the forecast reserves and balances position be noted;

·         the forecast position for the 2015/16 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1 of the report be noted;

·         the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.6 of the report be approved;

·         the proposals for resourcing the Capital Programme as set out in 3.3.4 and 3.3.5 of the report be approved, and;

·         the treasury review and activity during the first quarter as set out in section 4 of the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance)

The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of complaints, as at the 1^st quarter (April - June) 2015/16. The report includes overviews of Stage 1 & Stage 2 Corporate Complaints;  statutory Adults Social Care Complaints; statutory Children’s Social Care Complaints; complaints about Stockport Homes, and complaints referred to the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO).

Executive is asked to:

a)     Review performance information contained in this report, and

b)     Comment on the performance measures reported and suggest any additional information that might be collected in future.

Officer contact: Anwar Majothi, 0161 474 3182, anwar.majothi@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Executive with an overview of complaints received in the first quarter of 2015/16 and outlining any lessons learnt as a consequence.

RESOLVED – That performance in relation to complaints received in the first quarter of 2015/16 be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Thriving Communities)

Stockport Homes Letting Service has been in operation since June 2012 and a review of the service was carried out by the Adult Care Services & Housing Scrutiny Committee in April 2015. This report provides the responses to the recommendations made by the Scrutiny Review Panel.

That the Executive approve its response to the Stockport Homes Private Rented Service Scrutiny Review recommendations as set out in the report.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax, 0161 474 4319, andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider a proposed response to the recommendations made by the Adult Care Services & Housing Scrutiny Committee as part of their Review “Stockport Homes Private Rented Service”.

RESOLVED – (1) That the response to the “Stockport Homes Private Rented Service” Scrutiny Review Final Report be approved.

(2) That the Executive’s gratitude and appreciation be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel and others involved.

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor (Support and Governance)

The Stockport Borough Plan is intended to provide a high-level vision, based on the Investing in Stockport Shared Outcomes Framework, that all partners can work towards over the next five years.

The Plan is supported by a range of organisational and partnership plans and strategies, including the Council Plan for 2015/16, which outline in more detail how individual public agencies are contributing to outcomes in the Borough.  The Borough Plan focuses in addition on those key programmes that must be progressed in partnership.  

The Plan is presented for approval by the Executive for adoption by the Council Meeting of 17 September. As outlined above, consultation with partners is still ongoing, so minor amendments may be made to the Plan ahead of the Council Meeting in order to reflect further comments and feedback.

Once adopted, the outcomes and ambition set out in the Borough Plan provide a framework for on-going conversations with Elected Members and others about the local priorities and interests of different communities in the Borough.

The Executive is asked to approve the draft Borough Plan for submission to the Council Meeting of 17 September 2015.

Officer contact: Steve Skelton, 0161 474 3174, steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the draft Stockport Borough Plan for 2015-2020, intended to provide a high-level vision, based on the Investing in Stockport Shared Outcomes Framework, that all partners could work towards over the next five years.

The Executive Councillor emphasised the importance of the Plan to underpin the increasing range of partnership working taking place in the Borough and that not all the outcomes/ measures contained in the plan would be deliverable by the Council.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to approve the Borough Plan 2015-2020.

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance)

This suite of three reports presents the forecasts for the Council’s finances for the period 2016/17 to 2020/21 (taking as its starting point the position set out in the budget reports considered at the Council Meeting on 26 February 2015) and outlines the Executive’s proposals about how the Council seeks to meet the spending requirements set out in those forecasts, including a separate report on the integration of health and social care.

The information contained in these reports will inform the Council’s approach to contributing to shared outcomes set out in the Investing in Stockport Plan 2015-2020 and annual Council Plans, as well as the approach to be taken to delivering a balanced and sustainable budget for 2016/17 and making appropriate preparations for future years.

Since the previous forecast, there have been further developments which will impact on the Council’s medium term financial plans, and which are set out in the accompanying reports. 

At this stage, it is forecast that there will be sufficient resources available to deliver the 2016/17 revenue budget plan.  The best estimate of future reductions necessary to bring forecast spending down to match likely resource levels suggests that savings of around £13.3m are required for 2017/18 and that the cumulative on-going budget reduction requirement to 2020/21 will amount to some £54.5m.

In light of the developments outlined above, This report restates the overall Investing in Stockport programme, and includes further proposals for service changes. The details of these are in the business cases enclosed at Appendix D to report B (Investing in Stockport Executive Proposals).  These proposals are consistent with the overall strategic approach and areas of service and financial focus agreed for the current two-year phase of the Investing in Stockport programme. The report focuses on the potential impacts of the proposed reforms, for example on residents, partners and the Council and its workforce.  Information is also included on the intended approach to consultation and potential equalities impacts.  The report also provides updates on those projects completed within 2015/16.

Separate to the overarching report on the Investing in Stockport programme is a focussed report outlining the challenges and future direction of transformation and integration across the Health and Social Care system. This report provides a detailed overview of progress to deliver a pooled budget and a set of proposals for consideration by the Executive to enable future financial sustainability.

Officer contact: Steve Houston/ Laureen Donnan, 0161 474 3180, steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk / Laureen.donnan@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) submitted a suite of reports (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the forecasts for the Council’s finances for the period 2016/17 to 2020/21 (taking as its starting point the position set out in the budget reports considered at the Council Meeting on 26 February 2015), outlining the Executive’s proposals about how the Council seeks to meet the spending requirements set out in those forecasts, and providing a separate report on the integration of health and social care.

The Executive Councillor emphasised the significant challenge the Council was facing in future budget saving requirements, and commended the work done to date to address previous requirements.

The Executive Councillor (Independence & Wellbeing) emphasised the scale of the proposed transformation of health and social care and the consequent time it would take for any savings to be realised.

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) highlighted in particular those leisure-related proposals contained in the report relating to work with Hazel Grove High School, and the broader move toward greater partnership working.

The Executive is recommended to:

•        note the recent government announcements set out in section 2 and their potential impact on spending and future Settlement Funding Assessments;

•        note, and comment upon as appropriate, the financial forecasts for 2016/17 to 2020/21, and the key issues to be addressed in formulating a response to the financial challenges facing the Council;

•        approve the adjustments to the medium term financial plan set out in the tables at paragraphs 3.2 and 4.2, in particular those relating to the MRP policy and NHB receipts;

•        note the £5.29m forecast of available support for the existing Investing in Stockport Programme and the indicative cumulative savings requirement for 2017/18 of £13.3m, £28.6m for 2018/19 rising to £54.5m by 2020/21 along with the sensitivity analysis included at Appendices One and Three;

•        take the steps necessary to ensure a balanced budget for 2016/17 and an updated Medium Term Financial Plan is presented to the Budget Council meeting on 3 March 2016.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Medium Term Financial Plan - Financial Landscape and Forecasts 2016/17 to 2020/21:-

•      the recent government announcements set out in section 2 of the report and their potential impact on spending and future Settlement Funding Assessments be noted;

•      the financial forecasts for 2016/17 to 2020/21, and the key issues to be addressed in formulating a response to the financial challenges facing the Council be noted;

•      the adjustments to the medium term financial plan set out in the tables at paragraphs 3.2 and 4.2 of the report, in particular those relating to the MRP policy and NHB receipts, be approved;

•      the £5.29m forecast of available support for the existing Investing in Stockport Programme and the indicative cumulative savings requirement for 2017/18 of £13.3m, £28.6m for 2018/19 rising to £54.5m by 2020/21 along with the sensitivity analysis included at Appendices One and Three of the report be noted;

•      steps necessary to ensure a balanced budget for 2016/17 and an updated Medium Term Financial Plan can be presented to the Budget Council meeting on 3 March 2016 continue to be taken.

The Executive is recommended to:

•           agree the indicative budget allocations and investment propositions set out in the report and the associated business cases;

•           ask the Corporate Leadership team and senior managers, in consultation with the relevant Executive Councillors, to undertake the appropriate consultation exercises and to develop implementation plans, including impact and risk assessments, to facilitate the delivery of the proposals set out in the report

•           in relation to the Leisure Review, the Executive is asked to approve officers to:

·                proceed with funding essential works in the region of £0.350m at Hazel Grove Recreation Centre

·                proceed with establishing appropriate overage and/or investment return mechanisms with Hazel Grove High School to partially offset the cost of the Council’s investments

·                draw up the necessary documentation and agreements with Hazel Grove High School to underpin these arrangements and protect public use of the Hazel Grove Recreation Centre

•           agree that, as appropriate, proposals be resubmitted for the Executive’s approval as consultation exercises are completed and/or more detailed plans are prepared

•           continue with the steps necessary to agree a final balanced budget proposal for 2016/17 and an updated Medium Term Financial Plan for presentation to the Council budget meeting in March 2016

•           report to all scrutiny committees in the next cycle outlining the proposals relating to each committee’s remit

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Investing in Stockport 2016/17 Executive Proposals:-

·           the indicative budget allocations and investment propositions set out in the report and the associated business cases be agreed;

·           the Corporate Leadership team and senior managers, in consultation with the relevant Executive Councillors, be requested to undertake the appropriate consultation exercises and to develop implementation plans, including impact and risk assessments, to facilitate the delivery of the proposals set out in the report;

·           in relation to the Leisure Review, to the Corporate Leadership Team be requested to:

-        proceed with funding essential works in the region of £0.350m at Hazel Grove Recreation Centre;

-        proceed with establishing appropriate coverage and/or investment return mechanisms with Hazel Grove High School to partially offset the cost of the Council’s investments; and

-        draw up the necessary documentation and agreements with Hazel Grove High School to underpin these arrangements and protect public use of the Hazel Grove Recreation Centre;

·        as appropriate, proposals be resubmitted for the Executive’s approval as consultation exercises were completed and/or more detailed plans prepared;

·        the steps necessary to agree a final balanced budget proposal for 2016/17 and an updated Medium Term Financial Plan for presentation to the Council budget meeting in March 2016 continue to be taken; and

·        a report be submitted to all scrutiny committees in the September 2015 meeting cycle outlining the proposals relating to each committee’s remit.

The Executive is asked to note:

·         progress being made in developing a whole-system change to health and social care locally and as part of the GM Devolution agenda;

·         challenges to current organisational form for both LA and NHS partners;

·         potential additional investment from Vanguard;

The Executive is asked to agree:

·         a £2m (non-recurrent) investment from the IIS Reserve towards the cost of the new model for primary care being implemented as part of the proactive care element of the Stockport Together programme (see paragraphs 2.3 to 2.5, 3.4 and Appendix A)

·         in principle to the pooling of resources with the CCG as outlined in the report, subject to a further report on the establishment of appropriate governance, budgeting, management and risk sharing arrangements;

·         to the exploring of options for new organisational arrangements in relation to the commissioning and contracting of integrated health and social care services, with a further report to be submitted prior to any decisions being taken;

·         to take forward and consult on the ‘Plan C’ budget reduction proposals, outlined in paragraph 4.2 and detailed in Appendix B, noting the risks to partners;

·         to include within its budget considerations the potential requirement to make one-off budget provision in 2016/17 of up to £3.245m to enable the pooled budget to be balanced.

RESOLBED – That in relation to Stockport Together – Integrating Health and Social Care proposals:-

·           the progress being made in developing a whole-system change to health and social care locally and as part of the GM Devolution agenda be noted;

·           the challenges to current organisational form for both Local Authority and NHS partners be noted;

·           potential additional investment from Vanguard be noted;

·           a £2m (non-recurrent) investment from the IIS Reserve towards the cost of the new model for primary care being implemented as part of the proactive care element of the Stockport Together programme (see paragraphs 2.3 to 2.5, 3.4 and Appendix A) be approved;

·           in principle agreement be given to the pooling of resources with the Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group as outlined in the report, subject to a further report on the establishment of appropriate governance, budgeting, management and risk sharing arrangements;

·           agreement be given to exploring options for new organisational arrangements in relation to the commissioning and contracting of integrated health and social care services, with a further report to be submitted prior to any decisions being taken;

·           agreement be given to take forward and consult on the ‘Plan C’ budget reduction proposals, outlined in paragraph 4.2 of the report and detailed in Appendix B, noting the risks to partners; and

·           the potential requirement to make one-off budget provision in 2016/17 of up to £3.245m to enable the pooled budget to be balanced be included with the Executive’s budget considerations.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance)

The Digital by Design Programme involves significant investment of one-off resources to modernise a range of Council services; its focus is on the provision of information, improved customer contact, online self-service, engagement with communities, and the ability to create a more joined-up view of our customers. 

The Executive is recommended to:-

·         discuss and approve the proposal

·         make appropriate provision for the required financial investment

Officer contact: Steve Houston/ Laureen Donnan, 0161 474 3180, steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk / Laureen.donnan@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the implications of the Digital by Design Programme for improvements to the provision of information, improved customer contact, online self-service, engagement with communities, and the ability to create a more joined-up view of customers, and resource investment needed to modernise these services. The Programme would also underpin and ‘enable’ a number of other areas of activity to redesign services.

Executive councillors acknowledged the need for the Programme but reiterated the need to ensure that changes took into account the needs of those residents who did not have ready access to digital services.

RESOLVED – That the Digital by Design proposal as set out in the report, including the financial investment required to deliver the programme as set out in Section 7, be approved.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Councillors (Support & Governance) and (Thriving Economy)

Royley Carr is a Council owned residential building comprising 14 individual units of accommodation. It is currently leased to the Equity Housing Group (EHG) under a lease which has reached the end of its contractual term and EHG remain in occupation. EHG have approached the Council to acquire the freehold to the site in order that it can be redeveloped with traditional housing. The proposal is supported by the Councils Strategic Housing Department.

The offer made by EHG to acquire the site could be seen as being at an undervalue but as the report to the Executive identifies there are costs associated with the Council either accepting the property back and retaining its existing use or alternatively disposing of it on the open market.

(Note: the report contains information ‘not for publication’ is its appendix that has been circulated to executive councillors only).

The Executive is requested to give consideration to the disposal of this asset at an undervalue to the EHG at the sum offered for the development outlined in the report upon reliance of the general Consents in Section 25 of the Local Government Act 1988.

Officer contact: Murray Carr, 0161 474 3019, murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider a proposal to dispose of a Council owned two storey residential building (containing a mixture of flats and bedsits) at Royley Carr, Bredbury to the Equity Housing Group (EHG) that currently leased the property. EHG had sought to acquire the freehold to the site in order to demolish the current building and redevelop the site with 8 traditional 2 bed dwelling houses, for which they had received funding from the Homes and Communities Agency. EHG were seeking to acquire the site for sum below its market value.

(NOTE: the report contained information in its appendix that was ‘not for publication’ that had been circulated to executive councillors only)

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the disposal of Royley Carr, Bredbury, at an undervalue to the Equity Housing Group (option A in the report) for the sum offered for the development as outlined in the report upon reliance of the general Consents in Section 25 of the Local Government Act 1988.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance)

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) at its meeting on 26 June 2015 agreed that it should apply to become a full member of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) in its own right and requested the ten GM Local Authorities to agree to this proposal as soon as possible.

The Executive is invited to consider the report and recommend to the Council Meeting that it:-

·         agree to GMCA becoming a full member of AGMA in its own right.

·         note that further consequential amendments to the AGMA constitution may be agreed by AGMA as a result of the admission of an eleventh member of AGMA.

·         note that Tony Lloyd, interim Mayor of the GMCA is enabled to vote at GMCA meetings.

Officer contact: Craig Ainsworth, 0161 474 3204, craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider a request from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority that it be allowed to join the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities.

RESOLVED – (1) That in so far as the matter related to discharge of executive functions, approval be given to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) becoming a full member of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA).

(2) That the Council Meeting be recommended to

(i)           agree to GMCA becoming a full member of AGMA in its own right in so far as this related to the discharge of non-executive functions;

(ii)          note that further consequential amendments to the AGMA constitution may be agreed by AGMA as a result of the admission of an eleventh member of AGMA; and

(iii)         note that Tony Lloyd, interim Mayor of the GMCA is enabled to vote at AGMA meetings.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Executive is invited to note the decisions of the Joint AGMA Executive/ GMCA Board, AGMA Executive and the GMCA Board meetings held on 31 July 2015.

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

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out decisions taken by the Joint AGMA Executive/GMCA Board and the GMCA Board meetings held on 31 July 2015.

The Leader of the Council highlighted the significant interest in the Housing Investment Fund.

RESOLVED – That the report noted.

To consider a report of the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee.

The report sets out the development of work programmes for scrutiny committees in 2015/16 to ensure that scrutiny works alongside and supports the decision making process and can fully contribute to the policy review and policy development facets of scrutiny. This report provides details of a proposed programme of reviews to be carried out by Scrutiny Committees in 2015/16.

The Executive is invited to comment on the report and the topics proposed and recommend to the Council Meeting that it approve the Scrutiny Review Programme for 2015/16 as set out in paragraph 2.5 of the report.

Officer contact: Craig Ainsworth, 0161 474 3204, craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council submitted a report of the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the proposed Scrutiny Work Programme prior to its submission to the Council Meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance)

The report sets out a number of proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution under the following headings:-

•        Scheme of Delegation – Officers and Executive

•        Changes required by law

•        Officer Code of Conduct in relation to staff registers of Business Interests, Gifts and Hospitality

•        Property Transaction Process Flowchart

•        Implementation of new regulations governing the appointment and dismissal of the statutory officers.

The Executive Meeting is requested to:-

•        recommend to the Council Meeting that the changes to the Constitution as set out in Appendices 1 to 9 inclusive of the report be approved.

•        note that changes to the law on the discharge of local authority functions are imminent, that the Council will be obliged to adopt these changes as soon as they come into force and that the Monitoring Officer will report to the Leader of the Council and to the Council Meeting for approval.

•        recommend to the Council Meeting that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make minor or technical changes to the Constitution if any such changes are required as a result of the amendments set out in Appendices 1 to 9 inclusive of the report.

Officer contact: Parveen Akhtar, 0161 218 1450, parveen.akhtar@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) and Chair of the Constitution Working Party submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider recommendations made by the Working Party and the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee on proposed changes to the Constitution relating to the Scheme of Delegation, the Officer Code of Conduct, the Property Transaction Process Flowchart, the implementation of new regulations governing the appointment and dismissal of the statutory officers and other changes required by law.

RESOLVED – That in relation to proposed changes to the Constitution, the Council Meeting be recommended to:-

·         approve the changes to the Constitution as set out in Appendices 1 to 9 inclusive of the report;

·         note that changes to the law on the discharge of local authority functions were imminent, that the Council will be obliged to adopt these changes as soon as they come into force and that the Monitoring Officer will report to the Leader of the Council and to the Council Meeting for approval; and

·         authorise the Monitoring Officer to make minor or technical changes to the Constitution if any such changes were required as a result of the amendments set out in Appendices 1 to 9 inclusive of the report.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) and (Thriving Economy)

The report sets out the basis for the participation of the Council in potential further town centre investment.

(Note: the report contains information ‘not for publication’ and has been circulated to executive councillors only).

The Executive approve the recommendations set out in the report.

Officer contact: Michael Cullen, George Perrin, 0161 474 4631/ 4510, Michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk / George.perrin@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) and

(Thriving Economy) was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider a proposal for the participation of the Council in potential further town centre investment and the basis for that.

(NOTE: the report contained information ‘not for publication’ that was circulated to executive councillors only)

RESOLVED – That in relation to the proposals set out in the report:-

·         approval be given to progressing the proposals, noting that any decision be subject to further reports to the relevant Scrutiny Committee and the Executive;

·         the Chief Executive, Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services and Corporate Director Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Executive Councillors (Support & Governance) and (Thriving Economy) be authorised to take the steps set out in the report to progress the proposal, subject to the resolution above.