Agenda and minutes

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

With regret, the Mayor referred to the recent the recent loss of PC Fiona Bone and PC Nicola Hughes from Greater Manchester Police who lost their lives whilst responding to an incident in Tameside on Tuesday, 18 September.  The Mayor invited all those present to stand in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of PC Fiona Bone and PC Nicola Hughes.

The Mayor then welcomed a number of Stockport athletes, Games Makers and Torchbearers who had taken part in the Torch Relay, London Olympics and Paralympics, and their guests, to the Council Meeting and congratulated them on their achievements and contribution to a summer of sport both locally and nationally.  The Mayor then presented awards on behalf of all councillors and the public of Stockport to the Olympians and Paralympians present in recognition of their achievements.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 16 August 2012.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 16 August 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor reported that she had attended Heald Green’s Annual Flower and Vegetable show to present awards on Saturday, 18 August 2012 and was particularly impressed by the enthusiasm from the young people in attendance.

In addition, the Mayor stated that she had unveiled a plaque at Romiley Railway Station on Saturday, 8 September 2012 to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of its opening.

On Friday, 21 September 2012 the Mayor had attended the ‘Peace One Day’ celebration at St Agnes’ Church, Reddish which was the second year that it had been held in Stockport.   The Mayor planted a rose bush in the Peace Garden to mark the event.

The Mayor also referred to the success of the recent Marple Food and Drink Festival which she had attended on Saturday, 22 September 2012.

With reference to the Mayor’s Charity, it was reported that the Mayor had attended the Treehouse Unit at Stepping Hill Hospital on Monday, 24 September 2012 which was one of the recipients of funding from the Charity this year.  The Mayor also referred to the forthcoming Mayor’s Charity Abseil which would be taking place on 6 October 2012 at Stopford House.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they may have in any of the items on the Summons for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests which they had in any of the items on the Summons.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

Disclosable Pecuniary Interest

To receive any questions from and provide answers to the public in relation to matters relevant to the Council’s activities.

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Mayor and Councillors on any matters within the powers and duties of the Council.

One public question was submitted relating to the potential for the current problems at Solutions SK to have been identified at an earlier stage.

The Leader of the Council responded that the Council had acted quickly once it was made aware that there were problems at Solutions SK and had commenced a full investigation into the situation which was currently ongoing.

To receive petitions, and by prior arrangement, receive delegations and presentations from members of the public, community groups or partnership organisations.

Model United Nations

Stephanie Longson (Head of the Ethnic Diversity Service) and Nicole Hand (Schools Linking Operational Manager) will attend the meeting and make a presentation in relation to the Model United Nations debating event for Stockport Secondary Schools and the Schools Linking Network.

There were no petitions presented to the meeting.

Model United Nations

Stephanie Longson (Head of the Ethnic Diversity Service) and Nicole Hand (Schools Linking Operational Manager) attended the meeting and made a presentation in relation to the Model United Nations debating event for Stockport Secondary Schools and the Schools Linking Network which was followed by questions from Councillors.

At the conclusion of the item, the Mayor expressed thanks to Stephanie Longson and Nicole Hand.

(a)       Section 41 Spokespersons

The following councillors to answer questions (if any) on the business of the joint authorities:-

(b)       Greater Manchester Combined Authority

The following councillors to answer questions (if any) on the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee:-

(i)         Section 41 Spokespersons

Councillor Syd Lloyd asked a question in relation to the costs associated with the recent decision of the Greater Manchester Police Authority to cancel an event which had been arranged to commemorate its dissolution and replace it with an annual volunteers event, and whether Councillor Paul Porgess as the Council’s representative on the Authority had accepted an invitation to attend the original event.

Councillor Paul Porgess replied that although he had accepted the original invitation, he had undertaken to personally fund the cost of his dinner and that there remained a number of questions he had asked about this event to which he still awaited a response.

Councillor Brian Hendley asked a question with regard to the safety of disposing of asbestos at facilities operated by the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority.

Councillor Chris Gordon replied that any such facilities which allowed for the disposal of asbestos materials operated under Environment Agency permits to do so.  It was further stated that the asbestos material which could be disposed of at these sites was cement bonded and must be double bagged prior to disposal.  Any materials were stored in a locked and safe environment prior to transportation in accordance with Health and Safety Executive rules and in compliance with the Environment Agency permit.

(ii)        Greater Manchester Combined Authority

There were no questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority or the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.

Treasury Management Annual Report 2011/12 and Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance).

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) submitted a report detailing the operation and effectiveness of the Council’s Treasury Management function for 2011/12 and recommending revisions to the Council’s Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices.

RESOLVED – (1)That approval be given to the actual 2011/12 prudential and treasury indicators as detailed in the report.

(2) That the annual treasury management report for 2011/12 be noted.

(3) That the changes to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices to reflect the Council’s amended insurance policy and revised creditworthiness policy for 2012/13 be noted.

To receive a report from the Executive Leader and other members of the Executive on the conduct of Executive business since the last Council Meeting.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) reported on the progress that had been made with regard to the ongoing investigation into the financial position of Solutions SK, and in particular highlighted that there had been no evidence found of any systematic fraud having taken place.  It was also reported that there had been changes with regard to the governance of Solutions SK, with two new lay Executive Members having been appointed.

The Leader of the Council also referred to the Stockport Business Summit which had taken place on Wednesday, 26 September 2012 and which had attracted over 1200 attendees.  There were a number of local businesses represented at the event which hoped to facilitate their meeting potential employees and which was a demonstration of the economic vitality of the Borough.

The Executive Councillor (Adult Care Services) (Councillor Daniel Hawthorne) reported on his proposals for savings within his portfolio area to meet the Council’s overall savings requirement for 2013/14 with particular reference to the reablement services provided by Individual Solutions SK, the Adult Social Care income yield, a proposed residential and home care price freeze, a review of Adults Disability Services and the development of a new Quality Management function.

The Executive Councillor (Health and Wellbeing) (Councillor John Pantall) referred to the ongoing reorganisation of health services including the transfer of public health responsibilities to the Council with effect from 1 April 2013.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) reported that he had recently attended a multi-agency jobs fair at Lancashire Hill which aimed to change people’s mindset to encourage a belief in people’s own ability to find employment.  It was further stated that it was important that Stockport maintained the momentum gained through the Summer’s sporting activities to continue to motivate residents to participate in sport and physical activity.

RESOLVED – That in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 13(n), the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.1(a) that related to responses to questions put to the Executive being provided at the conclusion of the process be suspended to enable responses to be made after each question had been put.

To answer questions from Councillors addressed to the Executive Leader or other members of the Executive, in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance); the Deputy Leader of the Council (Governance and Corporate Services) and the Executive Councillors (Adult Care Services), (Children & Young People), (Economic Development and Regeneration), (Health and Wellbeing), (Lifelong Learning and Achievement), (Public Realm) and (Supporting Communities) answered questions relating to the business of the Executive in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

To receive the Minutes of the Executive held on 20 August and 7 September 2012 and the record of executive decisions taken since the last Council Meeting, (schedule enclosed, decisions previously circulated and consider any recommendations they contain.

The Mayor declared the minutes of the Executive Meetings on 20 August and 7 September 2012 and the record of executive decision taken since the last meeting of the Council to be duly received.

To receive a report from the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees on the conduct of Scrutiny business.

There were no reports from the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees on the conduct of their business since the last Council Meeting.

To answer questions from Councillors addressed to the Scrutiny Chairs, in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

There were no questions relating to the business of the Scrutiny Committees in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

To receive the Minutes of the following Scrutiny Committees:-

The Mayor declared the minutes of the following Scrutiny Committees (copies of which had been circulated with the Summons) to be duly received:-

Adults & Communities – 3 September 2012

Children & Young People – 5 September 2012

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 10 September 2012

Environment & Economy  – 6 September 2012

Health – 4 September 2012

There were no reports from the Chairs of the Planning and Highways Regulation and Licensing, Environment and Safety Committees on the conduct of their business since the last Council Meeting.

To answer questions from Councillors addressed to the Chairs of Ordinary and Area Committees, in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick asked a question in relation to recent Central Government proposals to amend planning legislation to make it easier for certain types of development to take place.

Councillor Lenny Grice replied that the Council had made responses to the consultation on the proposals where this had been appropriate.

To receive the minutes of the following Ordinary and Area Committees:-

Ordinary Committees

Area Committees

The Mayor declared the minutes of the following ‘Ordinary’ and Area Committees (copies of which had been circulated with the Summons) to be duly received:-

Ordinary Committees

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 12 September 2012

Planning & Highways Regulation – 13 September 2012

Area Committees

Bramhall& Cheadle Hulme South – 30 August 2012

Central Stockport – 30 August 2012

Cheadle – 28 August 2012

Heatons& Reddish – 23 August 2012

Marple– 29 August 2012

Stepping Hill – 28 August 2012

Werneth– 23 August 2012

This Council Meeting notes:

·         The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the 2012 Budget the Government’s desire to introduce ‘more market facing’ public sector pay. This could mean regional or local public sector pay.

·         This recommendation has come in advance of the Pay Review Bodies reporting on the issue in July and September 2012.

·         There has been no independent assessment of the impact and consequences this policy could have for public services or the economies of low pay regions.

This Council Meeting believes:

·         The Government’s case is based on the claim that public sector pay is ‘crowding out’ the private sector. This is not supported by evidence, particularly at a time of high unemployment.

·         This approach also ignores the real reasons for the differences between public and private sector pay. For instance, there are more high skilled workers in the public sector (such as teachers and nurses), and a smaller pay gap between top and bottom earners and a smaller gender pay gap.

·         Public sector employers already have some flexibility to adjust pay in response to local conditions, and higher rates are paid in London and the South East

·         All other English regions and devolved nations stand to be affected by this, with the possibility of years of pay falling behind the cost of living.

·         Workers in Stockport are paid £10 a week less than the national average.

·         65% of public sector workers are female.

This Council Meeting further believes:

·         Regional or local public sector pay would have a harmful effect on the Stockport area.

·         It will make it harder for schools and other public services to recruit and retain good quality professionals who could earn more for doing the same job elsewhere.

·         There are 30,000 public sector workers in Stockport and reducing their real terms pay each and every year will dramatically reduce spending power and have a negative impact on the private sector.

·         This policy will not improve the pay of private sector workers but instead could encourage further depression of wages in all sectors.

·         We do not want to be forever defined as a ‘low pay’ area.

·         This policy is therefore counter to Stockport’s vision and ambitions for the future.   

This Council Meeting therefore requests the Chief Executive, on our behalf:

·         To write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Chief Secretary to the Treasury stating this council’s opposition to plans for regional and localised public sector pay.

·         To write to all local MPs within the next month outlining concerns about the impact that this policy would have on services and the local economy.

·         To sign up to the Pay Fair campaign and raise awareness of the implications and risks of this policy locally, regionally and nationally. 

Moved by:                  Councillor Philip Harding

Seconded by:           Councillor David Sedgwick

Regional and Local Public Sector Pay

RESOLVED - This Council Meeting notes:

·           The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the 2012 Budget the Government’s desire to introduce ‘more market facing’ public sector pay. This could mean regional or local public sector pay.

·           This recommendation has come in advance of the Pay Review Bodies reporting on the issue in July and September 2012.

·           There has been no independent assessment of the impact and consequences this policy could have for public services or the economies of low pay regions.

This Council Meeting believes:

·           The Government’s case is based on the claim that public sector pay is ‘crowding out’ the private sector. This is not supported by evidence, particularly at a time of high unemployment.

·           This approach also ignores the real reasons for the differences between public and private sector pay. For instance, there are more high skilled workers in the public sector (such as teachers and nurses), and a smaller pay gap between top and bottom earners and a smaller gender pay gap.

·           Public sector employers already have some flexibility to adjust pay in response to local conditions, and higher rates are paid in London and the South East

·           All other English regions and devolved nations stand to be affected by this, with the possibility of years of pay falling behind the cost of living.

·           Workers in Stockport are paid £10 a week less than the national average.

·           65% of public sector workers are female.

This Council Meeting further believes:

·           Regional or local public sector pay would have a harmful effect on the Stockport area.

·           It will make it harder for schools and other public services to recruit and retain good quality professionals who could earn more for doing the same job elsewhere.

·           There are 30,000 public sector workers in Stockport and reducing their real terms pay each and every year will dramatically reduce spending power and have a negative impact on the private sector.

·           This policy will not improve the pay of private sector workers but instead could encourage further depression of wages in all sectors.

·           We do not want to be forever defined as a ‘low pay’ area.

·           This policy is therefore counter to Stockport’s vision and ambitions for the future.   

This Council Meeting therefore requests the Chief Executive, on our behalf:

·           To write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Chief Secretary to the Treasury stating this council’s opposition to plans for regional and localised public sector pay.

·           To write to all local MPs within the next month outlining concerns about the impact that this policy would have on services and the local economy.

·           To sign up to the Pay Fair campaign and raise awareness of the implications and risks of this policy locally, regionally and nationally. 

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services).

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposed amendment to the Financial Procedure Rules of the Council’s Constitution to broaden the coverage of the Corporate Credit Card procedure rules to allow maintained schools to use business charge cards, with appropriate financial controls.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the amendment of Paragraph 9 of ‘PR5 Financial Procedure Rules’ of the Council’s Constitution to include the following paragraph:-

“9.20 Maintained Schools are permitted to make use of the Corporate Credit Card Scheme and may also use Business Charge Cares in accordance with the usage policy set down on credit cards/ charge cards in the Scheme for Financing Schools.”

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services).

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals to establish, in conjunction with other Greater Manchester authorities, a Police and Crime Panel linked to the establishment of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to the establishment of a Police and Crime Panel as a joint Committee of the ten local authorities in Greater Manchester in accordance with the arrangements detailed in the report and as set out in Appendix 1, including membership arrangements, the proposed terms of mandatory co-opted members, and the payment of allowances to Panel members, to meet in shadow form until formally constituted in November 2012.

(2) That, in the event that any matters require resolution prior to the next Council Meeting, these matters be the delegated to the Chief Executive in Consultation with the Leader of the Council.

(3) That the making of the necessary amendments to the Council’s Constitution to reflect the Police and Crime Panel arrangements be delegated to the Monitoring Officer.

To consider a report of the Returning Officer.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals to amend the boundaries of polling districts within Davenport and Cale Green Ward and the allocation of electors to polling stations following a statutory review of polling districts and polling stations.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the changes to polling district boundaries and polling stations in Davenport and Cale Green Ward as detailed in the report.

To consider a report of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a number of amendments to the Members’ Allowances Schemes following the receipt of the recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel.

RESOLVED – (1) That having had regard to the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel, the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services) be requested to make the necessary amendments to the Members’ Allowances Scheme to incorporate the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel within the Scheme.

(2) That Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services) be requested to publish the necessary public notices to give effect to the revisions to the Members’ Allowances Scheme.