Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Annual Council held on 21 May 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 21 May 2013 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To report the urgent action taken under the constitution by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Mayor, to make changes to the remit and names of the scrutiny committees to more closely align them to executive portfolios.

The Mayor reported that the Chief Executive had, in consultation with him, taken urgent action under the constitution make changes to the remit and names of the scrutiny committees to more closely align them to executive portfolios.

RESOLVED – That the urgent action be noted.

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor announced that since the Annual Meeting of the Council on 21 May 2013 he had visited Rose Hill Primary School, Marple on 22 May  to attend a plaque unveiling commemorating the opening of the new school building alongside two Olympic medallists, including Mr Alan Newton who had won a bronze medal for cycling in the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games.

It was further reported the 6 June 2013 on he had attended the presentation of new colours to the Mercian Regiment in Worcester in advance of the Regiment parading through Stockport on 13 June 2013.

On 19 June 2013, the Mayor and Mayoress attended the Greater Manchester Police, Stockport Division Annual Awards which took place at the Town Hall.

Finally, the Mayor invited all councillors to participate in a forthcoming meeting of his Charity Committee.

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 interest which they had in any of the items on the Summons for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

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 matters within the powers and duties of the Council.

Seven public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to the potential for financial support from the Council towards the Stockport Carnival.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) responded that the Council valued the Stockport Carnival and confirmed that the Council would continue to work with the Carnival Committee to identify sources of funding.

·         Relating to the consultation with regard to Play Development in Edgeley and Brinnington and the potential to increase fees to ensure the retention of the service.

The Executive Councillor (Children and Young People) (Councillor Wendy Meikle) responded that respondents to the consultation had spoken against an increase in fees; however a feasibility study was being undertaken with regard to establishing a social enterprise, the results of which would be available on 9 July 2013. 

·         Relating to the costs associated with engaging the services of a private company to run focus groups associated with the consultation for Play Development and when the consultation results would be published.

The Executive Councillor (Children and Young People) (Councillor Wendy Meikle) responded that there had been five focus groups undertaken, the total cost of which totalled £4,712 and included recruitment, facilitation, analysis, reporting and expenses.   The consultation results would be considered by the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee on 3 July 2013.

·         Relating to a consultation on reductions in the budgetary allocation for parks, an assurance was sought that now bowling greens in Stockport would close.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) (Councillor Stuart Bodsworth) responded that no bowling greens had been earmarked for closure, and that the consultation related to proposals to reduce the budget for parks by approximately one million pounds.  It was stated that it had been made clear from the consultation that it would not be appropriate to achieve that level of saving and further that the decision had been taken not to proceed with the suggestion that had been consulted on to reduce the number of bowling greens in the borough.

·         Relating to whether the Council could confirm that it would no evict any housing tenants as a result of arrears accrued through the ‘bedroom tax’.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) (Councillor Stuart Bodsworth) responded that the Council had introduced a policy to ensure that no tenant would prevent any Stockport Homes’ resident from being evicted purely because of arrears accrued as a result of changes to housing benefit.

·         Relating to whether the Council would do everything in its power to reclassify tenancies such that properties could not be classified as being under-occupied.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) (Councillor Stuart Bodsworth) responded that the government had recently issued guidance to local authorities which sought to make such re-classification more difficult and as such no guarantee could be made that rooms could be re-classified but that further consideration would be given to the suggestion.

·         Relating to whether the justification for the ‘bedroom tax’ was flawed and impractical.

The Mayor responded that he would respond to the questioner in writing.

A further two public questions had been submitted where the questioner was not present at the meeting and in accordance with the Code of Practice, the Chief Executive was requested to respond to the questioner in writing.

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

No such arrangements have been made for this meeting.

There were no presentations.

One petition was submitted with over a thousand signatories requesting the Council to not pursue further the suggestion in the consultation on budget saving proposals that bowling greens be closed.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) for his consideration.

(a)     Section 41 Spokespersons

To report that under Section 41 of the Local Government Act 1985, the following councillors have been nominated by the bodies indicated to answer questions relating to the discharge of the functions of those authorities:-

The above mentioned Councillors to answer questions, if any, on the business of the Joint Authorities.

(b)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

To appoint Councillor Sue Derbyshire to answer questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.

Councillor Sue Derbyshire to then answer questions, if any, on the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.

(c)     Greater Manchester Combined Authority

To appoint the following spokespersons to answer questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee:-

The appointed councillors to then answer questions, if any, on the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.

(a)       Section 41 Spokespersons

The Mayor reported that under Section 41 of the Local Government Act 1985, the following councillors had been nominated by the bodies indicated to answer questions relating to the discharge of functions of joint authorities for the Municipal Year 2012/13:-

Questions

There were no questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority or the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority.

(b)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

RESOLVED – That Councillor Sue Derbyshire be appointed to answer questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.

Questions

There were no questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.

(c)        Greater Manchester Combined Authority

RESOLVED – That the following councillors be appointed to answer questions in relation to the discharge of the functions of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee:-

Questions

Councillor Candler asked Councillor Wright why Councillor Stuart Corris was no longer the Council’s representative on the Ring and Ride Steering Group.  Councillor Wright responded that Councillor Corris was extremely knowledgeable on the subject of accessible transport and had been the Council’s representative for almost ten years; however it was Councillor Wright’s view that the decision relating to the appointment of members to the Group had been taken on political lines by the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.

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

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking approval for the draft indicative 2013-15 Council Plan.

RESOLVED – (40 for) That the Council Plan 2013-15 be approved and adopted.

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 & Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) reported that this was the first ordinary Council Meeting of the municipal year and formally welcomed the new Executive.  It was stated that since the commencement of the new municipal year, the Executive had reduced in number from ten, to eight members.  Councillor Derbyshire further extended her thanks to those councillors who had served on the Executive during the past few years.

Councillor Derbyshire reported that the Spending Review had taken place the previous day and that the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan would be revisited in the light of the announcements made. 

It was further stated that the Council was in the process of consulting on budget savings proposals.  Councillor Derbyshire noted that some opposition members of the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee had expressed concern that they had insufficient information to actively engage with the consultation process or make comments, but stated in response that full copies of the Executive’s savings proposals had been placed on deposit in the political Group Offices a week in advance of the Executive’s meeting of 18 February 2013. 

Finally, it was reported that the Council had recently participated in an LGA Peer Review and it was anticipated that the results of this would shortly become available, and she extended her thanks to those councillors that had participated.

The Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning and Achievement) (Councillor Shan Alexander) reported that the Council had recently launched it’s ‘100:100 Apprenticeship Scheme’ which aimed to encourage Stockport employers to take on 100 apprentices in 100 days in partnership with the National Apprenticeship Service.

It was further announced that five schools in Stockport had been shortlisted for funding from the Department for Education’s Priority Schools Building Programme, and further that Abingdon Primary School, Bridgehall RC Primary School, St Johns CE Primary School and Werneth School had now been successful in being allocated funding from the programme for either a partial or full rebuild of their facilities.

Finally, Councillor Shan Alexander reported that on 25 June she had attended the Stockport Schools’ Concert at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester which was attended by over 2,000 pupils from 38 Stockport schools and congratulated the Head of the Music Service and their staff for organising the event.

The Executive Councillor (Adult Care Services) (Councillor Keith Holloway) reported that earlier in June 2013, teams from NHS England and the Cabinet Office had visited Stockport to observe the outcome of the Council’s application made in July 2011 to the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts concerning a system redesign in mental health care applying the principle, of ‘People Powered Health’.  It was stated that Stockport had been one of just six successful sites selected out of 108 applicants by virtue of its proposed approach of using a wider range of stakeholders for the design of the service. 

The Deputy Leader of the Council (Corporate, Customer and Community Services) (Councillor Mark Weldon) reported on the recent work of the Living Wage Task and Finish Group which had met on two occasions and had discussed the potential deletion of Scale Points 4 and 5, engagement with schools and the implications for Solutions SK and confirmed that progress had been made toward achieving the deletion of those scale points.

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 (Corporate, Customer and Community Services); the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning and Achievement), the Executive Councillor (Adult Care Services), the Executive Councillor (Children and Young People), the Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) and the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) 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 11 June 2013 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 Meeting held on 11 June 2013 (copies of which had been circulated) and the record of executive decision taken (copies of which were circulated) 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.

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:-

To consider a report of the Council Solictor.

A report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Council Solicitor was submitted outlining the development of work programmes for scrutiny committees in 2013/14 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.  The report also provided details of a proposed programme of reviews to be carried out by scrutiny committees in 2013/14.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2013/14.

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 Sheila Bailey asked the Chair of the Central Stockport Area Committee (Councillor David White) whether he agreed that the minutes of the meeting of the Area Committee held on 6 June 2013 as printed in Summons accurately reflected the decision of the Area Committee with regard to the appointment of ‘Highways and Traffic Ward Spokespersons’ and the accuracy of that part of the minutes which related to the comments made by councillors on the proposed ‘Changes to the Planning System’.

Councillor White responded that he would seek to have those parts of the minutes amended at the next meeting as he considered they did not reflect the proceedings of the meeting.

Councillor Fitzpatrick asked the Chair of the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee (Councillor Lenny Grice) whether he considered that the recent changes to the planning system introduced by the government damaged local democracy, would not stimulate development and would be costly for the Council to administer.

Councillor Grice responded that his position on this matter was reflected in the motion that he had moved at the meeting of the Council Meeting held on 8 November 2012 in respect of ‘Government proposals relating to Planning and Housing’.

Councillor White asked the Chair of the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee (Councillor Lenny Grice) whether he agreed that notwithstanding the motion he had moved in respect of ‘Government proposals relating to Planning and Housing’, the government and the MP for the Cheadle constituency had voted in favour of the proposals.

Councillor Grice responded that he would respond to Councillor White in writing.

Councillor Harding asked the Chair of the Marple Area Committee (Councillor Martin Candler) whether it was his view that should the Council Meeting agree to receive the minutes of the meeting of the Marple Area Committee held on 5 June 2013 that the Council should be bound by the resolution of the Area Committee with regard to the proposed ‘Changes to the Planning System’; namely that the Council support the representations being made by the Local Government Association opposing the changes.

Councillor Candler responded that the minute accurately reflected the position of the Area Committee at that time but commented that in receiving the minutes of the Area Committee, the Council was placed under no obligation to act upon its recommendation.

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

Ordinary Committees

Area Committees

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

Ordinary Committees

Area Committees

This Council notes:-

·           The importance of thriving and diverse high streets and district centres for the benefit and convenience of local communities.

·           That there are 39 licensed gambling premises in Stockport, including 33 betting shops.

·           That 12 of these licensed gambling premises are in the SK1 postcode area covering the town centre.

·           The link between gambling addiction and a range of health and social problems including alcoholism, substance abuse and crime.

·           Recent changes to planning law which will allow some premises to change use to betting shops without the requirement for planning permission.

This Council further notes:-

·           Recent efforts by other local authorities to restrict the spread of betting shops and the clustering of betting shops in particular areas.

This Council believes:-

·           That the Council has a duty to ensure that our high streets and district centres remain diverse.

·           That the clustering of betting shops in particular areas is unwelcome.

This Council therefore requests:-

·           That the Chief Executive instructs relevant Council Officers to investigate the efforts being made by other local authorities to restrict the spread of betting shops and the clustering of betting shops in particular areas.

·           That possible solutions to the issues in Stockport are considered urgently and relevant policy solutions presented to the Council for consideration.

·           That the Council works with other AGMA local authorities to discuss a Greater Manchester-wide approach to this issue.

Moved by:                  Councillor Tom McGee

Seconded by:           Councillor Philip Harding

RESOLVED - This Council notes:-

·           The importance of thriving and diverse high streets and district centres for the benefit and convenience of local communities.

·           That there are 39 licensed gambling premises in Stockport, including 33 betting shops.

·           That 12 of these licensed gambling premises are in the SK1 postcode area covering the town centre.

·           The link between gambling addiction and a range of health and social problems including alcoholism, substance abuse and crime.

·           Recent changes to planning law which will allow some premises to change use to betting shops without the requirement for planning permission.

This Council further notes:-

·           Recent efforts by other local authorities to restrict the spread of betting shops and the clustering of betting shops in particular areas.

This Council believes:-

·           That the Council has a duty to ensure that our high streets and district centres remain diverse.

·           That the clustering of betting shops in particular areas is unwelcome.

This Council therefore requests:-

·           That the Chief Executive instructs relevant Council Officers to investigate the efforts being made by other local authorities to restrict the spread of betting shops and the clustering of betting shops in particular areas.

·           That possible solutions to the issues in Stockport are considered urgently and relevant policy solutions presented to the Council for consideration.

·           That the Council works with other AGMA local authorities to discuss a Greater Manchester-wide approach to this issue.

This Council notes –

·           That on 1^st April 2013 the Lib Dem and Conservative Government brought in reductions to housing benefit payments where tenants are deemed to be under-occupying their homes. This has been called the ‘Bedroom Tax’.

·           That the Bedroom Tax affects 2,915 residents in Stockport; approximately 1,500 of who are tenants of Stockport Homes.

·           That according to the Government’s own Equality Impact Assessment, two thirds of the households affected by the Bedroom Tax are home to someone with a disability.

·           The lack of suitable smaller accommodation within Stockport for residents affected by the Bedroom Tax to move to.

·           The introduction of other changes to social security provision that will have an adverse impact on the most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged people in Stockport.

This Council believes –

·           That the Bedroom Tax is a punitive measure that does nothing to improve the supply or availability of social housing.

This Council requests –

·           That the £200,000 hardship fund set up by the Council from the HRA account be increased if necessary to prevent financial hardship.

·           That the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions outlining our concerns and requesting that the Bedroom Tax is scrapped.

·           That the Chief Executive writes to the Managing Director of Stockport Homes to clarify the precise policies of that organisation in supporting tenants that fall into rent arrears due to the impact of recent changes to social security. 

Moved by:                  Councillor Paul Moss

Seconded by:           Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick

MOVED AND SECONDED – This Council notes –

·           That on 1^st April 2013 the Lib Dem and Conservative Government brought in reductions to housing benefit payments where tenants are deemed to be under-occupying their homes. This has been called the ‘Bedroom Tax’.

·           That the Bedroom Tax affects 2,915 residents in Stockport; approximately 1,500 of who are tenants of Stockport Homes.

·           That according to the Government’s own Equality Impact Assessment, two thirds of the households affected by the Bedroom Tax are home to someone with a disability.

·           The lack of suitable smaller accommodation within Stockport for residents affected by the Bedroom Tax to move to.

·           The introduction of other changes to social security provision that will have an adverse impact on the most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged people in Stockport.

This Council believes –

·           That the Bedroom Tax is a punitive measure that does nothing to improve the supply or availability of social housing.

This Council requests –

·           That the £200,000 hardship fund set up by the Council from the HRA account be increased if necessary to prevent financial hardship.

·           That the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions outlining our concerns and requesting that the Bedroom Tax is scrapped.

·           That the Chief Executive writes to the Managing Director of Stockport Homes to clarify the precise policies of that organisation in supporting tenants that fall into rent arrears due to the impact of recent changes to social security. 

At 9.05 pm it was

RESOLVED – That the meeting be adjourned.

At 9.15 pm the meeting reconvened.

AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED – That the motion entitled ‘Bedroom Tax’ be amended to read:-

“Housing Benefit

“This Council notes –

·           That all of the main political parties in the UK have supported the need to make  appropriate affordable housing available to families who are struggling in homes that are not large enough.

·           That from 2003 the last Labour government introduced reform to the Housing Benefit rules for tenants in the private rented sector to address under-occupancy.

·           That on the 1^st April 2013 the current government brought in similar reforms to Housing Benefit for social housing tenants.

·           That the current change to Housing Benefit is expected to affect 2,915 residents in Stockport; approximately 1,500 of who are tenants of Stockport Homes.

·           The good work of Stockport Homes, the Council’s Planning and Housing staff, and of other Registered Social Landlords to increase the supply of decent social housing and to ensure there is high quality information and support available to tenants affected by changes to housing benefit.

·           The lack of suitable smaller accommodation within Stockport for residents affected by the changes to housing benefit.

·           The £600,000 of measures including a hardship fund to help tenants of Stockport homes with welfare reform introduced by this council.

“This Council believes –

·           That housing benefit rules need to be reformed but that the implementation of changes must be carefully managed to ensure the reforms do not leave some of  the most vulnerable residents in difficult situations

·           That the policy of Stockport Council to avoid any evictions of Stockport Homes’ tenants due to arrears solely as a result from under-occupancy benefit changes when a tenant undertakes to move to a suitably sized property will reduce the impact of changes to Housing Benefit on local people.

·           That increasing the supply of decent social housing is crucial to enabling mobility so that there is accommodation suitable for all needs.

·           That new build is likely to be the best way to achieve this but notes the success of conversions of commercial sites such as the Royal Oak Brewery and remains committed to considering similar novel yet viable approaches.

“This Council requests –

·           That the hardship fund set up by the Council from the HRA account and supported by Government through increased discretionary housing payments be increased if necessary to reduce the risk of financial hardship.

·           That the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to inform him of the initiatives that SMBC and Stockport Homes have taken to mitigate the effects of this benefit reform so that they can help inform the Government/Department’s best practices in this regard.

·           That the Executive continue in their efforts to deliver more, decent social housing across the Borough.

For the amendment 40, against 20.

AMENDMENT CARRIED

MOVED AND SECONDED – That the provision of Council Meeting Rule 9.1 (Duration of Meeting) not be invoked at 10.00 pm and that the Council Meeting continues.

For the motion 21, against 40.

MOTION NOT CARRIED

The amendment was then put as the substantive motion and it was

RESOLVED – (38 for, 21 against) This Council notes –

·           That all of the main political parties in the UK have supported the need to make  appropriate affordable housing available to families who are struggling in homes that are not large enough.

·           That from 2003 the last Labour government introduced reform to the Housing Benefit rules for tenants in the private rented sector to address under-occupancy.

·           That on the 1^st April 2013 the current government brought in similar reforms to Housing Benefit for social housing tenants.

·           That the current change to Housing Benefit is expected to affect 2,915 residents in Stockport; approximately 1,500 of who are tenants of Stockport Homes.

·           The good work of Stockport Homes, the Council’s Planning and Housing staff, and of other Registered Social Landlords to increase the supply of decent social housing and to ensure there is high quality information and support available to tenants affected by changes to housing benefit.

·           The lack of suitable smaller accommodation within Stockport for residents affected by the changes to housing benefit.

·           The £600,000 of measures including a hardship fund to help tenants of Stockport homes with welfare reform introduced by this council.

This Council believes –

·           That housing benefit rules need to be reformed but that the implementation of changes must be carefully managed to ensure the reforms do not leave some of  the most vulnerable residents in difficult situations

·           That the policy of Stockport Council to avoid any evictions of Stockport Homes’ tenants due to arrears solely as a result from under-occupancy benefit changes when a tenant undertakes to move to a suitably sized property will reduce the impact of changes to Housing Benefit on local people.

·           That increasing the supply of decent social housing is crucial to enabling mobility so that there is accommodation suitable for all needs.

·           That new build is likely to be the best way to achieve this but notes the success of conversions of commercial sites such as the Royal Oak Brewery and remains committed to considering similar novel yet viable approaches.

This Council requests –

·           That the hardship fund set up by the Council from the HRA account and supported by Government through increased discretionary housing payments be increased if necessary to reduce the risk of financial hardship.

·           That the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to inform him of the initiatives that SMBC and Stockport Homes have taken to mitigate the effects of this benefit reform so that they can help inform the Government/Department’s best practices in this regard.

·           That the Executive continue in their efforts to deliver more, decent social housing across the Borough.

To consider a report of the Council Solicitor.

A report of the Council Solicitor was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposed changes to the Scheme of Delegation as contained within the Council’s Constitution.

RESOLVED – (44 for, 15 against) That the Scheme of Delegation as contained within the Council’s Constitution be amended as detailed in the report.

To consider a report of the Deputy Leader of the Council (Corporate, Customer and Community Services).

A report of the Council Solicitor was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals to re-establish the position of ‘Chair of the Employment Appeals Committee’ as a remunerated post within the Members’ Allowances Scheme.

RESOLVED - (1) That the SRA for the Chair of the Employment Appeals Committee should be set at a level of 8% of the Executive Leader’s SRA which computed to an indicative allowance of £2,284.99, being a reduction of 1.35% from the former amount.

(2) That the proposed allowance be backdated to 21 May 2013 in line with all other amendments to the Scheme introduced as part of its recommendations in September 2012.

(3) That the Independent Remuneration Panel be invited to reassess the allowance for the Chair of the Employment Appeals Committee in 12 months’ time.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) to report at the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the appointment of members to the Greater Manchester Scrutiny Pool be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Group Leaders.