Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 27 November 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Council held on 27 November 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

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

The Mayor reported that the Deputy Chief Executive had, in consultation with him, taken urgent action under the Constitution on 2 December 2014 to appoint Damian Cunningham as the Roman Catholic Diocesan representative on the Children & Young People’s Scrutiny Committee to enable him to attend the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on 3 December 2014.

RESOLVED – That the urgent action be noted.

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor reported that Holocaust Memorial Day would this year be commemorated on Tuesday, 27 January which is the date in 1945 when the allies liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp. 

All those present at the meeting stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of those many millions of lives that perished during this dark period in human history.

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 interest was declared:-

Personal and Prejudicial

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.

Eight public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to the introduction of a Stockport to Manchester Victoria via Reddish South rail service as part of the current Northern Rail refranchising process.

The Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) (Councillor Martin Candler) responded that the Council had always been supportive of the Friends of Reddish South Station and further that Transport for Greater Manchester Committee and the Council’s appointed members on that committee would have the opportunity to question the shortlisted contenders for the new Northern Rail franchise on their proposals.  It was further stated that the recently published Stockport Rail Strategy contained proposals for the promotion of a Metrolink light rail service from Tameside to Manchester Airport via Reddish South Station.

Councillor William Wragg stated that the Council had submitted a consultation response which supported the introduction of a heavy rail service through Reddish South Station and that he endorsed that position and the work of the Friends of Reddish South Station.

·         Relating to whether cuts to the Adult Social Care budget had led to the current crisis within Stepping Hill Hospital’s Accident & Emergency service.

The Executive Councillor (Adult Care Services) (Councillor Keith Holloway) responded that there was no question of any of the cuts to the Adult Social Care budget contributing to the pressure on accident and emergency services.

·         Relating to whether those asylum seekers and immigrants currently housed on hotels throughout the borough were on the housing waiting list and how that effected the housing allocation policy.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (Councillor Patrick McAuley) responded that there had been no increase in the numbers of those on the housing waiting list that could be attributed to immigration or asylum seekers.  It was further stated that the use of hotels identified by the questioner was an arrangement made between Serco and the government and as such had no impact on the Council’s approach to its housing allocation policy.

·         Relating to the nature of those payments made by the Council to the Trinity Mirror Group and the Guardian Group.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) responded that she was aware that the Council’s Civic Review was printed by the Trinity Mirror Group and further that the Council was statutorily required to publish certain public notices in local newspapers.  Councillor Derbyshire undertook to investigate further the reasons for incurring the expenditure identified and should these be at variance with the reasons stated at the meeting, then a written response would be provided to the questioner.

·         Relating to Councillor Johnstone’s involvement in and rationale for the calling-in of a recent Executive Decision pertaining to the proposed Poynton Relief Road.

Councillor Oliver Johnstone undertook to respond to the questioner in writing.

·         Relating to Councillor Wragg’s public speaking record at the Council Meeting and his views on Councillor Johnstone’s rationale for the calling-in of a recent Executive Decision pertaining to the proposed Poynton Relief Road.

Councillor William Wragg commented that both he and Councillor Johnstone always placed the interests of the residents of Hazel Grove first.

·         Relating to the number of Stockport residents there were on the housing waiting list.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (Councillor Patrick McAuley) responded that it was his understanding that the current figure was consistent with that of the previous year, however he would provide the definitive position in a written response to the questioner.

·         Relating to the whether the Council had issued any hackney and private hire car driver licences to those who had committed a sexual offence and what action the Council would take with regard to those who had issued the licence and whether those licences would be withdrawn.

The Chair of the Licensing, Environment & Safety Committee (Councillor Chris Gordon) replied that every applicant for such  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.(i)

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

There were no petitions or presentations.

(a)     Section 41 Spokespersons

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

(b)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

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

(c)     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:-

(a)       Section 41 Spokespersons

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

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

(c)        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.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services).

The Deputy Leader of the Council (Corporate, Customer and Community Services) (Councillor Iain Roberts) submitted the Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy, Mid-Year Review Report 2014/15 (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED – (1) That the Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy, Mid-Year Review Report 2014/15 report be received in line with best practice guidelines.

(2) That the treasury activity for the first half of the financial year be noted.

(3) That approval be given to changes to the Council’s credit methodology whereby counterparties would no longer be able to gain a slightly higher credit score from additional viability, financial strength and support ratings.

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 she had recently attended the Health and Social Care Congress that had been held at Edgeley Park which had provided a useful forum for the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Pennine Care NHS Trust, Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group and the Council to discuss ways of ensuring the better integration of services, reducing duplication and making better use of resources.  Councillor Derbyshire stated that arrangements would be made for an all-member briefing to appraise members of the current situation within the Stockport ‘health economy’.

Councillor Derbyshire also referred to the progress of the Council’s budget and that she would welcome the contributions of all councillors towards the compilation of the final budget proposals.

The Executive Councillor (Lifelong, Learning & Achievement) (Councillor Shan Alexander) reported on the Annual Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools which had identified that Stockport had one of the highest percentage of leadership and management teams that had been judged as being good or outstanding in the north west.  Councillor Alexander noted that there remained work to be done to close the attainment gap, but that Stockport was well placed and had the necessary skills in order to achieve this.

Councillor Alexander also reported that on 26 October 2014 Moat House School had gained the Outstanding School Team of the Year 2014 in the Pearson Teaching Awards.

It was further stated the Minister of State for Schools (The Rt Hon David Laws MP) had written to both St Joseph’s Catholic Primary and St Christopher’s Catholic Primary Schools congratulating them on the quality of education that they provided.

The Executive Councillor (Adult Care Services) (Councillor Keith Holloway) reported on the recent widely reported pressures on accident and emergency units nationwide resulting from increases in the number of admissions. Councillor Holloway stated that this was not the case at Stepping Hill Hospital where the number of admissions had remained static, but that there had been an increase in demand from primary care services such as GPs and the out of hours service.  This issue had been compounded by the number of people presenting themselves at Stepping Hill Hospital with serious illnesses and in particular with chest and respiratory problems.

Councillor Holloway then referred to the Reablement and Community Home Support service which had been expanded to take on responsibility for end of life care in the light of data which showed that only 30% of those who were reaching the end of their lives and wanted to be able to die at home were able to do so.  Following the expansion of the service, over 90% of persons engaged by the service were now able to die at home.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (Councillor Patrick McAuley) reported that Stockport Homes and the Council had been working together to gain more capacity in the system to deal with the recently reported increase in the number of people who were homeless and that a report would be brought to a future meeting of the Adult Care Services & Housing Scrutiny Committee with proposals for increasing homelessness provision.

Councillor McAuley reported that significant progress had been made in the last quarter with regard to the construction of new homes in the borough with 51 homes having been built in North Reddish on the site of the former Fir Tree Primary School while at the meeting of the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee on 8 January 2015 consent had been given for over 500 new homes to be built in Hazel Grove and Brinnington.

Finally Councillor McAuley reported that the employment rate in Stockport was now 76.8% and that Stockport remained the best performing local authority in Greater Manchester in this regard. 

The Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) (Councillor Wendy Meikle) reported that Integrated Children’s Service became operational on 8 November 2014 which provided intensive, integrated whole family support based  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.(i)

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) and the Executive Councillors (Adult Care Services), (Economic Development & Regeneration), (Health & Wellbeing) and (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) 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 16 December 2014 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 16 December 2014 (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.

The Chair of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee responded to a question relating to the business of the scrutiny committee 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:-

Adult Care Services & Housing – 1 December 2014

Children & Young People – 3 December 2014

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 2 December 2014

Environment & Economy  – 4 December 2014

Health & Wellbeing – 25 November and 4 December 2014

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.

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

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

Audit – 17 December 2014

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 19 November 2014

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub-Committee – 10 December 2014

Planning & Highways Regulation – 20 November 2014 and 8 January 2015

Standards – 17 December 2014

Town Centre – 15 December 2014

Area Committees

Bramhall& Cheadle Hulme South – 11 December 2014

Central Stockport – 11 December 2014

Cheadle – 9 December 2014

Heatons& Reddish – 8 December 2014

Marple– 10 December 2014

Stepping Hill - 9 December 2014

Werneth– 8 December 2014

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the proposals relating to the appointment process for the Interim Mayor as part of the wider Greater Manchester Devolution Agreement.

RESOLVED – That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive to respond on behalf of the Council to the ‘Proposal to amend the constitution of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’ consultation paper and draft Order in consultation with the Group Leaders.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.    

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a number of proposed amendments to the Council’s scheme of polling arrangements in advance of the Parliamentary and Local elections in May 2015.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to the proposed amendments to the Council’s scheme of polling arrangements as detailed in the report.

(2) That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Group Leaders, to identify any alternative polling stations, if necessary, for the May 2015 elections should any other polling stations become unavailable on the date of the election.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services).

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the proposed Business Programme for the municipal years 2015/16 and 2016/17.

RESOLVED - That the Business Programme for the municipal years 2015/16 and 2016/17 be approved and adopted.

Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) to report.

RESOLVED – (1) That Councillor Andrew Verdeille be invited to allow his name to be submitted to the Annual Council Meeting for election to the Office of Mayor for the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport for the year 2015/2016.

(2) That Councillor June Somekh be invited to allow her name to be submitted to the Annual Council meeting for the appointment to the Office of Deputy Mayor for the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport for the year 2015/2016.

To appoint Councillor Lenny Grice to replace Councillor Lord Goddard on the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee

RESOLVED – That Councillor Lenny Grice be appointed to replace Councillor Lord Goddard on the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee.

To make consequential amendments to places on committees and working parties following changes to the leadership of the Labour Group.

(NOTE: The Mayor was of the opinion that this item, although not included on the Summons, should be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 in order that amendments to seats on committees of the Council could be made prior to the next meeting of those committees).

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to the following amendments to those appointments made to committees at the Annual Meeting of the Council on 10 June 2014 with immediate effect:-

Appointments Committee

Councillor Walter Brett to replace Councillor Andrew Verdeille

Constitution Working Party

Councillor Walter Brett to replace Councillor Andrew Verdeille

Contributors Committee

Councillor Walter Brett to replace Councillor Andrew Verdeille

Local Development Framework Working Party

Councillor Chris Murphy to replace Councillor Andrew Verdeille

(2) That approval be given to the following amendments to those appointments made to committees at the Annual Meeting of the Council on 10 June 2014 with effect from 29 January 2015:-

Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Walter Brett to replace Councillor Chris Murphy

Health and Well-Being Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Chris Murphy to replace Councillor Walter Brett