Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 26 May 2015.

The Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 26 May 2015 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To report that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Mayor, has given approval to the nomination of Councillor John McGahan as one of the Council’s representatives as one of the Council’s representatives on the AGMA/ GMCA Scrutiny Pool to replace Councillor Syd Lloyd who had previously been nominated by the Council Meeting on 26 May 2015.  The urgent action was taken to ensure that the Council was adequately represented on the Scrutiny Pool and delaying the decision until the next meeting of the Council Meeting would have meant that the nomination would not have been able to be considered at the Annual Meeting of AGMA/GMCA.

The Mayor reported that the Chief Executive had, in consultation with him, given approval to the nomination of Councillor John McGahan as one of the Council’s representatives on the AGMA/ GMCA Scrutiny Pool to replace Councillor Syd Lloyd who had previously been nominated by the Council Meeting on 26 May 2015.  It was reported that the urgent action was taken to ensure that the Council was adequately represented on the Scrutiny Pool and further that delaying the decision until the next meeting of the Council Meeting would have meant that the nomination would not have been able to be considered at the Annual Meeting of AGMA/GMCA.

RESOLVED – That the urgent action be noted.

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor referred to the recent terror attack that took place in Tunisia on 26 June 2015 offered the Council’s condolences to all those that had lost friends and relatives in the attack.  The Mayor further reported that he would be leading a minutes’ silence at noon the following day in memory of those affected by the attack. 

All those present at the meeting then stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of those who were killed and injured in Tunisia.

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

No declarations were made.

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.

One public question 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.

There were no petitions or presentations.

(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 appointed councillors to then answer questions, if any, on the business of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority and Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority.

(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 2015/16:-

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 John McGahan referred to the recent announcement that a new Metrolink would be constructed through Trafford Park and congratulated Trafford Council on securing this investment.  Councillor McGahan asked the Leader of the Council what action she had taken to secure an extension of the Metrolink network to Stockport.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) responded that Trafford had secured funding for the Metrolink extension as part of the second tranche of funding released through the Devolution deal for Greater Manchester; however Stockport had received funding in the first tranche towards the development of the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road and the Town Centre Access Package.  Councillor Derbyshire further referred to Stockport’s Rail Strategy which had recently been submitted to the Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee which confirmed Stockport’s preference for the creation of an orbital Metrolink route from Manchester Airport through to Tameside.

Councillor Graham Greenhalgh asked if Councillor Iain Roberts would comment on the recent announcement by the Government that plans for the electrification of the Transpennine rail route had been paused.

Councillor Iain Roberts replied that the timing of the announcement was unfortunate in the light of the recent general election and ongoing discussions about the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ and that in the light of this it was disappointing that this scheme had been targeted when it was critical to unlocking the potential of the economic potential of the North of England.

Councillor Wendy Orrell asked Councillor Iain Roberts what position he would be taking at a meeting of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee in respect of the carriage of non-assistance dogs on trams.

Councillor Iain Roberts responded that a consultation undertaken by Transport for Greater Manchester had shown that 71% of those asked were in favour of allowing dogs onto the Metrolink network and further that other similar light rail systems had demonstrated that it was possible to safely carry non-assistance dogs on light rail vehicles.  He further stated that he would make the case for the carrying out of a 12 month trial to allow non-assistance dogs onto the system at off-peak times.

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 (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) reported that at the last meeting of the Council Meeting a motion had been passed in opposition to proposals by United Utilities to levy water charges in respect of surface water and highway drainage in parks and cemeteries.  Councillor Derbyshire advised the Council Meeting that United Utilities had now revised their charging proposals to significantly reduce the financial impact that these changes would have on the Council.

Councillor Derbyshire further reported that an extraordinary meeting of the Executive had taken place on 24 June 2015 to consider and subsequently give approval to proposals to acquire Edgeley Park on a commercial basis.

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Adults) (Councillor Keith Holloway) reported on the progress of the community health integration programme and stated that all GPs in the Marple and Werneth area are fully involved in the integration process and the multi-disciplinary teams had been established and were working well.  It was stated, however that it had become apparent that the four localities were too large to work effectively, and these should each be broken down into two neighbourhood teams which would have shared core functions.

The Executive Councillor (Independence & Wellbeing) (Councillor John Pantall) reported that it had recently been announced that Stepping Hill Hospital would be appointed as one of three designated full-time specialist stroke centres in Greater Manchester

It was further reported that on 17 June it had been announced that four single services would be introduced in Greater Manchester to treat some of the more seriously ill patients in the conurbation when they had life threatening conditions.  The four single service groupings would be announced on 15 July.

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 Deputy Leader of the Council (Support & Governance) and the Executive Councillors (Independence & Wellbeing), (Safe & Resilient Communities), (Supporting Adults), (Supporting Children) and (Supporting Places) 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 21 April, 16 June  and 24 June 2015 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 held on 21 April, 16 June  and 24 June 2015 (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:-

Adult Care Services & Housing – 23 March and 1 June 2015

Children & Young People – 8 April and 3 June 2015

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 7 April and 2 June 2015

Environment & Economy  – 4 June 2015

Health & Wellbeing – 31 March and 27 May 2015

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 15 June 2015

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 – 23 March and 1 June 2015

Children & Young People – 8 April and 3 June 2015

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 7 April and 2 June 2015

Environment & Economy  – 4 June 2015

Health & Wellbeing – 31 March and 27 May 2015

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 15 June 2015

To consider the Scrutiny Annual Report 2014/15.

The former Vice-Chair of the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee (Councillor Tom McGee) submitted the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2014/15 (copies of which had been circulated) summarising the work of the Scrutiny Committees during the current Municipal Year.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive a report from the Chairs of the Planning & Highways Regulation and Licensing, Environment & Safety Committees on the conduct of their business since the last Council Meeting.

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, Area and Ward Committees in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

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

Ordinary Committees

Audit – 17 June 2015

Contributors – 26 March 2015

Funding – 22 April 2015

Health & Wellbeing – 28 May and 10 June 2015

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 25 March 2015

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub-Committee –18 March 2015

Planning & Highways Regulation – 26 March and 23 April 2015

Standards – 22 June 2015

Stockport Homes Member – 8 June 2015

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 16 April and 11 June 2015

Central Stockport – 16 April and 11 June 2015

Cheadle – 14 April and 9 June 2015

Heatons & Reddish – 13 April and 8 June 2015

Marple – 15 April and 10 June 2015

Stepping Hill - 14 April and 9 June 2015

Werneth – 13 April and 8 June 2015

Ward Committee

Brinnington & Reddish Joint – 22 June 2015

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

Audit – 17 June 2015

Contributors – 26 March 2015

Funding – 22 April 2015

Health & Wellbeing – 28 May and 10 June 2015

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 25 March 2015

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub-Committee –18 March 2015

Planning & Highways Regulation – 26 March and 23 April 2015

Standards – 22 June 2015

Stockport Homes Member – 8 June 2015

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 16 April and 11 June 2015

Central Stockport – 16 April and 11 June 2015

Cheadle – 14 April and 9 June 2015

Heatons & Reddish – 13 April and 8 June 2015

Marple – 15 April and 10 June 2015

Stepping Hill - 14 April and 9 June 2015

Werneth – 13 April and 8 June 2015

Ward Committee

Brinnington & Reddish Joint – 22 June 2015

This Council Meeting notes that on 5 June 2015, the Government announced a further £3 billion of spending cuts to the current financial year. This included the Department for Health reducing its spending on public health grants to local authorities by £200 million. At the same time, the Government continues to claim that the health budget is fully safeguarded.

The decision to reduce funding for public health has come as a big surprise, not least because the budget for 2015/16 was only confirmed by central government 6 months ago. There has been no indication from the Government prior to 5 June that such a proposal was being considered, and Stockport has successfully set a balanced budget, including full allocation of the Public Health Grant in 2015/16.

Therefore, the Chancellor’s announcement that past public health allocations would be reduced and a likelihood that there would be continuing annual reductions of £200m was a shock. In Stockport’s case this would amount to nearly £1m per year. These plans are ill-timed and potentially life threatening.

Public Health is central to the future sustainability of the NHS. These cuts are even more surprising given the Government’s commitment to the NHS Five Year Forward View, which has prevention as a key element. Prevention is absolutely crucial as the NHS will be unable to cope with the rising burden of illness caused by smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and alcohol. Public Health investment will save money in the long- term by reducing the demand on the NHS and social care.

If the significant proposed cuts are made, it can be expected that there will be an increase in heart disease, stroke, cancers, diabetes and a huge increase in unhealthy life expectancy.

The transfer in responsibility of public health services recognised the key role of local government in improving health and the NHS. It is essential that the Government ensures that this responsibility remains fully funded, and that any proposals regarding its distribution are fair and transparent.

In particular this Council firmly believes that it is more important than ever that the distribution of available resources reflects the assessed needs of areas (i.e. levels of deprivation) and the ability to raise resources.

Given the recent announcement, Stockport Council is extremely concerned about how the Public Health grant will be treated in the forthcoming Emergency Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review, and in any future allocation formula.

This Council therefore resolves to ask the Chief Executive to:

·        write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, calling upon the Government to:-

(i)     re-consider its short-sighted and contradictory approach to the proposed cut in public health funding; and

(ii)    honour  its  previous  commitments  as  set  out  in  the  local      government finance settlement in February 2015.

·        write to the four local Members of Parliament, seeking their support for properly funding the preventative aspects of the NHS as set out in this motion.

Moved by:                 Councillor Sue Derbyshire

Seconded by:           Councillor John Pantall

MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council Meeting notes that on 5 June 2015, the Government announced a further £3 billion of spending cuts to the current financial year. This included the Department for Health reducing its spending on public health grants to local authorities by £200 million. At the same time, the Government continues to claim that the health budget is fully safeguarded.

The decision to reduce funding for public health has come as a big surprise, not least because the budget for 2015/16 was only confirmed by central government 6 months ago. There has been no indication from the Government prior to 5 June that such a proposal was being considered, and Stockport has successfully set a balanced budget, including full allocation of the Public Health Grant in 2015/16.

Therefore, the Chancellor’s announcement that past public health allocations would be reduced and a likelihood that there would be continuing annual reductions of £200m was a shock. In Stockport’s case this would amount to nearly £1m per year. These plans are ill-timed and potentially life threatening.

Public Health is central to the future sustainability of the NHS. These cuts are even more surprising given the Government’s commitment to the NHS Five Year Forward View, which has prevention as a key element. Prevention is absolutely crucial as the NHS will be unable to cope with the rising burden of illness caused by smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and alcohol. Public Health investment will save money in the long- term by reducing the demand on the NHS and social care.

If the significant proposed cuts are made, it can be expected that there will be an increase in heart disease, stroke, cancers, diabetes and a huge increase in unhealthy life expectancy.

The transfer in responsibility of public health services recognised the key role of local government in improving health and the NHS. It is essential that the Government ensures that this responsibility remains fully funded, and that any proposals regarding its distribution are fair and transparent.

In particular this Council firmly believes that it is more important than ever that the distribution of available resources reflects the assessed needs of areas (i.e. levels of deprivation) and the ability to raise resources.

Given the recent announcement, Stockport Council is extremely concerned about how the Public Health grant will be treated in the forthcoming Emergency Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review, and in any future allocation formula.

This Council therefore resolves to ask the Chief Executive to:

·         write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, calling upon the Government to:-

(i)            re-consider its short-sighted and contradictory approach to the proposed cut in public health funding; and

(ii)          honour  its  previous  commitments  as  set  out  in  the  local      government finance settlement in February 2015.

·         write to the four local Members of Parliament, seeking their support for properly funding the preventative aspects of the NHS as set out in this motion.

AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council Meeting:

·         Welcomes the additional Public Health funding from Government which has resulted in Stockport Council being allocated over £2.8m more in public health funds this year, compared to last year and resulting in a total of £15.615m in Public Health Grant;

·         Notes that in the first two years of ring-fenced Public Health Grant being paid to Local Authorities, Stockport Council achieved a significant underspend in both years;

·         Also notes that Stockport Council’s Public Health Grant underspends of £0.969M  in 2013/14 and of £109,000 in 2014/15 were transferred into a special reserve;

·         Further notes that the current balance of Stockport Council’s earmarked Public Health Reserve is £1.078M.

This Council Meeting understands that on 4 June 2015, the Government announced a further £3 billion of new savings measures to bring down public debt this year. This included departmental savings from non-NHS Department of Health worth £200m.

This Council Meeting recognises the Treasury’s statement that these savings were based on projected local authority underspends  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.(i)

This Council notes that

·           A European Referendum Bill was presented to Parliament on 28th May 2015 and that the Committee Stage in the House of Commons was held on 16th and 18th June 2015 to further debate this draft legislation.

·           The Bill seeks to ‘make provision for the holding of a referendum in the United Kingdom and Gibraltar on whether the United Kingdom should remain a member of the European Union’ no later than 31st December 2017.

·           The proposed franchise for the referendum would currently limit voters to those eligible to vote in Parliamentary Elections, Peers, and those eligible to vote in Gibraltar European Parliamentary Elections.

·           The referendum on Scottish Independence which was held on 18th September 2014 allowed nearly all residents over the age of 16 the opportunity to vote on the future of Scotland, and attracted a turnout of 84.59%.

·           Figures based on the 2011 Census show that there are will now be 6,673 residents in Stockport who are either aged 16 or 17.

This Council believes that

·           A referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union will be very significant and could have a profound impact upon the future lives of 16 and 17 year olds in Stockport.

·           Young people aged 16 and 17 have many of the same rights as those who are 18 and over, and that as a result they should have an equal say in a future referendum on membership of the European Union.

This Council resolves

·           To instruct the Chief Executive to write to all Stockport MPs to urge them to support votes for 16 and 17 years in any EU referendum.

Moved by:                 Councillor Colin Foster

Seconded by:           Councillor Andy Sorton

MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council notes that

·         A European Referendum Bill was presented to Parliament on 28th May 2015 and that the Committee Stage in the House of Commons was held on 16th and 18th June 2015 to further debate this draft legislation.

·         The Bill seeks to ‘make provision for the holding of a referendum in the United Kingdom and Gibraltar on whether the United Kingdom should remain a member of the European Union’ no later than 31st December 2017.

·         The proposed franchise for the referendum would currently limit voters to those eligible to vote in Parliamentary Elections, Peers, and those eligible to vote in Gibraltar European Parliamentary Elections.

·         The referendum on Scottish Independence which was held on 18th September 2014 allowed nearly all residents over the age of 16 the opportunity to vote on the future of Scotland, and attracted a turnout of 84.59%.

·         Figures based on the 2011 Census show that there are will now be 6,673 residents in Stockport who are either aged 16 or 17.

This Council believes that

·         A referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union will be very significant and could have a profound impact upon the future lives of 16 and 17 year olds in Stockport.

·         Young people aged 16 and 17 have many of the same rights as those who are 18 and over, and that as a result they should have an equal say in a future referendum on membership of the European Union.

This Council resolves

·         To instruct the Chief Executive to write to all Stockport MPs to urge them to support votes for 16 and 17 years in any EU referendum.

At 9.07 pm it was

RESOLVED - That the meeting be adjourned.

At 9.17 pm the meeting reconvened.

AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED –

Extending votes in all elections and referendums to 16 and 17 year olds

This Council notes that

·         A European Referendum Bill was presented to Parliament on 28^th May 2015 and that the Committee Stage in the House of Commons was held on 16^th and 18^th June 2015 to further debate this draft legislation

·         The Bill seeks to ‘make provision for the holding of a referendum in the United Kingdom and Gibraltar on whether the United Kingdom should remain a member of the European Union’ no later than 31^st December 2017

·         The proposed franchise for the referendum would currently limit voters to those eligible to vote in Parliamentary Elections, Peers, and those eligible to vote in Gibraltar European Parliamentary Elections

·         The referendum on Scottish Independence which was held on 18^th September 2014 allowed nearly all residents over the age of 16 the opportunity to vote on the future of Scotland, and attracted a turnout of 84.59%

·         Figures based on the 2011 Census show that there are will now be 6,673 residents in Stockport who are either aged 16 or 17

This Council believes that

·         A referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union will be very significant and could have a profound impact upon the future lives of 16 and 17 year olds in Stockport

·         Young people aged 16 and 17 have many of the same rights as those who are 18 and over, and that as a result they should have an equal say in a future referendum on membership of the European Union

·         All of the arguments to allow 16 and 17 year olds to participate in a future referendum on membership of the European Union equally apply to all other elections, including those for Local Authorities, Members of Parliament and other referendums.

This Council resolves

·         To ask the Chief Executive to write to all Stockport MPs to urge them to support votes for 16 and 17 year olds in all elections and referendums, including any EU referendum.

AMENDMENT CARRIED

FURTHER AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council notes that

·         A European Referendum Bill was presented to Parliament on 28th May 2015 and that the Committee Stage in the House of Commons was held on 16th and 18th June 2015 to further debate this draft legislation.

·         The Bill seeks to ‘make provision for the holding of a referendum in the United Kingdom and Gibraltar on whether the United Kingdom should remain a member of the European Union’ no later than 31st December 2017.

·         The proposed franchise for the referendum would currently limit voters to those eligible to vote in Parliamentary Elections, Peers, and those eligible to vote in Gibraltar European Parliamentary Elections.

This Council believes that

·         A referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union will be very significant and could have a profound impact upon the future lives of young people in Stockport.

·         Young people should be supported to engage with the democratic system as they approach the legal voting age of 18.

This Council therefore resolves to support the valuable work of Stockport Youth Partnership in democratic engagement as they move towards ensuring Stockport has representation on the UK Youth Parliament.

For the amendment 15, against 43, abstentions 1.

AMENDMENT NOT CARRIED

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

RESOLVED –

Extending votes in all elections and referendums to 16 and 17 year olds

This Council notes that

·         A European Referendum Bill was presented to Parliament on 28^th May 2015 and that the Committee Stage in the House of Commons was held on 16^th and 18^th June 2015 to further debate this draft legislation

·         The Bill seeks to ‘make provision for the holding of a referendum in the United Kingdom and Gibraltar on whether the United Kingdom should remain a member of the European Union’ no  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.(i)

This Council notes that

·           New psychoactive substances, often referred to as ‘legal highs’, contain a range of ingredients, which may or may not themselves be illegal.

·           According to drugs advisory service FRANK, the three main categories of these substances are stimulants, downers or sedatives, and psychedelics or hallucinogenics.

·           The 2013-14 Crime Survey of England and Wales estimated that use of psychoactive substances is particularly common amongst 16 to 24 year olds, including finding that 7.6% of young people in that age group reported using Nitrous Oxide at some point in the last year.

·           Little meaningful research into the short or long-term risks to the health implications of the consumption of many of these drugs has been conducted. The effects are different on different people and at worst they are known to cause paranoia, seizures, comas and can also lead to death.

·           The Office for National Statistics have stated that the number of deaths involving new psychoactive substances rose to 60 in 2013.

This Council further notes that

·           A Psychoactive Substances Bill to introduce a ban on so-called legal highs was announced in the Queen’s Speech which would make it an offence to produce, supply, offer to supply, possess with intent to supply, import or export any psychoactive substance which isn’t exempted under the draft legislation.

·           The Republic of Ireland made it an offence to advertise, sell, supply, import or export psychoactive substances in 2010.

·           From 1^st April 2015 City of Lincoln Council introduced the first local ban on people taking legal highs in public and that Blackpool Council recently issued Community Protection Notices to all shops prohibiting the sale of psychoactive substances.

·           The Local Government Association (LGA) has been calling for legislation on psychoactive substances since Councils were handed responsibility for public health in 2013. Councils in England and Wales spend about 30%, £830 million a year, of the entire public health budget on drug and alcohol misuse.

This Council believes that

·           Local Authorities and the Police are best placed to work in partnership to reduce the use of psychoactive substances across the country.

This Council resolves that

·           The Chief Executive write to the Home Secretary to welcome the proposed legislation and ask that Stockport MBC and the LGA are consulted on how best to implement a complete ban on the sale of all legal highs including an end to local shops selling them over the counter.

Moved by:                  Councillor Chris Murphy

Seconded by:           Councillor Linda Holt

MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council notes that

·           New psychoactive substances, often referred to as ‘legal highs’, contain a range of ingredients, which may or may not themselves be illegal.

·           According to drugs advisory service FRANK, the three main categories of these substances are stimulants, downers or sedatives, and psychedelics or hallucinogenics.

·           The 2013-14 Crime Survey of England and Wales estimated that use of psychoactive substances is particularly common amongst 16 to 24 year olds, including finding that 7.6% of young people in that age group reported using Nitrous Oxide at some point in the last year.

·           Little meaningful research into the short or long-term risks to the health implications of the consumption of many of these drugs has been conducted. The effects are different on different people and at worst they are known to cause paranoia, seizures, comas and can also lead to death.

·           The Office for National Statistics have stated that the number of deaths involving new psychoactive substances rose to 60 in 2013.

This Council further notes that

·           A Psychoactive Substances Bill to introduce a ban on so-called legal highs was announced in the Queen’s Speech which would make it an offence to produce, supply, offer to supply, possess with intent to supply, import or export any psychoactive substance which isn’t exempted under the draft legislation.

·           The Republic of Ireland made it an offence to advertise, sell, supply, import or export psychoactive substances in 2010.

·           From 1^st April 2015 City of Lincoln Council introduced the first local ban on people taking legal highs in public and that Blackpool Council recently issued Community Protection Notices to all shops prohibiting the sale of psychoactive substances.

·           The Local Government Association (LGA) has been calling for legislation on psychoactive substances since Councils were handed responsibility for public health in 2013. Councils in England and Wales spend about 30%, £830 million a year, of the entire public health budget on drug and alcohol misuse.

This Council believes that

·           Local Authorities and the Police are best placed to work in partnership to reduce the use of psychoactive substances across the country.

This Council resolves that

·           The Chief Executive write to the Home Secretary to welcome the proposed legislation and ask that Stockport MBC and the LGA are consulted on how best to implement a complete ban on the sale of all legal highs including an end to local shops selling them over the counter.

AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council notes that

·         New psychoactive substances, often referred to as ‘legal highs’, contain a range of ingredients, which may or may not themselves be illegal

·         According to drugs advisory service FRANK, the three main categories of these substances are stimulants, downers or sedatives, and psychedelics or hallucinogenics 

·         The 2013-14 Crime Survey of England and Wales estimated that use of psychoactive substances is particularly common amongst 16 to 24 year olds, including finding that 7.6% of young people in that age group reported using Nitrous Oxide at some point in the last year

·         Little meaningful research into the short or long-term risks to the health implications of the consumption of many of these drugs has been conducted. The effects are different on different people and at worst they are known to cause paranoia, seizures, comas and can also lead to death

·         The Office for National Statistics have stated that the number of deaths involving new psychoactive substances rose to 60 in 2013.

However, this Council Meeting also notes that, according to the Office for National Statistics, in 2013:

·         Of the 60 deaths involving psychoactive substances there were only 5 cases where psychoactive substances were the only substances implicated in each death;

·         The total number of drug related deaths was 562;

·         The number of alcohol-related deaths was 8,416; and

·         The number of smoking-related deaths among the over 35s was estimated to be 79,700.

This Council further notes that

·         A Psychoactive Substances Bill to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.(ii)

At this stage in the proceedings (10.00 pm) the Mayor informed the Council Meeting that the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 9.1 (Duration of Meeting) would be invoked unless the Council Meeting wished the meeting to continue.

It was then

MOVED AND SECONDED - That, notwithstanding the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 9, the meeting continue to deal with the remaining business on the Summons.

For the motion 27, against 34.

MOTION NOT CARRIED

The provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 9.1 relating to the duration of (Council) meetings were then duly invoked.

For the amendment 25, against 36.

AMENDMENT NOT CARRIED

It was then

RESOLVED – (34 for, 4 against, 23 abstentions) This Council notes that

·           New psychoactive substances, often referred to as ‘legal highs’, contain a range of ingredients, which may or may not themselves be illegal.

·           According to drugs advisory service FRANK, the three main categories of these substances are stimulants, downers or sedatives, and psychedelics or hallucinogenics.

·           The 2013-14 Crime Survey of England and Wales estimated that use of psychoactive substances is particularly common amongst 16 to 24 year olds, including finding that 7.6% of young people in that age group reported using Nitrous Oxide at some point in the last year.

·           Little meaningful research into the short or long-term risks to the health implications of the consumption of many of these drugs has been conducted. The effects are different on different people and at worst they are known to cause paranoia, seizures, comas and can also lead to death.

·           The Office for National Statistics have stated that the number of deaths involving new psychoactive substances rose to 60 in 2013.

This Council further notes that

·           A Psychoactive Substances Bill to introduce a ban on so-called legal highs was announced in the Queen’s Speech which would make it an offence to produce, supply, offer to supply, possess with intent to supply, import or export any psychoactive substance which isn’t exempted under the draft legislation.

·           The Republic of Ireland made it an offence to advertise, sell, supply, import or export psychoactive substances in 2010.

·           From 1^st April 2015 City of Lincoln Council introduced the first local ban on people taking legal highs in public and that Blackpool Council recently issued Community Protection Notices to all shops prohibiting the sale of psychoactive substances.

·           The Local Government Association (LGA) has been calling for legislation on psychoactive substances since Councils were handed responsibility for public health in 2013. Councils in England and Wales spend about 30%, £830 million a year, of the entire public health budget on drug and alcohol misuse.

This Council believes that

·           Local Authorities and the Police are best placed to work in partnership to reduce the use of psychoactive substances across the country.

This Council resolves that

·           The Chief Executive write to the Home Secretary to welcome the proposed legislation and ask that Stockport MBC and the LGA are consulted on how best to implement a complete ban on the sale of all legal highs including an end to local shops selling them over the counter.

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer.

A report of the Monitoring Officer was submitted detailing proposals to make amendments to the Council’s Constitution in relation to:-

·         Contract Procedure Rules

·         Scheme of delegation – Officers and Executive

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the proposed amendments to the Constitution making changes to the Contract Procedure Rules and the ‘Scheme of Delegation as detailed in Appendix A and B of the report.

To appoint Lucy Brewster as the Church of England Diocesan representative on the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That Lucy Brewster be appointed as the Church of England Diocesan representative on the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee.

To delete Councillors Iain Roberts and Maureen Rowles from the membership of the Appointments Committee and replace them with Councillors John Pantall and Wendy Wild.

RESOLVED – That the membership of the Appointments Committee be amended by the deletion of Councillors Iain Roberts and Maureen Rowles and their replacement with Councillors John Pantall and Wendy Wild.