Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 19 January and 23 February 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meetings of the Council held on 19 January and 23 February 2017 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 Chief Executive in consultation with the Mayor had authorised the appointment of Sue Webber to the Admission Appeals Panel as a member with Educational Experience.  The action was taken urgently in order to allow the specified panel member to be appointed to consider and determine in-year appeals from parents.

In addition, it was reported that the Chief Executive in consultation with the Mayor, had appointed Laureen Donnan (Deputy Chief Executive) as interim Electoral Registration Officer with immediate effect.

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor referred to the recent attack in Westminster which had claimed the lives of four members of the public and a police officer and injured many others.  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.

The Mayor then welcomed Lucy Boardman and Jennifer Blackledge to the Council Meeting and reported that they would shortly be standing down from the Stockport Youth Parliament.  The Mayor congratulated Lucy and Jennifer on their work on behalf of the Youth Parliament and awarded them with a certificate acknowledging their services on behalf of young people in Stockport.

The Mayor then advised the Council Meeting that Councillor Stuart Corris had served for 20 years as a member of the Council and that this service would be recognised through the presentation of a Long Service Award certificate.

Finally, the Mayor reported that this would be the last meeting of the Council Meeting to be attended by the Chief Executive, Mr Eamonn Boylan, following his appointment as the Chief Executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.  The Mayor and Group Leaders then paid tribute to the contribution made by Mr Boylan to the Council and the Borough during his time with the Authority and wished him well in his future role.

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

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

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

All those members who were school governors declared a personal interest in Summons Item 6(i) – ‘Motion – Schools Education Funding’.

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.

Three public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to a statement by the Chief Executive of the NHS that hospital beds should not be closed until community care arrangements were in place and a demonstrable reduction in pressure on beds and whether Councillor McGee would confirm the implication of an email he had sent to the questioner which stated that we need to be sure community provision is working before we consider taking beds out and there would therefore be a pause in closing beds at Stepping Hill Hospital.  It was further asked whether Councillor McGee would confirm that if pressures on beds continued, they may not be closed for some years or not at all.

The Executive Councillor for Health (Councillor Tom McGee) responded that the statement attributed to him in the question of 6 March 2017 was the same as that which he had made in response to previous public questions at the Council Meeting which was that we should not be taking out any beds in Stepping Hill Hospital until the community facilities were up and running and were meeting demand.  However, subsequent to that statement, the Chief Executive of the NHS had written to Council stating that additional funding had been provided to mitigate against winter pressures in 2017 and that the system, needed to reduce the number of beds by up to 3,000 by October 2017.  At the current moment, the implications of this statement were not fully understood including whether this would mean unplanned reductions in acute beds.

·         Relating to what the progress was on the creation of a multispecialty community provider and when consultation would take place.

The Executive Councillor for Health (Councillor Tom McGee) responded that Stockport Together was trying to deal with underfunding in the local health care sector and trying to make sure that facilities were provided in a new and innovative way on a neighbourhood basis.  It was stated that it was anticipated that the businesses cases would be submitted to the Adult Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee on 17 May 2017.

·         Relating to the Stockport Together business case which stated that it would plan to move toward to a single organisation covering all providers of health and social care in Stockport called an accountable care organisation which was a concept from private provision in the United States.  It was queried whether Stockport Together would move away from the national tariff payment system of health care to an outcome based payment system similar to that used in America.

The Executive Councillor for Health (Councillor Tom McGee) responded that with regard to accountable care organisations, the proposal was to establish a care trust which could only operate as a public body with the governance of the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and the Council so as to maintain local public control.  In respect of the national tariff payment system, it was stated that with Stockport Together the intention was to work towards a holistic outcomes based approach.

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 Alex Ganotis 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:-

 (d)      GMCA/AGMA Scrutiny Pool

The following councillors to answer questions (if any) on the business of the GMCA/AGMA Scrutiny Pool:-

(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

Councillor McGahan asked Councillor John Taylor that following the progression of the Buses Bill through Parliament, how close was Transport for Greater Manchester to introducing multi-modal smart ticketing throughout Greater Manchester.

Councillor Taylor responded that Greater Manchester’s smart ticketing scheme had been developing separately to the passage of the Buses Bill, however the two would have to come together as the Bill attains Royal Assent.

There were no questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

(d)       GMCA/AGMA Scrutiny Pool

There were no questions on the business of the GMCA/AGMA Scrutiny Pool.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution) (Councillor Alex Ganotis) reported that the Executive was working on the basis of the Council having a reduced income of approximately £18m for the next financial year and that the first round of consultation on the business cases to support the budget would commence in June 2017 which would be focussed on service reform and increasing income.  However, it was stated that there would inevitably be reductions in services due to the significant size of the budget reduction. 

It was further reported that the Greater Manchester Combined Authority was due to meet the following day which would consider a recommendation to delay the second round of consultation on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework from June to September to allow further time to analyse the 25,000 response to the first round of consultation.  It was further proposed to double the length of the second round of consultation to 12 weeks.

The Executive Councillor (Economy & Regeneration) (Councillor Kate Butler) reported that work was taking place to develop and publicise the Council’s ‘brownfield first’ approach to development in Stockport which sought members’ and the public’s input into identifying potential brownfield sites which were not currently included on the Council’s register of such sites.

It was further reported that following the proposal within the Housing White Paper to allow local authorities to apply an uplift in planning fees, the Council would be seeking to increase fees to increase and enable capacity within the planning service.

The Executive Councillor (Reform & Governance) (Councillor David Sedgwick) reported on the forthcoming Greater Manchester Mayoral election and that because this would be taking place over two days, staffing in many service areas would be lower than usual and expectations on response times from those service areas needed to be adjusted accordingly.

It was further reported that the Council Tax collection rate had increased by 0.2% and that the business rate collection rate had increased by 0.5%.

The Deputy Leader of the Council (Adult Social Care) (Councillor Wendy Wild) reported that the Chancellor had announced additional funding for adult social care over the next few years which resulted in an increase of £10.5m of funding for Stockport over a three-year period.  Spending plans for this funding would be submitted to the Adult Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee in the next municipal year.

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, Finance & Devolution); The Deputy Leader of the Council (Adult Social Care); and the Executive Councillors (Education) and (Health) answered questions and responded to comments relating to the business of the Executive in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

To receive the Minutes of the Executive held on 7 February and 14 March 2017 (pages) 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 7 February and 14 March 2017 (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 January and 27 February 2017

Children & Young People – 25 January and 1 March 2017

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 24 January and 28 February 2017

Environment & Economy – 26 January and 2 March 2017

Health & Wellbeing – 17 January and 21 February 2017

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 6 February 2017

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 January and 27 February 2017

Children & Young People – 25 January and 1 March 2017

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 24 January and 28 February 2017

Environment & Economy – 26 January and 2 March 2017

Health & Wellbeing – 17 January and 21 February 2017

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 6 February 2017

To receive a report from the Chairs of the Planning & Highways Regulation; Licensing, Environment & Safety; and Audit 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, Licensing, Environment and Safety or Audit 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

Appointments – 6 February 2017 

Audit – 15 March 2017       

Contributors – 26 January 2017   

Employment Appeals – 12 January 2017           

Funding – 28 February 2017

Health & Wellbeing Board – 22 February 2017 

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 11 January and 15 February 2017        

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 26 January 2017      

Member – 6 February 2017          

Planning & Highways Regulation – 12 January and 16 February 2017        

Standards – 1 December 2016    

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 2 February and 9 March 2017

Central Stockport – 2 February and 9 March 2017       

Cheadle – 31 January and 7 March 2017          

Heatons & Reddish – 30 January and 6 March 2017   

Marple – 1 February and 8 March 2017

Stepping Hill – 31 January and 7 March 2017   

Werneth – 30 January and 6 March 2017          

Ward Committee

Brinnington & Reddish Joint – 27 February 2017         

Hazel Grove – 18 January and 15 March 2017 

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

Appointments – 6 February 2017

Audit – 15 March 2017      

Contributors – 26 January 2017  

Employment Appeals – 12 January 2017          

Funding – 28 February 2017

Health & Wellbeing Board – 22 February 2017

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 11 January and 15 February 2017       

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 26 January 2017     

Member – 6 February 2017         

Planning & Highways Regulation – 12 January and 16 February 2017       

Standards – 1 December 2016   

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 2 February and 9 March 2017

Central Stockport – 2 February and 9 March 2017      

Cheadle – 31 January and 7 March 2017         

Heatons & Reddish – 30 January and 6 March 2017  

Marple – 1 February and 8 March 2017

Stepping Hill – 31 January and 7 March 2017  

Werneth – 30 January and 6 March 2017         

Ward Committee

Brinnington & Reddish Joint – 27 February 2017        

Hazel Grove – 18 January and 15 March 2017

This Council meeting notes:

·       with approval that in March 2016 the Government announced a review and consultation(s) on school funding reform;

·       that the average per-pupil school funding received from the Government varies considerably;

·       the Institute for Fiscal Studies report of December 2016 indicated that schools were predicted to see cost increases of around 8% by 2019/20;

·       schools in England are facing the first real-terms cuts to their funding in a generation;

·       that schools in England are already facing significant additional costs which the Government does not intend to pay for, including the removal of the Education Support Grant later this year;

·       that there is subsequently the need to move toward a more transparent system of Schools funding allocation.

This Council meeting believes that:

·       investment in education is investment in the future of our nation;

·       investment in education is essential to provide all our young people with the chance to succeed;

·       the formula proposals presented in the National Fairer Funding Formula (NFFF) Stage 2 Consultation fall short of what was expected, lock in historical inequalities and will not deliver fairness as promised;

·       the national Government should make funds available for national Government policy initiatives in schools;

·       the basic level of funding allocated to all schools must be adequate for the school for both operational costs and the sufficient provision of staffing;

·       additional needs funding should be, as the name suggests, additional- and therefore should be targeted at Additional Education Needs (AEN) factors, and not come at the expense of the basic entitlement funding which is imperative to achieving a fair, balanced and equitable funding formula;

·       schools funding should follow a formula which combines need-based assessment with lump sum funding per pupil, to ensure all schools can function with appropriate pupil-teacher ratios and meet a defined set of costs-  this should be provided in accordance with 75% pupil funding and additional needs factors of 14% (deprivation 8%, prior attainment 5% and EAL 1%);

·       pupils of similar characteristics should attract similar levels of funding wherever they are in the country (allowing for the area cost adjustment);

·       while the Stage 2 consultation is about finding a fair funding methodology and not about the quantum of funding available, Stockport schools have been making cuts for many years now and have reached the limit of where further cuts can be identified;

·       the outcome of the fair funding for school’s consultation should be fair.

This Council meeting further resolves ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Education asking her to:

·       ensure the budget for Schools is kept in line with inflation from the year 2015;

·       ensure the Government’s policy commitments to the apprenticeship levy, national living wage and pension contributions in schools are fully funded by national Government;

·       commission a comprehensive review of education funding covering ages 0-19;

·       publish the methodology used to calculate the costs of running a school.

Moved by:                  Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick                     

Seconded by:            Councillor Elise Wilson

RESOLVED - This Council Meeting notes:

·         with approval that in March 2016 the Government announced a review and consultation(s) on school funding reform;

·         that the average per-pupil school funding received from the Government varies considerably;

·         the Institute for Fiscal Studies report of December 2016 indicated that schools were predicted to see cost increases of around 8% by 2019/20;

·         schools in England are facing the first real-terms cuts to their funding in a generation;

·         that schools in England are already facing significant additional costs which the Government does not intend to pay for, including the removal of the Education Support Grant later this year;

·         that there is subsequently the need to move toward a more transparent system of Schools funding allocation.

This Council Meeting believes that:

·         investment in education is investment in the future of our nation;

·         investment in education is essential to provide all our young people with the chance to succeed;

·         the formula proposals presented in the National Fairer Funding Formula (NFFF) Stage 2 Consultation fall short of what was expected, lock in historical inequalities and will not deliver fairness as promised;

·         the national Government should make funds available for national Government policy initiatives in schools;

·         the basic level of funding allocated to all schools must be adequate for the school for both operational costs and the sufficient provision of staffing;

·         additional needs funding should be, as the name suggests, additional- and therefore should be targeted at Additional Education Needs (AEN) factors, and not come at the expense of the basic entitlement funding which is imperative to achieving a fair, balanced and equitable funding formula;

·         schools funding should follow a formula which combines need-based assessment with lump sum funding per pupil, to ensure all schools can function with appropriate pupil-teacher ratios and meet a defined set of costs-  this should be provided in accordance with 75% pupil funding and additional needs factors of 14% (deprivation 8%, prior attainment 5% and EAL 1%);

·         pupils of similar characteristics should attract similar levels of funding wherever they are in the country (allowing for the area cost adjustment);

·         while the Stage 2 consultation is about finding a fair funding methodology and not about the quantum of funding available, Stockport schools have been making cuts for many years now and have reached the limit of where further cuts can be identified;

·         the outcome of the fair funding for school’s consultation should be fair.

This Council Meeting further resolves ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Education asking her to:

·         ensure the budget for Schools is kept in line with inflation from the year 2015;

·         ensure the Government’s policy commitments to the apprenticeship levy, national living wage and pension contributions in schools are fully funded by national Government;

·         commission a comprehensive review of education funding covering ages 0-19;

·         publish the methodology used to calculate the costs of running a school.

This Council notes the valuable contributions made by care workers and partners in enabling, caring for and improving the lives of the most vulnerable people in Stockport.

This Council supports in principle the provisions of Unison's ethical care charters for the commissioning of home care and residential care services (https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2013/11/On-line-Catalogue220142.pdf) and is fully committed to developing an ethical care charter for Stockport which incorporates the principles of the UNISON ethical care charters. 

This Council has been working with a range of partners to enact these principles at the earliest practicable opportunity, recognising that some aspects of the charter may require additional funding.

This Council however notes that funding levels in relation to social care have placed significant pressures upon the care sector over recent years, and despite welcome additional resources, a situation of chronic underfunding in social care remains, and a permanent solution to the funding of social care is needed.

This Council acknowledges the Government policy to ensure that all business rates can be retained by Local Authorities by 2020.

This Council however notes with concern the lack of a proposal for an appropriate redistribution mechanism to redress iniquities between Local Authorities nationwide.

This Council further notes Government indications that additional monies which come to Local Authorities through business rate retention are likely to come with additional responsibilities, requiring additional Council expenditure.

This Council therefore supports a proposal that Government allow Local Authorities to use additional revenues raised through the Business Rate Retention Scheme, as additional earmarked funding for Adult Social Care via a new social care grant, instead of for funding areas of additional responsibility.

This Council welcomes UNISON’s Care Workers for Change campaign initiative and looks forward to an expanded union membership base playing a key role in the public-facing campaign to increase central government funding for social care and in improved employee relations in the sector.

This Council believes that effective workplace union organisation has a key role to play in improving the care sector as:

·         organised staff will have more confidence to speak out and share best practice;

·         unions can assist in better monitoring of employment standards in care and through providing high-quality staff training – often free of charge to the employer;

·         unionised staff will be better able to share their stories publicly - increasing the effectiveness of campaign work for more central government funding for care.

This Council undertakes to encourage care providers that we currently commission, and those we commission in future to:

1.    Respect the right of care staff to organise a union in their workplace and do nothing to undermine the reasonable efforts of staff to organise a union.

2.    Allow access to accredited union representatives and officials for membership recruitment activity. Provider organisations should engage positively with union requests for access to staff and, where necessary, agree arrangements that do not disrupt service delivery.

3.    Pursue a partnership approach to employment relations.  We would expect the provider to engage constructively with the union including a recognition and facilities agreement to underpin collective working.  

4.    Work with and unions to pursue our shared objective of achieving the provisions of the Stockport ethical care charter.  This process will necessarily take account of factors including local levels of funding and procurement practices.

The Council will write to all current providers of Council-commissioned care services at the earliest opportunity to advise them of our expectation that they will respond positively to the above points (1-4).

Moved by:                  Councillor Wendy Wild

Seconded by:            Councillor Alex Ganotis

In accordance with the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 14.7 (Alteration of Motion) at the request of the mover of the motion the Council Meeting gave its consent to the alteration of the motion as tabled to incorporate an alteration which had been published and circulated in advance of the meeting.

RESOLVED – (55 for, 2 abstentions) - This Council notes the valuable contributions made by care workers and partners in enabling, caring for and improving the lives of the most vulnerable people in Stockport. 

This Council supports in principle the provisions of Unison's ethical care charters for the commissioning of home care and residential care services (https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2013/11/On-line-Catalogue220142.pdf) and is fully committed to developing an ethical care charter for Stockport which incorporates the principles of the UNISON ethical care charters.  

This Council has been working with a range of partners to enact these principles at the earliest practicable opportunity, recognising that some aspects of the charter may require additional funding. 

This Council however notes that funding levels in relation to social care have placed significant pressures upon the care sector over recent years, and despite welcome additional resources, a situation of chronic underfunding in social care remains, and a permanent solution to the funding of social care is needed.

This Council acknowledges the Government policy to ensure that all business rates can be retained by Local Authorities by 2020.

This Council however notes with concern the lack of a proposal for an appropriate redistribution mechanism to redress iniquities between Local Authorities nationwide. 

This Council further notes Government indications that additional monies which come to Local Authorities through business rate retention are likely to come with additional responsibilities, requiring additional Council expenditure.

This Council therefore supports a proposal that Government allow Local Authorities to use additional revenues raised through the Business Rate Retention Scheme, as additional earmarked funding for Adult Social Care via a new social care grant, instead of for funding areas of additional responsibility.

This Council welcomes UNISON’s Care Workers for Change campaign initiative and looks forward to an expanded union membership base playing a key role in the public-facing campaign to increase central government funding for social care and in improved employee relations in the sector.

This Council believes that effective workplace union organisation has a key role to play in improving the care sector as:     

·             organised staff will have more confidence to speak out and share best practice;

·             unions can assist in better monitoring of employment standards in care and through providing high-quality staff training – often free of charge to the employer;

·             unionised staff will be better able to share their stories publicly - increasing the effectiveness of campaign work for more central government funding for care.

This Council undertakes to encourage care providers that we currently commission, and those we commission in future to:

1.    Respect the right of care staff to organise a union in their workplace and do nothing to undermine the reasonable efforts of staff to organise a union.

2.    Allow access to accredited union representatives and officials for membership recruitment activity. Provider organisations should engage positively with union requests for access to staff and, where necessary, agree arrangements that do not disrupt service delivery.

3.    Pursue a partnership approach to employment relations.  We would expect the provider to engage constructively with the union including a recognition and facilities agreement to underpin collective working.   

4.    Work with the Council and unions to pursue our shared objective of achieving the provisions of the Stockport ethical care charter.  This process will necessarily take account of factors including local levels of funding and procurement practices.

The Council will write to all current providers of Council-commissioned care services at the earliest opportunity to advise them of our expectation that they will respond positively to the above points (1-4).

This Council Meeting welcomes the recent announcement by the Secretary of State for Education that, through amendments to the Children and Social Work Bill, the government intends to make it a requirement that all secondary schools in England teach relationships and sex education (RSE), that all primary schools in England teach relationships education and, through regulations the government will make as allowed by the amendments, require personal, health, social and economic education (PHSE) to be taught in all schools in England, including in Academies, all with effect from September 2019.

This Council Meeting notes the good work already underway in schools across Stockport, as reported to a recent meeting of the Education Monitoring Panel, and welcomes cross-party support for the further work officers have proposed, making Stockport well-placed to adopt the RSE/PSHE regime that the government looks likely to introduce. 

This Council Meeting further notes a recent report by researchers at Middlesex University on behalf of the Children’s Commissioner and the NSPCC that highlighted the widespread accessibility of online pornography, which often have degrading and violent depictions of sex, and also highlighted the need for better SRE in the classroom and online, giving children spaces to discuss and learn about safe relationships, consent and sex.

This Council Meeting believes that PHSE and age-appropriate RSE

·           are vital to help safeguard children and prepare them for their adult lives, particularly as they grow up in this digital age;

·           contribute to personal development by helping young people to build their confidence, self-esteem and resilience;

·           provide pupils with life skills and skills for life, to support them in managing risk, making informed choices and understanding what influences their decisions;

·           enable them to be responsible citizens and achieve and lead a happy, fulfilled life; and

·           help build resilience and protect young people from harm.

This Council Meeting further believes

·           that all schools, including faith schools, private schools, free schools and academies, should deliver age-appropriate, LGBT-inclusive, comprehensive RSE (or Relationships Education, in primary schools);

·           that Stockport children deserve to be taught this by professional, specialist teachers;

·           that all school staff should be appropriately trained to handle any questions which may arise after such sessions have been delivered; and

·           that all schools should make space in the timetable for PHSE and RSE and should encourage a culture of openness and tolerance.

This Council Meeting resolves to ask the Chief Executive:

·           to write to the Secretary of State for Education, outlining the content of this motion and calling upon her to ensure all schools are appropriately supported to deliver RSE as outlined above and support those schools who are able to introduce the new RSE during 2018/19; and

·           to notify all schools operating within Stockport of this council’s support for PHSE and age-appropriate, LGBT-inclusive, comprehensive RSE and encourage them to embrace the forthcoming changes.

Moved by:                Councillor Lisa Smart

Seconded by:           Councillor Laura Booth

RESOLVED - This Council Meeting welcomes the recent announcement by the Secretary of State for Education that, through amendments to the Children and Social Work Bill, the government intends to make it a requirement that all secondary schools in England teach relationships and sex education (RSE), that all primary schools in England teach relationships education and, through regulations the government will make as allowed by the amendments, require personal, health, social and economic education (PHSE) to be taught in all schools in England, including in Academies, all with effect from September 2019.

This Council Meeting notes the good work already underway in schools across Stockport, as reported to a recent meeting of the Education Monitoring Panel, and welcomes cross-party support for the further work officers have proposed, making Stockport well-placed to adopt the RSE/PSHE regime that the government looks likely to introduce. 

This Council Meeting further notes a recent report by researchers at Middlesex University on behalf of the Children’s Commissioner and the NSPCC that highlighted the widespread accessibility of online pornography, which often have degrading and violent depictions of sex, and also highlighted the need for better SRE in the classroom and online, giving children spaces to discuss and learn about safe relationships, consent and sex.

This Council Meeting believes that PHSE and age-appropriate RSE

·           are vital to help safeguard children and prepare them for their adult lives, particularly as they grow up in this digital age;

·           contribute to personal development by helping young people to build their confidence, self-esteem and resilience;

·           provide pupils with life skills and skills for life, to support them in managing risk, making informed choices and understanding what influences their decisions;

·           enable them to be responsible citizens and achieve and lead a happy, fulfilled life; and

·           help build resilience and protect young people from harm.

This Council Meeting further believes

·           that all schools, including faith schools, private schools, free schools and academies, should deliver age-appropriate, LGBT-inclusive, comprehensive RSE (or Relationships Education, in primary schools);

·           that Stockport children deserve to be taught this by professional, specialist teachers;

·           that all school staff should be appropriately trained to handle any questions which may arise after such sessions have been delivered; and

·           that all schools should make space in the timetable for PHSE and RSE and should encourage a culture of openness and tolerance.

This Council Meeting resolves to ask the Chief Executive:

·           to write to the Secretary of State for Education, outlining the content of this motion and calling upon her to ensure all schools are appropriately supported to deliver RSE as outlined above and support those schools who are able to introduce the new RSE during 2018/19; and

·           to notify all schools operating within Stockport of this council’s support for PHSE and age-appropriate, LGBT-inclusive, comprehensive RSE and encourage them to embrace the forthcoming changes.

This Council meeting notes:

·           That The Pendlebury Centre is one of four Pupil Referral Units to serve children and young adults from within and beyond Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council area.

·           That The Pendlebury Centre provides 40 full-time secondary school-aged children and young adults with a number of emotional and mental health needs.

·           That The Pendlebury Centre also serves Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council’s community CAMHS team and houses staff who work towards the education of sick children and young adults.

This Council meeting further notes:

·           The commitment of the senior leadership team and staff in caring for some of Stockport’s most vulnerable children and young adults in often difficult circumstances.

·           That the Secretary of State for Education has been invited to visit the Pendlebury Centre by Councillor Tom Dowse to view its outstanding work for herself.

This Council Meeting therefore resolves:

·           To congratulate The Pendlebury Centre on the recent rewarding of its fifth consecutive ‘Outstanding’ OFSTED report in January 2017.

·           That the Executive Leader writes on behalf of all Members to Janice Cahill, Head teacher of the Pendlebury Centre, in congratulating her and her team on this achievement.

·           That representatives of The Pendlebury Centre be invited to a future Council meeting to make a presentation on the work of the Centre in relation to its service to Stockport’s children and young adults.

·           That the Executive Councillor for Education includes The Pendlebury Centre into his school visits plan.

Moved by:                  Councillor Tom Dowse

Seconded by:           Councillor Linda Holt

RESOLVED - This Council Meeting notes:

·           That The Pendlebury Centre is one of four Pupil Referral Units to serve children and young adults from within and beyond Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council area.

·           That The Pendlebury Centre provides 40 full-time secondary school-aged children and young adults with a number of emotional and mental health needs.

·           That The Pendlebury Centre also serves Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council’s community CAMHS team and houses staff who work towards the education of sick children and young adults.

This Council Meeting further notes:

·           The commitment of the senior leadership team and staff in caring for some of Stockport’s most vulnerable children and young adults in often difficult circumstances.

·           That the Secretary of State for Education has been invited to visit the Pendlebury Centre by Councillor Tom Dowse to view its outstanding work for herself.

This Council Meeting therefore resolves:

·           To congratulate The Pendlebury Centre on the recent rewarding of its fifth consecutive ‘Outstanding’ OFSTED report in January 2017.

·           That the Executive Leader writes on behalf of all Members to Janice Cahill, Head teacher of the Pendlebury Centre, in congratulating her and her team on this achievement.

·           That representatives of The Pendlebury Centre be invited to a future Council meeting to make a presentation on the work of the Centre in relation to its service to Stockport’s children and young adults.

·           That the Executive Councillor for Education includes The Pendlebury Centre into his school visits plan.

This council acknowledges:

·         the valuable work of Stockport Council care teams, partners and foster carers in improving the lives and life chances of our most vulnerable young people.  

·         the findings of the 2016 ‘Wolf at the Door’ report by The Children’s Society, which details the difficulties faced by young people in moving over to full management of their budgets upon leaving care, and notes that in view of low levels of family support and financial education, young care leavers are subsequently prone to fall into debt and financial difficulty;

·         that research from The Centre for Social Justice finds that over half (57%) of young people leaving care have difficulty managing their money and avoiding debt when leaving care;

·         that these findings are further reinforced by research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation that outlines how ‘accumulation of debt, threats to their tenancies and their inability to avoid this through careful budgeting’ were issues of continuing concern for care leavers;

·         that Council Tax debt can impact care leavers future life chances through additional burdens associated with criminal records and negative credit profiles;

·         that the Government decision that from April 2016 work allowances for care leavers without children would be withdrawn altogether has negatively impacted care leavers, and this change can cost working care leavers claiming Universal Credit up to £72 per month (or £865 per year);

·         that Stockport currently has 172 young people aged 18-25 which have left the care of Stockport MBC and are eligible to pay Council Tax.

·         that Stockport currently has 58 young people aged 16 to 17 in the care of Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council about to begin the difficult transition from care and into adulthood.

·         that Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, and all Local Authorities have a duty of care to care leavers as former corporate parents.

This council believes that:

·         care leavers are a particularly vulnerable group in relation to council tax debt.

·         in order to ensure the transition from care to adult life is as smooth as possible, and to mitigate the chances of care leavers falling into debt as they begin to manage their own finances, they should be exempt from paying council tax until they are 25.

·         this exemption would provide significant benefit to care leavers, whilst having minimal impact upon Council finances, after exemptions and reductions in emergency payments to care leavers are taken into account.

·         additional costs arising from this change can be easily absorbed by the collection fund and in-year overspends.

This council therefore resolves to:

·         exempt all care leavers from council tax up to the age of 25;

·         and to write to the Minister of State for Children and Families, urging him to introduce a national exemption for care leavers from council tax up to the age of 25.

Moved by:                Councillor Colin Foster

Seconded by:         Councillor John Taylor

In accordance with the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 14.7 (Alteration of Motion) at the request of the mover of the motion the Council Meeting gave its consent to the alteration of the motion as tabled to incorporate an alteration to insert the words “amend the Council Tax Reduction Scheme” at the commencement of the penultimate bullet point.

RESOLVED - This council acknowledges:

·         the valuable work of Stockport Council care teams, partners and foster carers in improving the lives and life chances of our most vulnerable young people.  

·         the findings of the 2016 ‘Wolf at the Door’ report by The Children’s Society, which details the difficulties faced by young people in moving over to full management of their budgets upon leaving care, and notes that in view of low levels of family support and financial education, young care leavers are subsequently prone to fall into debt and financial difficulty;

·         that research from The Centre for Social Justice finds that over half (57%) of young people leaving care have difficulty managing their money and avoiding debt when leaving care;

·         that these findings are further reinforced by research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation that outlines how ‘accumulation of debt, threats to their tenancies and their inability to avoid this through careful budgeting’ were issues of continuing concern for care leavers;

·         that Council Tax debt can impact care leavers future life chances through additional burdens associated with criminal records and negative credit profiles;

·         that the Government decision that from April 2016 work allowances for care leavers without children would be withdrawn altogether has negatively impacted care leavers, and this change can cost working care leavers claiming Universal Credit up to £72 per month (or £865 per year);

·         that Stockport currently has 172 young people aged 18-25 which have left the care of Stockport MBC and are eligible to pay Council Tax.

·         that Stockport currently has 58 young people aged 16 to 17 in the care of Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council about to begin the difficult transition from care and into adulthood.

·         that Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, and all Local Authorities have a duty of care to care leavers as former corporate parents.

This council believes that:

·         care leavers are a particularly vulnerable group in relation to council tax debt.

·         in order to ensure the transition from care to adult life is as smooth as possible, and to mitigate the chances of care leavers falling into debt as they begin to manage their own finances, they should be exempt from paying council tax until they are 25.

·         this exemption would provide significant benefit to care leavers, whilst having minimal impact upon Council finances, after exemptions and reductions in emergency payments to care leavers are taken into account.

·         additional costs arising from this change can be easily absorbed by the collection fund and in-year overspends.

This council therefore resolves to:

·         amend the Council Tax Reduction Scheme to exempt all care leavers from council tax up to the age of 25;

·         and to write to the Minister of State for Children and Families, urging him to introduce a national exemption for care leavers from council tax up to the age of 25.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution) (Councillor Alex Ganotis) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to appoint the Deputy Chief Executive as the interim Chief Executive and Head of the Paid Service while the post of Chief Executive was vacant.

RESOLVED – That the Deputy Chief Executive shall be designated as Interim Chief Executive and appointed to undertake all the responsibilities of the Chief

Executive including that of Head of Paid Service, whilst the post was vacant.

To approve the following appointments to the Admission Appeal Panel:-

Lay Members

Lauren Robertson

Maureen Walsh

Paul Hughes

Philip Morris

Phyllis Cowan

Members with Educational Experience

Andrew Butler

Ann Gilbert

Irene Burton

Michael Ward

Robin Patey

Veronica Lloyd

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the appointment of the following to the Admission Appeals Panel:-

Lay Members

Lauren Robertson

Maureen Walsh

Paul Hughes

Philip Morris

Phyllis Cowan

Members with Educational Experience

Andrew Butler

Ann Gilbert

Irene Burton

Michael Ward

Robin Patey

Veronica Lloyd