Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 12 January and 23 February 2012.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meetings of the Council held on 12 January and 23 February 2012 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor subject to:-

(1) (29 for, 17 against) In respect of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Budget Council held on 23 February 2012 under Minute 1(i) ‘Public Question Time’ to the deletion in the response to the first public question, of “Councillor Verdeille stated that he had arranged no such discussions” and its replacement with “Councillor Verdeille stated that he had not”.

(2) (27 for, 33 abstentions) In respect of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Budget Council held on 23 February 2012 under Minute 3(x) ‘2012/13 Budget and Medium Term Financial Planning 2013/14 to 2014/15’ to the deletion, following the named vote on the amendment to the motion, of “The Council then proceeded to debate the substantive motion.” and its replacement with “The motion was then put to the vote.”

A named vote was requested in relation to the voting on this resolution and the voting was recorded as follows:-

The councillors who voted for the resolution were:-

Councillors Ben Alexander, Shan Alexander, Andrew Bispham, Stuart Bodsworth, Martin Candler, Stuart Corris, Sue Derbyshire, Kevin Dowling, Dave Goddard, Chris Gordon, Lenny Grice, Daniel Hawthorne, Kevin Hogg, Stella Humphries, Pam King, Mags Kirkham, Hazel Lees, Wendy Meikle, Wendy Orrell, John Pantall, Paul Porgess, Iain Roberts, Ann Smith, June Somekh, Mark Weldon, Craig Wright and Suzanne Wyatt.

The councillors who abstained were:-

Councillors Brian Bagnall, Sheila Bailey, Paul Bellis, Walter Brett, Peter Burns, Richard Coaton, Dean Fitzpatrick, Colin Foster, Alexander Ganotis, Anne Graham, Tom Grundy, Philip Harding, Brian Hendley, Linda Holt, Sylvia Humphreys, Mick Jones, Bryan Leck, Syd Lloyd, Paul Moss, Patrick McAuley, Tom McGee, Chris Murphy, Adrian Nottingham, Anthony O’Neill, Maureen Rowles, John Smith, Andrew Verdeille, Alanna Vine, Lisa Walker, David White, David Wilson, Mike Wilson and William Wragg.

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor announced that this would be the last meeting of the Council to be attended by Councillors Anne Graham and Stella Humphries following their retirement from the Council, after 20 and 30 years’ service respectively, after the local elections on 3 May 2012. 

The Group Leaders then paid tribute to Councillors Graham and Humphries, and the Mayor presented awards on behalf of all councillors and the public of Stockport in recognition of the 50 years of combined public service given in the service of the Council and its residents.

The Mayor then moved on to report that since the last Council Meeting he had attended 39 engagements which had included the opening of the last vacant shop unit on Heaton Moor Road on 24 February 2012.

On 1 March 2012, the Mayor reported that he had attended the official opening of the Mike Doyle Centre in Reddish which aimed to develop junior football in the Reddish area.  In addition, the Mayor advised the Council Meeting that he had attended the final meeting of the Manchester Harriers Athletic Club and Wilf Richards Memorial Primary Schools’ Cross Country League on 3 March.

The Mayor advised the Council Meeting that on 6 March 2012 he had presented The Duke of Edinburgh Awards in the ballroom at Stockport Town Hall and congratulated those young people in attendance and the volunteers who supported them for their inspiration, guidance and support.

The Mayor stated that on 16 March 2012 he had opened the GP UK Ltd Skills Training Academy on Wellington Road North which was a new employment and apprenticeship training facility which would both support the unemployed and increase the opportunities available to them.

The Mayor referred to recent events which had been held in aid of the Mayor’s Charity and in particular thanked Councillor Sylvia Humphreys for having raised £175 and referred to a six hour sponsored silence which he had taken part in along with pupils from a number of schools in the Heatons area.  The Mayor further stated that a Variety Show would be taking place on 23 March and a Sunday Lunch to be hosted by Councillor Bryan Leck on 25 March 2012.

In respect of formal Council business, the Mayor reported that on 19 March 2012, the Chief Executive had, in consultation with him, taken urgent action under the Constitution to appoint Councillor Mark Weldon as a member of the Education Monitoring Panel.  This action had been taken urgently at that time in order to fill a Liberal Democrat vacancy on the Panel in advance of its meeting on 20 March 2012.

Finally, the Mayor reported that this was the last Council Meeting before the forthcoming retirement of Ged Lucas, Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director to Place.  The Mayor and the Group Leaders paid tribute to Mr Lucas and wished him a long and happy retirement.

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

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

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

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

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

Ten public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Had Councillor Lloyd met with the Liberal Democrat Leader of the Council to discuss a coalition arrangement between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats?

Councillor Lloyd responded that as he had previously stated, he met frequently with councillors from all parties and had met with Councillor Goddard that morning during which the subject of the elections had been discussed.

·         Did the Conservative Group have any plans to switch off or dim street lights in Stockport?

Councillor Lloyd stated that the Conservative Group had never had any such plans.

·         Did the Conservative Group have any plans to increase Council Tax for the residents of Offerton?

Councillor Lloyd stated that the Conservative Group was the party of low council tax and had no plans to increase council tax.

·         Could Councillor Lloyd state what monies were to have been taken away from Offerton residents to fund the Conservative Council Budget amendment in order to keep the Peel Moat Centre in the Heatons open?

Councillor Lloyd stated that no funding would have been diverted from Offerton as a result of the Conservative proposals for Peel Moat Leisure Centre.

·         Did Councillor Verdeille have a view on a glossy newsletter that had been distributed by the Council promoting its activities in Offerton which had been delivered in the ward just as the Leader of the Council was due to stand for re-election?

Councillor Verdeille responded that a leaflet had been distributed to residents in Offerton the weekend prior to the commencement of the ‘Purdah’ period detailing what the Council intended to do in the area, and that in his view this was a flagrant breach of the principles relating to pre-election publicity.

·         Why had the date of 15 April been chosen by the Council to close Peel Moat Leisure Centre and was it because a buyer for the land had been found?  If not, did it make sense for a viable Centre to close when so much revenue was being generated by that Centre?

Councillor Goddard responded that the selection of the date for the closure of the Centre had been an operational decision.

·         Were there any plans for the Peel Moat Leisure Centre building between 15 April and the date of the May local elections.

Councillor Goddard replied that there were no such plans.

·         Could Councillor Goddard provide a written response in respect of the Council’s recognition of all the data; petitions, census and forms that the Friends of Peel Moat submitted to the Council during the consultation period.

Councillor Goddard undertook to respond to the questioner in writing.

·         Where can Heart Club members who currently attend Peel Moat Leisure Centre find facilities equal to those currently available to them at the aforementioned Centre?

Councillor Goddard undertook to respond to the questioner in writing.

·         Could Councillor Goddard explain the difference between the figures he provided in a written response to a previous question in respect of revenue generated from television film locations using Peel Moat Leisure Centre car park and those provided by Red Films and Granada Television?

Councillor Goddard undertook 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.

The Role of the Special Constabulary in Stockport

Sergeant Caroline Henderson (Greater Manchester Police) will attend the meeting and make a presentation in relation to the work of the Special Constabulary in Stockport.

There were no petitions presented to the meeting.

The Role of the Special Constabulary in Stockport

Inspector Simon Jones and Sergeant Caroline Henderson attended the meeting and made a presentation in relation to the work of the Special Constabulary in Stockport.

At the conclusion of the presentation, the Mayor expressed thanks to Inspector Jones and Sergeant Henderson for their attendance and presentation.

(a)       Section 41 Spokespersons

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

(b)       Greater Manchester Combined Authority

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

(a)       Section 41 Spokespersons

There were no questions in relation to the business of the Joint Authorities.

(b)       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 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 Dave Goddard) reported that:-

·         On 28 February 2012 he had attended the Celebrating Young People in Care Awards which had been an excellent event and he encouraged all members to attend future such events.

·         He had attended a meeting on 6 March 2012 with representatives from other political groups in relation to improving the town centre which had been an excellent opportunity to put forward innovative ideas.

·         The Royal Bank of Scotland were establishing a Corporate Banking Office in Stockport which would bring two empty retail units back into use in the town centre.

·         On 13 March 2012 he had attended a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event in Stockport which had been a huge success with 426 appointments having taken place with four purchasing teams.

·         Clearance works were now well underway at Grand Central in the Town Centre for phase one of the works for improvements in this area.

·         Joint working with Trafford Council would start to provide additional savings for Stockport from 2013 through the signing of a joint procurement partnership on 20 March 2012.

Finally, Councillor Goddard reported that he had decided not to fill the current vacancy on the Executive for the Executive Councillor (Leisure) and circulated a schedule illustrating the distribution of responsibilities amongst the Executive for those functions previously exercised by that position.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor (Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) reported that she had recently attended the Local Government Chronicle Awards at which the Revenues and Benefits Team had won the ‘IT Initiative of the Year’ category for its ‘Paper Free Benefits’ system, and had been shortlisted in the ‘Efficiency’ category.  Councillor Derbyshire congratulated the Team on their success.

The Executive Councillor (Environment) (Councillor Shan Alexander) reported that the route of the Olympic Torch through the Borough had been announced and that the Torch would pass through Stockport on 24 June 2012 between 8.30 am and 9.30 am and that there would be a number of activities taking place along the route.  It was further reported that an all-member briefing would be taking place on 28 June 2012 in relation to changes to the Public Ream Service and that members be encouraged to attend. 

The Executive Councillor (Adults and Health) (Councillor John Pantall) reported on the recent restructure of Adult Social Care Quality Management and that members would receive an update from the Corporate Director for People in relation to this.  Councillor Pantall further commented on the transfer of responsibility for public health to the Council.

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 and the Executive Councillors (Adults and Health), (Communities), (Customer Focus), (Environment), (Finance), (Regeneration) and (Transportation) answered questions in relation to the business of the Executive in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

To receive the Minutes of the Executive held on 6 and 27 February and 12 March 2012 and the record of executive decisions taken since the last Council Meeting, (schedule enclosed, decisions previously circulated) and consider any recommendations they contain.

The Mayor declared the minutes of the Executive Meetings held on 6 and 27 February and 12 March 2012 and the record of Executive Decisions taken since the last meeting of the Council to be duly received.

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

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 from councillors addressed to the Scrutiny Chairs, in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

To receive the Minutes of the following Scrutiny Committees:-

The Chair of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee commented that the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee held on 14 March 2012 erroneously stated that Councillor John Smith had been in attendance and that this needed to be corrected at the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee in the new Municipal Year.

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

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 from Councillors addressed to the Chairs of 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

Ward Committees

Ordinary Committees

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

Area Committees

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

Area Committees

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

This Council pays tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her distinguished service to the United Kingdom and the other realms of the Commonwealth over the last 60 years.

This Council welcomes the plans of Her Majesty’s Government to honour and celebrate the Diamond Jubilee with an extended public holiday in June 2012 and a programme of weekend events.

This Council further welcomes events within the Borough in celebration of this historic milestone reached by only one other British Monarch.

In recognition of the Diamond Jubilee, this Council Meeting requests that:-

·           The Mayor writes to Her Majesty extending the Council’s best wishes and to thank her for a lifetime’s service to the nation;

·           The Chief Executive write to Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, Secretary of State for Transport, requesting that the A555 bypass be named “Queen Elizabeth Way” in honour of Her Majesty;

·           The Chief Executive write to Cheshire East County Council and Manchester City Council, requesting their support for the road naming proposal; and

·           The Chief Executive write to the MPs for the Cheadle and Hazel Grove constituencies through which the road passes within the Stockport Metropolitan Borough area, requesting their support for this proposal.

Moved by:                  Councillor William Wragg             

Seconded by:           Councillor Linda Holt

MOVED AND SECONDED

This Council pays tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her distinguished service to the United Kingdom and the other realms of the Commonwealth over the last 60 years.

This Council welcomes the plans of Her Majesty’s Government to honour and celebrate the Diamond Jubilee with an extended public holiday in June 2012 and a programme of weekend events.

This Council further welcomes events within the Borough in celebration of this historic milestone reached by only one other British Monarch.

In recognition of the Diamond Jubilee, this Council Meeting requests that:-

·           The Mayor writes to Her Majesty extending the Council’s best wishes and to thank her for a lifetime’s service to the nation;

·           The Chief Executive write to Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, Secretary of State for Transport, requesting that the A555 bypass be named “Queen Elizabeth Way” in honour of Her Majesty;

·           The Chief Executive write to Cheshire East County Council and Manchester City Council, requesting their support for the road naming proposal; and

·           The Chief Executive write to the MPs for the Cheadle and Hazel Grove constituencies through which the road passes within the Stockport Metropolitan Borough area, requesting their support for this proposal.

AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED

Delete the final three bullet points and replace with:

·         “The Chief Executive contacts Cheshire East Council and Manchester City Council to agree the process for naming the A555, which will run through all three of our council areas, and puts forward Stockport’s proposal that the road should be named “Queen Elizabeth Way” in honour of Her Majesty, subject to Royal approval;

·         The Chief Executive writes to the MPs for the Cheadle, Hazel Grove, Macclesfield, Tatton and Wythenshawe & Sale East constituencies, requesting their support for this proposal; and

·         The Chief Executive seeks Royal approval through the appropriate channels if this proposal is agreed by the partner authorities.”

In accordance with the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 14.7 (Alteration of Motion) the mover of the motion agreed to incorporate the amendment within their original motion.  It was then

RESOLVED - This Council pays tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her distinguished service to the United Kingdom and the other realms of the Commonwealth over the last 60 years.

This Council welcomes the plans of Her Majesty’s Government to honour and celebrate the Diamond Jubilee with an extended public holiday in June 2012 and a programme of weekend events.

This Council further welcomes events within the Borough in celebration of this historic milestone reached by only one other British Monarch.

In recognition of the Diamond Jubilee, this Council Meeting requests that:-

·           The Mayor writes to Her Majesty extending the Council’s best wishes and to thank her for a lifetime’s service to the nation;

·         The Chief Executive contacts Cheshire East Council and Manchester City Council to agree the process for naming the A555, which will run through all three of our council areas, and puts forward Stockport’s proposal that the road should be named “Queen Elizabeth Way” in honour of Her Majesty, subject to Royal approval;

·         The Chief Executive writes to the MPs for the Cheadle, Hazel Grove, Macclesfield, Tatton and Wythenshawe & Sale East constituencies, requesting their support for this proposal; and

·         The Chief Executive seeks Royal approval through the appropriate channels if this proposal is agreed by the partner authorities.

This Council welcomes the forthcoming completion of the restoration of the Gatley War Memorial Clock. This historic monument was gifted to the people of Gatley on 6th March 1921 and was dedicated to the fallen heroes of World War I.

This Council:-

·           Regrets the state of disrepair this local landmark was allowed to fall into; and

·           Thanks all those who contributed to the restoration fundraising and campaign which will see the Clock restored in the year of its 91st anniversary.

This Council therefore commits to ensure that the agreed schedule of maintenance for the clock is diligently applied and monitored in future, for the benefit of the residents of Gatley.

Moved by:                  Councillor Mick Jones                   

Seconded by:           Councillor Syd Lloyd

MOVED AND SECONDED

This Council welcomes the forthcoming completion of the restoration of the Gatley War Memorial Clock. This historic monument was gifted to the people of Gatley on 6th March 1921 and was dedicated to the fallen heroes of World War I.

This Council:-

·           Regrets the state of disrepair this local landmark was allowed to fall into; and

·           Thanks all those who contributed to the restoration fundraising and campaign which will see the Clock restored in the year of its 91st anniversary.

This Council therefore commits to ensure that the agreed schedule of maintenance for the clock is diligently applied and monitored in future, for the benefit of the residents of Gatley.

AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED

Delete all after the first paragraph and replace with:

“This Council:-

·         Notes that, despite regular annual inspections and servicing by Smiths of Derby, the clock mechanism ceased to work in 2010;

·         Notes that spare parts were no longer available and that the expensive, full replacement of the clock mechanism was not a priority given the demands placed upon our single property budget;

·         Thanks all those who contributed to the restoration fundraising and campaign which will see the Clock restored in the year of its 91^st anniversary.

This council commits to ensure that the agreed schedule of maintenance for the clock will continue to be diligently applied and monitored, for the benefit of the residents of Gatley.”

In accordance with the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 14.7 (Alteration of Motion) the mover of the motion agreed to incorporate the amendment within their original motion.  It was then

RESOLVED - This Council welcomes the forthcoming completion of the restoration of the Gatley War Memorial Clock. This historic monument was gifted to the people of Gatley on 6th March 1921 and was dedicated to the fallen heroes of World War I.

This Council:-

·         Notes that, despite regular annual inspections and servicing by Smiths of Derby, the clock mechanism ceased to work in 2010;

·         Notes that spare parts were no longer available and that the expensive, full replacement of the clock mechanism was not a priority given the demands placed upon our single property budget;

·         Thanks all those who contributed to the restoration fundraising and campaign which will see the Clock restored in the year of its 91^st anniversary.

This council commits to ensure that the agreed schedule of maintenance for the clock will continue to be diligently applied and monitored, for the benefit of the residents of Gatley.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Customer Focus).           

The Executive Councillor (Customer Focus) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated with the Summons) detailing proposals to agree and publish the Statement on Quality and Diversity and the Annual Pay Policy Statement in order to comply with the relevant provisions of the Equalities Act 2010 and the Localism Act 2011.

At this stage in the proceedings (10.00 pm) the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 9.1 (Duration of Meeting) were invoked.

It was then

RESOLVED – (1) That the Statement on Equality and Diversity as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved and published in accordance with the Equalities Act 2010.

(2) That the Annual Pay Policy Statement as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report be approved and published in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Executive Councillor (Customer Focus) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated with the Summons) requesting that the Council Meeting give consideration to the retention of a Standards Committee and proposals for the appointment of an ‘Independent Person’ following the enactment of the Localism Act 2011.

RESOLVED – (43 for) (1) That a Standards Committee be retained comprising of:

(i)         four Councillors appointed on a politically proportionate basis;

(ii)        such number of Independent members as may be sufficient to ensure a   majority of Independent Members;

(2) That substitutes shall not be permitted.

(3) That the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee shall both be Independent Members.

(4) That the Standards Committee be exempt from the proportionality calculation under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

(5) That one Sub-Committee be constituted to hold hearings at which the member complained of may respond to the investigation report and the Sub-Committee can determine whether the member did fail to comply with the Code and what action, if any is appropriate. The Sub-Committee shall comprise of five members of the Standards Committee.

(6) That the quorum for meetings of the Standards Committee or Sub-Committee shall be three members including a majority of independent members. 

(7) That two ‘Independent Persons’ be appointed and that an allowance be paid (and although outside the Members Allowance Scheme, the Independent Remuneration Panel be requested to consider what an appropriate allowance might be).

(8) That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to commence the advertisement process as soon as possible to ensure that the role is filled when the new provisions come into force, with a Panel consisting of the Monitoring Officer, and two members of the Standards Committee to short-list and interview candidates and to make a recommendation to Council Meeting on appointment.

(9) That those candidates for the position of Independent Person shall have a good understanding of the Standards Regime/ providing advice.