Agenda and minutes

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor announced that since the last meeting of the Council on 12 January 2012 that he had attended 35 engagements which had included three events to celebrate the Chinese New Year at Cheadle Hulme Precinct, Stockport Plaza and China Town in Manchester.

It was further reported that on 18 January 2012 the Mayor and Mayoress had presented awards on behalf of NHS Stockport’s Infection Control team to pupils from local schools who had designed the best poster which aimed to highlight how to reduce the spread of winter illnesses.

On 31 January 2012, the Council Meeting was advised that the Mayor and Mayoress had hosted the annual Manchester Consular Association dinner whose guests had included consuls of various countries and which provided the opportunity to promote Stockport at an international level.

On 5 February 2012, the Mayor attended the annual service of the Greater Manchester Lieutenancy at Manchester Cathedral to give thanks for the work of the Lieutenancy in the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The Mayor advised the Council Meeting on that on 7 February 2012, he had attended two engagements: firstly at SETA Training and Advisory Services that worked in partnership with a wide range of employers who wished to recruit and train engineering apprentices and provided help and support to young people in the Borough and further afield within Greater Manchester to secure skilled employment.  Later that day, the Mayor had presented the awards at the annual ‘Proud of Stockport’ awards that had recognised groups or individuals who had gone out of their way to make Stockport better.

Finally, the Mayor reported that there were a number of forthcoming events being held in support of the Mayor’s Charity which included a sponsored silence by the Mayor on 28 February 2012; a ‘Musical Extravaganza’ on 23 March 2012 and a Sunday Lunch hosted by Councillor Bryan Leck on 25 March 2012.

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 interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

To consider a report of the Service Director (Monitoring Officer).

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) on changes to the number of places on committees allocated to political groups represented on the Council as a consequence of the resignation of Councillor John Smith from the Liberal Democrat Group and joining the Conservative Group and the resignation of Councillor Patrick McAuley from the Labour Group.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That in order to satisfy the requirements as to political proportionality in accordance with Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989:-

(i)         Councillor John Smith be appointed to the Health Scrutiny Committee in place of Councillor Paul Moss;

(ii)        Councillor Brian Hendley be appointed to the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee in place of Councillor Patrick McAuley;

(iii)       Councillors Linda Holt and Patrick McAuley be appointed to the Employment Appeals Committee in place of Councillors Kevin Dowling and Wendy Meikle; and

(iv)       Councillor Kevin Dowling be appointed to the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee in place of Councillor John Smith.

(3) That it be noted that no further amendments to the political composition of committees are needed in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Children and Young People).

The Executive Councillor (Children and Young People) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting that the Council Meeting consider the appointment of members to the Free School Transport Appeals Panel.

RESOLVED – That the following persons be appointed to the Free School Transport Appeals Panel:-

Mrs Margaret Burns

Mrs Carol Candler

Mr Mike Durcan

Mrs Chris Elwood

Mr Philip Horton

Mr David Jenkins

Mr David Kirwan

Mr Colin Noble

Mr David Phillips

Mrs Janet Phillips