Agenda and minutes

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

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no items to consider.

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of the following item which contains information “not for publication by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended):-

Agenda item 21 ‘Greater Manchester Loans Fund’.

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information relating to the financial or business affairs of the any particular person (including the authority which was not for publication as defined in Category 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ appendix in relation to Agenda item 5 “Greater Manchester Loans Fund”, should the content of the appendix need to be discussed.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

During the last cycle of Area Committee, Councillors considered a report in respect of changes to the planning system.  This report details the proposed changes to the Council’s scheme of delegation as a result of the changes.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the proposed changes for consideration by the Council Meeting on 27 June 2013.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details of proposed amendments to the delegation arrangements within the Council’s Constitution (Part 3 – Scheme of Delegation).

The report stated the planning system which came into force on 30 May 2013 with specific regard to:-

·         Allowing the change of use for certain buildings without needing planning permission.

·         Increasing the existing permitted development rights for extensions to homes and business premises, in non-protected areas, for a three-year period.

·         Increasing existing permitted development for certain telecommunications equipment, such as masts and antenna.

The Scrutiny Committee were requested to consider proposals to make amendments to the delegation arrangements within the Council’s Constitution (Part 3 – Scheme of Delegation) to allow the Planning Authority to determine those prior approval applications resulting from the increase in the existing permitted development rights for extensions to homes and business premises within the proscribed 42 and 56 day timeframes.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to agree to the proposed changes to the Scheme of Delegation within the Constitution.

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services and Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

(Note: this report includes information ‘not for publication’ contained in its appendix that has been circulated to executive councillors only).

The Greater Manchester Loan Fund (“GMLF”) initiative is a direct response to the failure in the current capital market for loan finance to businesses. Earlier in 2013, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority approved the establishment of a GMLF to provide loan finance for new and growing businesses in Greater Manchester. The report seeks approval for the Council to enter into an indemnity agreement to support the GMLF.

The Executive at its meeting on 11 June 2013 will be asked to:

(a)  Approve the proposal to enter into a Deed of Indemnity on the terms set out in the report; and

(b)  Authorises the Council Solicitor to complete the necessary documentation.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note the report.

Officer contact: Barry Khan / Andy Moran, 0161 474 3202/ 4086, barry.khan@stockport.gov.uk  / Andrew.moran@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services and Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) in relation to proposals to enter into an indemnity agreement to support the establishment of a Greater Manchester Loan Fund to support small and medium enterprises in Greater Manchester to grow.

The Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Policy, Reform & Finance (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

(NOTE: the report included exempt information ‘not for publication’ contained in a confidential appendix that had been circulated to executive councillors only)

The Democratic Services Manager reported that the Executive at its meeting on 11 June had approved the recommendations in the report. He reported that this item had been exempted from call-in in order to prevent delay in establishing the fund and to co-ordinate the process with the other nine Greater Manchester local authorities.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.