Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 7 November 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Executive.

No urgent decisions were reported.

The Leader of the Council reported that this would be the last meeting of the Executive that Richard Popplewell, Managing Director of NHS Stockport and Corporate Director (Adults and Health) of Stockport Council, would attend before his retirement.

On behalf of the Executive the Leader of the Council thanked Mr Popplewell for this invaluable work for the Council and for the Borough of Stockport.

The public were invited to put questions to the Executive on any matters within their powers and duties, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

Two questions were asked.

The first question related to a recent leaflet circulated in the Cheadle & Gatley Ward in which claims were made about the dimming of street lights and the perception that that these were misleading.

The Executive Councillor (Transportation) responded by stating that the comments reflected a discussion held at a meeting of the Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee and so the issues raised were in the public domain.

The second question related to the possible dimming of street lights in a particular location as part of a pilot project to determine whether there were potential cost benefits to such a scheme and whether any instruction had been given to not proceed with such a pilot.

The Executive Councillor (Transportation) replied that there were a number of possible options being considered in relation to future savings within the Transportation portfolio, some of which would have a significant capital cost and so may be unviable, but any viable schemes would be brought forward in the future.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of agenda item 13 (Town Centre Regeneration – Grand Central Redevelopment: Development Partner Procurement and Scheme Update) which contains information marked "not for publication" by virtue of Category 3, ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which is not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority) the disclosure of which would not be fair and would therefore be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the 'not for publication’ appendix to agenda item 13 (Town Centre Regeneration - Grand Central Redevelopment: Development Partner Procurement and Scheme Update (RGN191) (see Minute 14 below).

To consider a joint report of the Executive Councillors (Communities) and (Finance)

The report details the recently announced Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Self-Financing settlement and the work to date on the HRA Asset Management Strategy and Business Plan. The report seeks the endorsement of the Executive to the approach, principles and assumptions contained within the draft HRA Asset Management Strategy and Business Plan. 

The Executive is recommended to:

·         Note the report, and

·         Endorse the construction of the Asset Management Strategy and Business Plan as outlined in the report.

Officer contact: Paul Lawrence; 0161 474 4515, paul.lawrence@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Communities) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider proposals for the self-financing of the Housing Revenue Account through a one-off settlement with the Government.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and endorsement be given to the development of an Asset Management Strategy and Business Plan to facilitate the self-financing of the Housing Revenue Account as outlined in the report.

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

The report details the outcomes of consultation in relation to the proposal to amalgamate Nevill Road Infant and Junior Schools. The consultation was undertaken between September and October and the results are detailed in the appendices to the report.

The Executive is requested to:

·                     Note the outcomes of the consultation exercise.

·                     Approve that no further action is taken to pursue amalgamation at this time.

Officer contact: Stephen Bell, 0161 474 3846, stephen.bell@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the response to a consultation with parents, staff and the community on the possible amalgamation of Nevill Road Infant and Junior Schools following the resignation of a head teacher.

RESOLVED – That the outcomes of the consultation be noted and that no further action be taken to pursue amalgamation of Nevill Road Infants and Junior Schools at this time.

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

The report includes the draft Council Plan 2012-13 and details the consultation carried out to date on the draft priorities.

The Executive is invited to

·        to approve the draft priorities set out in the Plan and request that further work be undertaken to develop performance measures and to identify relevant corporate risks and potential mitigation strategies for these;

·        note that the supplementary information, such as the introduction and summary of achievements, and the design of the final Plan may change, and

·        have regard to the tabled comments of December meetings of Scrutiny Committees in discussing this item.

Officer contact: Steve Skelton, 0161 474 3174, steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Customer Focus) submitted a report (copies of which has been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the draft Portfolio Priorities for inclusion in the 2012-13 Council Plan and providing information on consultation carried out to date.

Executive Councillors made comments in relation to specific achievements within their portfolios in 2011 and highlighted challenges and priorities for 2012-13. In particular it was highlighted that the high level priorities within the Plan would complement detailed strategies and plans developed both by the Council and in conjunction with partners.

Details of the comments in relation to the draft priorities made at Scrutiny Committees held between 5 and 15 December 2011 were considered (copies of which were circulated).

RESOLVED – That

(i)            The draft priorities set out in the draft Plan be approved and that further work be undertaken to develop performance measures and to identify relevant corporate risks and potential mitigation strategies;

(ii)          the possibility that supplementary information, such as introduction and summary of achievements and the design of the final Plan may change be noted, and

(iii)         the comments of the Scrutiny Committees in December 2011 in respect of the priorities be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Finance)

(Note: Publication of this report has been delayed until Friday 9 December 2011. Details of the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2012-13 were published on 8 December 2011 and it is necessary to consider what bearing, if any, this has on the content of the report.)

Officer contact: Steve Houston, 0161 474 4000, steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Executive Meeting with updated information on the prospects for the Council’s finances for the medium term, taking as its starting point the previous forecasts for 2012-13 and 2014-15 considered by the Executive at its meeting on 5 September 2011.

RESOLVED – That

(i)            the range of financial forecasts for 2012-13 to 2014-15 and the key issues to be addressed in formulating a response to the financial challenges facing the Council be noted;

(ii)          the revised estimates set out in the report be approved and the adjustments and resultant indicative spending plan as set out in Appendix 1 be agreed;

(iii)         the indicative savings requirement of £12.035m for 2012/13 be noted;

(iv)         Executive Councillors and Corporate Directors be requested to continue to develop and implement spending plans and savings proposals to meet the indicative savings requirements for 2012-13 and to report on progress, and

(v)          the necessary steps continue to be taken to agree a final balanced budget proposal for 2012-13 and an updated Medium Term Financial Plan to 2014-15 for presentation to the Council Meeting on 23 February 2012.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Finance)

(Note: Publication of this report has been delayed until Friday 9 December 2011. Details of the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2012-13 were published on 8 December 2011 and it is necessary to consider what bearing, if any, this has on the content of the report.)

This report also incorporates Forward Plan items C41 (The transfer of undertakings to Stockport Homes as part of proposal to realign services following a change in legislation about National Housing Revenue Account Subsidy System) and ENV/ L/TR 1 (The transfer of undertakings to / from Solutions SK as part of creating a Public Realm Service)

Officer contact: Steve Houston, 0161 474 4000, steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider proposals to achieve the indicative savings requirements necessary to achieve a balanced budget for 2012-13. The report also detailed responses to extensive consultation with staff, stakeholders and the public on the proposals following the Executive’s decision to proceed to consultation at its meeting on 5 September 2011.

The Executive Councillor (Finance) reported that the decision on these proposals would be exempt from call-in but the proposals had been considered on three occasions by Scrutiny Committees. She also restated the Executive’s commitment to engaging with all those willing to enter into constructive dialogue on achieving the savings requirements.

Executive Councillors summarised the challenges facing the services within their portfolios and the feedback from the consultations.

Details of the comments in relation to the consultation on the savings proposals made at Scrutiny Committees held between 5 and 15 December 2011 were considered (copies of which were circulated).

RESOLVED – That

(i)        the results of the various consultation exercises, including the comments of Scrutiny Committee from December 2011 undertaken in relation to the savings proposals put forward in September 2011 and the changes that are proposed in response to the consultation be noted;

(ii)       the saving proposals as set out in the report and listed in Appendix Three be agreed for implementation;

(iii)      the recommendations set out in Appendix Six regarding TUPE transfers between the Council and its associated bodies be agreed;

(iv)      the Chief Executive and Corporate Directors be asked, in consultation with the relevant Executive Councillors, to implement the delivery of the proposals, and

(v)       the necessary steps continue to be taken to agree a final balanced budget proposal for 2012-13 and an updated Medium Term Financial Plan to 2014-15 for presentation to the Budget Council Meeting in February 2012.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Finance)

This report deals with setting the Council Tax Base for the whole of the Council for 2012/13. The report also sets out proposed technical reforms of the Council Tax system which are currently the subject of a consultation which closes on 29 December 2011. The reforms, should they be implemented, would impact on Tax Base from 2013/14 onwards. A Council Tax Base of 99,771.73 is recommended and the calculation and assumptions are set out in the report.

The Executive is recommended to:

•           Approve the Council Tax Base for 2012/13 at a Band D equivalent figure of 99,771.73.

•           Note the work being carried out on the consultation and approve that the Executive Councillor Finance agree the response to be submitted.

Officer contact: Lesley Pearson 0161 474 5145, lesley.pearson@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to set the Council Tax base for 2012/13. The report also set out proposed technical reforms of the Council Tax system, currently subject to consultation by the Department for Communities and Local Government until 29 December 2011.

RESOLVED – (1) That based on the calculations and assumptions set out in the report the Stockport Council Tax Base for 2012/13 be set at a Band D equivalent figure of 99,771.73.

(2) That the work being carried out on the technical reforms consultation be noted and the Executive Councillor (Finance) be authorised to agree the response to be submitted to the Department for Communities and Local Government on Council Tax Reform.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Finance)

This report deals with setting the Council Tax Base for Offerton Park Parish for 2012/13. 

There is a highly prescribed calculation of the Council Tax Base for the whole of Stockport for Formula Grant purposes which is completed using information available on certain dates and is then submitted in a return to Central Government. The principles applied to the calculation of the Council Tax Base for the Parish for 2012/13 are shown in Appendix A. The Offerton Park Parish Council Tax Base for 2012/13 of 892.21 is recommended and the calculation and assumptions are set out in the report attached.

The Executive is recommended to approve the Council Tax Base for Offerton Park Parish for 2012/13 at 892.21.

Officer contact: Lesley Pearson on telephone number 0161 474 5145 or alternatively email lesley.pearson@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to set the Council Tax base for the Offerton Park Parish for 2012/13.

RESOLVED – That based on the calculations and assumptions set out in the report the Council Tax Base for the Offerton Park Parish for 2012/13 be set at 892.21.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillors (Communities) and (Finance)

The report provides an update on progress of the SHINE project (Stockport Homes Investing in Natural Energy) to provide Solar Photo Voltaic panels on Council owned properties and also highlights information around the announced reductions in the Feed-In Tariff (FiT). The report also proposes additional funding of £4m be agreed to maximise the solar PV investment in the housing stock prior to the end of March 2012.

The Executive is recommended to:

·         note the successful work completed to date in the installation of PV panels across the Housing Stock;

·         authorise the use of additional prudential borrowing up to £4m,subject to any allocation of available HRA reserves, to finance the project and approve the further installation of the Solar PV panels to Council houses as set out in the report; and,

·         delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillors for Communities and Finance, to determine the actual level of borrowing to be undertaken following an assessment of HRA balances.   

Officer contact: Paul Lawrence, 0161 474 4515, paul.lawrence@stockport.gov.uk

(Please Note: This decision has not been included in the Forward Plan in accordance with the General Exception Rule 15 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules and has been exempted from call-in for the following reason:-

In order that the Council and partners can take advantage of the more favourable feed-in tariffs for electricity generation it is necessary to secure agreement to these proposals before the end of the current calendar year so that contractual arrangements can be finalised to ensure that the additional installations can be completed and registered before the end of March 2012. Any delay to this through inclusion in the Forward Plan and through Call-in could reduce the affordability of the proposals.)

The Executive Councillors (Communities) and (Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a proposal to install Solar PV Panels to Council houses via prudential borrowing financed from the feed in tariffs available from the Government. The proposed installations would be additional to those previously agreed by the Executive on 13 June 2011.

RESOLVED – That

(i)            the successful work to date on the installation of PV Panels across the Council’s Housing Stock be noted;

(ii)          authorisation be given for the use of prudential borrowing up to £4m, subject to any allocation of available Housing Revenue Account reserves, to finance the project and the further installation of the Solar PV Panels to Council houses as set out in the report be approved, and

(iii)         authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillors (Communities) and (Finance) to determine the actual level of borrowing to be undertaken following an assessment of Housing Revenue Account balances.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Councillors (Regeneration) and (Finance)

The report sets out a proposal to appoint a Developer as the Council’s preferred development partner for the Grand Central Regeneration scheme following the acquisition of the site in January 2011. The report also details the result of the recent application made to the Department for Transport for partial funding for the construction of a Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP) adjacent to Stockport Railway Station.

The Executive is recommended to:

·           Appoint Muse Developments Ltd as the Council’s preferred development partner for the Grand Central Regeneration scheme.

·           To delegate to the Corporate Directors of Place and Corporate and Support Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillors (Finance) and (Regeneration):

-            The finalisation of details around the Development Agreement, Land Disposals and on-going management of the site.

-            Subject to planning permission, to enter into the appropriate arrangements to construct temporary car parking at the site of the Tenpin building and the former Brannigan’s site.

-            The ability, if necessary, to terminate any occupational leases to coordinate with the phased development of the site.

-            The ability to choose the most appropriate financial model for the development of the scheme, including the utilisation of the DfT grant in relation to the overall financial framework

·           Note the result of the recent application made to the Department for Transport for partial funding for the construction of a Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP) adjacent to Stockport Railway Station and the subsequent planning applications.

Officer contact: Paul Lawrence, 0161 474 4515, paul.lawrence@stockport.gov.uk

(Note: This report has two 'not for publication' appendices which have been circulated to Executive Councillors only)

The Executive Councillors (Regeneration) and (Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider proposals for a comprehensive redevelopment of the Grand Central site following the completion of a competitive procurement process.

(Note: The report included 'not for publication' appendices which had been circulated to executive councillors only.)

RESOLVED – That

(i)            Muse Developments Ltd be appointed as the Council’s preferred development partner for the Grand Central Regeneration Scheme.

(ii)          the result of the recent application made to the Department for Transport for partial funding for the construction of a Multi-Storey Car Park adjacent to Stockport Railway Station and the subsequent planning applications be noted;

(iii)         authority be delegated to the Corporate Directors of Place and Corporate and Support Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillors (Finance) and (Regeneration) to:

·         finalise the details around the Development Agreement, Land Disposals and on-going maintenance of the site;

·         enter into the appropriate arrangements to construct temporary car parking at the site of the Tenpin building and the former Brannigan’s site, subject to planning permission;

·         terminate, if necessary, any occupational leases to coordinate with the phased development of the site, and

·         choose the most appropriate financial model for the development of the scheme, including the utilisation of the Department for Transport grant in relation to the overall financial framework.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Executive is recommended to approve the appointment of Councillor Alexander Ganotis in place of Councillor Philip Harding on the Manchester Airport Consultative Committee.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a replacement appointment to the Manchester Airport Consultative Committee following the resignation of Councillor Philip Harding.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Alexander Ganotis be appointed to the Manchester Airport Consultative Committee.

The Leader of the Council submitted two reports (copies of which were circulated) summarising the comments of Scrutiny Committees from the meetings held between 5 and 15 December 2011 on (i) the Draft Portfolio Priorities for the Council Plan 2012-13 and (ii) Medium Term Financial Plan – Executive Proposals. The comments contained within the reports were considered in conjunction with the relevant reports earlier in the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the reports be noted.