Decisions

The Deputy Chief Executive has given approval to a retrospective licence for alterations in respect of 90 Merseyway, Stockport to The Fragrance Store.

(Note: the report contained information ‘not for publication’ that was circulated to the decision maker only)

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport has approved the statutory legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders contained in Appendices A and B of the report, to be met by funding received for the Town Centre Access Plan, and, subject to no objections being received within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the Orders be made.

The Deputy Chief Executive has given approval to the renewal lease in respect of 102-104 Merseyway, Merseyway Shopping Centre.

(Note: the report contained information ‘not for publication’ that was circulated to the decision maker only)

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education has nominated the following person to the governing board vacancy at the school indicated

Mrs S Carroll                   Bramhall High School

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport has given approval for the introduction of quiet lanes and improvement works and quiet lane status to Reddish Vale Road (entrance to Reddish Vale Country Park). As set out in the attached report.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport has approved the statutory legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Order detailed in the report and subject to no objections being received within twenty one days from the advertisement date, the Order can be made.

The Deputy Chief Executive has given approval to the appropriation of the site edged red as indicated in the plan included in the report on Gordon Street, Heaton Norris from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

(Note: the report contained information ‘not for publication’ that was circulated to the decision maker only)

The Cabinet has considered the Quarter 3 revenue forecast outturn including an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account, Collection Fund and updates to the Capital Programme and has agreed to:-

(a)          Approve the virements to the Revenue Budget;

(b)          Note the Cash Limit and Non-Cash Limit forecast positions for 2020/21 as at Quarter 3;

(c)          Note the HRA, DSG and Collection Fund forecast positions for 2020/21 as at Quarter 3

(d)          Note the latest position on the financial impact of Covid-19;

(e)          Note the funding allocation from the Government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund and agree the identified investment areas;

(f)           Note the forecast position for the 2020/21 Capital Programme; and

(g)               Note the changes to the Capital Programme and re-phasing of schemes during Quarter 3.

The Cabinet considered the draft One Stockport Borough Plan and recommended to the Council Meeting that it be approved.

The Cabinet considered a report detailing a proposal for the disposal of Bredbury Green Civic Hall to Mosscare St. Vincent’s (member of Stockport Housing Partnership) for the development of a residential facility for people with a learning disability, and has:-

(1) Approved the conveyance of the site of the Bredbury Green Civic Hall to Mosscare St Vincent’s for the development of a residential facility approved by the Councils Adult Social Care and Strategic Housing Departments. Such disposal to be at nominal consideration having had regard to the provisions as set out in paragraph 5 of this report 

(2) Agreed that any conveyance to be subject to the grant of planning consent and any other terms which the Councils Legal Officer considers appropriate.   Such terms to include a restriction on the alternative use of the scheme.

The Cabinet considered a report setting out the progress that has been made on the development of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following a public consultation on proposals that were developed pre-COVID-19 and the link to taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards and has:-

(1)       Noted the progress of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan;

(2)       Noted the next steps for the development of the Clean Air Plan and Minimum Licensing Standards, listed at Section 12;

(3)       Noted the distribution of Bus Retrofit funding commenced in December 2020;

(4)       Noted that Government ministers have agreed to consider extending Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charges to the sections of the A628/A57 which form part of the Strategic Road Network, within the proposed CAZ boundary, subject to the outcomes of an assessment, which is expected to be completed by early 2021;

(5)       Noted that the GM Clean Air Plan is required to take action tackle nitrogen dioxide exceedances until compliance with the legal limits has been demonstrated and that the nearer term influence of COVID-19 on air quality is not expected to lead to sufficiently long term reductions in pollution such that the exceedances of the legal limits of nitrogen dioxide will not occur without implementing a Clean Air Zone;

(6)       Noted that the GM CAP final plan will be brought forward for decision makers as soon as is reasonably practicable and no later than summer 2021;

(7)       Noted that the outputs of the MLS will be reported alongside the GM CAP as soon as is reasonably practicable and no later than summer 2021;

(8)       Agreed to the establishment of joint committees and to delegate to those committees the Authority’s functions as set out in report at paragraph 10.5 with specific terms of reference, as set out in Appendix 6.Appoint the Lead Cabinet Member with portfolio responsibility for Clean Air to sit on both committees for the purposes as set out in this report at paragraph 10.5 with specific terms of reference, as set out in Appendix 6.

(9)       Noted the requirement for the appointment of a further Cabinet Member as substitute for both committees for purposes as set out in this report at paragraph 10.5 with specific terms of reference, as set out in Appendix 6.

(10)    Stockport Council agrees to enter into a collaboration agreement with the other 9 GM local authorities and GMCA/TfGM to clarify amongst other matters the rights, responsibilities and obligations of the authorities in relation to those contracts set out in Appendix 2 that are required to maintain delivery momentum in line with JAQU funding agreements.

(11)    Agreed a delegation to the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy  Chief Executive in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member with portfolio responsibility for Clean Air and Director of Public Health to agree the final form of the collaboration agreement; and

(12)    Agreed a delegation to the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member with portfolio responsibility for Clean Air and Director of Public Health to award the contracts set out in Appendix 2 (subject to government funding) that are required to implement a charging Clean Air Zone in Spring 2022 to ensure the achievement of Nitrogen Dioxide compliance in the shortest possible time and by 2024 at the latest as required by the Ministerial Direction.

(13)    Agreed a delegation to the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance) and Monitoring Officer to make any consequential amendments to the Constitution with regard to, but not limited to, the incorporation of the joint committees’ terms of reference into Stockport Council’s Constitution.

(14)    Noted that the matter will be referred to an extraordinary meeting of the Council Meeting in early March 2021 with specific reference to the entering into of joint arrangements with other authorities and would be subject to engagement with the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee in addition to the potential for an all-member briefing being held on the issue.

The Cabinet considered the draft 2021/22 Capital Strategy and  Capital Programme, developed in accordance with the CIPFA Prudential Code, which provided a framework for the Council’s capital investment plans and recommended to the Council Meeting that it approve:-

·         The Capital Strategy at Appendix one;

·         The 2021/22 to 2023/24 Capital Programme and the funding arrangements as described in the report and set out at Appendix two; and,

·         The prudential indicators set out in Appendix three.

The Cabinet considered a detailed update on the progress with developing the Stockport A34 Major Road Network Corridor Improvement Scheme and has:-

(1) Noted the findings of the consultation and agree to the further  development of the schemes as recommended in the report.

(2) Approved the approach to the development and submission of the outline business case and subsequent full business case.

(3) Delegated to the Section 151 Officer, the Corporate Director Place in consultation with Cabinet Member (Economy & Regeneration), the authority to approve the Outline Business Case and the full business  case

(4) Agreed that if funding is secured from the DfT to progress to the next stage of development that:-

(i)            Agreement be given to authorise officers to enter into negotiations with affected landowners to secure the necessary land by agreement.

(ii)          Authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration to enter into agreement with the landowners for temporary access rights and purchase the land necessary to construct the scheme.

(iii)         Agreement in principle be given to the use of CPO powers, if necessary, to acquire land and property and existing rights and interests in the proposed order land, where acquisition by agreement is not possible;

(iv)         Agreement be given to authorise officers to take all necessary steps to commence the process for the making, confirmation and implementation of a CPO, including securing the appointment of suitable external  advisors and preparing all necessary CPO documentation;

(v)          It be noted that a further report will be presented to the Cabinet to approve the making of any CPO and to confirm the extent of the order land to  be acquired following the finalisation of the necessary preparatory work.

(vi)         Approval be given for officers to develop and consult on the Traffic Regulation  Orders to support the schemes and their construction.

(vii)        Approval be given for officers develop and submit the necessary planning applications.

(viii)      Approval be given to the delegation of all matters relating to the DfT grant offer and its terms, and any implications for the Scheme and the agreement with DfT to the Corporate Director Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member Economy and Regeneration 

(ix)         Authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member (Economy & Regeneration) to approve the final schemes and their construction programme following  approval of the final business cases.

(x)               Approval be given for the Council underwriting the local contribution and if required, makes up the shortfall in funding.

The Cabinet considered the rent levels and service charges for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and a recommended budget for 2021/22 and then recommended that the Council Meeting give approval to:-

(a)       An increase in the social rent of 1.5% for dwelling rents. There are no  individual rents within the HRA stock which are above the rent cap.;

(b)       An increase of 1.1% for rents of shared ownership properties;

(c)       Services charge increases as outlined in Section 3;

(d)          The Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix 1.

Provides detail of the Education Funding Settlement for 2021/22; and seeks approval of the updated local early years and schools funding formula models to be applied from April 2021.

The Cabinet considered an update on key announcements made by the Department for Education on the education funding settlement for 2021/22 and has agreed to:-

(i)            Note the details of the Education Funding Settlement for 2021/22.

(ii)               Approve the construction of the early year’s budget as per section 3.1 to 3.2 and the updated 2021/22 local funding formula for schools as detailed in the table(s) in section 6.2 which will form the basis of the calculation of school budgets and be notified to the DfE in accordance with statutory requirements.

To consider and approve:

·         the Revenue Budget for 2021/22;

·         the Capital Programme for 2021/22 onwards based on the level of resources estimated to be available;

·         the Council’s financial plans and forecasts for the medium term.

The Cabinet considered its proposed 2021/22 Revenue Budget outlining the Council’s financial outlook and challenges across the medium term period 2021/22 to 2022/23 and recommended to the Council Meeting that it:-

·         Approve the Budget for 2021/22 described in the report and set out in Appendix 2 and 3;

·         Note the risk assessment of the 2021/22 Budget at Appendix 5 and the report of the Section 151 Officer on the adequacy of proposed financial reserves and robustness of the estimates included at Appendix 5;

·         Approve the required increase to the Council’s General Fund Balance to reflect the Section 151 Officer assessment of risks;

·         Note, comment upon and approve the financial forecasts and assumptions for 2021/22 to 2022/23  at Appendix 6, and the key issues to be addressed in formulating a response to the future financial challenges facing the Council;

·         Pass the appropriate Council Tax resolutions which produce a Council Tax increase of 3.5% in 2021/22 (2% General increase and 1.5% Adult Social Care Precept increase) as illustrated in Appendix 7; and

·         Approve the commitment to increase the Adult Social Care Precept by a further 1.5% in 2022/23 by taking up the option to defer an element of the allowable increase in 2021/22 smoothed by the use of available one-off resources held in earmarked reserves.

The Cabinet considered an update on the forecasts for the Council’s finances for the period 2021/22 to 2022/23 following the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement announced on 17 December 2020, and agreed to:-

·         Note the details of the 2021/22 Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement and the expected date of the announcement of the Final Local Government Finance Settlement;

·         Note, and comment upon as appropriate, the financial forecasts for 2021/22 to 2022/23;

·         Note and approve the indicative budget adjustments since the MTFP Update presented to the Cabinet meeting on 22 December 2020 resulting in savings requirement of  £7.551m in 2021/22;Approve the allocation of £5.511m of the corporate contingency budgets to Cash Limit budgets as part of the budget setting process as set out in paragraphs 3.4 to 3.6;

·         Note the Section 151 Officer recommendation to increase the Council’s General Fund Balance by £4.983m in 2021/22 aligned to his risk assessment of the budget and the adequacy of reserves and balances to support the 2021/22 Budget; and 

·         Take the necessary steps to propose a final balanced 2021/22 Budget including the proposed Council Tax increase to be recommended for approval at the Council meeting on 25 February 2021.

The Cabinet has considered a report providing an update on progress to establish a new Community Interest Company to deliver active communities programmes and operate Council-owned leisure centres and has given approval to the recommendations and associated  delegations contained in the ‘not for publication’ report.

(NOTE: The report comprised a ‘not for publication’ report that was circulated to members of the Cabinet only).

The Cabinet has considered an update on progress to date in bringing forward the redevelopment of St Thomas’ Gardens and has:-

(1) Endorsed the progress to date in bringing forward this key regeneration scheme for Stockport MDC and the wider Borough and approve the proposal to progress the design, undertake further survey works and commence enabling works. 

(2) Approved the outline business case for the Academy of Living Well.

(3) Delegated authority to the Director of Adult Services in consultation with Cabinet Member for Adult Care & Health to undertake a procurement for the provision of services within the Academy of Living Well.

(4) Delegated authority to the Corporate Director (Place) and the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Resources, Commissioning, & Governance, Housing and Communities and Adult Care and Health:

(a)  To appoint a preferred contractor for the delivery of the Academy of Living Well, negotiate a contract sum up to the figure stated in paragraph 1.1 of Appendix 1 and finalise the terms of any appointments, contracts and other documentation required to deliver of the Academy of Living Well.

(b)  To approve any property documentation necessary to enable delivery of the affordable housing

(5) Approved the proposed financing of the Academy of Living Well including prudential borrowing as set out in Appendix 1

(6) Delegated authority to the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance) to do all things necessary or incidental to the implementation of the above-mentioned resolutions and to complete the necessary legal documents to implement the recommendations of this report.

(NOTE: The report contained ‘not for publication’ appendices that had been circulated to members of the Cabinet only).

The Cabinet has considered a report setting out progress on the speculative development of Stockport Exchange Phase 4, which comprised office and Multi-Storey Car Park developments with associated public realm and has:-

(1) Approved that the Council proceeds with Phase 4 of the Stockport Exchange development, namely the construction of an office block, MSCP and associated public realm, on the basis outlined in this report and its appendices;

(2) Delegated authority to  the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate & Support Services) in consultation with Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance and Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration:

(a)   to finalise the terms and to enter into all appropriate agreements to enable the construction, funding, operation and use of such developments comprising Phase 4;

(b)   to take such actions necessary to relocate existing Stockport Exchange tenant parking requirements to alternative town centre car parks during the construction of Phase 4;

(c)    to take such actions as are necessary to progress Phase 4 to a successful completion, including agreeing terms with future occupational tenants and entering into such documents as are necessary to effect such terms.

(3) Delegated authority to the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance) to do all things necessary or incidental to the implementation of the above-mentioned resolutions.

(NOTE: The report contained ‘not for publication’ appendices that had been circulated to members of the Cabinet only).

The Cabinet considered the 2021/22 fee setting recommendations for the most significant areas of externally commissioned services within Adult Social Care and approved the fee setting approach, including fee uplifts as set out in the report.

The Cabinet considered the proposed 2021/22 Treasury Management Strategy, Annual Investment Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and prudent and sustainable Treasury and Prudential Indicators, constructed in compliance with the CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice, and recommended to the Council Meeting that it approve:-

·         The Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2021/22;

·         The Capital Expenditure Forecasts and Capital Financing Requirement projections;

·         The Treasury Management Strategy 2021/22;The Treasury and Prudential Indicators and Limits 2021/22-2023/24;

·         The Annual Investment Strategy (AIS) 2021/22.

The Cabinet has recommended that the Council Meeting give approval to the draft Council Plan for 2021/22.

The Cabinet has considered a report detailing a review of the Council’s Housing Allocation Policy with the aim of facilitating the priorities within the  Housing Strategy 2021-2024 and Rough Sleeping and Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2021-2024 and has given approval to the proposed new Housing Allocation Policy as detailed at appendix 1 to the report.

The Cabinet has given approval to the adoption of the Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-2024 and associated action plan as detailed in the report.

The Deputy Chief Executive has given authority for the council to enter in to a Licence to Assign allowing Peel L & P Real Estate (Properties) Limited to assign their leasehold interest to Peel Land and Property Investments Plc.

(Note: the report contained information ‘not for publication’ that was circulated to the decision maker only)

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration has given approval to the upgrading of a number of bus stops in the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South area as identified in the report as Packages 1-3 and in the associated plans, subject to the incorporation of those amendments to Package 3 detailed in the Addendum Report.

The Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee considered the matter at its meeting on 4 February 2021 and endorsed the proposals subject to the amendments to the scheme detailed in the Addendum Report.