Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 12 June 2018 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.

No declarations of interest were made.

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

Consent to The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (Adult Education Functions) Order 2018

The Leader of the Council has authorised the Chief Executive to give consent to the above named Parliamentary Order. Each Greater Manchester constituent council was required to give its consent to the Order and notify the Department for Education by 9 July.

Consent to The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (Adult Education Functions) Order 2018

The Leader of the Council reported that he had authorised the Chief Executive to give consent to the above named Parliamentary Order. Each Greater Manchester constituent council was required to give its consent to the Order and notify the Department for Education by 9 July.

The Order would allow for the devolution of Adult Education powers and funding to the Mayor and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and the intention to make the Order had been known for some time.

RESOLVED – That the action be noted.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and Cabinet Members on any matters within the powers and duties of the Cabinet, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.  (Questions must be submitted no later than 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the meeting on the card provided.  These are available at the meeting. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

Members of the public were invited to submit questions to the Chair on any matters within the powers and duties of the Cabinet, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

Six public questions were submitted.

(i)  The first question referred to the £4.714m surplus on the Council’s 2017/18 budget outturn as reported to the last Cabinet Meeting on 12 June 2018, and asked why in the context of reducing Government Revenue Support Grant and increasing hardship for residents the money was being used for activities such as investment in town centre regeneration, infrastructure investment, offsetting financial risk and preparing for the 2019/20 budget when it could be spent on alleviating cuts to services benefiting the poorest in the borough.

In response, the Leader of the Council explained the nature of the surplus and how it had arisen, namely that it was on the non-cash limit budget (for non-portfolio specific activity) due to a number of costs being lower than anticipated. In relation to cash-limit budgets that paid for the ongoing, regular Council services there had been a deficit outturn position due to the increased demand for services, particularly children’s and adult services. Half of the surplus would be used to fund that cash-limit deficit.

Specifically in relation to the suggestion in the question that the Cabinet had ‘submitted’ to ‘austerity’, the Leader stated that the Labour Cabinet was opposed to the reductions in Council funding, but that the Council was required by law to set a balanced budget, and if it did not do so may be taken over by the Ministry of Housing, Local Government & Communities who would simple cut services to balance the budget. The Leader acknowledged that residents would have been affected by the austerity, and that the Council had been forced to take decisions about services and Council Tax it would not have made otherwise, but the Cabinet had done all it could to reduce the impact on front line services so as to protect the most vulnerable in the community.

The Leader referred to previous decisions he had made in relation to surpluses and how those sums had been used to offset pressures in Adult Social Care and other increases in demands on services. In 2019/20 the Council would be required to find £15m further savings (in addition to the £100m already found) so the decision had been taken to use part of the previous year’s surplus to support activities that would assist in realising savings in the longer term. The Cabinet would be reviewing the Council’s finances and would publish budget proposals over the summer.

The Leader of the Council stated that using surpluses to reverse previous decisions or reinstate previously reduced services, as suggested in the question, would not be sustainable as it would not provide recurrent funding and would not be fair to service users or staff.

(ii) The second question asked whether the A6MARR Airport Road would be opened, allowing more vehicles onto the A34 at Cheadle, given the illegal levels of emissions and recent court rulings against the Government in relation to air quality. The question asked what action the Council planned to take to address air pollution associated with the A34, particularly in light of the decision to proceed with the A6MARR when its Environmental Assessment indicated roadside pollution readings 50% above legal limits on the A34 at Cheadle in 2012. Did this not indicate a reckless obsession with road building?

In response the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration acknowledged that air quality was a huge concern for the Council and the A34 in particular. She stated that the Council was working with Transport for Greater Manchester address these issues, but that the scope for local bodies to make significant impact on air quality was limited without national attention. Specifically in relation to the A6MARR the Cabinet Member stated that the aim was to have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution.

The purpose of this report is to inform the Cabinet on the operation and effectiveness of the Council's Treasury Management function for 2017/18. Throughout 2017/18 the Council complied with its legislative and regulatory requirements.  The key actual prudential and treasury indicators detailing the impact of capital expenditure activities during the year, with comparators are set out in the report.

The Borough Treasurer confirms that borrowing was only undertaken for a capital purpose and the statutory borrowing limit (the authorised limit) was not breached.

This annual review report is a backward-looking review of the treasury management operation for the previous financial year and is the last report in the 2017/18 reporting cycle.

In treasury management terms the 2017/18 financial year largely continued the challenging environment of previous years, with lasting low investment returns and counterparty risk remaining.

The Cabinet is asked to recommend that the Council Meeting:

•      approve the actual 2017/18 prudential and treasury indicators in this report;

•      note the annual treasury management report for 2017/18;

•      note that no fundamental changes have been made during 2017/18 to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices approved at the Council meeting on 14 September 2017.  However these will be fully reviewed in light of the requirements of the revised CIPFA Codes published in December 2017 and reported to Members later in 2018/19.

Officer contact: Lorna Soufian, 0161 474 4026, lorna.soufian@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider the Annual Report of the Council’s Treasury Management function in 2017/18.

During 2017/18 the Council complied with its legislative and regulatory requirements. The report set out the key actual prudential and treasury indicators detailing the impact of capital expenditure activities during the year, as well as compactor information.

The 2017/18 financial year had largely continued the challenging environment of previous years with lasting low investment returns and counterpart risk remaining.

The Leader of the Council paid tribute to the good work done by Council officers in managing the treasury functions and ensuring a sustainable investment strategy to support the Council’s ambitions.

In particular, the Leader highlighted changes to the CIPFA Code of Practice that would result in the Council reporting differently in relation to its fixed assets; the reduction in the Council’s debt costs; and the Council having taken on long term loans to reduce its borrowing costs.

RESOLVED – That in relation the Treasury Management Annual Report 2017/18 the Council Meeting be recommended to:

·         approve the actual 2017/18 prudential and treasury indicators in the report;

·         note the annual Treasury Management Report for 2017/18;

·         note that no fundamental changes had been made during 2017/18 to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices approved at the Council meeting on 14 September 2017, but that these would be fully reviewed in light of the requirements of the revised CIPFA Codes published in December 2017 and reported to councillors later in 2018/19.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution.

This report provides an update on the development of the two year Greater Manchester Strategy Implementation Plan, and provides opportunity for the plan and the actions contained within in to be adopted by each of the GM districts, along with a copy of the GMS performance dashboard.

The Cabinet is asked to note and endorse this update report, and adopt the GMS Implementation Plan, actions and targets from which have been incorporated into Portfolio Agreements.

Officer contact: Holly Rae, 0161 474 3014, holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Cabinet with an update on the development of the Greater Manchester Strategy Implementation Plan, inviting the Cabinet to adopt the actions contained therein, and consider the Strategy performance dashboard.

The Leader and Cabinet Members emphasised the interconnectedness of the Greater Manchester Strategy and the Council’s own strategic objectives and plans.

RESOLVED – That the Greater Manchester Strategy Implementation Plan be noted and endorsed, and the actions and targets contained therein be adopted for incorporation in the Council’s Portfolio Agreements.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution.

Following the approval of Cabinet Portfolio responsibilities at the Annual Council Meeting, the seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements (PPRAs) have been considered by the last cycle of Scrutiny Committees. These reflect Cabinet priorities, alongside spending plans set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan and support the outcomes set out in the 2018/19 Council Plan.

The Agreements will provide the basis for Portfolio Performance and Resource Reporting during the year, along with the Corporate and Leader’s Reports. Final versions of these are now presented for approval by Cabinet, incorporating any changes made following discussion with and comments from Scrutiny Committees.

The Cabinet is recommended to approve the 2018/19 Portfolio Agreements included at Appendix 1 to the report.

Officer contact: Michael Cullen / Steve Skelton, 0161 218 1032 / 474 3174, michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk / steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider the seven draft Portfolio and Resource Agreements that had been developed to articulate the Cabinet’s priorities as set out in the 2018/19 Council Plan and the Medium Term Financial Plan. The Agreements would also provide the basis of the quarterly Portfolio Performance and Resource monitoring reports.

The Leader of the Council confirmed that the draft Agreements had been considered by Scrutiny Committees and any appropriate changes made to the documents before submission to the Cabinet.

The Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing welcomed the recent completion of a Viaduct Housing scheme in Heaviley and the commitment of the Cabinet to similar schemes. The Leader of the Council emphasised the interconnectedness of Council activity and the benefits accrued within one portfolio area often had a benefit across other portfolio priorities.

RESOLVED – That the 2018/19 Portfolio Agreements set out at Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing.

The report sets out the context for why the Council needs a Noise Action Plan for road noise, and identifies options with regards to noise reduction. The report outlines a detailed action plan for the period up to 2019-20 to bring the Council in line with the requirements of The Noise Action Plan: Agglomerations Environmental Noise (England) Regulations 2006, as amended January 2014.

The Cabinet is recommended to adopt the Noise Action Plan.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, 0161-474-4531, sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to adopt a Noise Action Plan as required by amendment Government regulations. The report set out the context for the Plan for road noise and set out options for reducing it.

Cabinet Members commented on the detailed analysis contained in the report.

Cabinet Members also discussed the impact of Manchester Airport on many areas in Stockport and the need to better understand this with a view to ameliorate them.

A suggestion was made that further discussion should be had with Highways England and other statutory undertakers to explore ways to mitigate the impact of overnight highways works when these resulted in road closures that diverted traffic onto otherwise quiet residential streets.

RESOLVED – That the Stockport Noise Action Plan be adopted and that, further to this, investigation of the impact of noise arising from Manchester Airport be carried out.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester has, in partnership with the 10 GM boroughs, TfGM and Highways England, produced a plan for tackling congestion across Greater Manchester. The plan sets out actions under seven themes, which Greater Manchester can endeavour to implement now and over the next few years to tackle congestion. It offers a deal for transport bodies to do more to manage the transport network and to provide people with more choice about how and when they travel, in return for businesses and individuals making the changes they can to reduce their impact on congestion.

The plan is part of the more long-term Greater Manchester 2040 Transport Strategy. It is also fully integrated with, and supportive of, the broader policy agenda, including the development of a new plan to improve local air quality; the ambitions for more cycling and walking set out in the Cycling and Walking Commissioner’s ‘Made to Move’ report; and use of the Bus Services Act to improve public transport options. The plan also aligns with the Council’s strategic framework, including the SEMMM Strategy Refresh, and emerging Cycling and Walking Strategy.

The Greater Manchester Congestion Plan was approved by the GMCA on the 29th March 2018 alongside a recommendation that each Local Authority be recommended to take the plan through individual council approval processes for endorsement. This reflects the fact that a number of the measures identified in the plan are within the responsibility of the local planning and highways authorities.

The Cabinet is recommended to note the implications of the Congestion Deal for Stockport and endorse the Deal.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, 0161-474-4351, sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider the Greater Manchester Congestion Deal Plan, developed by all ten Greater Manchester Boroughs, Transport for Greater Manchester and Highways England setting out actions to tackle congestion and incentivise congestion-reducing behaviours.

The Plan had been adopted by the Combined Authority in March 2018, but each Local Authority as a highways authority was being asked to endorse the plan and commit to the measures contained within it.

The Cabinet Member emphasised that this Plan complemented the Council’s own strategic documents and would be delivered in concert with other local councils and Transport for Greater Manchester.

The Leader of the Council stressed that it would be impossible for the Council of TfGM to remove the problem of congestion and so highlighted the fact the measures in the plan were practical and realistic proposals to help reduce the problems of congestion.

RESOLVED – That Greater Manchester Congestion Deal and Plan be endorsed and the implications for Stockport be noted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing.

The reports sets out the draft Cabinet Response to the recommendation contained in the Children & Families Scrutiny Committee Scrutiny Review ‘Open Space Provision for 14-19 year olds’.

The Cabinet is invited to endorse and adopt the response set out in the report.

Officer contact: Ian Walmsley, 0161-474-4382, ian.walmsley@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to agree its response to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review ‘Open Space Provision for the 14-19 age group’.

Cabinet Members welcomed the Review and the fact it highlighted the issue of whether the Council’s policy of requiring developers to provide open space on development site was the most effective way to provide good quality provision. The Leader of the Council emphasised the timeliness of review in light of the ongoing work to develop the Local Plan.

RESOLVED – (1) That the response to the ‘Open Space Provision for the 14-19 age group’ Scrutiny Review Final Report and recommendations be approved.

(2) That the Cabinet’s gratitude and appreciation be recorded for the excellent work undertaken the Scrutiny Review Panel and its contributors.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution.

The Cabinet is invited to note the decisions of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the AGMA Executive Board taken at its meeting on 29 June 2018.

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

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out decisions taken by the Greater Manchester Combined (GMCA) and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) Executive Board on 29 June 2018.

The Leader of the Council highlighted the GMCA’s decisions on the funding of Stockport Interchange; the Housing Investment Fund loan to support the redevelopment of the former Stockport Royal Mail Sorting Office; and approval of the Cycling and Walking Commissioner’s Infrastructure Proposal.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

On:-

(a)  Matters (if any) referred to the Cabinet Meeting

(b)  Any called-in Cabinet Executive Decisions

There were none to consider.