Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 August 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 14 August 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.

No urgent decisions were reported.

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 Cabinet on any matters within its powers and duties, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

Five questions were submitted.

(1)  The first question asked why air quality monitoring was not being carried out at all the sites where legal limits had previously been exceeded, where information was available on what sites were being monitoring and what the readings were, and questioning whether the Council had a duty to monitor air quality widely, including where pollution limits were not currently being breached.

In response the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration responded by stating that air quality was coordinated by the Combined Authority and the Council undertook monitoring as part of the GM monitoring network. The Council undertook a range of air quality monitoring activities, both automatic (real-time) and non-automatic (diffusion tubes), across the borough. This extended beyond the 6 locations previously asked about specifically at the last meeting of Cabinet. A full list of monitoring sites in the borough was available on the Defra website.  The Combined Authority was also upgrading the GreatAir website which would provide real time information on air quality across Greater Manchester. The data collected from the network was periodically used in a modelling exercise to predict where the air quality standards would be breached.

(2)  The second question sought assurance that the planned A6MARR opening celebrations were not part of attempt to promote an A6M60 bypass and asked why the Council was threatening the Goyt Valley with the road proposals in the SEMMMS Refresh. It further asked why the SEMMMS Refresh referenced the environmental impact of the bypass yet still proposed it, and given that the Government had suggested the proposal was too expensive why the Council continued to build its transport policy around it.

In response, the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration gave assurance that the A6MARR opening celebrations were to recognise the road being opened and are not related to the A6 to M60 Relief Road proposals. She further stated that, as has been explained at a number of recent Cabinet meetings, the Council had clearly voted to continue working on feasibility work for a possible road scheme, nothing more. The Government, in deciding not to fund that work, had given a clear steer and the Council was therefore not pursuing the scheme at this time.

The SEMMM Strategy Refresh was put out to public consultation early in the summer and a high level of feedback was received. The outcomes of the consultation continued to be analysed and a final version of the strategy would be put to the Cabinet later this year.

(3)  The third question related to the bronze-age site under a car park used by contractors for the A6MARR workers at Woodford and asked why the site was not subject to protection and what had happened to the bronze-age site.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration replied by stating that during the construction of the A6MARR a team of archaeologists had been working to ensure archaeological evidence was appropriately recorded. Work has shown that the ring gully and associated empty grave and cremation found in autumn 2015 were in fact Bronze Age (2200-700BC) and the site may have been a funerary monument – not the Iron Age roundhouse archaeologists initially thought.  The findings were passed to Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit. A report was currently being produced which details the findings for the parts of the site which were subject to an archaeological watching brief which was expected to be available soon.

The Cabinet Member, in response to a supplementary question about the plans for the car park post completion of the road works, stated that she would provide a written response.

(4)  The fourth question asked what the revised cost of the A6MARR scheme was since the A6M60 Business Case had estimated the costs of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of the following agenda items which contain information “not for publication” and to consider any representations received to the notice of the intention to consider exempt information at this meeting.

At the time of publication no representations have been received.

The Cabinet was invited to consider a proposal to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of agenda item 12 ‘A6MARR Update Report’ to prevent the disclosure of ‘exempt’ information.

The Leader of the Council stated that while the report contained ‘exempt’ information in its appendix he proposed to consider the item in public in light of the public interest. However, he proposed not to disclose the financial information in the appendix due to the commercial sensitivity of the information and legal advice that disclosure may damage the Council’s negotiating position.

Cabinet Members endorsed the Leader’s suggestion and stressed that a significant level of information had been included in the public element of the report.

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of the any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ appendix to agenda item 12 ‘A6MARR Update Report in the event that explicit reference to the content of the appendix needed to be made.

To consider a report of the Adult Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee.

The final report sets out the findings and conclusions of the Scrutiny Review Panel on its investigations into a Whole System Approach to tackling unhealthy weight.

The Cabinet is invited to receive the report and request that officers prepare a response to the recommendation contained therein.

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

A report of the Adult Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the findings and recommendations of the final report arising from the Scrutiny Review ‘A Whole System approach to Healthy Weight’. The report was presented to the Cabinet for consideration following adoption by the Scrutiny Committee.

Cabinet members welcomed the report and the emphasised the importance of the preventative approach set out in the report.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Director for Public Health be requested to prepare a response for consideration by the Cabinet to the Scrutiny Review ‘A Whole System approach to Healthy Weight’ final report and the recommendations contained therein.

(2) That the gratitude of the Cabinet be recorded for the work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel ‘A Whole System approach to Healthy Weight’ and the others involved in the Review.

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

The MTFP Summer Review presented in August outlined a challenging horizon ahead for Stockport and the context for tough decisions ahead to ensure our Council is best able to meet the priorities and needs of our communities. This report is the latest update to the Cabinet’s approach to addressing these significant challenges. Building on the medium term strategy presented at the last Cabinet meeting, this paper introduces draft budget choices for consideration and further engagement.

This includes implementation plans across the five themes within the medium term strategy:

•           Getting more out of our spending;

•           Improving citizen experience;

•           Making sure we have the right property in the right places;

•           Sharing services with other organisations;

•           Enabling an organisation fit for the future.

The Cabinet is recommended to:

•      Discuss the progress outlined within this report;

•      Consider the recommendation relating to Council Tax and the Social Care precept outlined in section 2;

•      Consider the proposals outlined in section 3 and within the appendices and with regards to these areas:

•        Note the commitment to share further detail on identified areas outlined in section 4 with Scrutiny;

•        Commence appropriate consultation and engagement on proposals;

•        Invite scrutiny committees to discuss and comment upon proposals relating to their remit.

Officer contact: Holly Rae / Jonathan Davies, 0161 474 3014 / 218 1025, holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk / jonathan.davies@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 agree the next steps in addressing the significant financial challenges facing the Council, building on the approach agreed by the Cabinet at the meeting in August 2018. The report introduced draft budget choices for consideration and further engagement and included implementation plans across the five themes within the medium term strategy, some of which would require implementation beyond 2019/20:

·         Getting more out of our spending;

·         Improving citizen experience;

·         Making sure we have the right property in the right places;

·         Sharing services with other organisations;

·         Enabling an organisation fit for the future.

The Leader of the Council emphasised the challenges facing the Council and their commitment to addressing them while seeking to protect frontline services and the most vulnerable members of the community.

The Leader of the Council highlighted that the approach adopted by the Cabinet was to seek to reform services and maximise opportunities to generate income in order to minimise the impact on Council Services but that inevitably, given the scale of the savings requirement, there would have to be cuts to services. He further emphasised the commitment of the Cabinet to minimise rises in Council Tax and the proposal to seek a 2.99% increase rather than the 3.99% rise the Council could agree before triggering a referendum.

Cabinet members stressed the importance of public and stakeholder engagement and consultation in developing final proposals, and outlined some of the specific challenges facing their portfolio. It was also commented that the MTFP process had also provided opportunities for the Council to invest in innovation, such as the customer experience, that should benefit residents as well as save money.

It was further commented that many of the difficult decisions the Cabinet would have to make in the coming months were not ones they wished to make but were the result of decisions taken out with of the Council.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Medium Term Financial Plan Cabinet Response: Our Budget Choices for 2019/20:-

·         the progress outlined within this report be noted;

·         the proposals relating to Council Tax and the Social Care precept outlined in section 2 of the report be endorsed;

·         the proposals outlined in section 3 of the report and within the appendices be endorsed and with regard to those areas:

­   the commitment to share further detail on identified areas outlined in section 4 with scrutiny committees be noted;

­   the commencement of appropriate consultation and engagement on proposals be approved;

­   scrutiny committees to discuss and comment upon proposals relating to their remit.

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

The Well-managed Highways Infrastructure Code of Practice (WMHI) was published in 2016. It comes in to full effect at the end of October when previous codes of practice cease to be recognised.

This report includes the following documents:

•           Skid Resistance Policy Statement (Appendix 1)

•           Street Lighting and other Illuminated Infrastructure Policy Statement (Appendix 2)

•           Winter Services Policy (Appendix 3)

•           Winter Services Plan (Appendix 4)

•           Highway Safety Inspection and Repairs Policy Statement (Appendix 5)

•           Highway Safety Inspection and Repairs Plan (Appendix 6)

•           Public Right of Way Inspection and Repair Plan (Appendix 7)

These documents have been developed to meet the advice contained in the WMHI to do the following: view the infrastructure making up the highway as an integrated network, with polices designed to work as a collective; work with the policies of neighbouring authorities to enable consistency; support the risk based approach to maintenance; support the collection of data and the maintenance of a detailed network inventory to assist with asset management; enable efficient claims management and support the Council’s financial and lifecycle planning for the assets.

Cabinet is recommended to -

(1) Approve the adoption of the:

•        Skid Resistance Policy Statement

•        Street Lighting and other Illuminated Infrastructure Policy Statement

•        Winter Services Policy and Plan

•        Highway Safety Inspection and Repairs Policy Statement

•        Highway Safety Inspection and Repairs Plan

•        Public Right of Way Inspection and Repair Plan

(2) Agree that the gritting routes for winter 2018/19 in the Winter Services Plan will be updated as necessary considering the findings of the Functional Network Hierarchy, with approval from the relevant service director in consultation with the relevant cabinet member.

(3) Allow the following plans to be updated as necessary, with approval from the relevant service director in consultation with the relevant cabinet member, following their annual reviews or at any other time deemed necessary:

•      Winter Services Plan

•      Highway Safety Inspection and Repairs Plan

•      Public Right of Way Inspection and Repair Plan

Contact Officer: 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 a suite of policies and measures in response to the Well-managed Highways Infrastructure Code of Practice (WMHI) published in 2016 but that would come into full effect at the end of October 2018. The documents contained in the report had been developed to meet the advice contained in the WMHI.

The Cabinet Member emphasised the significant work involved in preparing and revising policies.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Well-managed Highways Infrastructure Code of Practice:

(i)     the following documents be approved and adopted:

•        Skid Resistance Policy Statement

•        Street Lighting and other Illuminated Infrastructure Policy Statement

•        Winter Services Policy and Plan

•        Highway Safety Inspection and Repairs Policy Statement

•        Highway Safety Inspection and Repairs Plan

•        Public Right of Way Inspection and Repair Plan

(ii)    the gritting routes for winter 2018/19 in the Winter Services Plan be updated as necessary considering the findings of the Functional Network Hierarchy, with approval from the relevant service director in consultation with the relevant cabinet member;

(iii)  the following plans to be updated as necessary, with approval from the relevant service director in consultation with the relevant cabinet member, following their annual reviews or at any other time deemed necessary:

•        Winter Services Plan

•        Highway Safety Inspection and Repairs Plan

•        Public Right of Way Inspection and Repair Plan

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

The report invites the Cabinet to consider a request to continue with the designation of the Woodford Neighbourhood Forum after 5 years of its original designation, as required by the Localism Act 2011.

The Cabinet is invited to recommend to the Council Meeting that it re-designate the Woodford Neighbourhood Forum.

Officer contact: Steve Johnson, 0161-474-3509, steven.johnson@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider an application to renew the designation of the Woodford Neighbourhood Forum following the original designation on 17 October 2013.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to approve the designation of Woodford Neighbourhood Forum.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance.

Each Local Authority is permitted to set local discounts for Council Tax liability on unoccupied property. The level of discounts offered by different Authorities has reduced over the years as budgets have been squeezed.

This report proposes a review of the discounts currently offered in Stockport to bring the borough in line with neighbouring boroughs. Proposals agreed by members would then be the subject of consultation prior to agreements in line with annual budget setting.  

The Cabinet is recommended to agree that Options 1 to 3 be taken forward for consultation with the public.

Officer contact: Alison Blount, 0161 474 5107, alison.blount@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider the outcome of a review of the Council Tax Discounts Scheme including proposals for amendments to the scheme.

The Cabinet Member highlighted that the proposals contained in the report could have a significant positive impact on the Medium Term Financial Plan. The Leader of the Council also emphasised that the Council had consistently sought to minimise the exemptions but ensure that the most vulnerable in the community were protected.

RESOLVED – That the outcome of the Council Tax Discounts Review be noted and the Borough Treasurer be authorised to undertake a public consultation exercise to include Options 1 to 3 as set out in the report.

On:-

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

(b)  Any called-in Cabinet Executive Decisions

There were none to consider.

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

(Note: the report contains information ‘not for publication’ in its appendix that has been circulated to cabinet members only)

The A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road commenced on site in spring 2015 and was due to be completed in autumn 2017 although contract completion was spring 2018. The scheme is funded through Department for Transport and Greater Manchester Combined Authority Earn Back finances.

The contractor Carillion Morgan Sindall (CMS) was appointed as a joint venture partnership in 2013 to assist in designing the proposed scheme and then constructing it. Carillion was excluded from the joint venture in early 2018 following its financial issues including closing parts of the business. Morgan Sindall is now delivering the remaining elements of the scheme. However there have been a number of issues on site that have delayed completion of the scheme creating time and financial pressures on the project. The client and the contractor have been in discussions during 2017 in relation to a number of claims for escalating costs. This report provides an update on the outcome of those discussions and requests approval for the principle of agreeing an addendum to the contract and delegating approval of the final document to the Corporate Director Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

·         Notes the content of the report and approves the proposed settlement with Morgan Sindall.

·         Authorise the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and Head of Legal and Governance in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration, to finalise the settlement agreement and take all necessary steps to bring it into effect.         

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) updating the Cabinet on the outcome of discussions with contractors for the A6-Manchester Airport Relief Road in relation to concerns about the scheme costs and delivery. The Cabinet was asked to give consideration to a proposal to agree an addendum to the contract to settle outstanding matters.

The Cabinet Member highlighted a number of unforeseen events that impacted on the delivery of the scheme, including two significant flooding events and the need for more extensive earth works, and the collapse of Carillion PLC. A number of outstanding matters needed addressing before the road could be opened for use by vehicles.

The Leader of the Council emphasised the detail contained in the public report and the frankness of the assessment made. He also stressed that the road scheme was still within budget and the Council had worked hard to ensure that the final settlement was right and protected the public purse.

(Note: the report included a ‘not for publication’ appendix that had been circulated to cabinet members only)

RESOLVED – That in relation to the A6MARR Update:

·         the content of the report be noted and approval be given to the proposed settlement with Morgan Sindall.

·         the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and the Head of Legal & Democratic Governance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration, be authorised to finalise the settlement agreement and take all necessary steps to bring it into effect.