Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 18 June 2019 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 to questions to the Cabinet on any matters within its powers and duties, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

19 questions had been submitted.

(1)       The first two question asked why requests from the questioner in relation to Vale View Primary School continued to be considered vexatious despite an instruction from the Information Commissioner that such requests should be complied with.

In response, the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance stated that legal advice had been obtained in relation to the comments made in the questions. Clarification was provided that the Information Commissioner had not instructed the Council to comply with such requests but rather to review the matter, which the Council had done. The Cabinet Member confirmed that the Council’s position had not changed and that this had been communicated to the questioner in its letter in June 2019.

(3)       The third question referred to the decision taken by the Welsh devolved government to not proceed with the M4 relief road scheme in South Wales, and the recent declaration by Stockport Council of a climate emergency (supported by all political groups) and asked whether the Cabinet would reconsider its position on building the A6M60 Relief Road and instead invest the resources in integrated transport and supporting bus refranchising.

In response, the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration restated his previous commitment to do all he could to improve public transport. He referred to his recent appointment to the reconfigure Greater Manchester Transport Committee and a commitment he and the Leader of the Council had secured for tram-train services to Stockport within in 10 years. He also restated the Cabinet’s commitment to bus regulation in Greater Manchester.

The Cabinet Member expressed sympathy for the concerns raised by the questioner, but clarified that the Council position had been decided following a Council Meeting and the Cabinet had agreed to proceed on that basis. The money being sought by the Council from Transport for the North would only be for the development of a business case that would inform a final decision on whether to seek to proceed with a road scheme.

(4)       The fourth question sought clarification on whether Council officers dealing with applications for housing by homeless persons, in the light of the Supreme Court ruling in Samuels vs Birmingham City Council, that subsistence benefits should not be used to cover rent shortfalls and that persons who have used subsistence benefits for the purposes for which they are intended, shall not be deemed to be 'intentionally homeless'.

The Leader of the Council stated that a written response would be provided to the questioner.

(5)       The fifth question asked whether the unified model of public services being developed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and partners would mean the end of Stockport Council and the current model of local government.

The Leader of the Council stated that this was not the case. She reported that the proposals from the GMCA had been out to consultation amongst the ten constituent councils, with further consideration by the GMCA due at the next meeting on 26 July 2019.

The remaining questions all referred to the proposed expansion of Ludworth Primary School.

Questioners asked their questions of the Cabinet, and the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance made a statement in response, before addressing the individual issues raised in the questions.

By way of background, the Cabinet Member highlighted that there were a number of differing legislative frameworks that were relevant to the expansion of Ludworth Primary School, including a duty to provide sufficient appropriate school places, a duty to determine planning applications within a statutory framework of rules and limitations, and a duty to manage the public highway. All three elements were within the remit and responsibility of the Council, although not necessarily of the Cabinet. Further legislation related to school organisation,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance.

Consultation has been undertaken on a proposal to expand Ludworth Primary School from a 1.5 form entry (FE) to a 2FE Primary School which will also improve access, building condition and safeguarding issues. The consultation was undertaken from 11th June 2018 and Friday 6th July 2018 and approval is now sought to implement the proposal.

The Cabinet is requested to:

·         Consider the outcomes of the consultation exercise.

·         Approve the proposal to expand Ludworth Primary School from a 1.5FE to 2FE (subject to planning permission).

Officer contact: Charlotte Cordingley, 0161 474 4240, charlotte.cordingley@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider a proposal for the expansion of Ludworth Primary School from a 1.5 form entry to a 2 form entry from September 2020. The report summarised the outcome of public consultation on the proposals.

The Cabinet Member stated that this was the first decision needed in a series of steps to progress the expansion, that would include the submission of a planning application for physical expansion at the site that would likely be submitted in the Autumn of 2019. These processes would have further stages of consultation with stakeholders and the public, and would include consultation with the area committee.

The Cabinet Member echoed comments made earlier in the meeting during Public Question Time that it was hoped that as part of the development of these proposals that difficulties currently experienced by residents would not be made worse by these proposals, and restated his previous offer of meeting with residents and local councillors to discuss further their concerns. He reiterated that the Council had a duty to ensure sufficient school places for children in the borough.

RESOLVED – (1) That the outcome of the consultation exercise undertaken in relation to the expansion of Ludworth Primary School be noted, and the approval given to its expansion from a 1.5 form entry to a 2 form entry (subject to planning permission).

(2) That the Deputy Chief Executive be requested to ensure appropriate agencies undertake enforcement of existing traffic regulation orders in the vicinity of the school.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Devolution.

The report seeks to inform the Cabinet on the operation and effectiveness of the Council's Treasury Management function for 2018/19.  Throughout 2018/19 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 found in the main body of 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 2018/19 reporting cycle.

The Cabinet is asked to recommend that the Council Meeting:

•        Approve the actual 2018/19 prudential and treasury indicators in this report;

•        Note the annual treasury management report for 2018/19;

•        Note that changes have been made to the Council’s Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices during 2018/19 to accommodate the requirements of the revised CIPFA Codes published in December 2017.

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

The Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Cabinet on the functioning of the Council’s Treasury Management functions for 2018/19. The report confirmed that during the period in question the Council had complied with its legislative and regulatory requirements and that borrowing had only been undertaken for a capital purpose and the statutory borrowing limit had n not been breached.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Treasury Management Annual Report 2018/19 the Council Meeting is recommended to:-

·         approve the actual 2018/19 prudential and treasury indicators in this report;

·         note the annual treasury management report for 2018/19;

·         note that changes have been made to the Council’s Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices during 2018/19 to accommodate the requirements of the revised CIPFA Codes published in December 2017.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Devolution.

Following the approval of new 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 2019/20 Council Plan.

The Agreements will provide the basis for Portfolio Performance and Resource Reporting during the year, along with the Corporate Report. 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 2019/20 Portfolio Agreements included at Appendix 1 to the report.

Officer contact: Holly Rae / Michael Cullen, 0161 474 3014 / 0161 218 1032, holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk / michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Devolution submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider the draft Portfolio Agreements that had been developed to articulate the Cabinet’s priorities as set out in the 2019/20 Council Plan and Medium Term Financial Plan. The Agreements would provide the basis of the quarterly Portfolio Performance and Resource Monitoring Reports.

The Leader and Cabinet Members stressed the importance of putting people first in the approach taken to the development of the Agreements and ensuring that residents were able to share in growth.

The Leader commented that the Agreements had been developed in the context of ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Council’s finances, such as the Comprehensive Spending Review, the future of business rates retention, and the still awaited Green Paper on adult social care funding. The Leader also referred to a recent event she had attended with James Brokenshire MP (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government) at which he had acknowledge the challenges these uncertainties created for local government and for Stockport in particular.

Cabinet Members highlighted significant issues within their portfolio agreements.

RESOLVED – That the 2019/20 Portfolio Agreements included at Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Devolution.

The Cabinet is invited to note the decision of the GMCA and the AGMA/GMCA Joint Meetings held on 28 June 2019.

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

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Devolution submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out decisions taken by the GMCA and the AGMA/GMCA Joint Meetings held on 28 June 2019.

The Leader of the Council highlighted the following decisions:-

·         Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund had provided significant resources for Stockport

·         GM Smart Data Exchange Platform and the City Region being the first to obtain this license that would significant assist collaborative working.

·         PV solar collection

·         GM Industrial Strategy

·         Bus Reform assessment update

The Leader also referred to change in leadership at Bury Council and expressed the Cabinet’s best wishes to Rishi Shori.

RESOLVED – That the decisions be noted.

On:-

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

(b)  Any called-in Cabinet Executive Decisions

There were none to consider.