Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and order that the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2020 be signed.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 17 March 2020 were approved as a correct record.

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 and Prejudicial Interest

Officers

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. 

Questions must be submitted 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.

One public question was submitted in relation to the lack of support offered to the 32 individual business located in Stockport's Market Hall that have been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic with particular regard to the decision to continue to charge rent to market traders.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) responded that unlike many other markets, traders within the Market Hall had all been eligible to receive small business grant funding of up to £10,000 per trader.  In total, traders within the Market Hall had been eligible to receive up to £0.5 million in support through government backed schemes.  Councillor Meller stated that while the costs associated with offering a rent holiday to traders within the market hall would have been approximately £40,000 such a   scheme would have needed to have applied equally to all those businesses that had a lease or rent with the council, and the costs associated with this would have been in the region of £2.7 million.

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it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of the following agenda items which contain information “not for publication” and to consider any representations received to the notice of the intention to consider exempt information at this meeting.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 Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Devolution (Councillor Elise Wilson) invited the Cabinet to consider whether to exclude the public and press from the meeting during consideration of agenda items 11, 12 and 13 as these items contained information that were ‘not for publication’.

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was ‘not for publication’, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of following items in the event that the content of the ‘not for publication’ appendices to the report needed to be discussed:-

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Annual Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides a summary of progress in delivering the Council’s priority outcomes and budget over the last financial year, with a focus on the fourth quarter of 2019/20 (January – March 2020) 

Whilst the start of the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted on some budgets and performance measures at the end of the financial year, the Council’s response has been set out in more detail against key work streams in a series of reports to the June Scrutiny cycle, alongside the 2019/20 Annual Portfolio Reports.

The report includes an executive summary and performance analysis, along with the outturn position on revenue and capital. 

The Cabinet is asked to:-

·         Review progress against delivering Council priorities and capital schemes alongside budget and performance outturns contained within the report;

·         Note the key achievements against Shared Priorities (Exec Summary) and analysis of corporate performance for 2019/20 (Section 1);

·         Note the context and challenges (Section 2) including updates on Corporate Risks, Complaints and GM Strategy;

·         Approve the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 3.2;

·         Note the Cash Limit and Non-Cash Limit forecast positions for 2019/20 as set out in section 3.3;

·         Note the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account and Collection Fund forecast positions as set out in sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6;

·         Note the appropriations to/from reserves and balances as set out in section 3.7 and note the resulting reserves and balances position as at 31 March 2020;

·         Note the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic set out in section 3.8 and as a result the need to review the Council’s available revenue resources including those held in earmarked reserves as part of the 2020/21 Reserves Policy to support the Council’s funding of this;

·         Note the use of £1.579m of revenue resources set aside in earmarked reserves to fund RCCO linked to capital schemes by switching this funding to other available sources of capital funding including £0.375m of additional borrowing set out in 3.8.5;  

·         Note the position for the 2019/20 Capital Programme as set out in section 4.1;

·         Note the re-phasing of capital schemes during the quarter as set out in 4.2;

·         Approve the proposals for resourcing and additional resources required for the Capital Programme as set out in 4.2.4;

·         Approve the resourcing of the capital programme as set out in section 4.3 including the switch off resources set aside to fund RCCO to alternative sources of capital funding linked to capital schemes as set out in paragraph 3.8.5;

·         Approve the 2019/20 prudential indicators as set out in section 4.4; and

·         Identify key areas for further investigation and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any existing or outturn issues or risks.

Officer contact: Peter Owston / Jonathan Davies, 0161 474 3274 / 218 1025 peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk / jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Devolution submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Cabinet with an annual Report on the delivery of the Council’s priority outcomes and budget since mid-year 2019/20, with a particular focus on the fourth and final quarter. The report provided a focussed summary of highlight and exceptions for the year.

The Leader of the Council commented that there had been significant change since the last mid-year report in January and reflected on the scale of the crisis that had faced the council and local residents in that period.  In particular, the Leader of the Council paid tribute to the work of community groups and organisations, local businesses, the council and its partners for the uplifting way in which they had come together to work towards supporting Stockport and its residents.

It was further stated that notwithstanding the scale of the challenges currently facing Stockport, the borough remained ambitious in its approach with exciting developments taking place associated with the Stockport Town Centre West Mayoral Development Corporation, the next phases of the Stockport Exchange development, the construction of the new Stockport Interchange and the ambition to bring Metrolink to Stockport.

It was then

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Corporate Performance and Resources Annual Report for 2019/20, the Cabinet has agreed to:-

·         Note the key achievements against Shared Priorities (Exec Summary) and analysis of corporate performance for 2019/20 (Section 1);

·         Note the context and challenges (Section 2) including updates on Corporate Risks, Complaints and GM Strategy;

·         Approve the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 3.2;

·         Note the Cash Limit and Non-Cash Limit forecast positions for 2019/20 as set out in section 3.3;

·         Note the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account and Collection Fund forecast positions as set out in sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6;

·         Note the appropriations to/from reserves and balances as set out in section 3.7 and note the resulting reserves and balances position as at 31 March 2020;

·         Note the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic set out in section 3.8 and as a result the need to review the Council’s available revenue resources including those held in earmarked reserves as part of the 2020/21 Reserves Policy to support the Council’s funding of this;

·         Note the use of £1.579m of revenue resources set aside in earmarked reserves to fund RCCO linked to capital schemes by switching this funding to other available sources of capital funding including £0.375m of additional borrowing set out in 3.8.5; 

·         Note the position for the 2019/20 Capital Programme as set out in section 4.1;

·         Note the re-phasing of capital schemes during the quarter as set out in 4.2;

·         Approve the proposals for resourcing and additional resources required for the Capital Programme as set out in 4.2.4;

·         Approve the resourcing of the capital programme as set out in section 4.3 including the switch off resources set aside to fund RCCO to alternative sources of capital funding linked to capital schemes as set out in paragraph 3.8.5; and

·         Approve the 2019/20 prudential indicators as set out in section 4.4.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education.

This report provides the initial findings and recommendations of the dedicated schools grant (DSG) review.

The Cabinet is recommended to give approval to the undertaking of a proportionate and appropriate consultation on with various affected stakeholders on the detailed proposals outlined in Section 4 of the report, with the consultation window running between July 2020 and November 2020 with various consultation exercises conducted throughout this period.

Officer contact: Bev Milway on 0161 218 1785 or email:  bev.milway@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education (Councillor Colin Foster) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the initial findings and recommendations of the dedicated schools grant (DSG) review.

RESOLVED - The Cabinet considered a report detailing the initial findings and recommendations of the dedicated schools grant review and has given approval to the undertaking of a proportionate and appropriate consultation on with various affected stakeholders on the detailed proposals outlined in Section 4 of the report, with the consultation window running between July 2020 and November 2020 with various consultation exercises conducted throughout this period.

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

·         approve the appointment or nomination for appointment of Council representatives to outside and associated bodies for 2020/21, as set out in the attached Schedule;

·         authorise the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant party group leader, to finalise the schedule of appointments and nominations prior to the next ordinary Cabinet Meeting on 28 July 2020.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207or email: damian.eaton@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 nominations of councillors to serve on outside bodies.

It was reported that since the publication of the report, a further amendment to the proposed schedule was required to nominate Councillor Amanda Peers as the council’s representative to North Western Local Authorities’ Employers Organisation (North West Employers) and Councillor David Meller as the Deputy.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the amendment proposed at the meeting:-

·         the appointment or nomination for appointment of Council representatives to outside and associated bodies for 2020/21, as set out in the attached schedules be approved; and

·         the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant party group leader, be authorised to finalise the schedule of appointments and nominations prior to the next ordinary Cabinet Meeting on 28 July 2020.

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

The Cabinet is invited to note the decisions of the GMCA meeting held on 31 May 2020.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email: damian.eaton@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 at its meeting on 31 May 2020.

The Leader of the Council highlighted the following decisions:-

·         Greater Manchester Recovery Response

·         GM Clean Air Plan: Update

·         GM Bike Hire Procurement

·         A Better Deal for Bus Users: Update

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 no recommendations to consider.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The Stockport Town Centre West Mayoral Development Corporation has been created to deliver the Council’s ambitious agenda to deliver new homes, increase the long-term viability of the whole town centre, and regenerate Stockport’s Town Centre West.  It will deliver the long-term vision for the area as set out in the Strategic Regeneration Framework for Town Centre West which the Council approved in November 2019.

This report recommends that Cabinet approve the MDC’s Strategic Business Plan which will formally guide the MDC’s activity and act as the document against which the MDC’s effectiveness can be assessed. The Strategic Business Plan is included in Appendix A of this report.

(NOTE: This item includes a ‘not for publication’ appendix that has been circulated to members of the Cabinet only).

The Cabinet is recommended to give approval to the full MDC Strategic Business Plan for the period 2020 – 2025 at Appendix A along with the Annual Action Plan at confidential Appendix B.

Officer contact: Caroline Simpson on 0161-218-1940 or email: caroline.simpson@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Stockport Town Centre West Mayoral Development Corporation’s (MDC) Strategic Business Plan which would formally guide the MDC’s activity and act as the document against which the MDC’s effectiveness could be assessed.

(NOTE: This item includes a ‘not for publication’ appendix that has been circulated to members of the Cabinet only).

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         In the light of the current situation, the MDC had taken on an added significance in terms of ‘building back better’ and economic recovery.

·         The acquisition of Weir Mill demonstrated the confidence that developers and other partners had with the town centre and wider borough.

·         The MDC was essential in ensuring the delivery of Metrolink in Stockport.

·         It was important that the MDC was able to deliver a mix of affordable and family accommodation.

RESOLVED- The Cabinet considered and gave approval to the full Stockport Town Centre West Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) Strategic Business Plan for the period 2020 – 2025 as detailed at Appendix A along with the Annual Action Plan at Appendix B.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport.

Stockport Homes have identified a privately owned site at the above location for the development of social housing comprising 34 units all for social rent. Funding for the scheme is to be sourced from Homes England Grant and a loan from the Councils Housing Revenue Account.  The completed units will be owned by the Council and managed by Stockport Homes.

(NOTE: This item includes a ‘not for publication’ appendix that has been circulated to members of the Cabinet only).

The Cabinet is recommended to give approval to the release of funding for the sum identified in the appendix from the Housing Revenue account to enable the acquisition and development of the site for the scheme set out in this report.

Officer contact: Ian Keyte on 0161 217 6907 or email: Ian.Keyte@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal for release of funding for the sum identified in the appendix from the Housing Revenue account to enable the acquisition and development of the site at London Road, Hazel Grove for social housing comprising 34 units all for social rent.

(NOTE: This item included a ‘not for publication’ appendix that had been circulated to members of the Cabinet only).

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport commented that an issue had been raised at the Communities & Housing Scrutiny Committee in relation to parking problems within the locality.  Councillor Bailey stated parking provision within the development would be considered as part of the subsequent planning application that would be submitted to the Planning Authority.

RESOLVED - The Cabinet has considered and given approval to a proposal for release of funding for the sum identified in the appendix from the Housing Revenue account to enable the acquisition and development of the site at London Road, Hazel Grove for social housing comprising 34 units all for social rent, as set out in the report.

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

The report details a proposal to write off the Business Rates debt amounting to £106,244.98 owed by a limited company for office premises in Stockport.

Options to recover the debt have been exhausted so there is no prospect of recovery. Part payment was received as full and final settlement following a legal agreement. 

(NOTE: This item includes a ‘not for publication’ appendix that has been circulated to members of the Cabinet only).

The Cabinet is recommended to give approval to the writing-off of Business Rates debt of £106,244.98 as irrecoverable.

Officer contact: Alison Blount on 0161 474 5107 or email:

alison.blount@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance (Councillor Tom McGee) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to write off the Business Rates debt amounting to £106,244.98 owed by a limited company for office premises in Stockport.

(NOTE: This item included a ‘not for publication’ appendix that had been circulated to members of the Cabinet only).

It was noted that options to recover the debt had been exhausted so there was no prospect of recovery. Part payment was received as full and final settlement following a legal agreement.

RESOLVED - The Cabinet has considered, and given approval, to a proposal to write off a Business Rates debt amounting to £106,244.98 as irrecoverable that was owed by a limited company for office premises in Stockport.