Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2021.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 9 February 2021 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.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interest

Personal and Prejudicial Interest

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

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)

No public questions were submitted.

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is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of the following agenda items which contain information “not for publication” and to consider any representations received to the notice of the intention to consider exempt information at this meeting.

The following representations have been received:-

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press from the meeting during consideration of agenda items 16 and 17 as these items contained information that was ‘not for publication’.

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was ‘not for publication’, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the exempt information contained within the following items:-

To consider a report of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee.

The report details the work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel of the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee in respect to ‘Supporting Young People’s Mental/Emotional Wellbeing & Counselling in Schools’ and the proposed recommendations.

The Cabinet is recommended to consider the report and consider how it might respond to the report’s findings and recommendations.

Officer contact: Heidi Shaw on 0161 218 1100 or email: heidi.shaw@stockport.gov.uk

The Vice-Chair of the Children & Families Scrutiny Committee and Lead Councillor for the Review (Councillor Linda Holt) attended the meeting to present the final report of the Scrutiny Review Panel – ‘Supporting Young People's Mental/ Emotional Wellbeing & Counselling in Schools’ (copies of which had been circulated) and to answer questions from the Cabinet.

The Chair of the Review Panel extended her thanks to those officers that supported the review.  The Leader of the Council welcomed the timeliness of the review and the importance of young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing in the light of the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

RESOLVED - (1) That the Director of Children’s Services be requested to prepare a response to the “Supporting Young People's Mental/ Emotional Wellbeing & Counselling in Schools” Scrutiny Review and the recommendations contained therein for consideration by the Cabinet at a future meeting.

(2) That the gratitude of the Cabinet be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel ‘Supporting Young People's Mental/ Emotional Wellbeing & Counselling in Schools’ and others involved in the Review.

To consider a report of the Children & Families Scrutiny Committee

The report details the work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel of the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee in respect to ‘Children and Young People’s Participation’ and the proposed recommendations.

The Cabinet is recommended to consider the report and consider how it might respond to the report’s findings and recommendations.

Officer contact: Michelle Bellis on 07866 185866 or email: michelle.bellis@stockport.gov.uk

The Vice-Chair of the Children & Families Scrutiny Committee and Lead Councillor for the Review (Councillor Linda Holt) attended the meeting to present the final report of the Scrutiny Review Panel – ‘Children and Young People's Participation’ (copies of which had been circulated) and to answer questions from the Cabinet.

The Leader of the Council welcomed the breadth of engagement that was already in place with children and young people but acknowledged that there was further work to do.  It was further stated that the coronavirus pandemic had impacted some of the work that was planned to take place and that it was important that this activity resumed as soon as possible.

RESOLVED - (1) That the Director of Children's Services be requested to prepare a response to the “Children and Young People's Participation” Scrutiny Review and the recommendations contained therein for consideration by the Cabinet at a future meeting.

(2) That the gratitude of the Cabinet be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel ‘Children and Young People's Participation’ and others involved in the Review.

To consider a joint report of the Adult Social Care & Health and Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committees.

The Panel considered a range of information from health partners, notably from the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership and Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group, alongside proposals for Integrated Care Systems contained within the recent Health and Care White Paper.

The Final Report was agreed at the final Review Panel Meeting on 25 March 2021.

The Cabinet is recommended to consider the report and consider how it might respond to the report’s findings and recommendations.

Officer Contacts: Katy Forde on 07527 387232 or email: katy.forde@stockport.gov.uk; or Geraldine Gerrard on 0161 474 3837 or email: geraldine.gerrard@stockport.gov.uk

The Lead Councillor for the Review (Councillor Carole McCann) attended the meeting to present the final report of the Scrutiny Review Panel – ‘Council's relationship with Health Partners’ (copies of which had been circulated) and to answer questions from the Cabinet.

The Leader of the Council stated that she agreed with the conclusions of the review in relation to the need to remove bureaucracy through mechanisms such as data sharing.  It was further stated that the recommendations aligned well with planned work already due to take place.

RESOLVED - (1) That the Corporate Director for Corporate & Support Services and the Director of Public Health be requested to prepare a response to the “Council's relationship with Health Partners” Scrutiny Review and the recommendations contained therein for consideration by the Cabinet at a future meeting.

(2) That the gratitude of the Cabinet be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel ‘The Council's relationship with Health Partners’ and others involved in the Review.

To consider a report of the Economy & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee.

The report provides a summary of the information gathered as part of the review into Changes to Bus and Train Services, and outlines the findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Review Panel.

The Cabinet is recommended to consider the report and consider how it might respond to the report’s findings and recommendations.

Officer Contact: Mark Glynn on 0161 474 3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet received the final report of the Scrutiny Review into Changes to Bus and Train Services (copies of which had been circulated).

It was commented that the Council’s relationship with TfGM, Network Rail and Transport for the North was vital for the delivery of positive outcomes for the people of Stockport.  The forthcoming bus franchising model also provided an opportunity for the provision of bus services that were better aligned to the needs of local residents.

RESOLVED - (1) That the Corporate Director for Place be requested to prepare a response to the “Changes to Bus and Train Services” Scrutiny Review and the recommendations contained therein for consideration by the Cabinet at a future meeting.

(2) That the gratitude of the Cabinet be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel ‘Changes to Bus and Train Services’ and others involved in the Review.

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

The Management Agreement between the Council and Stockport Homes requires Stockport Homes to produce a Delivery Plan every five years, with an interim review at year 3 and annual reports to the Council setting out the progress made against the plan. This new plan will run from 2021-2026, with a review scheduled for 2023/4 to ensure the plan remains relevant and aligned to Council priorities and objectives, and to incorporate any new objectives/actions.

The Delivery Plan sets out the actions Stockport Homes will take to properly and effectively manage and maintain the Council’s housing stock, and how it will work to support and deliver the wider strategic objectives of the Council and the Borough Plan. The Delivery Plan has been developed in close consultation with the Council and provides the basis against which the Council can measure the progress and effectiveness of Stockport Homes.

The Cabinet is recommended to give approval to the Stockport Homes Delivery Plan 2021-2026.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax on 0161 474 4319 or email: andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposed Stockport Homes Delivery Plan for 2021-2026 that sets out the actions Stockport Homes would take to properly and effectively manage and maintain the Council’s housing stock, and how it would work to support and deliver the wider strategic objectives of the Council and the Borough Plan. The Delivery Plan had been developed in close consultation with the Council and provided the basis against which the Council could measure the progress and effectiveness of Stockport Homes.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the Stockport Homes Delivery Plan 2021-2026.

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

The report details the intention to purchase compulsorily long term vacant property, being 2 Woodstock Avenue Reddish Stockport SK5 7HX Stockport (Property). The Property is having a detrimental impact on the environment and amenity of the local area by reason of its dilapidated condition.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1) Note the contents of the report  and agree in principle to the use of CPO powers to acquire the land.

(2) Agree that powers to approve the remaining phases of the compulsory purchase process, including authorising  and the making of an Order under Section 17 Housing Act 1985 (as amended) and all other powers as appropriate for the compulsory purchase of land to bring the empty property back into occupation are delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive. 

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the intention to purchase compulsorily a  long term vacant property, being 2 Woodstock Avenue Reddish Stockport SK5 7HX.  The Property was having a detrimental impact on the environment and amenity of the local area by reason of its dilapidated condition.

RESOLVED - (1) That the contents of the report be noted and agreement in principle be given to the use of CPO powers to acquire the land.

(2) That agreement be given that powers to approve the remaining phases of the compulsory purchase process, including authorising and the making of an Order under Section 17 Housing Act 1985 (as amended) and all other powers as appropriate for the compulsory purchase of land to bring the empty property back into occupation are delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive.

To consider a joint report of the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance.

The Council developed a bid which was successfully awarded OPE 6 funding in 2018, along with securing match funding from TfGM and Network Rail to develop a methodology to review the 19 Stockport Rail Stations and the surrounding land within which they reside, with the remit to assess the enormous potential to unlock land for housing, community uses, growth and wider development.  This was brought forward through a partnership approach with London & Continental Railways (LCR) a government department of the Department for Transport, Network Rail (NR), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and GMCA known as ‘The Alliance’.

The report details the exploration of opportunities around 4 stations in Stockport as part of the Stockport Stations Alliance programme under One Public Estate (OPE) 6. 

The Cabinet is recommended to note the contents of this report and:-

(1) Endorse the work carried out to date and confirm that the Council should continue to progress the strategic relationship with LCR, TfGM and Network Rail with regards potential redevelopment plans around Cheadle Hulme and Hazel Grove Stations;

(2) Authorise the investigation of opportunities at the other Stockport stations;

(3) Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive Place and to the Deputy Chief Executive CSS in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance, Resources and Commissioning, and the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration, to agree the terms of the strategic relationship with LCR, TfGM and Network Rail in order to provide the necessary commitment to LCR.

Officer contact Andy Prideaux on 0161 217 6926 or email: andrew.prideaux@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) confirming that the Council had been successfully awarded OPE 6 funding in 2018, along with securing match funding from TfGM and Network Rail to develop a methodology to review the 19 Stockport Rail Stations and the surrounding land within which they reside, with the remit to assess the enormous potential to unlock land for housing, community uses, growth and wider development. 

The report detailed the exploration of opportunities around 4 stations in Stockport as part of the Stockport Stations Alliance programme under One Public Estate (OPE) 6.

RESOLVED - (1) That the work carried out to date be endorsed and confirmation be given that the Council should continue to progress the strategic relationship with LCR, TfGM and Network Rail with regards potential redevelopment plans around Cheadle Hulme and Hazel Grove Stations;

(2) That authorisation be given to the investigation of opportunities at the other Stockport stations;

(3) That authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive Place and to the Deputy Chief Executive CSS in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance, Resources and Commissioning, and the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration, to agree the terms of the strategic relationship with LCR, TfGM and Network Rail in order to provide the necessary commitment to LCR.

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

The report provides an update on the Greater Manchester Brownfield Housing Fund (BHF) and those projects that have been successfully allocated funding so far.

The report further requests authority to enter into funding agreements, and to receive and administer funding as required, to support the delivery of Brownfield Housing Fund supported projects.

The Cabinet is requested to note the contents of this report and it is recommended that:-

(1) Approval be given to enter into the BHF funding agreements with GMCA relating to both St Thomas and the Interchange with authority delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive, Place and the Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate & Support Services to agree the final terms of those agreements with GMCA;

(2) Approval be given to enter into any necessary agreements required to receive and administer the BHF, where required, with authority delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive, Place and the Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate & Support Services to agree the final terms of those agreements;

(3) Authority is delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive, Place and the Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate & Support Services take all necessary steps to bring forward the Brownfield Housing Fund supported projects;

(4) Authority is delegated to the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance) to do all things necessary or incidental to the implementation of the above-mentioned resolutions.

Officer contact: Paul Richards on 0161-474-2940 or email: paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the Greater Manchester Brownfield Housing Fund (BHF) and those projects that had been successfully allocated funding so far and requesting authority to enter into funding agreements, and to receive and administer funding as required, to support the delivery of Brownfield Housing Fund supported projects.

RESOLVED - (1) That approval be given to enter into the BHF funding agreements with GMCA relating to both St Thomas and the Interchange with authority delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive, Place and the Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate & Support Services to agree the final terms of those agreements with GMCA;

(2) That approval be given to enter into any necessary agreements required to receive and administer the BHF, where required, with authority delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive, Place and the Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate & Support Services to agree the final terms of those agreements;

(3) That authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive, Place and the Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate & Support Services take all necessary steps to bring forward the Brownfield Housing Fund supported projects;

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

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council

The Cabinet is invited to note the decisions of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) held on:-

29 January 2021

12 February 2021

23 March 2021

26 March 2021

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email:  damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution (Councillor Elise Wilson) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out decisions taken the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) on 29 January 2021, 12 February 2021, 23 March 2021 and 26 March 2021.

RESOLVED – That the decisions be noted.

On:-

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

(b)  Any called-in Cabinet Executive Decisions

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution (Councillor Elise Wilson) reported that the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee at its meeting on 26 April 2021 considered a report outlining the previous decision of the Scrutiny Committee that it would undertake a Scrutiny Review entitled “The Scrutiny of Outside Bodies” which would include within its remit the governance of those bodies established by the Council to manage or exercise certain functions with regard Totally Local Company, Stockport Homes Limited and Life Leisure; specifically the Contributors Committee, the Member Committee and the Funding Committee.

The Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee noted that the progress made in undertaking this review was behind where it had hoped to be and it was acknowledged that the review could not be completed within the remainder of the current Municipal Year. 

However, it agreed to request that that the Cabinet investigate the current arrangements for the discharge of the governance-related functions relating to the Council’s partner  organisations currently exercised by the Contributors, Funding and Member Committees and to determine whether these remained the most appropriate structures for this purpose in the light of the experience and examples of good practice from elsewhere in the country.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the undertaking of an investigation into the current arrangements for the discharge of the governance-related functions relating to the Council’s partner organisations and has requested the Corporate Directors for Corporate & Support Services and Place develop a response for the Cabinet’s consideration.

To consider a joint report of the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport.

The report sets out the Strategic Business Plan of the MDC for 2021-26 and the Annual Action Plan for 2021-22.

The plan is the second full year plan following last year’s five year Strategic Business Plan approved by Cabinet on 23rd June 2020 and the interim Strategic Business Plan covering the period from the MDC’s creation to the end of the 2019/20 financial year approved by Cabinet on 12th November 2019.

Cabinet are recommended to approve the report in line with the Constitution of the MDC which requires the Council and GMCA approval annually.

(NOTE: The report contains a ‘not for publication’ appendix that has been circulated to members of the Cabinet only).

The Cabinet is recommended to approve the full MDC Strategic Business Plan for the period 2021–2026 at Appendix A along with the Annual Action Plan at confidential Appendix B.

Officer contact: Paul Richards on 0161-474-2940 or email: paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the second full year plan following last year’s five year Strategic Business Plan approved by Cabinet on 23 June 2020 and the interim Strategic Business Plan covering the period from the MDC’s creation to the end of the 2019/20 financial year approved by Cabinet on 12 November 2019.

To ensure that there was appropriate democratically accountable oversight and influence over the MDC, the Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) had both formally agreed that the MDC will produce a Strategic Business Plan that specifies what activity the MDC will undertake and that that business plan will be submitted to the Council and GMCA for approval.

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

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the full Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) Strategic Business Plan for the period 2021 – 2026 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.

A report submitted to Cabinet on the 23rd June 2020 set out that Stockport Homes had negotiated to acquire the site for the development of 34 units comprising a mix of 12 I bed 2 person and 22 2 bed 3 person apartments.

This report seeks approval for the amendment of the terms agreed for the acquisition of a privately owned site for development 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 proceed with the transaction on the revised terms as detailed in the report and in the not for publication appendix.

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 that the Cabinet had previously considered a report on 23 June 2020 that set out that Stockport Homes had negotiated to acquire land at London Road, Hazel Grove for the development of 34 units comprising a mix of 12x 1 bed 2 person and 22x 2 bed 3 person apartments with all of the accommodation being made available for social rent.

Following consultation with the Council’s Planning Department it had been necessary to reduce the scale of the proposed development which will see a reduction in unit number from 34 to 32 units along with a series of amendments to the terms previously agreed for the acquisition of the site.

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

RESOLVED - The approval be given to proceed with the transaction (acquisition and subsequent development) of the land at London Road, Hazel Grove (the site) for inclusion in the Councils Housing Revenue Account on the revised terms as detailed in the report and the ‘not for publication’ appendix.