Agenda

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2023.

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 3 hours prior to the commencement of the meeting via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

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is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of the following agenda items which contain information “not for publication” and to consider any representations received to the notice of the intention to consider exempt information at this meeting.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

To consider a report of the Children & Families Scrutiny Committee

The report details the work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel of the Children & Families Scrutiny Committee in respect of the growth in free school meals 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: Tim Bowman by email at tim.bowman@stockport.gov.uk

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

The report details the work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel of the Economy & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee in respect of the economic and social case for Metrolink in Stockport 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: Sue Stevenson 0161 474 4351 | sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee.

The report details the work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel of the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee in respect to Local Government Financial and Governance Sustainability 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: Michael Cullen on 0161 474 4631 or email: michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk.

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The Quarter 3 Update Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides a summary of progress in delivering the council’s priority outcomes up to 31 December 2022, with a particular focus on the third quarter of 2022/23 (October to December 2022).

The Corporate Performance Dashboard, accompanied by seven Portfolio Performance Dashboards, provides further detail for the suite of ‘Corporate’ measures analysed in Section 2 of the report, including trends, comparative data and commentary. A unique link to the Corporate Performance Dashboard can be found below and within the CPRR itself (on page 3).

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1) Review progress against delivering council priorities and capital schemes alongside budget and performance forecasts contained within the report.

(2) Note the key achievements and other issues quarter in each of the councils seven portfolios (in the Executive Summary) and analysis of corporate performance for 2022/23 (Section 2 – Corporate Performance: Overview and Analysis).

(3) Note the Cash Limit and Non-Cash Limit forecast positions for 2022/23 as set out in section 3.3 and 3.6.

(4) Note the update to the council’s positive investments as set out in section 3.4.

(5) Note the update on the council’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) investments plan set out in section 3.5.

(6) Note the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account and Collection Fund forecast positions as set out in sections 3.7, 3.8, and 3.9.

(7) Note the appropriations to/from reserves and balances as set out in section 3.10 and note the resulting reserves and balances position as of 31 December 2022.

(8) Note the position for the 2022/23 Capital Programme as set out in section 4.1.

(9) Note the adjustments and re-phasing of capital schemes during the quarter as set out in section 4.2.

(10) Approve the resourcing of the capital programme as set out in section 4.3.

(11) Approve the 2022/23 prudential indicators as set out in section 4.4, and

(12) Identify key areas for further investigation and responsibility for taking forward.

Officer contact: Alan Lawson / Jonathan Davies, 07890 563587)/ 218 1025, alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk / jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks & Leisure Services.

The report details a proposal to seek delegated approval to implement new arrangements for managing the borough’s bereavement services.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1) Delegate responsibility for the review of options to the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Place Management in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks and Leisure Services.

(2) Delegate responsibility to award any contract to the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Place Management in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks and Leisure Services.

Officer contact: Ian O'Donnell on 0161 474 4175 or email: Ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

This Pay Policy Statement (the ‘statement’) sets out the Council’s approach to pay policy in accordance with the requirements of Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011.  The policy also has due regard for the associated statutory guidance including supplementary guidance issued in February 2013 and the Local Government Transparency code 2014. The Councils Gender Pay Gap information is also included in line with the publication requirements.

The purpose of the statement is to provide transparency with regard to the Council’s approach to setting the pay of its employees (excluding teaching staff working in local authority schools) by confirming the methods by which salaries of all employees are determined; the detail and level of remuneration of its most senior staff i.e. ‘chief officers’, as defined by the relevant legislation; the responsibility of the Appointments Committee to ensure the provisions set out in this statement relating to the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate Directors and Service Directors are applied consistently throughout the Council and recommend any amendments to the Council. The report also includes the Council Gender Pay Gap figures for 2021.

Once approved by the full Council, this policy statement will come into immediate effect and will be subject to review on a minimum of an annual basis, the policy for the next financial year being approved by 31 March each year.

The Cabinet is to recommended to endorse the Pay Policy Statement and to recommend that the Council Meeting:-

(1) Approves and adopts the Pay Policy Statement for the Council.

(2) Agrees to publish the Councils Gender Pay Gap information.

Officer contact: Andrea Steward on 0161 218 1416 or email: andrea.steward@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The Asset Management Plan Capital Programme report forms part of the Councils annual budget papers and sets out the budget requirement for capital works for future years.

The Asset Management Plan capital programme seeks to prioritise investment where required in the portfolio to ensure that we have the right property in the right place, ensure that assets are retained are fit for purpose, well maintained and support modern and efficient service delivery with minimal environmental impact.

The Cabinet is recommended to

(1) Give approval to the programme for 2023/24 and the financing thereof, and the Indicative AMP programme for up to 2027/28, as set out in the report;

(2) Give approval to the application of corporate resources to fund the AMP programme 2023/24 to 2027/28; with the application of funding types (capital receipts and borrowing) being delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive (S151 Officer) in conjunction with the Capital Board;

(3) Authorise the Director of Development & Regeneration to award construction contracts as required to deliver the works programme.

Officer Contact: James Kington on 07815 997564 or email: james.kington@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Health & Adult Social Care.

The report outlines the 2023/24 fee setting recommendations for the most significant areas of externally commissioned services within Adult Social Care.

The Cabinet is recommended to give approval to the fee setting approach, including fee uplifts, as detailed in the report.

Officer contact: Jon Wilkie on 07970 318461 or email: Jon.Wilkie@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Health & Adult Social Care.

The original Direct Payment policy for adults was launched in September 2021. Following the implementation of this policy, feedback from service users and carers, stakeholders and external and internal legal teams determined that the policy needed to be reviewed to ensure that it was legally compliant. A decision was taken to carry out a formal consultation on eight proposals, some of which were linked to recent case law. The primary focus was to ensure that our Direct Payment policy is legally compliant, whilst also taking the opportunity to seek feedback on the policy and its implementation.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1) Review and approve the new policy.

(2) Note the outcome of the Equality Impact Assessment.

(3) Note the implementation plans.

Officer contact: David Eckersley on 0161 218 1754 or email: david.eckersley@stockport.gov.uk

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

The report provides an update on the Stockport Station Project, including progress on the project to date and next steps.

The Cabinet is recommended to:

(1)  Note the contents of the report and progress on the project;

(2) Endorse the approach to the development and submission of the business case; and

(3) Delegate authority to the Director of Development and Regeneration, the Director of Place Management, and the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate and Support Services), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration for the following:

·         The council, in its role as accountable body to sign off and submit the business case documents for the Stockport Railway Station project.

·         The council, in its role as accountable body to enter into all required funding agreements, and associated terms with Avanti West Coast and Network Rail.

·         Authority to enter all contract, partner, land and procurement arrangements, and to seek permissions, including planning permissions, as required to build and operate or manage, as appropriate, reporting back as necessary and appropriate to the Cabinet.

·         Authority to approve the final schemes and their construction programme following approval of the final business cases.

·         Authority to enter into agreement with the landowners for temporary access rights and purchase the land necessary to construct the schemes.

·         Agree to authorise officers to enter into final negotiations with affected landowners to agree heads of terms for land purchase by agreement.

(4) Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance to do all things necessary or incidental to the implementation of the abovementioned resolutions.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or by email at: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

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

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) provides £2.6 billion of new funding for local investment by March 2025, with all areas of the UK receiving an allocation from the fund via a funding formula rather than a competition. The report details the UKSPF Communities and Place funding allocation for Stockport and the proposed governance arrangements for it.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1) Note the content of the report, including the approach relating to Stockport’s UKSPF investment plan for Communities & Place and the suitability of the proposed governance model for any future Support for Local Business and the People and Skills elements of UKSPF, once they are approved.

(2) Agrees to delegate authority to the Director of Development and Regeneration who will approve funding allocations for projects in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration, to oversee and approve the delivery of activities relating to Stockport’s investment plan.

(3) Note that the Cabinet and Economy & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee receive copies of the regular reporting on the project bids and agreed funding allocations, and any other updates on UKSPF.

Officer contact: Richard Mortimer by email at: richard.mortimer@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has undertaken a review of the council’s electoral arrangements and made recommendations for new warding patterns, to be used for the May 2023 Local Elections onwards.

A consequence of the borough’s new warding arrangements is that the existing boundaries of the council’s seven area committees are no longer coterminous with the new ward boundaries that will be place for the 2023/24 municipal year and that the council must therefore establish new arrangements.

NOTE: The comments of Area Committee will be submitted as a separate addendum to the report once the meetings met to consider the report.

The Cabinet is requested to make a recommendation to the Council Meeting on the boundaries of area committees for the 2023/24 municipal year.

Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The report details the considerations of the Constitution Working Party in relation to the potential for the introduction of a deadline for the submission of amendments to motions on notice at the Council Meeting.

The Cabinet is recommended to refer the proposed amendments to the Council Meeting Procedure Rules, as detailed in paragraphs 4.2 and 4.3 of the report, to the Council Meeting, noting that the matter would be required to stand adjourned until the next ordinary meeting of the Council Meeting on 13 July 2023.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council to report.

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 27 January and 10 February 2023.

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

On:-

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

(b)  Any called-in Cabinet Executive Decisions

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

The report provides an update on progress relating to the delivery of Stockroom and seeks Cabinet approval to delegate entering into a build contract and additional finance in light of construction inflationary pressures.

(NOTE: The report contains ‘not for publication’ appendices that have been circulated to the Cabinet only).

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

(1) The additional financial commitment from the Council to progress with the project,

(2) Endorse the headline offer and overall vision for Stockroom and the benefits to the Council and the people of Stockport this will bring

(3) Delegate approval to the Director of Development and Regeneration and the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration to enter into contract with the contractor to build Stockroom for a target cost of £13.5m 

(4) Authorise the Assistant Director (Legal & Democratic Governance) to do all things necessary to enter into contract with the contractor.

Officer contact: Robert Goulsbra on 0161 218 1764 or email: robert.goulsbra@stockport.gov.uk.

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

The report seeks Cabinet approval for the appointment of a contractor to begin the main refurbishment works to the former BHS store, as well as Cabinet authorisation for the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance to do all things necessary to enter into contract with the preferred main contractor

(NOTE: The report contains ‘not for publication’ appendices that have been circulated to the Cabinet only).

The Cabinet is recommended to note the contents of the report and appendices and;

(1) Approve the appointment of a contractor to begin main construction works to the former BHS store;

(2) Delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive and the Director of Development & Regeneration; in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration to approve the final terms and enter into the build contract with the main contractor, 

(3) Authorise the Assistant Director (Legal & Democratic Governance) to do all things necessary to enter into contract with the contractor.

Officer contact: Robert Goulsbra on 0161 218 1764 or email: robert.goulsbra@stockport.gov.uk.