Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 5 September 2011.   

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 5 September 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they may have in any of the items on the agenda for this meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

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

No urgent decisions were reported.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and Executive Councillors on any matters within the powers and duties of the Executive, 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 and at local libraries and information centres. You may also submit your question by email to democratic.services@stockport.gov.uk).

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters within the powers and duties of the Executive, subject to exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

Five questions were asked.

(i) The first question asked whether there were proposals to freeze Council Tax in Stockport in 2012/13 in light of recent announcements.

The Executive Councillor (Finance) confirmed that it was proposed to freeze any Council Tax increase and that this had been the assumption made when revising the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Chair welcomed the proposal of the government to assist Councils those chose to freeze Council Tax increases and highlighted the commitment to do so within the Coalition Agreement.

(ii) The second question asked whether the consultation on the nursery reorganisation (agenda item 7) complied with relevant regulations.

The Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) replied that he regretted that the consultation had needed to be undertaken for a second time following the decision of the Schools Adjudicator but stated that he was satisfied that the process had been followed correctly.

(iii) The third question asked whether the Council’s preference for 3-11 years provision in a single school would impact on the Council’s previously stated position of not planning to close all nursery schools in Stockport.

The Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) confirmed that there were no plans to close all nursery schools as suggested in the question and any changes to provision would be considered on a school by school basis.

(iv) The fourth question asked what evidence there was to support the assertion in the report at agenda item 7 that the closure of Fir Tree Nursery would improve early years education in Reddish.

The Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) replied that the proposal was not a reflection of the quality of teaching at the Nursery, but that there was evidence of a detrimental effect on children during the transition from nursery to infants. He further stated that as he was not the Executive Councillor during the first consultation he had approached this second consultation with a fresh pair of eyes, and that he had spoken to staff at schools where there had been successful mergers of nursery and infant provision, but there was no new evidence presented as part of the second consultation that would lead to a different proposal from that of the first consultation.

(v) The fifth question asked whether the Council was using the NORT (Nursery Organisation Review Tool) to review all maintained nursery provision in Stockport.

The Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) replied that it was not.

Two further questions had been received prior to the meeting from questioners who were not present at the meeting and in accordance with the procedure for asking questions it was stated that written responses would be provided.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Communities)                              

This report invites the Executive to consider three parts to the Private Sector Housing strategy, namely the Private Sector Housing Investment and Assistance Policy 2011-15, the Major Adaptation Policy and the Area Based Sector Housing Initiative.

The Private Sector Housing Strategy and the Private Sector Housing Investment and Assistance Policy provide strategic guidance on the Council’s approach to private sector housing issues within the borough as well as detailed information on the types of assistance that the Council can provide. The Major Adaptations Policy sets out the council’s approach to the assessment and delivery of major adaptations to people with disabilities who are living in Stockport. The Area Based Private Sector Housing Initiatives Report highlights how the Council will concentrate its resources in a planned way on a programme of renewal to encourage comprehensive and sustainable regeneration in areas of need,

The Executive is recommended to approve the Private Sector Housing strategy 2011-15 and the Private Sector Housing Investment and Assistance Policy 2011-15.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax, tel. no. 0161 474 4319. e mail: andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Communities) submitted a report a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to adopt the Private Sector Housing Strategy, which consisted of the Private Sector Housing Investment and Assistance Policy 2011-15, the Major Adaptation Policy and the Area Based Sector Housing Initiative.

RESOLVED – That the Private Sector Housing Strategy 2011-15 (comprising the Private Sector Housing Investment and Assistance Policy 2011-15, the Major Adaptation Policy and the Area Based Sector Housing Initiative) be approved.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People)                      

This report advises the Executive of the need to review the current admission arrangements for secondary schools and academies in Stockport as a result of changes to national codes and expectations, and the fact that the proposed change to Academy status by a number of schools in Stockport means that the existing policy may become unviable and the development of an alternative approach will be required.

The Executive is recommended to:-

•           Approve the suspension of the existing Admissions policy which redistributes catchment areas following the conversion of community schools to academies;

•           Notes the work to be undertaken with secondary schools to secure existing admission arrangements for the 2012/13 academic year;

•           Notes the work to be undertaken with secondary schools to develop proposals for public consultation during the Spring Term 2012 in relation to admissions arrangements for the academic year 2013/14.

Officer contact: Donna Sager, tel. no. 0161 474 3928, e mail: donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider proposed changes to the Council’s position on school admission arrangements in light of changes to national guidance and the potential for schools in Stockport to become Academies.

RESOLVED – That

(i)                 the suspension of the previously agreed approach to Admissions which redistributes catchment areas following the conversion of community schools to Academies be approved;

(ii)               the work to be undertaken with secondary schools to secure existing admission arrangements for the 2012/13 academic year be noted, and

(iii)             the work to be undertaken with secondary schools to develop proposals for public consultation during the Spring Term of 2012 in relation to admission arrangements for the academic year 2013/14 be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People)      

This report advises the Executive of the outcome of public consultation on a proposal for the future arrangements for nursery provision in Reddish. The overall objective of the proposal is to provide sustainable and continuous improvement in early years education provision in the area. The statutory process to implement the proposal includes consultation on linked statutory proposals to (a) reduce the lower age limit of the new primary School, adding a nursery unit with effect from 1 April 2012 and (b) to formally close Fir Tree Nursery School with effect from 31 March 2012.

Officer contacts: Viki Packman/Stephen Bell, tel. no. 0161 474 5709/3846. e mail: viki.packman@stockport.gov.uk/stephen.bell@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the outcome of a further review of maintained nursery provision in Reddish, including responses from stakeholders as part of the consultation.

RESOLVED – That

(i) approval be given to the publication of linked statutory proposals to close Fir Tree Nursery School with effect from 31 March 2012 and to reduce the lower age limit of Vale View Primary School with effect from 1 April 2012.

(ii) the Corporate Director for People, in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) be authorised to take any necessary further action or decisions in respect of the proposals, subject to there being no significant objections during the representation period following publication of the statutory proposals.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Regeneration)     

This report invites the Executive to consider revisions to the Local Development Scheme, setting down the Council’s programme for the preparation of planning policy documents for its Local Development Framework over the next three years.

The Executive is recommended to approve the revised Local Development Scheme, as detailed in the report.

Officer contact: Richard Wood, tel. no. 0161 474 4386, e mail: richard.wood@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Regeneration) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider proposed revisions to the Local Development Scheme (LDS) for Stockport which comprised revision to the timetables for the updating of Development Plan Documents, Supplementary Planning Documents and Supplementary Planning Guidance.

RESOLVED – That the Local Development Scheme (LDS) 2011 Revision be approved.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Transportation)                 

This report advises the Executive of a proposed bus Quality Partnership Scheme (QPS) on the A6 Manchester – Stockport – Hazel Grove bus corridor.

The Executive is recommended to:-

(a) To endorse the proposals for a bus Quality Partnership Scheme (QPS) on the Manchester - Stockport - Hazel Grove corridor in agreement that it will:

•           contribute to the implementation of the policies set out in the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan (and in particular the bus strategy contained therein),

•           improve the quality of local bus services by bringing benefits to persons using those services;

•           reduce or limit traffic congestion, noise or air pollution,

and hence satisfies the requirements for the making of a scheme under the Transport Act 2000.

(b) To approve that the Council enter into an arrangement with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Manchester City Council for the making of the QPS.

(c ) To delegate to the Corporate Director, Services to Place in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Transportation)  the power to enter into the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) associated with the QPS.

(d ) To seek to undertake the necessary actions to allow local authority officers or their contractors to undertake bus lane enforcement.

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

The Executive Councillor (Transportation) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider proposals for the development of a Quality Partnership scheme for the A6 Manchester – Stockport – Hazel Grove bus corridor. The Partnership agreement would be between Stockport Council, Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and relevant bus operators and would seek to enhance this route.

RESOLVED – That

(i) the proposal for a bus Quality Partnership Scheme on the Manchester – Stockport – Hazel Grove corridor be endorsed, in agreement that the Partnership will:-

• Contribute to the implementation of the policies set out in the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan (and in particular the bus strategy contained therein);
• Improve the quality of local bus services by bringing benefits to persons using those services;
• Reduce or limit traffic congestion, noise or air pollution,

and hence satisfy the requirements for the making of a scheme under the Transport Act 2000;

(ii) the Council entering into an arrangement with Transport for Greater Manchester and Manchester City Council for the making of the Quality Partnership Scheme be approved;

(iii) authority to enter into the Voluntary Partnership Agreement associated with the Quality Partnership Scheme be delegated to the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Transportation);

(iv) the necessary actions be taken to seek to allow local authority officers or their contractors to undertake bus lane enforcement.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Finance)          

The Executive Councillor (Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the allocation of the Priority Initiative Funding (PIF) made available in the 2011/12 revenue and capital budgets.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Priority Initiative Funding (PIF) allocations amounting to £1million (£0.5m revenue and £0.5m capital) as detailed in the report be approved.

(2) That permanent budget provision for festive lights be made available during the Medium Term Financial Planning Process.

(3) That the Stockport Partnership Board be invited to consider the allocation of Performance Reward Grant as match funding for relevant proposals contained within the PIF allocations.