Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 6 February 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of agenda item 12 (Surrender of leases at Lisburne Court and Belmont Court) which contains information marked “not for publication” by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating the financial or business affairs of the any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ appendix to Agenda Item 12 (Surrender of Leases at Lisburne Court and Belmont Court) (see Minute 12 below).

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 can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

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

Seven questions were asked.

The first question asked whether the Council had considered claiming Government resources remaining from delivering the Olympics to pay for the refurbishment of existing or provision of new leisure facilities in Stockport.

The Leader of the Council replied that he had made preliminary enquiries in relation to the suggestion but it was unlikely there would be any surplus resources from delivery of the Olympics.

The second question asked whether it was appropriate for the Council to be considering closure of leisure facilities in an Olympic year when the Olympic Torch would be passing through Stockport.

The Leader of the Council replied that the Executive would be considering a comprehensive Strategy designed to increase participation for all residents in Stockport and that it was appropriate to do so in an Olympic year. He further added that he welcomed the Olympic Torch passing through the Borough.

The third question asked what provision there would be for the badminton clubs that currently used Peel Moat should the facility close as previous attempts to hire other facilities had not been successful.

The Leader of the Council replied that the clubs would be accommodated at either Priestnall or Houldsworth centres through the flexible use of existing facilities.

The fourth question asked how much the consultation on the Leisure Strategy had cost.

The Leader of the Council replied that cost was approximately £14,000.

The fifth question asked whether the incomes generated by the sale of the land at Peel Moat would be used to refurbish existing or build new leisure facilities elsewhere in the Borough.

The Leader of the Council replied that it was proposed to use part of the capital receipt from the sale of the land to provide a new all-weather sports pitch at the Peel Moat site with the remainder being used to support the provision of new facilities in the Town Centre, Adswood, Bridgehall and Edgeley.

The sixth question asked why the Council had not had regard to government planning guidance, the Council’s Development Core Strategy or best practice tools in developing the Leisure Strategy and whether the decision on the Strategy would be deferred to allow these assessments to be completed.

The Leader of the Council replied that all the requirements on the Council had been complied with and the assessments referred to in the question had been carried out and subjected to the scrutiny of an independent Inspector as part of the development of the Core Strategy, who had found the assessment sound.

The seventh question asked what facilities would be provided for the highly successful Heart Club should the Peel Moat Leisure Centre be closed.

The Leader of the Council replied that facilities would be provided at the Reddish/ Houldsworth Mill facility as a post code analysis of users had shown that many of the users lived as close to this facility as to Peel Moat. He added that great efforts had been made to provide all existing club users of Peel Moat with alternative facilities which had been achieved with the exception of two team bookings.

A further question had been submitted by a member of the public who was not present at the meeting. In accordance with the Code of Practice a written response would be provided.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The draft leisure strategy, published for consultation in August 2011, set out a vision and plan for sustainable leisure facility provision in Stockport. The consultation, which was widely publicised and extended over a three month period, used a range of methodologies for gathering views on the proposals for investment in existing and new facilities to ensure quality of provision in order to meet the needs of Stockport people.

The report summarises the outcome of the consultation and puts forward final proposals together with the Equality Impact Assessment and the final strategy document which includes a summary of the investment plan.

The Executive is recommended to agree the following final proposals:

1     Develop three new leisure facilities, in addition to the new facility opened in Reddish in 2010 by:

·      Identifying and securing the opportunity for new provision in a location suitable to meet the leisure needs of the Town Centre, Adswood, Bridgehall and Edgeley communities.

·      Re-providing a sports hall and fitness suite in a more accessible location in Brinnington with subsequent closure of Target Life Lapwing.

·      Replacing current Offerton provision in the Dialstone Centre with enhanced provision of a sports hall and fitness suite as part of the proposed development opportunity.

2     Provide high quality, fit for purpose facilities through:

·      Investment of £7M+ in Target Fitness Avondale, Cheadle, Hazel Grove, Marple and Romiley together with Target Life Council owned leisure facilities and Grand Central Pools.

3     Closure of Target Fitness Peel Moat and continue to provide high quality facilities at Target Fitness+, Houldsworth Village and Target Life Preistnall.

4     Utilisation of Capital Receipt gained from disposal of Peel Moat for on-site re-provision of a playing pitch with associated changing facility and for creation of a reserve to support the new centre provision for the town centre/ Adswood/ Bridgehall and Edgeley area.

Officer contact: Carol Morrison, 0161 474 4501, carol.morrison@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the proposed Leisure Strategy that set out a vision and plan for sustainable leisure facility provision in Stockport, the draft of which had been published for consultation in August 2011 and which had been subject to wide publicity and a range of consultation methodologies for gathering views on the proposals for investment in existing and new facilities to ensure quality provision in order to meet the needs of Stockport people.

The report summarised the outcome of the consultation, contained the final Strategy document which included a summary of the investment plan, and an Equality Impact Assessment.

Executive Councillors discussed the proposed Strategy and emphasised that it was a document that sought to ensure the leisure needs of the whole borough were best met. It was stated that the closure of any individual facility was regrettable but should be balanced against the investment in other facilities.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Strategy for meeting the physical activity needs of Stockport people through leisure facility provision be approved.

(2) That the final proposals in respect of leisure facilities be approved, namely:-

(i)        The development of three new leisure facilities, in addition to the new facility opened in Reddish in 2010 by:-

·                Identifying and securing the opportunity for new provision in a location suitable to meet the leisure needs of the Town Centre, Adswood, Bridgehall and Edgeley communities.

·                Re-providing a sports hall and fitness suite in a more accessible location in Brinnington with subsequent closure of Target Life Lapwing.

·                Replacing current Offerton provision in the Dialstone Centre with enhanced provision of a sports hall and fitness suite as part of the proposed development opportunity.

(ii)       Provide high quality, fit for purpose facilities through:

·                Investment of £7m+ in Target Fitness Avondale, Cheadle, Hazel Grove, Marple and Romiley together with Target Life Council owned leisure facilities and Grand Central Pools.

(iii)      Closure of Target Fitness Peel Moat and the continuation of provision of high quality facilities at Target Fitness+, Houldsworth Village and Target Life Priestnall.

(iv)      Utilisation of Capital Receipt gained from the disposal of Peel Moat for on-site re-provision of a playing pitch with associated changing facility and for creation of a reserve to support the new centre provision for the Town Centre/ Adswood/ Bridgehall and Edgeley area.

(v)       That the programme be delivered by Life Leisure (Stockport Sports Trust) on behalf of the Council and in accordance with the agreed Medium Term Financial Plan developed by the Council and Life Leisure in both capital and revenue terms.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Communities)

The Housing Allocation Policy sets out Stockport Council’s approach to the assessment and allocation of the Council’s housing stock.  The Council conducted a review of its policy, to take account of new government guidance, changes to housing case law and best practice in the sector.  The Review was conducted by both the Council and Stockport Homes.  Consultation and engagement with existing applicants, tenants, the wider community and partner agencies was also central to the review process.

The Executive is recommended to approve the Housing Allocation Policy.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax, 0161 474 4391, andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Communities) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to agree the Housing Allocations Policy that detailed the approach to the assessment of need for and allocation of the Council’s housing stock. The Policy had been revised following a recent review.

RESOLVED – That the Housing Allocations Policy be approved.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillors (Communities) and (Finance)

The report provides details and analysis of the capital funding requirements to support a pilot project to implement the Empty Property Strategy.  The report recommends an allocation from the New Homes Bonus grant scheme to cover the capital costs of acquiring and reselling the top five priority empty homes.  The costs of acquisition will be financed from short term prudential borrowing prior to being repaid upon resale.  Any negative variance between acquisition and resale values will have to underwritten by the Council. 

The Executive is recommended to agree:

·         the capital expenditure required to acquire the five properties outlined within the proposal

·         that the costs relating to the legal, purchase and resale costs be covered initially by an allocation from the New Home Bonus grant stream;

·         that any surplus made is retained and ring-fenced to support further acquisitions of empty properties subject to an annual review of funding requirements; and,

·         that any gap requirements between the acquisition and resale values, net of any held surplus’s made is met from an allocation from the New Homes Bonus grant stream.

Officer contact: Sam McNichol, 0161 474 4242, Samantha.mcnichol@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Executive Councillors (Communities) and (Finance) was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider an analysis of the capital funding requirements of a pilot project to support the implementation of the Empty Property Strategy (approved by the Executive on 7 November 2011).

RESOLVED – That in order to support the implementation of the Empty Property Strategy the following be approved:-

·         the capital expenditure required to acquire the five properties outlined within the proposal contained in the report;

·         the costs relating to the legal, purchase and resale costs be covered initially by an allocation from the New Home Bonus grant scheme;

·         any surplus made being retained and ring-fenced to support further acquisitions of empty properties subject to an annual review of funding requirements; and

·         any gap requirements between the acquisition and resale values, net of any held surpluses made being met from an allocation from the New Homes Bonus grant scheme.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Finance)

The Local Government Finance Act 1988 requires the Council to maintain a Discretionary Rate Relief Scheme to award up to 100% Business Rates Relief to certain organisations which operate within the specific criteria. The report sets out the details of the scheme, the current cost to the Council, and the criteria by which the Council will be guided when deciding whether or not to award Discretionary Rate Relief.   

It is recommended that:

a)    The criteria for  20%  Discretionary ‘Top Up’ Rate Relief,  for Community Amateur Sports Cubs (CASC),  as shown in Appendix 1, be adopted for the financial year 2012/13.

b)   The criteria for 50% Discretionary Rate Relief for Non-Profit Making Organisations that are neither Community Amateur Sports Clubs nor Registered Charities, as shown at Appendix 2 be adopted for the financial year 201/13.

c)    The consultation exercise with stakeholders which commenced in January  2012, should continue in order to identify possible new criteria for 20% ‘Top Up’ Discretionary Rate Relief for Registered Charities. Proposed criteria should be presented for approval in January 2013 with a view to it being adopted for the financial year 2013/14.

d)   Village shops (as defined in regulations) continue to receive 30% Discretionary Rate Relief for the financial year 2012/13.  

Officer contact: Alison Blount, 0161 474 5107, Alison.blount@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the criteria for Discretionary Rate Relief of Business Rates for certain organisations.

RESOLVED - That

a)    the criteria for 20% Discretionary ‘Top Up’ Rate Relief, for Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASC), as detailed at Appendix 1 of the report, be adopted for the financial year 2012/13;

b)    the criteria for 50% Discretionary Rate Relief (DRR) for Non-Profit Making Organisations that were neither CASC nor Registered Charities, as detailed at Appendix 2 of the report be adopted for the financial year 2012/13;

c)    the consultation exercise with stakeholders which commenced in January 2012 should continue in order to identify possible new criteria for 20% ‘Top Up’ DDR for Registered Charities, with proposed criteria being presented for approval in January 2013 with a view to them being adopted for the financial year 2013/14; and

d)    village shops (as defined in regulations) continue to receive 30% DRR for the financial year 2012/13.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Transportation)

The report summarises the responses to the draft parking strategy consultation process and the proposed amendments to the final parking strategy in light of the comments. The Strategy itself sets out the requirements and aspirations of the Council for the borough’s car parking.

The Executive is recommended to:

·         note the consultation responses and the Council’s response as shown in appendix I

·         approve the revised parking strategy as shown in appendix II as Council Policy.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, 0161 474 3451, sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Transportation) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the responses to the consultation on the Council’s Parking Strategy and suggesting amendments in light of the comments received.

The Executive Councillor (Transportation) reported that a number of the responses received to the consultation were specific suggestions on improvements to parking facilities and that while these were not appropriately captured with the strategic document, where practical and appropriate these would be pursued in conjunction with the relevant area committee.

RESOLVED – That the consultation responses to the Parking Strategy, as detailed at Appendix I of the report be noted and the revised Parking Strategy as detailed at Appendix II be approved.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Regeneration)

The report details a proposal to make and submit a Compulsory Purchase Order to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government  for the purchase of the house known as the “Coach House”, No 33 Swann Lane, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport as part of the Council’s continuing programme of seeking to bring empty houses back into beneficial residential use where the house has largely fallen into decay and is in need of restoration and refurbishment to arrest further deterioration and the detrimental effect the condition of the house is having on neighbouring property and the amenity of the surrounding area

The Executive is recommended to agree:

·         That the Council Solicitor be authorised to make and submit an Order pursuant to Section 17(1)(b) of the Housing Act 1985 to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for the purpose of acquiring the house known as the “Coach House” situate at No 33 Swann Lane, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport for improvement and subsequent disposal of the house to a preferred developer in order to achieve the  desired objective of bringing the house  back into beneficial residential use at the earliest opportunity. 

·         That the Corporate Director of Place be authorised to continue to explore the possibility of the house being acquired through voluntary means with whosoever has the capability and capacity to dispose of the house to the Council for the purposes intended.

Officer contact: Louise Murphy, 0161 474 4565, louise.murphy@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Regeneration) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a proposal to pursue a Compulsory Purchase Order for the purchase of the house known as the “Coach House” at No.33 Swann Lane, Cheadle Hulme to bring the empty property back into beneficial residential use.

RESOLVED – That:

·         That the Council Solicitor be authorised to make and submit an Order pursuant to Section 17(1)(b) of the Housing Act 1985 to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for the purpose of acquiring the house known as the “Coach House” situate at No. 33 Swann Lane, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport for improvement and subsequent disposal of the house to a preferred developer in order to achieve the desired objective of bringing the house  back into beneficial residential use at the earliest opportunity. 

·         That the Corporate Director of Place be authorised to continue to explore the possibility of the house being acquired through voluntary means with whosoever has the capability and capacity to dispose of the house to the Council for the purposes intended.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillors (Adults & Health) and (Finance)

(Note: this report includes information ‘Not for Publication’ contained within its appendix which has been circulated to executive councillors only)

The report sets out a proposal to develop a new high quality care home facility on land at Blackstone Road, Offerton by Boroughcare to include nursing for the ‘elderly mentally infirm’, proposed following a fundamental review of their existing facilities, and the services they provide with a view to ensuring that they are able to best meet the needs and expectations of the Borough’s ageing population in a high quality, cost effective and sustainable manner.

The Executive is asked to agree the surrender of the leases for the two sites at Lisburne Court, Offerton and Belmont Court, Heaton Norris so that Boroughcare can legitimately conclude negotiations for the development of a replacement facility with the knowledge that they can terminate the existing leases for two sites, subject to the replacement facilities being available.

Officer Contact: Barry Khan, 0161 474 3202, barry.khan@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Executive Councillors (Finance) and (Adults & Health) was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a proposal to surrender leases at Lisburne Court and Belmont Court by Boroughcare to the Council to facilitate the provision of new and improved facilities.

(Note: this report included information ‘Not for Publication’ contained within its appendix that had been circulated to executive councillors only)

RESOLVED – That:

(1)  agreement be given to accepting the surrender of the leases at Lisburne Court and Belmont Court by Boroughcare to the Council on the condition that new improved facilities will be available immediately upon the final surrender of the leases and in accordance with the details in the report;

(2)  authority be delegated to the Council Solicitor to draft the appropriate legal documentation to give effect to the decision in resolution (1) above; and

(3)  it be noted that the decision to actually dispose of the existing sites will be subject to a further report to the Executive once negotiations have been completed by Boroughcare to build an improved facility.

The Leader of the Council reported that this would be the last meeting attended by Carol Morrison, Service Director (Communities) before her retirement from the Council. On behalf of the Executive and the Council he thanked her for her hard work and contribution to the Council and wished her well for the future.