Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 27 February 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

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

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.

A 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 whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of agenda item 14 (Manchester Airport Strategic Review) which contains information “not for publication” by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest,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 Agenda Item 14 (Manchester Airport Strategic Review)

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Communities)

The Safer Stockport Partnership each year completes a strategic threat assessment on potential crime threats to the Borough. The SSP Plan is a public facing version of this document as well as setting out some key achievements of the partnership over the last year. The plan also highlights priorities for the next two years. Areas covered include reducing serious acquisitive crime, protecting vulnerable people, transforming justice, visible partnership working, substances, anti-social behaviour, neighbourhood working.

This matter will be considered by the Adults & Communities Scrutiny Committee on 5 March 2012 and any comments of that Committee will be circulated prior to the Executive Meeting.

The Executive is asked to endorse the Safer Stockport Partnership Plan 2012-14.

Officer contact: Helen Boyle, 0161 474 3145, Helen.boyle@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Communities) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out some of the key achievements of the Safer Stockport Partnership over the last year and highlighting priorities for the next two years, which included reducing serious acquisitive crime; protecting vulnerable people; transforming justice; visible partnership working; substances; Anti-Social Behaviour; and neighbourhood working.

The comments of the Adults & Communities Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 5 March 2012 (copies of which had been circulated) were also considered.

RESOLVED – That the Safer Stockport Partnership Plan 2012-14 be endorsed.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Communities)

The Delivery Plan sets out what Stockport Homes will deliver during the period 2012-2013; how it and the Council will work together and how tenants, the Council and other stakeholders can measure the success of Stockport Homes in achieving its objectives. The objectives and targets detailed within the Delivery Plan are directly in line with the Council’s Housing Strategy and aim to contribute towards the Council’s wider strategic priorities. The Delivery Plan also details the financial, staffing and governance resources required to enable Stockport Homes to deliver the services.

This matter will be considered by the Adults & Communities Scrutiny Committee on 5 March 2012 and any comments of that Committee will be circulated prior to the Executive Meeting.

That Executive is recommended to approve the Stockport Homes Delivery Plan.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax, 0161 474 4319, andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Communities) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out what Stockport Homes aimed deliver during the period 2012-2013; how it and the Council would work together and how tenants, the Council and other stakeholders could measure the success of Stockport Homes in achieving its objectives.

The comments of the Adults & Communities Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 5 March 2012 (copies of which had been circulated) were also considered.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to the Stockport Homes Delivery Plan.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place be requested to submit a report to the Executive early in the 2012/13 Municipal Year in relation to the contribution being made by other social landlords within the borough.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Regeneration)

The report proposes revisions to the Local Development Scheme (LDS) for Stockport, setting down the Council’s programme for the preparation of planning policy documents for its Local Development Framework (LDF) over the next three years.  The amendments comprise revisions to include details of the Enforcement Policy Development Plan Document (DPD) that will set out the Council’s planning enforcement policies as part of the LDF. Legal advice has been received that this is required as a result of impending changes to national planning policy.

The Executive is recommended to

·         approve that the Local Development Scheme (LDS) be revised to include details of the Enforcement Policy DPD.

·         to agree that the following approach is taken with regards approval of future revisions of the LDS:

              i.        Executive approval is required for any revision of the LDS to enable the review, replacement or other updating of the Core Strategy;

            ii.        Approval of any revision of the LDS to add details of any new Development Plan Document (DPD) is delegated to the Corporate Director for Place in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Regeneration).  The Corporate Director may determine that such a revision is of significant enough strategic importance as to warrant approval by the Executive; and

           iii.        Approval of any revision of the LDS to amend details of existing documents being prepared or to add details of documents other than DPDs is delegated to the Corporate Director for Place in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Regeneration).

Officer contact: Zoe Hodson, 0161 218 1517, zoe.hodson@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Regeneration) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) proposing revisions to the Local Development Scheme for Stockport and setting down the Council’s programme for the preparation of planning policy documents for its Local Development Framework over the next three years.  The amendments included details of the Enforcement Policy Development Plan Document that would set out the Council’s planning enforcement policies as part of the Local Development Scheme. Legal advice had been received that this is required as a result of impending changes to national planning policy.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to:

(a)       the Local Development Scheme being revised to include details of the Enforcement Policy .

(b)       the following approach being taken with regards approval of future revisions of the Local Development Scheme:-

·         Executive approval being required for any revision of the Local Development Scheme to enable the review, replacement or other updating of the Core Strategy;

·         Approval of any revision of the Local Development Scheme to add details of any new Development Plan Document being delegated to the Corporate Director for Place in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Regeneration) and that the Corporate Director may determine that such a revision is of significant enough strategic importance as to warrant approval by the Executive; and

·         Approval of any revision of the Local Development Scheme to amend details of existing documents being prepared or to add details of documents other than Development Plan Documents being delegated to the Corporate Director for Place in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Regeneration).

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Transportation)

With energy prices expected to rise further and the application of the carbon tax in 13/14 a review has been undertaken to look at how we could reduce the expected pressures on the street lighting budget. It is proposed to develop a capital investment programme to replace 8% of existing streetlightswhich would reduce the budget pressure over 25 years by £0.277m.

This matter will be considered by the Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee on 8 March 2012 and any comments of this Committee will be circulated prior to the Executive Meeting.

The Executive is recommended to approve the street lighting capital investment programme as outlined at paragraph 4.4 of the report, given the considerations detailed in the report.

Officer contact: Megan Black, 0161 218 1410, megan.black@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Transportation) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Executive with details of a review which had been undertaken to look at how the expected pressures on the street lighting budget which had been undertaken in the light of the rise in energy prices and the application of the carbon tax in 2013/14.

With energy prices expected to rise further and the application of the carbon tax in 2013/14 a review has been undertaken to look at how the Council could reduce the expected pressures on the street lighting budget. It was proposed to develop a capital investment programme to replace 8% of existing street lightingwhich would reduce the budget pressure over 25 years by £0.277m.

The Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee held on 8 March 2012 had supported the recommended option of a capital investment programme to replace 8% of the existing street lighting network.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the street lighting capital investment programme to replace 8% of the existing street lighting network as outlined in paragraph 4.4 of the report.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Customer Focus)

The report brings together a number of interrelated legislative changes resulting from the Localism Act and Equality Act that require approval by Council, namely the publication of strategic equality objectives and the publication of a statement confirming the Council’s approach to setting the pay of its employees.

The Executive is invited to

(a) Recommend that the Council Meeting confirms and agrees to publish the Statement on Equality and Diversity (at Appendix 1), in accordance with the Equalities Act 2010.

(b) Recommend that the Council Meeting confirms and agrees to publish the Annual Pay Policy Statement (at Appendix 2), in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

Officer contact: Steve Houston, 0161 474 4000, steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Customer Focus) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) bringing together a number of interrelated legislative changes resulting from the Localism Act and Equality Act that required approval by Council, namely the publication of strategic equality objectives and the publication of a statement confirming the Council’s approach to setting the pay of its employees.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Council Meeting be recommended to confirm and agree to publish the Statement on Equality and Diversity (as set out in Appendix 1 of the report), in accordance with the Equalities Act 2010.

(2) That the Council Meeting be recommended to confirm and agree to publish the Annual Pay Policy Statement (as set out in Appendix 2 to the

report), in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council

The report details options for the future ethical framework in Stockport following the enactment of the Localism Act 2011. This report invites the Council Meeting to consider whether to retain a Standards Committee and the appointment of an “Independent Person”.

The Executive is requested to recommend approval of the following proposals to the Council Meeting on 22 March 2012:

1.    The Council Meeting is recommended to retain a Standards Committee comprising of:

i)       such number of Councillors (at least four) as may be determined by the Annual Council Meeting;

ii)      such number of Independent members as may be sufficient to ensure a majority of Independent Members;

iii)    Substitutes should not be permitted.

2.    The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee should both be Independent Members.

3.    The Standards Committee should be exempt from the proportionality calculation under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

4.    The Council Meeting is recommended to appoint one Sub Committee to hold a hearing at which the member complained of may respond to the investigation report and the Sub Committee can determine whether the member did fail to comply with the Code and what action, if any is appropriate. The Sub Committee should comprise of five members of the Standards Committee.

5.    The quorum for meetings of the Standards Committee or Sub Committee shall be 3 members including a majority of independent members. 

6.    The Council Meeting is recommended to appoint two ‘Independent Persons’ and that an allowance should be paid (and although outside the Members Allowance Scheme, the Independent Remuneration Panel be requested to consider what an appropriate allowance might be).

7.    That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to commence the advertisement process as soon as possible to ensure that the role is filled when the new provisions come into force, with a Panel consisting of the Monitoring Officer, and two members of the Standards Committee to short-list and interview candidates and to make a recommendation to Council Meeting on appointment.

8.    Those candidates should have a good understanding of the Standards Regime/ providing advice.

Officer contact: Craig Ainsworth, 0161 474 3204, craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Leader of the Council submitted a report a report of the Leader of the Council (copies of which had been circulated) detailing options for the future ethical framework in Stockport following the enactment of the Localism Act 2011. This report invited the Council Meeting to consider whether to retain a Standards Committee and the appointment of an “Independent Person”.

Mr Stephen Clarke (Chair of the Standards Committee) attended the meeting and presented the report. He explained that together with the Monitoring Officer he had met individually with the Group Leaders to discuss the implications of the Localism Act, and the Standards Committee had established a Working Party to propose arrangements to the Council Meeting which would comply with the Standards requirements as set out in the Localism Act.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Council Meeting be recommended to approve following proposals:-

(i) To retain a Standards Committee comprising of:

(a)       four councillors appointed on a politically proportionate basis as may be determined by the Annual Council Meeting;

(b)       such number of Independent members as may be sufficient to ensure a majority of Independent Members;

(c)       Substitutes should not be permitted.

(ii) The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee should both be Independent Members.

(iii) The Standards Committee should be exempt from the proportionality calculation under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

(iv) Appoint one Sub Committee to hold a hearing at which the member complained of may respond to the investigation report and the Sub Committee can determine whether the member did fail to comply with the Code and what action, if any is appropriate. The Sub Committee should comprise of five members of the Standards Committee.

(v) The quorum for meetings of the Standards Committee or Sub Committee shall be 3 members including a majority of independent members. 

(vi) Appoint two ‘Independent Persons’ and that an allowance should be paid (and although outside the Members Allowance Scheme, the Independent Remuneration Panel be requested to consider what an appropriate allowance might be).

(vii) Authorise the Monitoring Officer to commence the advertisement process as soon as possible to ensure that the role is filled when the new provisions come into force, with a Panel consisting of the Monitoring Officer, and two members of the Standards Committee to short-list and interview candidates and to make a recommendation to Council Meeting on appointment.

(viii) Those candidates should have a good understanding of the Standards Regime/ providing advice.

(2) That the thanks of the Executive be extended to the Chair and members of the Standards Committee for the report and the work undertaken by them.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Adults & Health)

The report returns to a proposal that was originally considered by the Executive in September 2011 as part of the 2012/13 Draft Budget, which aimed to merge two separate functions into an integrated structure. This proposed the reduction of the number of management and officer posts, with the creation of a more streamlined approach to manage the quality and compliance in social care settings. It was agreed at the 16 December 2012 Executive as part of the Medium Term Financial Plan Executive Proposals that this would be removed from the 2012/13 savings requirements. Agreement is now sought to implement the quality management re-structure and remodelling of the service following completion of the 90 day consultation period on 27 February 2012.

The Executive is recommended to approve the implementation of the changes to the quality management structure and remodelling of the service; following completion of the 90 day consultation period.

Officer contact: Vince Fraga, 0161 474 4401, vince.fraga@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Adults & Health) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining proposals previously considered by the Executive in September 2011 as part of the 2012/13 Draft Budget, which aimed to merge two separate functions into an integrated structure. This proposed the reduction of the number of management and officer posts, with the creation of a more streamlined approach to manage the quality and compliance in social care settings. It was agreed at the 16 December 2012 Executive as part of the Medium Term Financial Plan Executive Proposals that this would be removed from the 2012/13 savings requirements. Agreement was now sought to implement the quality management re-structure and remodelling of the service following completion of the 90 day consultation period on 27 February 2012.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to the implementation of the changes to the quality management structure and remodelling of the service; following completion of the 90 day consultation period.

(2) That the Corporate Director to People be requested to provide all members of the Council with details of the quality outcome measures together with contact details for members of the new team following the selection process being completed.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Finance)

Officer Contact: Steve Houston, 0161 474 4000

The Executive Councillor (Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) reminding the Executive that at the Budget Council Meeting on 23 February 2012 the Council had agreed the budget and capital programme for 2012/13 and in doing so it had endorsed the continuation of a ‘Priority Initiatives Fund’ (PIF) comprising of £0.500m capital resources, and in recognition of the excellent recycling efforts of resident resulting in a lower than expected Waste Levy; a Green Regeneration Fund (GRF) of £0.500m revenue for 2012/13.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to:

(a)          the one-off allocations to be made in relation to the Priority Initiative Fund as set out in the report; and

(b)               the one-off allocations to be made in relation to the Green Regeneration Fund as set out in the report.

On:-

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

(b)  Any called-in Executive Decisions

The Democratic Services Manager submitted two reports (copies of which were circulated) summarising (i) the comments of Adults and Communities Scrutiny Committees held on 5 March 2012 on (a) the Safer Stockport Partnership Plan and (b) Stockport Homes Delivery Plan 2012/13; (ii) the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee on 8 March 2012 on the Street Lighting Capital Investment Programme; and (iii) the confidential comments of the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee on 6 March 2012 in relation to Manchester Airport Group Strategic Review.  The comments contained within the reports were considered in conjunction with the relevant items on the agenda for the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the reports be noted.

Item Not for Publication

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Executive Meeting is invited to approve the Manchester Airport Group’s (MAG) proposed Strategy for growth and agree in principle to the re-structuring and the governance arrangements proposed to accommodate the Strategy.

This matter will be considered by the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee on 6 March 2012 and any comments of this Committee will be circulated prior to the Executive Meeting.

Officer contact: Barry Khan 0161474 3202, barry.khan@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Leader of the Council submitted a report of the Leader of the Council (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the Manchester Airport Group’s (MAG) proposed Strategy for growth and agree in principle to the re-structuring and the governance arrangements proposed to accommodate the Strategy.

The comments of the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee held on 6 March (copies of which had been circulated) were also considered.

RESOLVED – That the proposals as set out in the report be approved.