Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 18 March 2014 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 Interests

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)

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 the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

One question was submitted asking why the Council was pursuing proposals for Orrishmere and Queens Road Primary Schools when the majority of consultees were against the proposals and previous mergers had resulted in lower standards. The questioner also asked whether the Council considered the expansion of the school as more important than children’s education and wellbeing.

In response, the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) stated that the Council believed that children should receive the highest possible quality of education in school buildings which are fit for purpose. As detailed in supporting information through the consultation period, the Council had a statutory duty to respond to pupil place pressures and Cheadle Hulme did not have sufficient places for the numbers of children requiring them in the future.

The outcomes of consultation showed there was not a significant majority of opposition, with numbers in support of the proposals similar to those in opposition. Those in support of the proposals acknowledged the need for improved facilities and the need for places.

The proposals for Queens Road and Orrishmere presented an opportunity for significant investment in two schools which were in a state of disrepair and did not provide the high quality environment which children should be able to attend. The quality of teaching at both schools was excellent and the strong leadership partnership already adopted between Orrishmere and Queens Road would help to ensure high quality education for all pupils, as has been the case in a number of other school mergers in Stockport.

Two further questions had been submitted by a member of the public who was not present at the meeting. It was confirmed that, in accordance with the Code of Practice, written responses would be provided to the questioner.

To consider a report of the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee.

In 2013/14 the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee revisited the issue of mental health but with a focus on 0-18 year olds and explored the effectiveness of Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and the range of other activity undertaken to support and improve the mental wellbeing of children and young people in Stockport. This report is the culmination of that process and makes a series of recommendations to address gaps in service or where more could be done, within the limited financial envelope available to commissioners.

That the Executive receive the report and request officers to prepare a response, in conjunction with the Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group, to the recommendations contained therein.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

The Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Tom McGee) attended the meeting to present the final report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Scrutiny Committee’s Review “Mind the Gap: mental wellbeing and mental health services for children & young people in Stockport”.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director for People be requested to prepare, in conjunction with Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group, a response to the “Mind the Gap: mental wellbeing and mental health services for children & young people in Stockport” Scrutiny Review and the recommendations contained therein for consideration by the Executive Meeting.

(2) That the gratitude of the Executive be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee and others involved in the Review.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services)

The former Reddish Vale Training Centre is located within the grounds of the Reddish Vale High School campus which is now outside the ownership of the Council. The building was excluded from the transfer of the High School site as it was not used by the school for its purposes. The building has been declared surplus to the needs of the Council.

A request has been received from the adjacent High School to make use of the building in order to expand their Nurture Group provision. Nurture Groups offer a learning environment with fewer students/staff allowing the development of social and other key skills in a more responsive setting prior to widening into the wider school and curriculum.

The proposal to be considered is the asset transfer of the building to the High School on terms set out in the report subject to a pre-emption clause which will permit the Council to take back ownership of the building should the High School cease to use it for the purpose stated or the Council require it.

The Executive is requested approve the asset transfer of this building to the Reddish Vale High School for the purposes stated in the report.

Officer contact: Murray Carr, 0161 474 3019, murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a proposal to transfer the former Reddish Vale Training Centre to Reddish Vale High School to support the expansion of their Nuture Group provision. The building, which was on the school site, had been declared surplus to the needs of the Council and the proposed use of the building was supported by the Services to People Directorate. The transfer would be subject to appropriate covenants to protect its use.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the asset transfer of the former Reddish Vale Training and Development Centre to Reddish Vale High School for the purposes set out in the report.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement)

The Executive has previously approved a number of school expansion proposals in order to meet its statutory duty to provide sufficient school places in light of increased demand in various areas of the Borough. This report sets out the results of the consultation with stakeholders on a proposal to replace both Orrishmere and Queens Road Primary School buildings with a single new building which would provide an additional 210 primary places.

The Executive is recommended to:

(i)        consider the outcomes of the consultation exercise;

·      approve the publication of related statutory proposals for:

·      the expansion of Queens Road Primary School from a 210 place school to a 630 place primary school with effect from 1 September 2015;

(ii)       the discontinuance of Orrishmere Primary School with effect from 31 August 2015;

(iii)      approve delegation of the final decisions to the Corporate Director, Services to People, in consultation with the Executive Councillor, Lifelong Learning and Achievement, subject to there being no significant objections during the representation period following publication of the statutory proposals.

Officer contact: Stephen Bell, 0161 474 3846, Stephen.bell@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the results of consultation with stakeholders a proposal to replace the existing buildings of Orrishmere and Queens Road Primary Schools with an expanded capacity new build school on the site of Queens Road Primary. The proposal would help address pressure for primary school places in the Cheadle Hulme area.

Councillors commented on the pressures on school places in the area. It was recognised that while the some respondents to the consultations had legitimate concerns about the proposal, it was the only viable option to ensure sufficient capacity for the rising demand in the area and that those who may in the future become parents may not have taken part in the consultation but would expect the Council to ensure sufficient places were available in local schools.

Councillors also commented on the high number of responses to the consultation that raised concerns about traffic and parking issues. It was stated that these issues were more appropriately addressed through the planning application process, but councillors emphasised the need to develop sustainable transport options to minimise vehicle movements and promote physical activity.

RESOLVED – That, in relation to proposals to replace the existing buildings of Orrishmere and Queens Road Primary Schools with an expanded capacity new build school on the site of Queens Road Primary:-

  (i)          the outcomes from the consultation exercise be noted;

 (ii)          approval be given to the publication of related statutory proposals for:

·         the expansion of Queens Road Primary School from a 210 place school to a 630 place primary school with effect from 1 September 2015;

·         the discontinuance of Orrishmere Primary School with effect from 31 August 2015.

(iii)          the final decisions be delegated to the Corporate Director for People, in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement), 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 (Communities & Sustainability)

The purpose of this report is to consider a proposed ‘Joint Environment and Climate Change Agreement’ between Stockport UNISON and Stockport Council. On 30th October 2013, the Stockport UNISON wrote to the Council seeking agreement to a Joint Environment and Climate Change Agreement (JECCA).  The letter recognised the Council’s track record in playing a leadership role on these issues and stated a desire to strengthen Stockport UNISON’s engagement, driven by a heightened interest within the Stockport UNISON branch and a wider recognition in the trade union movement of the ‘necessity of a ‘just transition’ to a low carbon economy’. The Draft Agreement is attached as an appendix to the report included in the agenda.

The Executive is asked to:

·           Approve the Joint Environment and Climate Change Agreement (JECCA).

·           Agree that managers agree resource time for environment representatives to attend meetings on behalf of union on environmental issues.

Officer contact: Darren Pegram, 0161 474 3171, darren.pegram@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a proposed Joint Environment and Climate Change Agreement (JECCA) between the Council and Stockport UNISON that would support the existing efforts of both organisations to respond to climate change and reduce carbon emissions.

The Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) thanked UNISON for their efforts in bring forward this proposal.

RESOLVED – That

·         the Joint Environment and Climate Change Agreement (JECCA) between the Council and Stockport UNISON be approved; and

·         that managers be requested to agree resource time for environmental representatives to attend meetings on behalf of UNISON on environmental issues.

To consider a report of the Leader of Council (Policy, Reform & Finance).

The report sets out the decision notices from the most recent meetings of the AGMA Executive Board and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) held on 28 March 2014.

The Executive is invited to note the decisions.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out decisions taken by the AGMA Executive and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority at their meetings held on 28 March 2014.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.