Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 17 June 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

No declarations of interest were made.

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

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 at the meeting. 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.

Three questions were submitted.

Question 1 - What budgetary provision have the Council made to ensure that the various war memorials were maintained to a high standard, given that at present many appear to lack any maintenance?

The Leader of the Council reported that the maintenance of war memorials was funded from the greenspace infrastructure budget which covered all of the assets in the borough’s green spaces and that all memorials were inspected annually prior to Remembrance Sunday.

Question 2 - What checks were being made to ensure the accuracy of names listed on the various war memorials?

The Leader of the Council reported that the Council was reliant upon notification from the public regarding the accuracy of names / corrections required to the Council’s war memorials but that any errors would be addressed if they were brought to the Council’s attention.

Question 3 - Why does the summary report give a false impression by using the word 'may' [receive requests to add the name of a civilian] when it received such an application many months ago and even awarded a grant through the Werneth Area Committee?

The Leader of the Council stated that it was regrettable that the report gave the wrong impression by using the word 'may' as the questioner was correct in that the Council had received a request from Romiley Remembers group to erect a plaque bearing the name of Gertrude Powicke (GP) on the WW1 War Memorial on Stockport Road, Romiley.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader of the Council (Executive Councillor for Corporate, Customer and Community Services)

There are two reports which make up this agenda item, namely:-

·         Medium Term Financial Plan – Financial Landscape and Forecasts 2015/16 to 2018/19; and

·         Medium Term Financial Plan 2015/16 to 2018/19 – Executive Response and Proposals.

There were two reports which made up this agenda item, namely:-

·         Medium Term Financial Plan – Financial Landscape and Forecasts 2015/16 to 2018/19; and

·         Medium Term Financial Plan 2015/16 to 2018/19 – Executive Response and Proposals.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services

The report presents updated forecasts for the Council’s finances for the period 2015/16 to 2018/19.

The Executive is recommended to:-

·           Note the recent announcements in the March Budget and their potential impact on the planned reductions in local government expenditure and their impact on Settlement Funding Assessments;

·           Note, and comment upon as appropriate, the financial forecasts for 2015/16 to 2018/19, and the key issues to be addressed in formulating a response to the financial challenges facing the Council;

·           Approve the adjustments to the medium term financial plan set out in the tables at paragraphs 3.2 and 4.2 including reducing the Council Tax increase assumption from 2% per annum to zero;

·           Note the indicative cumulative savings requirement for 2015/16 of £22.5m, £39.4m for 2016/17 rising to £64.5m by 2018/19 along with the sensitivity analysis included at Appendices One and Three;

·           Take the steps necessary to propose a balanced budget for 2015/16 and an updated Medium Term Financial Plan for presentation to the Budget Council meeting on 26 February 2015.

Officer Contact: Steve Houston on 0161 474 4000 or email:steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk

corpoThe Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing updated forecasts for the Council’s finances for the period 2015/16 to 2018/19.

RESOLVED – (1) That the recent announcements in the March Budget and their potential impact on the planned reductions in local government expenditure and their impact on Settlement Funding Assessments be noted.

(2) The financial forecasts for 2015/16 to 2018/19, and the key issues to be addressed in formulating a response to the financial challenges facing the Council be noted.

(3) That approval be given to the adjustments to the Medium Term Financial Plan set out in the tables at paragraphs 3.2 and 4.2 of the report including reducing the Council Tax increase assumption from 2% per annum to zero;

(4) That the indicative cumulative savings requirement for 2015/16 of £22.5m, £39.4m for 2016/17 rising to £64.5m by 2018/19 along with the sensitivity analysis included at Appendices One and Three of the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The report endorses and acknowledges the financial forecasts in the Corporate Director’s report and sets out the Executive’s response. This is in the form of a strategic framework for Investing in Stockport, a single programme for growth and reform over the medium term.

The Executive is recommended to agree the approach and proposals included in the report as the Executive’s response to the MTFP forecast contained in the Corporate Director’s report.

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) introduced a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) endorsing and acknowledging the financial forecasts in the report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services and setting out the Executive’s response. This was in the form of a strategic framework for Investing in Stockport, a single programme for growth and reform over the medium term.

RESOLVED – That the approach and proposals included in the report as the Executive’s response to the Medium Term Financial Plan forecast contained in the report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be approved.

To consider of the Deputy Leader of the Council (Corporate, Customer and Community Services)

The report advises the Executive Meeting on the operation and the effectiveness of the Council’s Treasury Management function for 2013/14.

The Executive is requested to recommend that the Council Meeting:-

·         Approves the actual 2013/14 prudential and treasury indicators in the report;

·         Notes the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2013/14: and

·         Notes that no changes have been made during 2013/14 to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices approved at the Council Meeting on 12 September 2013.

Officer Contact: Lorna Salvage on 0161 474 4026 or email: lorna.salvage@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) advising the Executive on the operation and the effectiveness of the Council’s Treasury Management function for 2013/14.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to:

·         approve the actual 2013/14 prudential and treasury indicators in the report;

·         note the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2013/14: and

·         note that no changes have been made during 2013/14 to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices approved at the Council Meeting on 12 September 2013.

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

The report updates the Executive on progress with the review of the management arrangements to determine the best option for the management of the housing stock owned by the Council after the ten year agreement following the establishment of an Arms Length Management Organisation comes to an end in October 2015.

The Executive is requested to note the progress made to date with the Options Appraisal process and approve the evaluation criteria and the options being considered.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax on 0161 474 4319 or email: andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Executive on progress with the review of the management arrangements to determine the best option for the management of the housing stock owned by the Council after the ten year agreement following the establishment of an Arm’s Length Management Organisation comes to an end in October 2015.

RESOLVED – (1) That the progress made to date with the Options Appraisal process be noted.

(2) That stock transfer be discounted from any further evaluation and the next stage of the evaluation should focus on the options of:

·         retaining ownership of the housing stock and using the existing ALMO, Stockport Homes, to manage it; or

·         retaining ownership of the housing stock but bringing its management back ‘in house’.

(3) That the evaluation criteria and assessment process detailed in the report be adopted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability)

The report considers a policy to determine whose names should be added to the Council’s war memorials.

The Executive is requested to approve the Council’s policy on the addition of names to war memorials managed by the Council, as set out in Appendix One to the report.

Officer Contact: Megan Black on 0161 218 1410 or email: megan.black@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report of the Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider a policy to determine whose names should be added to the Council’s war memorials.

RESOLVED – That the proposed policy on the addition of names to war memorials managed by the Council, as set out in Appendix One to the report be approved.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration)

The report provides details of the consultation by Cheshire East Council on the proposed Poynton Relief Road scheme and requests views from Members on the scheme’s proposals and route options.

The Executive is requested to comment on the scheme’s proposals, including the scheme options, which will be reported back through the ongoing dialogue with Officers from Cheshire East Council.

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

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report of the Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) (copies of which had been circulated) providing  details of the consultation by Cheshire East Council on the proposed Poynton Relief Road scheme and requesting views on the scheme’s proposals and route options.

The comments of Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee and relevant Area Committees were considered in relation to this item.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the comments of Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee and Area Committees in relation to the report be endorsed.

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

The attached report sets out the proposed  responses of the Executive to the recommendations contained in the final report of the Scrutiny Review ‘Exclusions’ which was received by the Executive on 17 June 2014.

The Executive Meeting is invited to agree to the responses to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review as detailed in the report.

Officer Contact: Phil Beswick on 0161 474 3818 or email: phil.beswick@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement)) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a draft response to the recommendations made by the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee as part of its Scrutiny Review "Exclusion”

RESOLVED – (1) That the response to the “Exclusions” Scrutiny Review be approved.

(2) That the Executive’s gratitude and appreciation be recorded for the work undertaken by members of the scrutiny review panel and supporting staff involved in the review.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer and Community Services)

The report outlines the proposed changes to the Council’s Performance and Resources Framework for 2014/15. The Framework will continue to underpin the delivery of the Council Plan and Medium Term Financial Plan.

These proposals will form the basis for quarterly Portfolio and Corporate reporting during 2014/15. The reports will assess progress against key objectives, priorities and outcomes, enabling Scrutiny Committees to hold the Executive to account and for the Executive to identify current and future risks to delivery. The seven draft Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements (PPRAs) for 2014/15 have been considered by Scrutiny Committees and the final versions are included as background papers.

The report also contains details of changes to budgets as a result of the transfer of some portfolio responsibilities.

The Executive is recommended to approve:-

·         The seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements for 2014/15 as set out in paragraph 2.4 of the report; and

·         The 2014/15 revenue budget, capital programme and earmarked reserves totals as shown in Section 3 of the report on the new portfolio basis.

Officer Contacts: Peter Owston/Andy Moran on 0161 474 3274/4086 or email: peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk/andy.moran@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) was submitted outlining the proposed changes to the Council’s Performance and Resources Framework for 2014/15. The Framework would continue to underpin the delivery of the Council Plan and Medium Term Financial Plan.

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) reported that the proposals would form the basis for quarterly Portfolio and Corporate reporting during 2014/15 which would assess progress against key objectives, priorities and outcomes, enabling Scrutiny Committees to hold the Executive to account and for the Executive to identify current and future risks to delivery.

The seven draft Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements (PPRAs) for 2014/15 had been considered by Scrutiny Committees and the final versions were included as background papers. The report also contained details of changes to budgets as a result of the transfer of some portfolio responsibilities.

RESOLVED – (1) That the seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements for 2014/15 as set out in paragraph 2.4 of the report be approved.

(2) That the 2014/15 revenue budget, capital programme and earmarked reserves totals as shown in Section 3 of the report on the new portfolio basis be approved.

To consider a report of the Independent Remuneration Panel

The report sets out the findings, conclusions of the Independent Remuneration Panel in relation to the ‘Chair of the Employment Appeals Committee’ Special Responsibility Allowance and representations made in respect of the Dependant Carers’ Allowance.

The Executive is recommended to receive the report and consider and comment on the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel prior to its submission to the Council Meeting on 11 September 2014, specifically:-

(a) That the Chair of Employment Appeals Committee SRA be discontinued.

(b) That the existing provision within the scheme as relates to the Dependent Carer’s Allowance be maintained, save that the upper limit of £42 that may be claimed for the care of dependents who are children within any one week period be removed.

(c) That the recommendations contained within this report be implemented from the day following the date of the Meeting of the Council Meeting at which they are approved.

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

The Chief Executive submitted a report of the Independent Remuneration Panel (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the findings and conclusions of the Independent Remuneration Panel in relation to the ‘Chair of the Employment Appeals Committee’ Special Responsibility Allowance and representations made in respect of the Dependant Carers’ Allowance.

RESOLVED – That Council Meeting be recommended to receive the report and recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel specifically:-

(a) That the Chair of Employment Appeals Committee Special Responsibility Allowance be discontinued.

(b) That the existing provision within the scheme as relates to the Dependent Carer’s Allowance be maintained, save that the upper limit of £42 that may be claimed for the care of dependents who were children within any one week period be removed.

(c) That the recommendations contained within this report be implemented from the day following the date of the Meeting of the Council Meeting at which they were approved.

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

The report sets out proposed arrangements for the Funding Committee when considering the performance of Life Leisure.

The Executive is requested to recommend that the Council Meeting approves the draft Terms of Reference, as set out in the report, subject to the inclusion of the comments made by the Funding Committee and the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee.

Officer contact: Craig Ainsworth on 0161 474 3204 or email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the arrangements for the ‘Funding Committee’ when considering the performance of Life Leisure.

Following a review of a number of the Council’s partner organisations, the Council Meeting in May 2013 had decided not to appoint representatives to those bodies. Instead the Council meeting created a number of inclusive cross party committees to look at monitoring the performance of these organisations.

The ‘Funding Committee’ at its meeting on 26 June 2014 had agreed that the draft terms of reference as set out in the report be approved in so far as that Committee was concerned subject to the rewording of point 3 as follows and the deletion of point 11:

“3. To consider and approve or otherwise as necessary the Partnership Delivery Plan. (The Plan is a detailed service delivery plan setting out LL's proposals for the 3 year period.  LL's pricing policy must be included in the Plan, and it should identify clearly how it will ensure facilities remain accessible to all sections of the community and safeguard concessionary rates for identified target groups. The Plan should include how LL contributes to improving”

The Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee on 1 July 2014 had agreed that the draft terms of reference as set out in the report be noted and that that Scrutiny Committee would wish to see a reference to Life Leisure being under an obligation to report to the Funding Committee and potential risks with regard to their operations in Stockport.

The Constitution Working Party on 2 July 2014endorsed the comments above

RESOLVED - That the Council Meeting be recommended to approve the Draft Terms of Reference as set out in the Report subject to the comments of the Funding Committee and Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee.