Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2015 and the extraordinary meeting held on 24 June 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meetings held on 16 June 2015 and the extraordinary meeting held on 24 June 2015 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. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

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

One question had been submitted in advance of the meeting by a member of the public who was not present at the meeting. The Chair confirmed that, in accordance with the Code of Practice, a written response would be provided.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Supporting Adults)

The Executive will recall the proposal to explore alternative to explore various options to provide community meals. This report outlines proposals to modernise the Council’s approach to community meals provision and ancillary catering services. This would involve officers reviewing the needs of people currently using the service and working with people (and their families/carers) to make more individually tailored meal arrangements as part of the support planning process using personal budgets as appropriate. The Council would continue to provide assistance to people in arranging meals support but not in future act as a commissioner or provider of the service.

The report explains the reasons why such service change is being considered and identifies potential alternative solutions.

The Executive is asked to:

·         consider the information contained within this report and the rationale for the proposed changes to the current approach to community meals;

·         provide views on the frequency of monitoring and reporting back of progress to the Executive;

·         to proceed with the implementation of the planned changes as outlined in section 2 above;

·         to continue to explore increasing choice and variety for the provision of meals, in particular through the community, business and voluntary sectors.

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

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Adults) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider proposals to modernise the Council’s approach to community meals provision and ancillary catering services. This would involve Officers reviewing the needs of people currently using the service and working with people (and their families/carers) to make more individually tailored meal arrangements as part of the support planning process using personal budgets as appropriate. The Council would continue to provide assistance to people in arranging meals support but not in future act as a commissioner or provider of the service.

The report explained the reasons why such service changes were being considered and identified potential alternative solutions.

RESOLVED – (1) That the information contained within the report and rationale for the proposed changes to the current approach to community meals be noted.

(2)That progress be monitored on a six monthly basis and reported back to the Executive.

(3)That the implementation of the planning changes as outlined in Section 2 of the report be proceeded with.

(4)That Officers continue to explore increasing choice and variety for the provision of meals, in particular through the community, business and voluntary sectors.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy).

This report outlines the key issues associated with the revision of the Management Agreement between Stockport Homes and Stockport Council and seeks approval for the adoption of a new agreement and the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The Executive is recommended to approve:-

·         the proposals for the principles of the new agreement, Memorandum and Articles of Association;

·         noting of the customer consultation and opinions

·         the recommendation that the conclusion of the agreement, Memorandum and Articles of Association, based on the principles outlined within this report, be delegated to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration and Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy).

·         the level of Board member pay to be delegated to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration and the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy)  and upon receipt of recommendations from the Council’s Independent Remuneration Committee.

·         the recommendation that section 27 consent is sought from the Secretary of State.

Officer contact: Paul Lawrence, 0161-474-4515, paul.lawrence@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the key issues associated with the revision of the Management Agreement between Stockport Homes and Stockport Council.

During 2014 the Council had reviewed the options for the future management of its housing stock and at its meeting held on 11 November 2014 the Executive had agreed that the preferred option was for Stockport Homes, the Council’s Arms’ Length Management Organisation, to continue to deliver the service.

RESOLVED – (1) That the proposals for the principles of the new agreement, Memorandum and Articles of Association be approved.

(2) That the customer consultation and opinions be noted.

(3) That the conclusion of the agreement, Memorandum and Articles of Association, based on the principles outlined within the report, be delegated to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration and Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy).

(4) That the level of Board member pay be delegated to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration and the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy) and upon receipt of recommendations from the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel.

(5) That Section 27 consent be sought from the Secretary of State.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance).

The purpose of this report is to inform the Executive on the operation and effectiveness of the Council's Treasury Management function for 2014/15. 

Throughout 2014/15 the Council complied with its legislative and regulatory requirements.  The key actual prudential and treasury indicators detailing the impact of capital expenditure activities during the year, with comparators are found in the main body of the report. 

The Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services confirms that borrowing was only undertaken for a capital purpose and the statutory borrowing limit (the authorised limit) was not breached.

This annual review report is a backward-looking review of the treasury management operation for the previous financial year and is the last report in the 2014/15 reporting cycle.

In treasury management terms the 2014/15 financial year largely continued the challenging environment of previous years, with lasting low investment returns and counterparty risk, although somewhat improved, remained.

The Executive is asked to recommend that the Council Meeting:

·         Approves the actual 2014/15 prudential and treasury indicators in this report;

·         Notes the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2014/15;

·         Notes that no fundamental changes have been made during 2014/15 to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices approved at the Council meeting on 11 September 2014.

Officer contact: John Parkinson, 0161 218 1757, john.parkinson@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) informing the Executive of the operation and effectiveness of the Council’s Treasury Management function for 2014/15.

Throughout 2014/15 the Council had complied with its legislative and regulatory requirements. The key actual prudential and treasury indicators detailing the impact of capital expenditure activities during the year, with comparators, were set out in the report. In treasury management terms the 2014/15 financial year had largely continued the challenging environment of previous years, with lasting low investment returns and counterparty risk, although somewhat improved, remained.

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

·         approve the actual 2014/15 prudential and treasury indicators in the report;

·         note the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2014/15; and

·         note that no fundamental changes have been made during 2014/15 to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices approved at the Council Meeting on 11 September 2014.

(2) That Officers be thanked for their work in this area.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance)

The purpose of this report is to seek approval of the updated Asset Management Plan (AMP) capital programme for 2015/16, the Energy Capital Programme (ECP) for the Civic Complex and inclusion of revised schemes to be delivered in 2015/16. The report will also seek approval of the ECP for the Corporate Estate (phase 2) and the funding arrangements to support the programme.

The Executive is recommended to approve the following:-

·         The updated 2015/16 AMP programme for implementation and funding and the Indicative AMP programme for 2016/17 to 2017/18.

·         The application of corporate resources to fund the AMP programme 2015/2016 to 2017/2018; with the application of funding types (capital receipts (including total achieved from ORP) and borrowing) being delegated to the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services in conjunction with the Estates Strategy Group (ESG).

·         The ECP phase 2 for implementation, where the funding required is derived from the energy reduction measures within the programme and the matching of Salix funding capital projects where appropriate up to the proposed allocation outlined in the report.

·         That the Executive and the CRMG Scrutiny Committee receive annual updates, which will report progress and the effects of any other programmes, in particular Investing in Stockport.

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

The Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding the updated Asset Management Plan (AMP) capital programme for 2015/16, the Energy Capital Programme (ECP) for the Civic Complex and inclusion of revised schemes to be delivered in 2015/16. The report also considered the Corporate Estate (phase 2) and the funding arrangements to support the programme.

The Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) reported that there had been an additional £101,000 included within the Energy Capital Programme figure which had already been accounted for in 2014/15 and was therefore required to be removed. Consequently an amended Appendix A and sections of the main report containing the correct figures had been published prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED – (1) That the updated 2015/16 AMP programme for implementation and funding and the indicative AMP programme for 2016/17 to 2017/18 be approved.

(2) That the application of corporate resources to fund the AMP programme 2015/2016 to 2017/2018; with the application of funding types (capital receipts (including total achieved from the Office Rationalisation Programme) and borrowing) be delegated to the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services, in conjunction with the Estates Strategy Group.

(3) That the ECP phase 2 be approved for implementation, where the funding is derived from the energy reduction measures within the programme and the matching of Salix funding capital projects where appropriate up to the proposed allocation outlined in the report.

(4) That the Executive and the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee receive annual updates which would report progress and the effects of any other programmes, in particular Investing in Stockport.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Supporting Places)

This report advises Executive of the work undertaken to date to determine whether a viable business case exists for the delivery of a shared service across a number of Greater Manchester authorities for Highways and Transport. This work is being developed by a number of GM local authorities and Transport for Greater Manchester.

The Executive is asked to:

(i)      support the case for a proposed highways shared service and note the work to date;

(ii)     comment on the proposed shared services operating model and on those areas which lend themselves best to a shared service approach;

(iii)    support the further development of a business case with participating authorities; and

(iv)    comment on the potential for the greater future management of the GM capital programme as outlined at Section 5.

Officer contact: Pete Price, 0161 474 4901, pete.price@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the work undertaken by a number of local authorities in Greater Manchester and Transport for Greater Manchester to determine whether a viable business case existed for the delivery of a shared service for Highways and Transport across a number of local authorities in Greater Manchester.

RESOLVED - (1) That the case for a proposed highways shared service be supported and the work to date be noted.

(2) That the proposed shared services operating model and areas which lent themselves best to a shared service approach be noted.

(3)That the further development of a business case with participating local authorities be supported.

(4)That the potential for the greater future management of the Greater Manchester capital programme as outlined in the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Supporting Places)

Permission is required from the Council for a dropped kerb or vehicle crossing access. The Council needs an agreed policy to ensure consistency in its approach for the public, Members and officers. The policy has been drafted around current ‘informal’ practices and, as written, has no financial implications.

The Executive is invited to approve the Vehicle Drop Crossing Policy attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, 0161 474 4351, sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding a draft Vehicle Dropped Crossing Policy which was needed to ensure consistency in the Council’s approach for members of the public, Councillors and Officers and had been drafted around current ‘informal’ practices. The draft policy, as written, had no financial implications, was consistent with other Councils’ standards, met legal and planning requirements, and ensured construction quality and safety of vehicle dropped crossings.

The draft policy recommended that the approach to charging for the installation of a dropped crossing was changed from that set out in the current Council charges to a full cost recovery model.

RESOLVED – That the draft Vehicle Dropped Crossing Policy, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Councillors (Support & Governance) and (Thriving Economy).

In April 2013 the Executive agreed to extend the loan facility for new build by Stockport Homes for a further three years following the agreement of a £15.035m loan facility in 2009.

This report provides an update on the use of this loan facility to develop affordable homes during the period and seeks approval on a proposal to increase and extend the agreement for a further five years.

The Executive is recommended to:

·         Increase the aggregate loan facility by a further £29.4m and extend the availability of the total facility to Stockport Homes for a further five years.

·         Delegate authority for preparation and agreement of individual loan agreements on a scheme by scheme basis to the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Support and Governance).  

Officer contact: Michael Cullen, 0161 474 4631, Michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillors (Support & Governance) and (Thriving Economy) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the use of the loan facility for Stockport Homes to develop affordable homes. In April 2013 the Executive had agreed to extend the loan facility for new build by Stockport Homes for a further three years following the agreement of a £15.035m loan facility in 2009.

The report provided an update on the use of this loan facility to develop affordable homes during the period and sought approval on a proposal to increase and extend the agreement for a further five years.

RESOLVED – (1) That the aggregate loan facility be increased by a further £29.4m and the availability of the total facility to Stockport Homes be extended for a further five years.

(2) That authority be delegated for the preparation and agreement of individual loan agreements on a scheme by scheme basis to the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance).

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Thriving Communities)

The Council has received a request to assist the town centre business community with the promotion of a town centre Business Improvement District (BID). This report provides an overview of BIDs, outlines the role of the Local Authority and the financial obligations a town centre BID would place on the Council and sets out the offer of financial support from the Council to help cover the set up costs.

The Executive is recommended to approve the following:-

·         To confirm the allocation/provision of on-going officer support to Vision Stockport during the BID promotion and development phase up to and including the ballot

·         To endorse the one-off allocation of up to £0.060m for the purposes of developing and promoting a Stockport Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) up to and including a BID ballot subject to the following conditions:

a.     The funds will be jointly managed by the Council and Vision Stockport.

b.     Administration and management of the funds will be subject to meeting the Council’s requirements for procurement and monitoring of spend and performance.

c.     Compliance with BID Regulations

·         In the event of a positive result in the ballot,

a.    Agree to allocate annual funds to cover the Council’s obligations arising from the BID levy over the life of the BID up to a maximum of 5 years

b.    Agree to annually pass on to the BID Company the total value of the funds collected through the levy subject to the conditions set out in 3.2B over the life of the BID up to a maximum of 5 years.

Officer contact: Graeme Vout, 0161 474 4562, graeme.vout@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Thriving Communities) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding a request to assist the town centre business community with the promotion of a town centre Business Improvement District (BID). The report provided an overview of BIDs, outlined the role of the Council and the financial obligations a town centre BID would place on the Council and set out the offer of financial support from the Council to help cover the set up costs.

RESOLVED – (1) That the allocation/provision of on-going Officer support to Vision Stockport during the BID promotion and development phase up to and including the ballot be confirmed.

(2) That the one-off allocation of up to £0.060m for the purposes of developing and promoting a Stockport Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) up to and including a BID ballot be endorsed, subject to the following conditions:-

- the funds would be jointly managed by the Council and Vision Stockport;

- administration and management of the funds would be subject to meeting the Council’s requirements for procurement and monitoring of spend and performance; and

- compliance with BID Regulations.

(3) That in the event of a positive result in the ballot, agreement be given:-

- to allocate annual funds to cover the Council’s obligations arising from the BID levy over the life of the BID up to a maximum of 5 years; and

- to annually pass on to the BID Company the total value of the funds collected through the levy subject to the conditions set out in paragraph 3.2B of the report over the life of the BID up to a maximum of 5 years.

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance)

Following the approval of new Executive Portfolio responsibilities, seven Portfolio Agreements are presented for approval. These reflect the Investing in Stockport outcomes framework set out in the 2015/16 Council Plan, along with the spending plans set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan.

The revenue budget, capital programme and earmarked reserves have been aligned to the new portfolios and the Agreements incorporate a number of changes to the Performance and Resource Framework previously outlined in the June 16th report and in the covering report to Scrutiny Committees. 

Once approved, the Portfolio Agreements will provide the basis for in-year and annual Portfolio and Corporate reports to summarise progress in delivering the Investing in Stockport programme alongside other key activities and budgets which support these outcomes.

The Executive is recommended to approve the 2015/16 Portfolio Agreements included at Appendix 2 to the report.

Officer contacts: Peter Owston/ Andy Moran, 0161 474 3274/ 4086, peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk / andrew.moran@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding the draft Executive Portfolio Agreements for 2015/16.

Following the approval of the new Executive Portfolio responsibilities, seven Portfolio Agreements which reflected the Investing in Stockport outcomes framework set out in the 2015/16 Council Plan, along with the spending plans set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan, were submitted. The revenue budget, capital programme and earmarked reserves had been aligned to the new portfolios and the Agreements incorporated a number of changes to the Performance and Resource Framework previously outlined in the report to the Executive Meeting on 16 June 2015.

Once approved, the Portfolio Agreements would provide the basis for in-year and annual Portfolio and Corporate reports to summarise progress in delivering the Investing in Stockport programme alongside other key activities and budgets which supported those outcomes.

RESOLVED – That the 2015/16 Portfolio Agreements, set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Executive is invited to note the decisions of the Joint AGMA Executive/ GMCA Board, AGMA Executive and the GMCA Board meetings held on 26 June 2015.

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

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out decisions taken by the Joint AGMA Executive/GMCA Board, AGMA Executive and the GMCA Board meetings held on 26 June 2015.

RESOLVED – That the report noted.

On:-

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

(b)  Any called-in Executive Decisions

There were none to consider.