Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meetings held on (i) 17 November and (ii) 16 December 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meetings held on 17 November and 16 December 2015 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 to the Executive on any matters within its powers and duties, subject the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

The Chair reported that two questions had been submitted by a member of the public who was not present at the meeting. She confirmed that in accordance with the Code of Practice a written response would be provided.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of the following agenda items which contain information “not for publication” and to consider any representations received to the notice of the intention to consider exempt information at this meeting.

At the time of publication no representations have been received.

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ appendices to the following agenda items in the event that the content of these appendices need to be discussed:-

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

The report recommends the rent and service charges levels for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) in 2016/17 and provides a recommended HRA budget for 2016/17.

The Executive is asked to recommend that the Council Meeting approves:

a)    A reduction in the average social rent of 1% for dwelling rents;

b)   An increase of 1.3% for rents of shared ownership properties;

c)    Service charge changes and increases as outlined in section 3;

d)   A 0.9% increase in Carecall Charges;

e)    A 0.9% increase in Warden Charges; and,

f)     The Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2016/17 as set out in Appendix 1.

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

A joint report of the Executive Councillors (Support & Governance) and (Thriving Economy) was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the rent and service charges levels for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) in 2016/17 and a recommended HRA budget for 2016/17.

Executive councillors commented on the challenges caused by recent Government announcements, in particular the requirement to reduce rents and the ending of the 30-year HRA business plan only 4 years into the agreement.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to approve the following in relation to the Housing Revenue Account Budget and Rent Levels for 2016/17

·         a reduction in the average social rent of 1% for dwelling rents;

·         an increase of 1.3% for rents of shared ownership properties;

·         service charge changes and increases as outlined in section 3;

·         a 0.9% increase in Carecall Charges;

·         a 0.9% increase in Warden Charges; and,

·         the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2016/17 as set out in Appendix 1.

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

The report outlines the Draft Full Business Case for potential investment in the care home portfolio to ensure a sustainable future for Borough Care Limited (BCL) and Adult Social Care. Since the creation of BCL the world of social care has moved on significantly. The homes that were originally transferred out of Council control at the time were fit for purpose in their day but are now tired and outdated and do not meet expectations of residents, operators or commissioners. The Council needs to make sure BCL can meet the demands of the new market where older family run homes are in decline and larger purpose built, efficient and modern homes are being built to serve the needs of our communities.

(Note: the report contains information ‘not for publication’ that has been circulated to executive councillors only)

The Executive is requested to:

•      Approve the proposed programme and the allocation of appropriate capital resources to be invested over the programme period as outlined in the report and confidential appendices.

•      Note that a further report will be submitted to Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee and Adult Care Services and Housing Scrutiny Committee to provide further supporting information when the project develops.

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

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Adults) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider a draft full Business Case for potential investment in the care home portfolio to ensure a sustainable future for Borough Care Limited (BCL) and Adult Social Care. Since the creation of BCL the homes originally transferred out of Council control did not now in all cases meet expectations of residents, operators or commissioners. Investment was needed to ensure that BCL could meet the demands of the care market.

(Note: the report contained information ‘not for publication’ that had been circulated to executive councillors only)

The Executive Councillor highlighted discussions that had taken place at the Adult Care Services & Housing Scrutiny Committee and stated that in response to concerns raised a further report would be submitted.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Elderly Care Home Property Review:-

·                the proposed programme and the allocation of appropriate capital resources to be invested over the programme period as outlined in the report and confidential appendices be approved;

·                that a further report be submitted to Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee and Adult Care Services & Housing Scrutiny Committee to provide further supporting information when the project develops.

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

This report sets out the progress of the Stockport Property Alliance (Council, Carillion and CBRE) and provides the summary SPA Business Plan, including its focus on delivering significant income sources to the Council. The report also outlines the achievements the Council has made through Carillion Stockport Property Services and CBRE, since the report to the Executive on 11 November 2014.

The Executive is asked to approve the contents of this report and note that updates on key savings, key projects and initiatives are provided to Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny on an annual basis.

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

The Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider a progress report on the Stockport Property Alliance (Council, Carillion and CBRE), summarising the Stockport Property Alliance Business Plan, including its focus on delivering significant income sources to the Council. The report also outlined the achievements the Council has made through Carillion Stockport Property Services and CBRE, since the report to the Executive on 11 November 2014.

The Executive Councillor paid tribute to officers involved in the partnership and the significant achievements thus far.

RESOLVED – That the Stockport Property Alliance Progress Report and Business Plan be approved and that updates on key savings, key projects and initiatives be provided to Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny on an annual basis.

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

Stockport Council has a statutory duty to produce a Statement of Licensing Policy and a Gambling Policy (Statement of Principles) to set out how we will exercise our functions under the relevant Acts, i.e. the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005.  The report sets out how and why we have reviewed the policies and asks the Executive to recommend that the Council Meeting approve the Policies and Statement of Principles set out in the appendices to the report.

The Executive is invited to comment on the draft Licensing Policy and the Gambling Policy and recommend to the Council Meeting that it be adopted.

Officer contact: Ian O'Donnell, 0161-474-4175, ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider revisions to the Statement of Licensing Policy and the Gambling Policy (Statement of Principles) that the Council was required to review on a regular basis. The report sets out how the polices had been reviewed and summarised consultation responses received.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to adopt the reviewed Statement of Licensing Policy and the Gambling Policy as set out in the report.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Independence & Wellbeing)

(Note: this report contains information ‘not for publication’ in its appendix and this has been circulated to executive councillors only)

Greater Manchester Sexual Health Network Public Health Commissioners are planning to collaboratively procure sexual health services by procuring together, initially in sub regions of Greater Manchester. Stockport is planning to procure on a sub-regional cluster footprint with Tameside MBC and Trafford MBC; this will enable efficiencies/savings in the whole sexual health system across this cluster area. This report sets out the proposed approach.

The Executive is asked to note the content of this report and consider the joint procurement approach and if in agreement is asked to:

(i)      Authorise Stockport to jointly procure an Integrated Sexual Health Service with Tameside and Trafford.

(ii)     Authorise the Director of Public Health to award the contract on behalf of SMBC as part of the joint procurement and to do all things necessary or incidental to the award of the contract.

(iii)    Note an exemption (to enable alignment of contracts for a joint procurement exercise with Tameside and Trafford) which enables the holding over of the current Sexual Health Service contract provided by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust has been agreed to enable an extension of the existing contract from 1.4.16 until the 15.9. 2016.

Officer contact: Michael Priestley, 07800 617521, michael.priestley@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Independence & Wellbeing) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider a proposal to enter into a collaborative procurement process for sexual health services with Tameside and Trafford councils to enable efficiencies/savings in the whole sexual health system across the area. This proposal was a first step toward the development of a Greater Manchester-wide procurement process in the future.

(Note: this report contains information ‘not for publication’ in its appendix and this has been circulated to executive councillors only)

RESOLVED – That in relation to the proposal for an Integrated Sexual Health Service:-

·                authorisation be given to jointly procure an Integrated Service with Tameside and Trafford councils;

·                the Director of Public Health be authorised to award the contract on behalf of Stockport Council as part of the joint procurement and to do all things necessary or incidental to the award of the contract;

·                an exemption to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (to facilitate alignment of contracts for the joint procurement exercise) to enable the holding over of the current Sexual Health Service contract provided by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust having been agreed to enable an extension of the existing contract from 1 April 2016 until the 15 September 2016 be noted.

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

This Pay Policy Statement sets out the Council’s approach to pay policy in accordance with the requirements of Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011.  The policy also has due regard for the associated statutory guidance including supplementary guidance issued in February 2013 and the Local Government Transparency code 2014.

The Executive is invited to recommend to the Council Meeting that it:-

•           approve the Pay Policy Statement for the Council prior to its adoption at the Full Council on the 28th January 2015.

•           agree to an increase in the Living Wage rate paid by the Council, in line with current policy, to £8.25 per hour, with effect from 1 April 2016.

•           agree to be reconvene the Living wage Working Group in order to explore the implications of the National Living Wage on both the workforce and the Council supply chain.

Officer contact: Greg McNair, 0161 474 1427, greg.mcnair@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the draft Annual Pay Policy Statement that had been produced in accordance with the requirements of Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Annual Policy Statement for 2016/17 the Council Meeting be recommended to:-

·                approve the Annual Pay Policy Statement for 2016/17;

·                agree to an increase in the Living Wage rate paid by the Council, in line with current policy, to £8.25 per hour, with effect from 1 April 2016;

·                reconvene the Living wage Working Group in order to explore the implications of the National Living Wage on both the workforce and the Council’s supply chain.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The report updates the Executive on the status of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill and the next steps to implementation, seeking authority to consent to the Parliamentary Orders to establish the elected Mayor and give the Combined Authority additional powers and responsibilities.

The Executive is invited to note the progress of the Bill and next steps required for implementation

•           To delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council to consent to the terms of the Order required to establish the role of GMCA elected Mayor and to provide for the Mayor to exercise the functions of the PCC in relation to the Greater Manchester Police area.

•           To delegate to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council the authority to consent to the terms of orders required to enable GMCA to carry out health related functions from April 2016.

Officer contact: Eamonn Boylan, 0161 474 3001, ce.secretary@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider an update on the status of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill and the next steps to implementation, including the making of Parliamentary Orders to establish the elected Mayor and give the Combined Authority additional powers and responsibilities.

RESOLVED – That progress of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill and next steps required for implementation be noted and authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to:-

·         consent to the terms of the Parliamentary Order required to establish the role of Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) elected Mayor and to provide for the Mayor to exercise the functions of the Police and Crime Commissioner in relation to the Greater Manchester Police area; and

·         consent to the terms of Parliamentary orders required to enable GMCA to carry out health related functions from April 2016.

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

The report sets out proposed changes to Article 11 within the Constitution in relation to the Standards Committee. The report has been considered by the Standards Committee, Constitution Working Party and Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee.

The Executive Meeting is requested to recommend the Council Meeting to approve the changes to the Constitution set out in the report, subject to the inclusion of the following within Article 11:-

“The Role of the Independent Member

Independent members provide an independent and impartial presence on the Standards Committee and make a real contribution to the fairness and integrity of the standards process.

The Chair and Vice-Chair will be elected at the first meeting of the municipal year for a period up to the Council’s Annual Meeting and should be one of the Independent Members. The Chair of the Standards Sub-Committee should also be one of the Independent Members.

Independent Members will be treated as if non-voting Co-opted Members of the Authority for the duration of their membership of the Standards Committee.”

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

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) and Chair of the Constitution Working Party submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider recommendations made by the Standards Committee, Constitution Working Party and the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee on proposed changes to Article 11 of the Constitution relating to the Standards Committee.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to approve the changes to Constitution as set out in the report relating to the Standards Committee (Part 2 Article 11 and Part 3 Scheme of Delegation, Appendix 6), subject to the inclusion of the following within Article 11:-

“The Role of the Independent Member

Independent members provide an independent and impartial presence on the Standards Committee and make a real contribution to the fairness and integrity of the standards process.

The Chair and Vice-Chair will be elected at the first meeting of the municipal year for a period up to the Council’s Annual Meeting and should be one of the Independent Members. The Chair of the Standards Sub-Committee should also be one of the Independent Members.

Independent Members will be treated as if non-voting Co-opted Members of the Authority for the duration of their membership of the Standards Committee.”

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

The report sets out proposed revisions to the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules. The report has been considered by the Constitution Working Party and Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee.

The Executive is requested to recommend that the Council Meeting approves the revised Financial Procedure Rules.

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

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) and Chair of the Constitution Working Party submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider recommendations made by the Constitution Working Party and the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee on proposed changes to the Financial Procedure Rules.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to approve the changes to the Constitution as set out in the report relating to the Financial Procedure Rules (Part 1 Article 4; Part 2 Article 4; Part 3, introduction and Appendices 3 and 10; Part 4 PR2 and PR5).

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

The report sets out the proposed schedule of meetings (Business Programme) for the municipal years 2016/17 and 2017/18.

The Executive is invited to recommend to the Council Meeting that it adopt the Business Programme as set out in the report.

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

The Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the proposed schedule of meetings (Business Programme) for the municipal years 2016/17 and 2017/18.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to adopt the Business Programme for 2016/17-2017/18 as set out in the report.

The Leader of the Council to report at the meeting.

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

The Leader of the Council informed the Executive that she would make the nominations to the Council Meeting on 28 January 2016.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Executive is invited to note the decisions of the Joint Meeting of the AGMA Executive Board and Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 27 November 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 Meeting of the AGMA Executive Board and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 27 November October 2015.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

On:-

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

(b)  Any called-in Executive Decisions

There were no recommendations to consider.