Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2016.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 15 November 2016 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.

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)

No public questions were submitted.

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution) and the Executive Councillor (Reform & Governance)

This report provides background information and updates on the development of and consultation on Executive proposals to address the spending reduction requirement for 2017/18.

Following consultation and further development, this report presents updated proposals, the details of which are in the business cases at Appendix 1 and 2.  As set out at the October Executive, updated business cases are only presented in relation to the employee-related proposals where the consultation closed on the 19 November.

In particular, this report provides information on the outcomes of consultation with employees and identifies areas of impact on employees (including those related to equalities) in relation to the relevant business cases, which are:

•           Overtime

•           Staff Travel – Review of Council Travel Costs

The Executive is recommended to note to feedback received and agree the final business cases that accompany this report.

Officer contact: Laureen Donnan, 0161 474 3181

A joint report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution) and the Executive Councillor (Reform & Governance) was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the outcome of consultations on employee related savings proposals connected to overtime and staff travel. The final business cases appended to the report had been amended to reflect the feedback received. A summary of the feedback from scrutiny and area committees to those business cases and working papers considered by the respect bodies was also appended to the report.

The Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor commented on the positive and constructive engagement with staff and unions during the consultation on the staff-related proposals, and emphasised that although they would have an impact on staff this was unavoidable if the Council were to minimise the impact of funding reductions on frontline services.

RESOLVED – (1) That the feedback received to the Overtime and Staff Travel – Review of Council Travel Costs proposals be noted and the final business cases as set out in appendices 1 and 2 to the report be approved for implementation in 2017/18.

(2) That the comments of scrutiny and area committees relating to the Executive’s business cases and working papers be noted.

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

This report deals with the forecast Collection Fund outturn position for 2016/17, the setting of the Council Tax Base for 2017/18 and also presents a forecast for Business Rates income for 2017/18.These items form an integral and important part of the Council’s budget setting process.

The calculation of the Council Tax Base is highly prescribed and set out in government regulations. The calculation is prepared at a specified date and is submitted in a statutory return to Central Government. This calculation and the associated collection rate represents the Council Tax Base to be used for budget setting purposes. A Council Tax Base of 91,720.1 is recommended and the calculation and assumptions are set out in this report. Further details are set out in section three of the report.

The Executive is recommended to:-

·           Declare a forecast Collection Fund deficit of £0.301m in 2017/18 relating to a Council Tax surplus of £0.424m and Business Rates deficit of £0.725m;

·           Approve the Council Tax Base for 2017/18 budget setting purposes of 91,720.1 Band D equivalent dwellings; and

·           Provisionally approves the 2017/18 forecast for Business Rates income of £42.163m.

It is recommended that the Executive delegates the following decisions to the Borough Treasurer in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Reform and Governance:

·           The decision to vary the Business Rates forecast presented in paragraph 4.25;

·           The decision to pilot the 100% Business Rates Retention from 1 April 2017 as set out in paragraph 4.24 to 4.28; and

·           The decision as to whether or not to join the Greater Manchester, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester Business Rates Pool as set out in section 5.

Officer contact: Jonathan Davies, 0161 218 1025, jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the forecast Collection Fund outturn position for 2016/17, the setting of the Council Tax Base for 2017/18 and providing a forecast for Business Rates income for 2017/18.

RESOLVED – (1) That in relation to the Stockport Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates Billing Area:-

·           a forecast Collection Fund deficit of £0.301m in 2017/18 relating to a Council Tax surplus of £0.424m and Business Rates deficit of £0.725m be declared;

·           the Council Tax Base for 2017/18 budget setting purposes of 91,720.1 Band D equivalent dwellings be approved; and

·           the 2017/18 forecast for Business Rates income of £42.163m be provisionally approved.

(2) That the following decisions be delegated to the Borough Treasurer in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Reform & Governance):

·           any decision to vary the Business Rates forecast presented in paragraph 4.25 of the report;

·           the decision to pilot the 100% Business Rates Retention from 1 April 2017 as set out in paragraphs 4.24 to 4.28 of the report; and

·           the decision as to whether or not to join the Greater Manchester, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester Business Rates Pool as set out in section 5 of the report.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Children & Family Services)

The Youth Justice Plan is a statutory annual plan required under Section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

The purpose of the plan is to headline achievements against last year’s Youth Justice Plan and to outline the priorities for the coming year. The work of the Youth Offending service (YOS) is monitored through the YOS Partnership Board, which in turn reports to the Children’s Trust Board.

The Executive is requested to endorse and recommend the Youth Justice Plan for adoption by the Council.

Officer contact: Jacqui Belfield-Smith, 0161 474 4789, jacqui.belfield-smith@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Children & Family Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the updated Youth Justice Plan. The Council was required to update and adopt annually a Youth Justice Plan that set out performance against the previous year’s Plan and outlined priorities for the forthcoming year.

The Executive Councillor highlighted the continuing good performance of the Youth Offending Service in reducing the number of first time entrants to the Youth Justice System, particularly in the context of reduced funding.

RESOLVED - That the Council Meeting be recommended to adopt the Youth Justice Plan.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Communities & Housing)

The report provides a detailed response to the questions raised by Members following the flooding incidents in June, an independent investigation into the causes of the flooding, the Council’s initial response to the flooding, its response to the recovery phase and the actions that the Council could take to minimise the impact of future flooding events.

The Executive is recommended to approve delegating the approval of the final section 19 report to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Communities and Supporting Places) and request that officers work with other flood risk management agencies to implement its recommendations.

The Executive is recommended to support the implementation of the flood damage repair programme for Council assets and supports that reserves are utilised to finance this work.

The Executive is also requested to support the proposal that the Council host a Partner Agency meeting with all key partners including the Environment Agency and United Utilities to develop a joined up response to the section 19 report and action plans.

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

The Executive Councillor (Communities & Housing) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the outcome of an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the flooding that took place in parts of Stockport in June 2016, including the Council’s response to those incidents. The report also identified recommendations for action that would seek to minimise the effect of future flooding incidents.

RESOLVED – That in respect of the Final Report on the flooding incident of 11/12 June 2016:-

·         approval of the final section 19 report be delegated to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Communities and Housing) and officers be requested to work with other flood risk management agencies to implement the report’s recommendations;

·         the implementation of the flood damage repair programme for Council assets and that reserves are utilised to finance this work be supported; and

·         the proposal that the Council host a Partner Agency meeting with all key partners including the Environment Agency and United Utilities to develop a joined up response to the section 19 report and action plans be supported.

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

The Council currently operates three phone systems that have reached end of life and are unsupported by the system manufacturers. While support can be sourced via third-party suppliers, this is expensive and the ageing technology leaves the Council open to the risk of systems failure, potential compliance issues and unable to take advantage of modern telephony features.

The Council has the opportunity to replace all three systems with a single system which would simplify the management and administration of the telephony infrastructure. A new single Unified Communications (UC) system would improve the Council’s voice telephony service and include a host of advanced features that enable flexible and mobile working, such as Video Conferencing, Instant Messaging, Presence Awareness, and Collaborative Working tools.

The Executive is  asked to consider and endorse the proposed upgrade to the Council’s telephony systems set out in Option 3 (section 4.5 of the report).

Officer contact: Adrian Davies, 0161 474 5430, Adrian.davies@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Reform & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider a proposal to replace the Council’s telephony systems, that had reached the end of their life and manufacture’s support, with a new unified communication system that would provide enhanced functionality.

The Executive Councillor reported that the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee had supported the proposals and recommended that the Executive implement the proposals as soon as possible.

RESOLVED – That the proposed upgrade to the Council’s telephony systems set out in Option 3 (section 4.5) of the report, be approved as the most advantageous option.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Health)

Following the publication of the Stockport Health and Wellbeing Board’s refresh of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, the Board agreed that there was a need to review and refresh the Stockport Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which is one of its statutory duties.

A copy of that revised Strategy is attached.

The Executive is invited to endorse the Stockport Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for 2017-2020

Officer contact: Eleanor Banister, 0161 474 2447, eleanor.banister@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Health & Wellbeing) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the Stockport Joint Health & Wellbeing Strategy for 2017-2020 that set out the shared vision of partners for their ambitions and priorities for improving the health of residents of Stockport.

RESOLVED – That the Stockport Joint Health & Wellbeing Strategy for 2017-2020 be endorsed.

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

The Business Programme (attached at Appendix 1) includes the Business Programme for 2017/18 agreed at the Annual Council Meeting on 24 May 2016. The Programme for 2018/19 follows a similar pattern.

That the Council Meeting be recommended to approve the Business Programme for the municipal years 2017/18 & 2018/19 as set out in the report.

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

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution) 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 2017/18 and 2018/19.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to adopt the Business Programme for 2017/18 and 2018/19 as set out in the report, subject to the inclusion of dates for the Health & Wellbeing Board.

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 (Policy, Finance & Devolution) invited the Executive to consider nominations for the position of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the 2017/18 municipal year.

RESOLVED – That the Leader of the Council be authorised to nominate Councillors Linda Holt and Walter Brett for the positions of Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively for the 2017/18 municipal year, at the Council Meeting on 19 January 2017.

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

To note the decision of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on 25 November 2016 and Transport for Greater Manchester Combined Authority on 11 November 2016.

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

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out decisions taken by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 25 November 2016 and the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee held on 11 November 2016.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

On:-

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

(b)  Any called-in Executive Decisions

There were none.

To consider a report of Executive Councillor (Reform & Governance)

(NOTE: The Leader has agreed to take this item as an urgent item to enable the Executive to consider the report in a timely manner prior to its consideration by the Council Meeting on 19 January 2017)

This Pay Policy Statement (the ‘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.  Once approved by the Council Meeting, the policy statement will come into immediate effect and will be subject to review on a minimum of an annual basis, the policy for the next financial year being approved by 31 March each year.

The Executive is recommended to:-

·         Recommend the Council Meeting adopt the Pay Policy Statement.

·         Endorse the increase in the Living Wage rate paid by the Council, in line with current policy, to £8.45 per hour, with effect from 1 April 2017.

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

(Note: The Leader of the Council was of the opinion that this item, although not included on the agenda, should be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 in order that the Executive could consider the matter in a timely manner before its consideration by the Council Meeting on 19 January 2017)

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution) submitted a report of the Executive Councillor (Reform & Governance) (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:-

·         the Council Meeting be recommended to adopt the Annual Pay Policy Statement for 2017/18 as set out in the report;

·         endorsement be given to the increase in the Living Wage rate paid by the Council, in line with current policy, to £8.45 per hour with effect from 1 April 2017.