Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the Meetings of the Council held on 27 October 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meetings of the Council held on 26 October 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

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

No urgent decisions were reported.

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

The Deputy Mayor requested that the Council Meeting give its consent to the alteration of the order of business such that Summons Item 8 – ‘A6 to M60 Relief Road’ was considered at the conclusion of the Policy Framework and Budget items.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the alteration of the order of business such that Summons Item 8 – ‘A6 to M60 Relief Road’ be considered at the conclusion of the Policy Framework and Budget items.

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

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

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

Disclosable Pecuniary Interest

To receive any questions from and provide answers to the public in relation to matters relevant to the Council’s activities.

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Deputy Mayor and Councillors on any matters within the powers and duties of the Council.

11 public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to why it was proposed to increase the percentage of funding withheld from early years’ nursery education.

The Cabinet Member for Education (Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick) responded that the early years national funding formula model that was introduced in April 2017 determined the overall early years allocation provided to each local authority.  It was stated that Stockport was allocated £4.30 per hour which represented the national floor level, and that in order to ensure the overall budget remained sustainable the Council could not allocate more than that to providers via the local early years single funding formula model.

·         Relating to the Care Quality Commission having recently rated Stockport’s care homes as the most inadequate in England and whether this had anything to do with staffing levels.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care (Councillor Wendy Wild) responded that the Council had a Quality Improvement Team working directly with providers both in relation to care homes and the support offered to people in their own homes.  It was stated that through this work over the last year, which had been undertaken in partnership with providers, the overall situation had improved significantly such that there had been an increase in the number of nursing homes which were rated as good or outstanding increasing from 40% to 66% and was now above the average across Greater Manchester.

·         Relating to proposals to impose parking charges on the upper area of the car park at Romiley Railway Station and what the likely outcomes of this proposal would be for rail travellers and the residents of nearby streets.

Councillor Lisa Smart responded that the aim of the proposal was to generate income, but that the impact of introducing charges had not been fully considered.  Councillor Smart stated she had previously raised this issue at a meeting of the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee at which she had been assured that there would be a consultation undertaken with stakeholder groups.  Councillor Smart expressed her concern that the proposal would discourage people from using Romiley Railway Station and encourage commuters to park on residential streets in the vicinity.

·         Relating to what the Council was planning to do to address the rise in hate crime in the Borough.

The Leader of the Council  and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) responded that since the tragic events earlier this year at the Manchester Arena, there has been a rise in hate crime across Greater Manchester and that this had followed a similar pattern to the rise seen following the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union.  It was stated that there had been significant work led by Greater Manchester within the ten districts, which included activity by Stockport Council and its partners to respond to this threat ranging from coordinated response activity to raising awareness and championing inclusion.  The Council was working closely with Greater Manchester Police and within communities to tackle hate crime through a multi-agency partnership.  A dedicated fund was also established to support local community groups to undertake activities which specifically addressed hate crime.

·         Relating to what the Council planned to do to address increases in domestic violence, rape incidents in a domestic environment and child sexual exploitation inside a domestic violence environment in Stockport.

The Leader of the Council  and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) responded that this was an area of priority for the Council and that he would respond further in writing to the questioner in relation to the activities of the Council in this area.

·         Relating to the potential A6 to M60 Relief Road and the predicated reductions in journey times contained within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.(i)

To receive petitions, and by prior arrangement, receive delegations and presentations from members of the public, community groups or partnership organisations.

Stockport Talking Newspaper

Paul Ramsden (Chair of the Stockport Talking Newspaper) will attend the meeting to make a presentation in relation to the work of the organisation.

Petitions

Two petitions were submitted as follows:-

(i)         One petition was submitted with over 7,000 signatories opposing the building of the A6 to M60 Relief Road through the Goyt Valley.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to the Cabinet for its consideration.

(ii)        One petition was submitted with over 400 signatories opposing proposals to impose the charges on the upper car park at Romiley Railway Station.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to the Cabinet for its consideration.

Stockport Talking Newspaper

The Chair of the Stockport Talking Newspaper (Paul Ramsden) attended the meeting and made a presentation in relation to the work of the organisation.

At the conclusion of the item, the Deputy Mayor expressed thanks to Paul Ramsden for their attendance and presentation.

The following councillors to answer questions (if any) on the business of the joint authorities:-

(b)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

Councillor Wendy Wild to answer questions (if any) on the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.

(c)       Greater Manchester Combined Authority

The following councillors to answer questions (if any) on the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee:-

(a)       Section 41 Spokespersons

There were no questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority.

(b)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

There were no questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.

(c)       Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Councillor Syd Lloyd stated that one of the Council’s representatives on the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, Councillor John Taylor, had previously moved a motion at the Council Meeting on 29 June 2017 which claimed that driver only operated trains were inherently dangerous.  In the light of this, Councillor Lloyd asked Councillor Taylor why ASLEF train drivers for Southern Rail had ended their dispute over safety following an agreement to increase drivers’ salaries by 28% over five years, the introduction of a four-day working week and a basic earning capacity of £65,000.

Councillor John Taylor responded that his focus was not what was happening in the Southern region but it appeared that the ASLEF Union had done a good job of representing their members, and it would be positive if the RMT could follow in their wake.  Councillor Taylor clarified that when he was referring to safety, he was referring to the safety of passengers on the train and referenced the recent recruitment exercise by Metrolink for more staff to patrol Metrolink services to deal with issues of nuisance and vandalism.  Councillor Taylor reiterated his view that a driver in the front compartment of a rail vehicle was insufficiently equipped or able to deal with such issues.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance and Devolution.

The Leader of the Council  and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) submitted the Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy, Mid-Year Review Report 2017/18 (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED - That the mid-year review of the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy for 2017/18 be received in line with best practice guidelines, and noted:-

·         the report and treasury activity in the first half of the financial year;

·         the revised interest rate forecasts for Public Works Loan Board rates over the short and medium term which would drive the Council’s long-term borrowing strategies going forward; and

·         that investments with Local Authorities as identified in the Treasury Management Strategy Report, also includes Combined Authorities and other government public authorities, for example, Police, Fire and Waste authorities and as such the minimum credit criteria and investment limits would be applied in the same way.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children & Families.

The Cabinet Member for Children & Family Services (Councillor Colin Foster) submitted the Youth Justice Plan for 2017/18 (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED – That the Youth Justice Plan 2017/18 be approved and adopted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Council meeting to consider a draft Strategic Outline Business Case for a relief road between the A6 and M60 as part of a first phase of work to review the strategic case for such a road in light of contemporary evidence.

RESOLVED – (43 for, 14 against) That the Cabinet be recommended to progress the next steps identified in Section 6 of the report, including the submission of a formal funding request to the government to fund the next stage of the business case development.

A named vote was requested in relation to the voting on this item and the voting was recorded as follows:-

Those members who voted for the motion were:-

The Deputy Mayor; Councillors Geoff Abell, Malcolm Allan, Brian Bagnall, Kenny Blair, Stuart Bodsworth, Laura Booth, Kate Butler,  Christine Corris, Stuart Corris, Tom Dowse, Roy Driver, Annette Finnie, Dean Fitzpatrick, Colin Foster, Alex Ganotis, Lord Goddard, Chris Gordon, Graham Greenhalgh, Paul Hadfield,  Keith Holloway, Sylvia Humphreys, Mark Hunter, Mike Hurleston, Sue Ingham, Oliver Johnstone, Julian Lewis-Booth, Syd Lloyd, John McGahan, Tom McGee, Wendy Meikle, Adrian Nottingham, John Pantall, Paul Porgess, Lisa Smart, June Somekh, Charlie Stewart, Jon Twigge, Lisa Walker, Mark Weldon, Elise Wilson, John Wright and Suzanne Wyatt.

Those councillors who voted against the motion were:-

Councillors Sheila Bailey, Richard Coaton, Becky Crawford, Dickie Davies, Tom Grundy, Yvonne Guariento, Philip Harding, Daniel Hawthorne, Mags Kirkham, Patrick McAuley, Chris Murphy, Andy Sorton, John Taylor and Wendy Wild.

To receive a report from the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet on the conduct of Cabinet business since the last Council Meeting.

The Leader of the Council  and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) reported that following the previous week’s Budget statement there had been no announcement of additional revenue funding for adult social care or children's services.  There had been an announcement in relation to a Green Paper on adult social care, however this offered no immediate respite for these services.  Councillor Ganotis welcomed the announcement of funding for transportation in the sum of £143 million in Greater Manchester and stated that this funding would not have been provided were it not for the devolved structures that were in place in the conurbation.

Councillor Ganotis then referred to the Council’s budget for 2018/19 and stated that the full suite of business cases to achieve the £18 million of savings needed next year had now been published. 

It was reported that the Mayor of Greater Manchester had launched a Town Centre Challenge initiative to provide national focus for those town centres in Greater Manchester which needed regeneration, and that Stockport had been selected as the first town centre to be part of the scheme.

Finally, Councillor Ganotis referred to the recent regeneration activities in the town centre which included the opening of the Redrock development and announcements relating to the future of the Produce Hall and that there would be further announcements in relation to the future of the Merseyway Shopping Centre in the coming days and weeks.

The Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) reported that following her letter to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, which was subsequently followed by a motion adopted by the Council Meeting, there had been progress in relation to the concerns of the Council over the non-emergency telephone number operated by Greater Manchester Police. It was stated that a live chat facility would start from the 4 December 2017 which would provide an alternative point of contact for the public to raise questions with the police.  It was further stated that a new IT system was due to go live in March 2018 which would allow crimes to be recorded directly by call-handlers which would reduce demand and duplication, and online crime reporting would be rolled out later in 2018.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) thanked those councillors who attended the opening of Redrock which had exceeded all expectations in its success.  Councillor Butler extended her thanks to George Perrin and Alex Fyans for their work towards the development of Redrock.  It was further reported that an announcement was made on Tuesday, 28 November in relation to the outcome of a competitive tender to take on the lease for the Produce Hall and Blackshaws in the Market Place which had been awarded to an operator with thirty years’ experience in the trade.

The Cabinet Member for Education (Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick) reported on the considerable challenges that were being addressed in terms of school places for young people with special educational needs and disabilities, and that more information would be provided at the meeting of the Children & Families Scrutiny Committee that was due to meet the following week.  Councillor Fitzpatrick then thanked those councillors that had participated in the Stockport College Question Time as part of UK Parliament Week.

Finally Councillor Fitzpatrick commented that in his role as one of the Council’s Disability Champions he hoped to be in a position to make some positive announcements in relation to advancements in this area in the near future.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care (Councillor Wendy Wild) reported that the Council’s Enhanced Support Team had been recognised for their outstanding work by being awarded the ‘Best Care Team of the Year’ award at the recent Great North-West Care Event.

To answer questions from Councillors addressed to the Executive Leader or other members of the Executive, in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution) answered questions relating to the business of the Executive in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

At this stage in the proceedings (10.00 pm) the Deputy Mayor informed the Council Meeting that the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 9.1 (Duration of Meeting) were invoked.

To receive the Minutes of the Cabinet held on 14 November 2017 and the record of executive decisions taken since the last Council Meeting, (schedule enclosed, decisions previously circulated) and consider any recommendations they contain.

The Deputy Mayor declared the Minutes of the Cabinet held on 14 November 2017 (copies of which had been circulated) and the record of executive decision taken (copies of which were circulated) since the last meeting of the Council to be duly received.

To receive a report from the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees on the conduct of Scrutiny business.

To receive a report from the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees on the conduct of Scrutiny business.

There were no reports from the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees on the conduct of their business since the last Council Meeting.

To answer questions from Councillors addressed to the Scrutiny Chairs, in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

There were no questions relating to the business of the Scrutiny Committees in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

To receive the Minutes of the following Scrutiny Committees:-

Adult Social Care & Health – 24 October 2017

Children & Families – 1 November 2017

Communities & Housing – 30 October 2017

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 31 October 2017

Economy & Regeneration – 2 November 2017

The Deputy Mayor declared the Minutes of the following Scrutiny Committees (copies of which had been circulated with the Summons) to be duly received:-

Adult Social Care & Health – 24 October 2017

Children & Families – 1 November 2017

Communities & Housing – 30 October 2017

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 31 October 2017

Economy & Regeneration – 2 November 2017

There were no reports from the Chairs of the Planning and Highways Regulation; Licensing, Environment and Safety; and Audit Committees on the conduct of their business since the last Council Meeting.

To answer questions from Councillors addressed to the Chairs of Ordinary and Area Committees, in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

There were no questions relating to the business of the Ordinary and Area Committees in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

To receive the minutes of the following Ordinary and Area Committees:-

Ordinary Committees

Appointments – 20 October 2017

Audit – 8 November 2017

Employment Appeals – 30 October 2017

Health & Wellbeing Board – 19 October 2017

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 11 October 2017

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 14 November 2017

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 9 November 2017

Central Stockport – 9 November 2017

Cheadle – 7 November 2017

Heatons & Reddish – 6 November 2017

Marple – 8 November 2017

Stepping Hill – 7 November 2017

Werneth – 6 November 2017

The Deputy Mayor declared the minutes of the following ‘Ordinary’ and Area Committees (copies of which had been circulated with the Summons) to be duly received:-

Ordinary Committees

Appointments – 20 October 2017

Audit – 8 November 2017

Employment Appeals – 30 October 2017

Health & Wellbeing Board – 19 October 2017

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 11 October 2017

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 14 November 2017

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 9 November 2017

Central Stockport – 9 November 2017

Cheadle – 7 November 2017

Heatons & Reddish – 6 November 2017

Marple – 8 November 2017

Stepping Hill – 7 November 2017

Werneth – 6 November 2017

This Council notes:

·         the policy suite known as ‘austerity’ has meant successive years of unprecedented financial challenges for Local Government, with Local Government shouldering a significant burden of associated budgetary cuts;

·         this has led to the cross-party Local Government Association to highlight the funding gap of £5.8billlion in Local Government finance by 2020, including a shortfall of £2.6billion in Adult Social Care funding, and £2.0billion in Children’s Services;

·         in consequence Stockport has had find £100m since 2010 through savings and income generation, and faces a further £51million of budget reductions expected by 2020/21, placing severe strain upon services the Council provides;

·         that much of this funding shortfall burden has fallen, and will continue to fall upon Council Taxpayers, through a regressive and unfair form of taxation;

·         that despite reducing the national debt burden being the central aim of austerity policy, this has not been achieved-  national debt having risen from £1.01 trillion in 2008 to £1.9 trillion in 2017 (76% of GDP to 89% of GDP);

·         this Council has previously passed two motions calling for the public sector pay cap to be lifted in relation to Local Government in consequence.

Given this context, this Council believes:

·         as Lord Porter, Chair of the LGA has stated,  Local Government services behalf of the most vulnerable in society are now at ‘breaking point’, and in consequence;

·         there is urgent need for significant and ‘genuinely new additional Government funding’ to be made available for Local Government, free from additional responsibilities, as called for by LGA Chair Lord Porter;

·         further to this, there is an urgent need for Government to resume wide-scale  investment across the economy, from vital infrastructure projects (including for badly needed public transport investment in this region for projects including HS3 and Metrolink), to housing and the NHS, in order to build the resilient UK economy needed to compete in the global marketplace of the future.

In light of the above, this Council therefore resolves to:

·         Request that the Chief Executive prepare a letter, to be addressed to Chancellor of the Exchequer, in support of Lord Porter’s calls for ‘genuinely new additional Government funding’ for Local Government as part of a wider end to ‘austerity’, a failed policy suite which should have been reappraised years ago, and the commencement of a programme of economic investment which can address regional iniquity and render our economy competitive in the global marketplace.

Moved by:                 Councillor Andy Sorton

Seconded by:           Councillor Dickie Davies

In accordance with the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 9.2 (Motions and recommendations not dealt with) an alteration requested by the mover of the motion, and which had been tabled in advance of the meeting under the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 14.7 (Alteration of motion), was adopted as the substantive motion.

RESOLVED – (40 for, 12 against) This Council notes:

·         the policy suite known as ‘austerity’ has meant successive years of unprecedented financial challenges for Local Government, with Local Government shouldering a significant burden of associated budgetary cuts;

·         this has led to the cross-party Local Government Association to highlight the funding gap of £5.8billlion in Local Government finance by 2020, including a shortfall of £2.6billion in Adult Social Care funding, and £2.0billion in Children’s Services;

·         in consequence, Stockport has had to find £100m since 2010 through savings and income generation, and faces a further £51million of budget reductions expected by 2020/21, placing severe strain upon services the Council provides;

·         that much of this funding shortfall burden has fallen, and will continue to fall upon Council Taxpayers, through a regressive and unfair form of taxation;

·         that despite reducing the national debt burden being the central aim of austerity policy, this has not been achieved- national debt having risen from £1.01trillion in 2008 to £1.9trillion in 2017 (76% of GDP to 89% of GDP);

·         this Council has previously passed two motions calling for the public sector pay cap to be lifted in relation to Local Government in consequence.

Given this context, this Council believes:

·         as Lord Porter, Chair of the LGA has stated, Local Government services behalf of the most vulnerable in society are now at ‘breaking point’, and in consequence;

·         there is urgent need for significant, recurrent and ‘genuinely new additional Government funding’ to be made available for Local Government, free from additional responsibilities and based around need, as called for by LGA Chair Lord Porter;

·         the recent Autumn Budget Statement, as Lord Porter has since noted, was ‘hugely disappointing’ given it ‘offered nothing to ease the financial crisis facing local services’ across local government, particularly in relation to Adult Social Care and Children’s services; and

·         further to this, there is an urgent need for Government to resume significant, wide-scale investment across the economy, from vital infrastructure projects (including for badly needed public transport investment in this region for projects including HS3 and Metrolink), to housing and the NHS, in order to build the resilient UK economy needed to compete in the global marketplace of the future.

In light of the above, this Council therefore resolves to:

Request that the Chief Executive prepare a letter, to be addressed to Chancellor of the Exchequer, in support of Lord Porter’s calls for ‘genuinely new additional Government funding’ for Local Government as part of a wider end to ‘austerity’, a failed policy suite which should have been reappraised years ago, and the commencement of a programme of economic investment which can address regional iniquity and render our economy competitive.

This council acknowledges the increasing pressures on Adult Social Care in Stockport, due in large part to:

·           increasing numbers of elderly and very elderly residents;

·           the increasing complexity of care needs of adult social care clients; and

·           the difficulty that care providers have in recruiting and retaining staff, especially in competition with other Stockport employers.

This council further notes that:

·           these pressures are exacerbated by the steady reduction in available council funding, which – since adult social care amounts to a large proportion of council expenditure – inevitably results in cuts to the adult social care budget; and

·           government support for adult social care funding has come from the social care precept – increasing the costs placed on local taxpayers – and non-recurrent funding, that does not allow the council to make on-going commitments to increases in its in-house staffing or ongoing contracts with other providers.

This council was encouraged by:

·           a reference in the Queen’s speech in June to consultation on changes in funding arrangements for adult social care; and

·           the commitment in the Conservative Party Manifesto to “dignity and protection in old age”, with a Green Paper on options for the funding of adult social care to be issued in the autumn of 2017.

This council subsequently noted with great concern a statement by the Social Care Minister at a fringe meeting of the Conservative Party Conference in September that this consultation would not start until 2018.

This council hereby resolves to:

·           Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to express concern as to the government’s failure to respond adequately to the pressures on adult social care;

·           Similarly, to write to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, suggesting that a similar joint letter should be sent to the Secretary of State from all Greater Manchester Metropolitan Authorities.

Moved by:                  Councillor Keith Holloway

Seconded by:            Councillor Laura Booth

RESOLVED – (40 for, 12 against, 1 abstention) This Council acknowledges the increasing pressures on Adult Social Care in Stockport, due in large part to:

·           increasing numbers of elderly and very elderly residents;

·           the increasing complexity of care needs of adult social care clients; and

·           the difficulty that care providers have in recruiting and retaining staff, especially in competition with other Stockport employers.

This Council further notes that:

·           these pressures are exacerbated by the steady reduction in available council funding, which – since adult social care amounts to a large proportion of council expenditure – inevitably results in cuts to the adult social care budget; and

·           government support for adult social care funding has come from the social care precept – increasing the costs placed on local taxpayers – and non-recurrent funding, that does not allow the council to make on-going commitments to increases in its in-house staffing or ongoing contracts with other providers.

This Council was encouraged by:

·           a reference in the Queen’s speech in June to consultation on changes in funding arrangements for adult social care; and

·           the commitment in the Conservative Party Manifesto to “dignity and protection in old age”, with a Green Paper on options for the funding of adult social care to be issued in the autumn of 2017.

This Council subsequently noted with great concern a statement by the Social Care Minister at a fringe meeting of the Conservative Party Conference in September that this consultation would not start until 2018.

This Council hereby resolves to:

·           Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to express concern as to the government’s failure to respond adequately to the pressures on adult social care;

·           Similarly, to write to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, suggesting that a similar joint letter should be sent to the Secretary of State from all Greater Manchester Metropolitan Authorities.

This Council Meeting congratulates Stockport Plaza on its 85th Anniversary since opening in 1932.

This Council Meeting notes that after many years as a bingo hall, Stockport Plaza stood empty and without swift intervention would have decayed, deteriorated and potentially been lost to the Borough.

This Council Meeting recognises and pays tribute to the immense contribution of volunteers who helped to establish Stockport Plaza Trust, took part in the extensive restoration of the Plaza Super Cinema and Theatre, who continue to fundraise and are vital to the day to day maintenance and operation of the Plaza.

This Council Meeting further recognises the support and resources provided by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council in both the initial saving of Stockport Plaza, the ongoing restoration project to restore it to its former 1930’s art deco glory and its continued evolution.

This Council Meeting believes that Stockport Plaza makes a valuable contribution to the fabric of the Town Centre and to the social and cultural life of the Borough.

This Council Meeting therefore resolves to request that the Chief Executive write to the Plaza making them aware of this motion, wishing them every continuing success and passing our thanks to the volunteers in this 85th Anniversary year. 

Moved by:                 Councillor Tom Dowse

Seconded by:           Councillor John McGahan

RESOLVED – (56 for, 1 abstention) This Council Meeting congratulates Stockport Plaza on its 85th Anniversary since opening in 1932.

This Council Meeting notes that after many years as a bingo hall, Stockport Plaza stood empty and without swift intervention would have decayed, deteriorated and potentially been lost to the Borough.

This Council Meeting recognises and pays tribute to the immense contribution of volunteers who helped to establish Stockport Plaza Trust, took part in the extensive restoration of the Plaza Super Cinema and Theatre, who continue to fundraise and are vital to the day to day maintenance and operation of the Plaza.

This Council Meeting further recognises the support and resources provided by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council in both the initial saving of Stockport Plaza, the ongoing restoration project to restore it to its former 1930’s art deco glory and its continued evolution.

This Council Meeting believes that Stockport Plaza makes a valuable contribution to the fabric of the Town Centre and to the social and cultural life of the Borough.

This Council Meeting therefore resolves to request that the Chief Executive write to the Plaza making them aware of this motion, wishing them every continuing success and passing our thanks to the volunteers in this 85th Anniversary year. 

To consider a joint report of the Borough Treasurer and the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration. 

RESOLVED – (53 for) That:-

(1) the revised Levy Apportionment Methodology Agreement, which was being applied in full from 2019/20 with transitional arrangements in place during 2018/19 be approved and endorsed.

(2) authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Place Management and Regeneration, the Borough Treasurer and the Head of Legal and Democratic Governance Services in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing to approve and/ or make any minor amendments to the final Levy Apportionment Methodology Agreement, and to enter into and finalise the Agreement, the transitional arrangements, and any associated documentation relating thereto.