Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the Meetings of the Council held on 18 January and 22 February 2018.                                                                                          

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Council held on 22 February 2018 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 Mayor reported that this would be the last full meeting of the Council Meeting that she would preside over before the Mayor for the 2018/19 Municipal Year was elected at the Annual Council Meeting on 22 May 2018.  The Mayor extended her thanks to members for their conduct during her Mayoral year.

The Mayor then advised the Council Meeting that Councillors Chris Murphy and Mark Weldon had served for 20 years as members of the Council and that this service would be recognised through the presentation of a Long Service Award certificate.

The Mayor also announced that this would be the last meeting of the Council to be attended by Councillors Geoff Abell, Stuart Bodsworth, Lord Goddard, Tom Grundy, Daniel Hawthorne, Sue Ingham, Mags Kirkham and June Somekh following their forthcoming retirement from the Council after the local elections on 5 May 2016.

The Group Leaders then paid tribute to the retiring councillors.

Finally, the Mayor reported that the Mayor’s Charity Dinner would be held on Friday, 20 April 2018 at 7.30 pm.

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.

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 Mayor and Councillors on matters within the powers and duties of the Council.

Two public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Whether Councillor Hunter would comment on the recent resignation of Councillor Booth from the Liberal Democrat Group.

Councillor Hunter responded that he had been sorry to learn that Councillor Booth evidently had not felt at home in the Liberal Democrat Group, and that he sincerely hoped that she was more comfortable in her new home. 

·         Whether Councillor Hunter would agree that it was morally unacceptable that a councillor could move out of the Borough and into another local authority area, yet still vote on a council tax increase and impose this on the people they represent while not being subject to the increase themselves.

Councillor Hunter responded that he thought that residents would be shocked to discover that a councillor had played an active part in pushing through a council tax increase when they were no longer a resident of not only the ward they represented, but the borough itself.

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

No such arrangements have been made for this meeting.

There were no petitions or presentations.

(a)       Section 41 Spokespersons

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 Spokesperson

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 Geoff Abell asked whether Councillor Taylor would comment on the recent announcements made by Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester Mayor, and Chris Boardman, the Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner in relation to investment in cycling.

Councillor John Taylor responded that the new strategy was an excellent document which provided for an equality between cycling and walking and which would lead to a start in a modal shift in the means of transportation.

To consider a joint report of the Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and the Cabinet Members for Communities & Housing and Reform & Governance.

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance submitted the Safer Stockport Partnership Strategic Plan 2018-21 (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED – That the Safer Stockport Partnership Strategic Plan 2018-21 be approved and adopted.

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 the merger of Stockport College and Trafford College had been completed which represented part of the ongoing reform of further education in Greater Manchester to ensure that there was a sustainable way forward financially and in terms of location of provision and the curriculum offer.

Councillor Ganotis further reported that Stockport had held its first Town Centre Living summit which was attended by the Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham.  It was stated that the aim of the Council was to increase the number of housing units in the town centre and doing it in a way that was sustainable and created new communities that people wanted to live in.

It was then stated that the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority had been disbanded with effect from 1 April 2018 and its functions had been moved to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.  It was further commented that the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee would also cease to exist and that this would be replaced with a new committee.  Finally, it was reported that following the disestablishment of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, a new Fire Advisory Committee would be created.  Councillor Ganotis stated that it was hoped that the Council would be in a position to appoint to these bodies at the Annual Council Meeting in May 2018.

Councillor Ganotis then referred to the launch of the Stockport Investment Fund which constituted £1m of funding for community groups over the next two years.  Interested parties were being encouraged to come forward and apply for funding.

The Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) expressed her thanks to staff from Solutions SK who had worked hard in recent months to collect waste and grit roads in appalling weather conditions.

Councillor Bailey then reported that on 26 February 2018, the Communities & Housing Scrutiny Committee had considered an update on the ongoing Environmental Campaign which included a proposal to remove the ‘bring’ waste recycling sites.  Following a review of these sites it has been ascertained that they were being used by traders to dispose of their waste, most of which suffered from contamination, and many also suffered from fly-tipping.  The removal of the sites would allow Solutions SK to reduce collection costs and would also result in reductions in disposal costs.  It was commented that the Scrutiny Committee had raised no objections to the proposals.  Councillor Bailey stated that there remained three household waste recycling centres in the Borough and that there were a number of ‘bring sites’ operated by local supermarkets which meant that residents still had the option to dispose of their waste other than by way of the kerbside collection service.  However, Councillor Bailey expressed her regret that local councillors had not been notified in advance of the ‘bring sites’ being removed, and that the site removals had been paused as soon as this oversight had been identified to allow for such notifications to be issued.

Councillor Bailey then reported that officers in the Green Space service had done an excellent job over several months in drawing together the various Section 106 payments into one fund and in the process had identified further funding that had previously not been included in the overall total which had resulted in a pot of over £4m now being available.  It was stated that a programme of improvements to play areas would now take place over the next few years.  It was further stated that work was taking place to significantly expedite outstanding tree replacement works.

Finally, Councillor Bailey reported that the Council was in discussions with Cheshire Beekeepers Association in relation to the provision of a beehive on Fred Perry House.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) reported on progress on Stockport’s major infrastructure projects including Stockport Exchange and the new  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.(i)

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) and the Cabinet Members for Children & Family Services, Communities & Housing, Economy & Regeneration, Education and Reform & Governance answered questions and responded to comments relating to the business of the Executive in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

To receive the Minutes of the Cabinet held on 6 February and 13 March 2018 and the record of executive decisions taken since the last Council Meeting, (schedule enclosed, decisions previously circulated) and consider any recommendations they contain.

The Mayor declared the minutes of the Cabinet Meetings held on 6 February and 13 March 2018 and the record of executive decision taken 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 – 16 January and 20 February 2018

Children & Families – 24 January and 28 February 2018

Communities & Housing – 22 January and 26 February 2018

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 23 January and 27 February 2018

Economy & Regeneration – 25 January and 1 March 2018

The 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 – 16 January and 20 February 2018

Children & Families – 24 January and 28 February 2018

Communities & Housing – 22 January and 26 February 2018

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 23 January and 27 February 2018

Economy & Regeneration – 25 January and 1 March 2018

To receive a report from the Chairs of the Planning & Highways Regulation; Licensing, Environment & Safety; and Audit Committees on the conduct of their business since the last Council Meeting.

There were no reports from the Chairs of the Planning and Highways Regulation, Licensing, Environment and Safety or 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, Area and Ward Committees in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

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

Ordinary Committees

Appointments – 6 March 2018

Audit – 14 March 2018

Contributors – 6 February 2018

Employment Appeals – 12 February 2018

Funding – 5 February 2018

Health & Wellbeing Board – 31 January 2018

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 10 January, 31 January and 14 February 2018

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 19 February 2018

Member –14 March 2018

Planning & Highways Regulation – 11 January and 15 February 2018

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 1 February and 8 March 2018

Central Stockport – 1 February and 8 March 2018

Cheadle – 30 January and 6 March 2018

Heatons & Reddish – 29 January and 5 March 2018

Marple – 31 January and 7 March 2018

Stepping Hill – 30 January and 6 March 2018

Werneth – 29 January and 5 March 2018

Ward Committees

Brinnington & Reddish Joint – 12 February 2018

Hazel Grove – 9 January 2018

The Mayor declared the Minutes of the following Ordinary, Area and Ward Committees (copies of which had been circulated with the Summons) to be duly received:-

Ordinary Committees

Appointments – 6 March 2018

Audit – 14 March 2018

Contributors – 6 February 2018

Employment Appeals – 12 February 2018

Funding – 5 February 2018

Health & Wellbeing Board – 31 January 2018

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 10 January, 31 January and 14 February 2018

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 19 February 2018

Member –14 March 2018

Planning & Highways Regulation – 11 January and 15 February 2018

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 1 February and 8 March 2018

Central Stockport – 1 February and 8 March 2018

Cheadle – 30 January and 6 March 2018

Heatons & Reddish – 29 January and 5 March 2018

Marple – 31 January and 7 March 2018

Stepping Hill – 30 January and 6 March 2018

Werneth – 29 January and 5 March 2018

Ward Committees

Brinnington & Reddish Joint – 12 February 2018

Hazel Grove – 9 January 2018

Stockport Council calls on the government to revise legislation so that all new schools must be built in locations where the Local Authority:

·         agrees there is proven need for capacity; and

·         in light of this, has given approval for School building to take place.

Moved by:                  Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick

Seconded by:           Councillor Elise Wilson

RESOLVED – (47 for, 13 against) Stockport Council calls on the government to revise legislation so that all new schools must be built in locations where the Local Authority:

·         agrees there is proven need for capacity; and

·         in light of this, has given approval for School building to take place.

This Council Meeting notes with deep concern and regret recent findings by researchers from the University of Manchester’s Department of Geography that the River Tame has the highest recorded levels of microplastic pollution in the world, recorded at 517,000 particles per m2. The River Tame runs into Stockport Borough meeting its confluence with the Goyt to become the Mersey in the centre of our town.

This Council Meeting further recognises that the same study found that 70% of the microplastics were washed away from the river bed into the sea following flooding with researchers estimating that the 2015/16 floods resulted in around 43 billion microplastic particles from the River Mersey and Irwell catchments being flushed into the Irish Sea.

This Council Meeting therefore welcomes action from the Conservative Government on plastic pollution including:

·           Legislating to ban microbeads so our marine life is better protected, with a ban on the manufacture of products containing microbeads having come into force on 9 January 2018 and a ban on their sale coming into effect in July;

·           Doubling maximum litter fines to £150 to clean up our streets, with Local Authorities able to impose fines within the new range of £65-£150 from next month;

·           Requiring large retailers to charge 5p for all single-use plastic carrier bags. Since introduction nine billion fewer carrier bags have been distributed, a fall of 83%. Money raised from the charge - £95 million so far – has been donated to environmental, educational, and other good causes; and

·           Commitments in the 25 year environment plan, “A Green Future”, to work to a target of eliminating avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042 and significantly reducing and where possible preventing all kinds of marine plastic pollution – in particular material that came originally from land.

This Council Meeting further welcomes the launch, by Chancellor Philip Hammond, of the Tackling the Plastic Problem consultation and call for evidence which will see the Government look at the whole supply chain from production and retail to consumption and disposal and will consider a broad spectrum of potential ways to address the issue including new biodegradable materials, deposit return schemes, material reuse, enhanced recycling and R&D into new materials.

This Council Meeting therefore:

·           requests that the Cabinet ensures that SMBC take a full part wherever possible in the consultation;

·           calls on the Cabinet to follow the lead of the Conservative Government by removing all consumer single use plastic in its offices as soon as possible and by the end of 2018; and

·           requests that SMBC encourages local businesses and partner organisations to do the same by championing alternatives and the Chief Executive writing to all licensed premises in the Borough drawing this motion to their attention and requesting they also take action on single use plastics, such as drinking straws, cups, bottles, cutlery, and participate in the Government call for evidence.

Moved by:                  Councillor Alanna Vine
Seconded by:           Councillor John Wright

In accordance with the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 14.7 (Alteration of Motion) at the request of the mover of the motion the Council Meeting gave its consent to the alteration of the motion as tabled to incorporate an alteration which had been published and circulated in advance of the meeting.

MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council Meeting notes with deep concern and regret recent findings by researchers from the University of Manchester’s Department of Geography that the River Tame has the highest recorded levels of microplastic pollution in the world, recorded at 517,000 particles per m2. The River Tame runs into Stockport Borough meeting its confluence with the Goyt to become the Mersey in the centre of our town.

This Council Meeting further recognises that the same study found that 70% of the microplastics were washed away from the river bed into the sea following flooding with researchers estimating that the 2015/16 floods resulted in around 43 billion microplastic particles from the River Mersey and Irwell catchments being flushed into the Irish Sea.

This Council Meeting therefore welcomes action from the Conservative Government on plastic pollution including:

·         Legislating to ban microbeads so our marine life is better protected, with a ban on the manufacture of products containing microbeads having come into force on 9 January 2018 and a ban on their sale coming into effect in July;

·         Doubling maximum litter fines to £150 to clean up our streets, with Local Authorities able to impose fines within the new range of £65-£150 from next month;

·         Requiring large retailers to charge 5p for all single-use plastic carrier bags. Since introduction nine billion fewer carrier bags have been distributed, a fall of 83%. Money raised from the charge - £95 million so far – has been donated to environmental, educational, and other good causes; and

·         Commitments in the 25 year environment plan, “A Green Future”, to work to a target of eliminating avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042 and significantly reducing and where possible preventing all kinds of marine plastic pollution – in particular material that came originally from land.

In addition, this Council Meeting welcomes the #PlasticFreeGM Campaign which was announced at the GM Green Summit on 21st March, and notes that:

·         Building on the Government’s recent announcement about investigating how it can use the tax system to reduce plastic waste, it was announced that there will be a #Plastic Free GM Campaign to see how GM can be at the forefront of action to eliminate single use plastics.

·         A number of GM’s tourism and hospitality companies have already signed a pledge to eradicate the use of single use plastics by 2020. Within the next 6 months, these businesses will set out a plan to achieve this and, as a first step, will have begun to replace plastic with recyclable straws.

·         As part of this effort, the Mayor will help the campaign to establish a Green City Business Consortium that will bring together Greater Manchester businesses looking to make change from single-use plastics to reusable, recyclable plastics and other alternative materials.

This Council Meeting further welcomes the launch, by Chancellor Philip Hammond, of the Tackling the Plastic Problem consultation and call for evidence which will see the Government look at the whole supply chain from production and retail to consumption and disposal and will consider a broad spectrum of potential ways to address the issue including new biodegradable materials, deposit return schemes, material reuse, enhanced recycling and R&D into new materials.

This Council Meeting therefore:

·         requests that the Cabinet ensures that SMBC take a full part wherever possible in the consultation;

·         calls on the Cabinet to follow the lead of the Conservative Government by removing all consumer single use plastic in its offices as soon as possible and by the end of 2018; and

·         requests that SMBC encourages local businesses and partner organisations to do the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.(ii)

At this stage in the proceedings, the Mayor informed the Council Meeting that the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 9.1 (Duration of Meeting) would be invoked unless the Council Meeting wished the meeting to continue.

RESOLVED – (44 for, 15 against, 1 abstention) That, notwithstanding the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 9, the meeting continue to deal with the remaining business on the Summons.

RESOLVED - This Council Meeting notes with deep concern and regret recent findings by researchers from the University of Manchester’s Department of Geography that the River Tame has the highest recorded levels of microplastic pollution in the world, recorded at 517,000 particles per m2. The River Tame runs into Stockport Borough meeting its confluence with the Goyt to become the Mersey in the centre of our town.

This Council Meeting further recognises that the same study found that 70% of the microplastics were washed away from the river bed into the sea following flooding with researchers estimating that the 2015/16 floods resulted in around 43 billion microplastic particles from the River Mersey and Irwell catchments being flushed into the Irish Sea.

This Council Meeting therefore welcomes action from the Conservative Government on plastic pollution including:

·         Legislating to ban microbeads so our marine life is better protected, with a ban on the manufacture of products containing microbeads having come into force on 9 January 2018 and a ban on their sale coming into effect in July;

·         Doubling maximum litter fines to £150 to clean up our streets, with Local Authorities able to impose fines within the new range of £65-£150 from next month;

·         Requiring large retailers to charge 5p for all single-use plastic carrier bags. Since introduction nine billion fewer carrier bags have been distributed, a fall of 83%. Money raised from the charge - £95 million so far – has been donated to environmental, educational, and other good causes; and

·         Commitments in the 25 year environment plan, “A Green Future”, to work to a target of eliminating avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042 and significantly reducing and where possible preventing all kinds of marine plastic pollution – in particular material that came originally from land.

In addition, this Council Meeting welcomes the #PlasticFreeGM Campaign which was announced at the GM Green Summit on 21st March, and notes that:

·         Building on the Government’s recent announcement about investigating how it can use the tax system to reduce plastic waste, it was announced that there will be a #Plastic Free GM Campaign to see how GM can be at the forefront of action to eliminate single use plastics.

·         A number of GM’s tourism and hospitality companies have already signed a pledge to eradicate the use of single use plastics by 2020. Within the next 6 months, these businesses will set out a plan to achieve this and, as a first step, will have begun to replace plastic with recyclable straws.

·         As part of this effort, the Mayor will help the campaign to establish a Green City Business Consortium that will bring together Greater Manchester businesses looking to make change from single-use plastics to reusable, recyclable plastics and other alternative materials.

This Council Meeting further welcomes the launch, by Chancellor Philip Hammond, of the Tackling the Plastic Problem consultation and call for evidence which will see the Government look at the whole supply chain from production and retail to consumption and disposal and will consider a broad spectrum of potential ways to address the issue including new biodegradable materials, deposit return schemes, material reuse, enhanced recycling and R&D into new materials.

This Council Meeting therefore:

·         requests that the Cabinet ensures that SMBC take a full part wherever possible in the consultation;

·         calls on the Cabinet to follow the lead of the Conservative Government by removing all consumer single use plastic in its offices as soon as possible and by the end of 2018; and

·         requests that SMBC encourages local businesses and partner organisations to do the same by championing alternatives and the Chief Executive writing to all licensed premises in the Borough drawing this motion to their attention and requesting they also take action on single use plastics, such as drinking straws, cups, bottles, cutlery, and participate in the Government call for evidence.

This Council Meeting notes findings in a report from the Electoral Commission which showed that allegations of personation doubled nationally between 2014 and 2016.

This Council Meeting believes that electoral fraud is always unacceptable and that eliminating fraud and tackling improper practices ensures the integrity of our electoral system and builds a secure democracy that works for everyone.

This Council Meeting welcome steps already taken by the Government to ensure the protection of our democratic electoral system, a secure ballot and the tackling of electoral fraud such as the move to Individual Electoral Registration which ensures the register is more accurate, more up to date and helps to minimise opportunities for electoral fraud.

This Council Meeting notes the Government’s response, “A Democracy that Works for Everyone: A Clear and Secure Democracy” (December 2016), to Sir Eric Pickles’ review of electoral fraud which highlighted a number of vulnerabilities in our system including the potential for significant abuse in relation to personation at polling stations with little risk of detection and recommended introduction of voter identification.

This Council Meeting recognises that there continue to be strong arguments in favour of introducing voter identification and that the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Electoral Commission have recommended the introduction of ID in polling stations in the UK in recent years, with the Association of Electoral Administrators, SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council all in favour of an ID requirement.

This Council Meeting further recognises;

·           that ID requirements for eligible electors do not need to be over elaborate, should aim to enhance public confidence and be proportional;

·           that accessibility of polling stations for all those entitled to vote should be maintained;

·           that polling stations should be fully accessible to disabled people and those with mobility issues with additional appropriate help and assistance available for those with vision impairments;

·           that electoral integrity trials offer an opportunity to test and evaluate how effective difference varieties of ID in different combinations are in meeting the objectives of the trials;

·           that a number of commonly held photographic and non-photographic documents  will be accepted for identification purposes during the trials and that any elector unable to comply and produce the necessary identification will have another available option for proving their identity.

This Council Meeting therefore;

·           welcomes the electoral integrity pilots which will trial voter identification in the local elections in May 2018 at five authorities – Woking, Gosport, Bromley, Swindon and Watford – with Tower Hamlets also piloting new security features for postal voting; and

·           requests that the Chief Executive brings forward a report to CRMG Scrutiny Committee on voter identification once the results of the trials are known.

Moved by:                 Councillor Syd Lloyd

Seconded by:           Councillor John McGahan

MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council Meeting notes findings in a report from the Electoral Commission which showed that allegations of personation doubled nationally between 2014 and 2016.

This Council Meeting believes that electoral fraud is always unacceptable and that eliminating fraud and tackling improper practices ensures the integrity of our electoral system and builds a secure democracy that works for everyone.

This Council Meeting welcome steps already taken by the Government to ensure the protection of our democratic electoral system, a secure ballot and the tackling of electoral fraud such as the move to Individual Electoral Registration which ensures the register is more accurate, more up to date and helps to minimise opportunities for electoral fraud.

This Council Meeting notes the Government’s response, “A Democracy that Works for Everyone: A Clear and Secure Democracy” (December 2016), to Sir Eric Pickles’ review of electoral fraud which highlighted a number of vulnerabilities in our system including the potential for significant abuse in relation to personation at polling stations with little risk of detection and recommended introduction of voter identification.

This Council Meeting recognises that there continue to be strong arguments in favour of introducing voter identification and that the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Electoral Commission have recommended the introduction of ID in polling stations in the UK in recent years, with the Association of Electoral Administrators, SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council all in favour of an ID requirement.

This Council Meeting further recognises;

·         that ID requirements for eligible electors do not need to be over elaborate, should aim to enhance public confidence and be proportional;

·         that accessibility of polling stations for all those entitled to vote should be maintained;

·         that polling stations should be fully accessible to disabled people and those with mobility issues with additional appropriate help and assistance available for those with vision impairments;

·         that electoral integrity trials offer an opportunity to test and evaluate how effective difference varieties of ID in different combinations are in meeting the objectives of the trials;

·         that a number of commonly held photographic and non-photographic documents  will be accepted for identification purposes during the trials and that any elector unable to comply and produce the necessary identification will have another available option for proving their identity.

This Council Meeting therefore;

·         welcomes the electoral integrity pilots which will trial voter identification in the local elections in May 2018 at five authorities – Woking, Gosport, Bromley, Swindon and Watford – with Tower Hamlets also piloting new security features for postal voting; and

·         requests that the Chief Executive brings forward a report to CRMG Scrutiny Committee on voter identification once the results of the trials are known.

AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council Meeting notes findings in a report from the Electoral Commission which showed that allegations of personation doubled nationally between 2014 and 2016.

This Council Meeting believes that electoral fraud is always unacceptable and that eliminating fraud and tackling improper practices ensures the integrity of our electoral system and builds a secure democracy that works for everyone.

This Council Meeting notes steps already taken by the Government to ensure the protection of our democratic electoral system, a secure ballot and the tackling of electoral fraud such as the move to Individual Electoral Registration which ensures the register is more accurate, more up to date and helps to minimise opportunities for electoral fraud.

This Council Meeting notes the Government’s response, “A Democracy that Works for Everyone: A Clear and Secure Democracy” (December 2016), to Sir Eric Pickles’ review of electoral fraud which highlighted a number of vulnerabilities in our system including the potential for significant abuse in relation to personation at polling stations with little risk of detection and recommended introduction of voter identification.

This Council Meeting recognises that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.(ii)

The Council acknowledges that:

·           breastmilk is recognised by the World Health Organization as the ideal first food for babies to promote the best start in life, which also reduces risk of a range of infections and conditions including allergic disease, diabetes and some cancers;

·           whilst due to a range of hard work and recognised initiatives, progress has been made to increase breastfeeding in Stockport over recent years, last year saw a decline in overall breastfeeding rates;

·           alongside this, significant inequalities persist in breastfeeding rates between the least and most deprived areas of Stockport; and

·           although the Equality Act 2010 has specifically clarified that it is unlawful to discriminate against a woman because she is breastfeeding a child, there is some way to go until this is accepted as the norm on all premises.

The Council further notes that:

·           the decision whether or not to breastfeed - and for how long - is a complex one, with powerful cultural and familial factors involved;

·           confidence over breastfeeding outside the family home is a recognised barrier to breastfeeding which the Stockport Breastfeeding Welcome scheme, run by the Infant Feeding Team, aims to address;

·           access to skilled support and advice is highly important in helping mothers feel confident in choosing to breastfeed, and the delivery of mandatory training for all health visitors, midwives and paediatric nurses, alongside community and hospital support groups and clinics to offer specialist assistance, are key to this.

The Council believes that:

·           all women should be supported to feel confident and comfortable in breastfeeding their babies in line with WHO recommendations, across the social spectrum, to help all babies (and mothers) to receive the benefits of breastfeeding; and

·           Stockport should be seen as a ‘Breastfeeding Friendly’ town and that it should be made clear to all mothers that breastfeeding is welcomed in all public areas.

The Council therefore resolves to:

·           ensure that all Council premises are aware of their duty under the Equality Act 2010 not to discriminate against breastfeeding mothers and display signage to indicate that breastfeeding is welcome;

·           encourage all local businesses to sign up to the ‘Breastfeeding Welcome’ scheme; and

·           write to all schools, colleges and educational establishments to encourage them to display ‘Breastfeeding Friendly’ signage in their reception areas.

Moved By:                 Councillor Elise Wilson

Seconded by:           Councillor Tom McGee

In accordance with the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 14.7 (Alteration of Motion) at the request of the mover of the motion the Council Meeting gave its consent to the alteration of the motion as tabled to incorporate an alteration which had been published and circulated in advance of the meeting.

MOVED AND SECONDED - The Council acknowledges that:

·         breastmilk is recognised by the World Health Organization as the ideal first food for babies to promote the best start in life, which also reduces risk of a range of infections and conditions including allergic disease, diabetes and some cancers;

·         whilst due to a range of hard work and recognised initiatives, progress has been made to increase breastfeeding in Stockport over recent years, last year saw a decline in overall breastfeeding rates;

·         alongside this, significant inequalities persist in breastfeeding rates between the least and most deprived areas of Stockport; and

·         although the Equality Act 2010 has specifically clarified that it is unlawful to discriminate against a woman because she is breastfeeding a child, there is some way to go until this is accepted as the norm on all premises.

The Council further notes that:

·         the decision whether or not to breastfeed - and for how long - is a complex one, with powerful cultural and familial factors involved;

·         confidence over breastfeeding outside the family home is a recognised barrier to breastfeeding which the Stockport Breastfeeding Welcome scheme, run by the Infant Feeding Team, aims to address;

·         access to skilled support and advice is highly important in helping mothers feel confident in choosing to breastfeed, and the delivery of mandatory training for all health visitors, midwives and paediatric nurses, alongside community and hospital support groups and clinics to offer specialist assistance, are key to this.

The Council believes that:

·         all women should be supported to feel confident and comfortable in breastfeeding their babies in line with WHO recommendations, across the social spectrum, to help all babies (and mothers) to receive the benefits of breastfeeding;

·         Stockport should be seen as a ‘Breastfeeding Friendly’ town and that it should be made clear to all mothers that breastfeeding is welcomed in all public areas; and

·         That ultimately the decision whether or not to breastfeed must lie with the mother and no action should be taken which may make mothers feel guilty if they are unable or choose not to breastfeed.

The Council therefore resolves to:

·         ensure that all Council premises are aware of their duty under the Equality Act 2010 not to discriminate against breastfeeding mothers and display signage to indicate that breastfeeding is welcome;

·         encourage all local businesses to sign up to the ‘Breastfeeding Welcome’ scheme; and

·         write to all schools, colleges and educational establishments to encourage them to display ‘Breastfeeding Friendly’ signage in their reception areas.

AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council acknowledges that:

·         breastmilk is recognised by the World Health Organisation as the ideal first food for babies to promote the best start in life, which also reduces risk of a range of infections and conditions including allergic disease, diabetes and some cancers;

·         the World Health Organisation also recommends continued breastfeeding along within complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond;

·         whilst due to a range of hard work and recognised initiatives, progress has been made to increase breastfeeding in Stockport over recent years, last year saw a decline in overall breastfeeding rates;

·         alongside this, significant inequalities persist in breastfeeding rates between the least and most deprived areas of Stockport;

·         it is for mothers to decide how long they wish to breastfeed and returning to work does not mean a mother has to stop breastfeeding and should not be a barrier to either initiation or continuation of breastfeeding; and

·         although the Equality Act 2010 has specifically clarified that is in unlawful to discriminate against a woman because she is breastfeeding a child, there is some way to go  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.(iii)

This Council calls upon the Government to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born on or after 6th April 1950, who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the State Pension Age (SPA) with lack of appropriate notification.

Hundreds of thousands of women had significant pension changes imposed on them by the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011 with little or no personal notification of the changes. Some women had only two years notice of a six-year increase to their state pension age.

Many women born in the 1950's are living in hardship. Retirement plans have been shattered with devastating consequences. Many of these women are already out of the labour market, caring for elderly relatives, providing childcare for grandchildren, or suffer discrimination in the workplace so struggle to find employment. Women born in this decade are suffering financially. These women have worked hard, raised families and paid their tax and national insurance with the expectation that they would be financially secure when reaching 60. It is not the pension age itself that is in dispute - it is widely accepted that women and men should retire at the same time. The issue is that the rise in the women's state pension age has been too rapid and has happened without sufficient notice being given to the women affected, leaving women with no time to make alternative arrangements.

This Council acknowledges and welcomes the decision made by the GMCA to introduce local travel concessions for women in Greater Manchester born between October 1953 and November 1954 from April 2018.

This Council calls upon the Government to reconsider transitional arrangements for women born on or after 6th April 1950, so that women do not live in hardship due to pension changes they were not told about until it was too late to make alternative arrangements.

Moved By:                 Councillor Yvonne Guariento

Seconded by:           Councillor Wendy Wild

RESOLVED - This Council calls upon the Government to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born on or after 6th April 1950, who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the State Pension Age (SPA) with lack of appropriate notification.

Hundreds of thousands of women had significant pension changes imposed on them by the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011 with little or no personal notification of the changes. Some women had only two years notice of a six-year increase to their state pension age.

Many women born in the 1950's are living in hardship. Retirement plans have been shattered with devastating consequences. Many of these women are already out of the labour market, caring for elderly relatives, providing childcare for grandchildren, or suffer discrimination in the workplace so struggle to find employment. Women born in this decade are suffering financially. These women have worked hard, raised families and paid their tax and national insurance with the expectation that they would be financially secure when reaching 60. It is not the pension age itself that is in dispute - it is widely accepted that women and men should retire at the same time. The issue is that the rise in the women's state pension age has been too rapid and has happened without sufficient notice being given to the women affected, leaving women with no time to make alternative arrangements.

This Council acknowledges and welcomes the decision made by the GMCA to introduce local travel concessions for women in Greater Manchester born between October 1953 and November 1954 from April 2018.

This Council calls upon the Government to reconsider transitional arrangements for women born on or after 6th April 1950, so that women do not live in hardship due to pension changes they were not told about until it was too late to make alternative arrangements.

To designate Patrick Arran (Interim Head of Legal and Democratic Governances) as the Monitoring Officer.

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) requested that the Council Meeting give consideration to a proposal to designate Patrick Arran (Interim Head of Legal and Democratic Governance) as the Monitoring Officer.

RESOLVED – That Patrick Arran (Interim Head of Legal and Democratic Governance) be designated as the Monitoring Officer.

To appoint Lisa Robinson as a Parent Governor Representative on the Children & Families Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the provisions of The Parent Governor Representatives (England) Regulations 2001.

RESOLVED -  That Lisa Robinson be appointed as a Parent Governor Representative on the Children & Families Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the provisions of The Parent Governor Representatives (England) Regulations 2001.

To appoint Margaret Regan to serve as a member with experience in education on the Admission Appeals Panel.

RESOLVED – That Margaret Regan be appointed to serve as a member with experience in education on the Admission Appeals Panel.