Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 28 June 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the Meeting of the Council held on 28 June 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 Councillor Holt had walked up Ben Nevis to raise funds for the Mayor’s Charity.  It was stated that thus far £1,200 had been raised and the Mayor expressed his thanks to Councillor Holt and all those councillors who had made a contribution.

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

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 any matters within the powers and duties of the Council.

Ten public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to the consequences of the refresh of the investment and benefit plans for Stockport Together.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care (Councillor Wendy Wild) responded that reference to Stockport Together was in the summer review of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan which recognised that there was a lowered forecast of the expected financial benefits from the previously agreed economic business case.  This had resulted in further investment in the new models of care at risk and increasing capacity in community and primary care which was underpinned by the financial risk share agreement. 

It was stated that the Council had set aside an additional £4.6 million over this year and the next to offset the financial risk ahead of the benefits being realised and providing for a sustainable funding source for this additional community capacity.

·         Relating to the planned date for the opening of the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) responded that there would be an open day held on the new road on 7 October 2018 to allow members of the public to see and take advantage of the road for cycling, running and walking in a way that they would not be able to do once it was fully open to traffic.  The Council was aiming to open the road to traffic in October, and it was hoped that it would be possible to open it immediately after the open day event on 7 October, however at this stage it could not be  confirmed that the outstanding works would be completed in time.

·         Relating to the date for the opening of the Produce Hall and how the plans were progressing.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) stated that it had been found that the works at the Produce Hall were more complex than first anticipated due to the age and nature of the building and the specification of works needed to ensure that it could be transformed into restaurants.  This had not resulted in any increase in the budget for the project, however the work had been more complex and would therefore take longer to carry out than was originally planned.  Councillor Ganotis confirmed that the Produce Hall and the nearby former Blackshaws Café site were both aiming to open before Christmas.

·         Relating to whether the Council had undertaken assessments in relation to the effects of Brexit on Stockport.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) responded that he was very concerned about the impact on the country from the UK’s departure from the European Union, and in particular about the impact this would have on Stockport.  It was stated that the Council had assessed the impact of Brexit in respect of the loss of both EU structural funds and EU social funds, and within the regular treasury management reports consideration was given to the foreseeable impact of the Brexit Bill and the uncertaint impact on the economy.

It was further stated the Greater Manchester Combined Authority was undertaking ongoing assessments of Brexit across the whole of the conurbation and all councils, including Stockport, had been providing information as part of that analysis.  This information formed part of the regular Brexit Monitor reports that were submitted to meetings of the Combined Authority.

·         Relating to what contingency plans had been put in place to ensure that Stockport had access to food, medicines, power, heating and other essential resources in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The  ...  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.

No such arrangements have been made for this meeting.

There were no petitions or presentations.

(a)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

Councillor Sheila Bailey to answer questions, if any, on the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.

(b)       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)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

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

(b)       Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Councillor Lisa Smart referred to the forthcoming meeting of the Bus Network and Transport for Greater Manchester Services Sub-Committee at which it was proposed to disestablish the 380 and 381 bus services and replace them with a new 382 bus service and asked whether Councillor Taylor considered that the additional information provided with in the report and the lack of any further passengers counts constituted an appropriate level of democracy for Greater Manchester and for the people affected by the removal of this bus route.

Councillor Taylor responded that although he was not a member of the Sub-Committee, he would be attending as an observer and would expect that the Sub-Committee would be presented with additional patronage data.  However, he did not anticipate that there would be a significant upturn in patronage such that the Sub-Committee would be minded to not proceed with the proposed changes to the 380 and 381 services in the light of previous evidence that congestion on the route meant that to sustain the current level of service an additional bus would need to be provided.

Councillor Foster-Grime asked Councillor Driver about the impact of Brexit on existing waste disposal contracts and future procurement exercises.

Councillor Driver stated that details of the ongoing procurement process for Greater Manchester’s waste and resource management services remained private and confidential.  Councillor Driver then commented that Brexit would form a potential risk factor for any contract, and officers were aware of the issues and were taking appropriate advice. 

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 a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to make changes to the membership and Operating Agreement for the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee and seeking the authorisation of the Council Meeting to consent to those changes to the Joint Committee.

The Leader of the Council reported that the Cabinet at its meeting on 14 August 2018 had given approval to the proposed changes insofar as they related to the discharge of executive functions.

MOVED AND SECONDED – That approval be given to the following changes to the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee insofar as they related to discharge of non-executive functions:-

·         the size of TfGMC being 23 members to be appointed as follows-

o   each Local Authority to appoint one member (Transport and Highways Portfolio Lead), save for Manchester City Council to appoint two members (including Transport and Highways Portfolio Lead).

o   to nominate a further member, to be appointed by GMCA to ensure political balance.

·         that the remaining 2 appointments will be one member to be appointed by GMCA and one member appointed by the Mayor.

·         to amend the Operating Agreement to reflect these changes.

·         that the Terms of Reference be reviewed to ensure that they reflect the Mayor’s current transport powers with a further review in 2019/20 to reflect proposed powers.

For the motion 22, against 32, abstentions 4.

MOTION NOT CARRIED

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 a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the annual treasury report reviewing treasury management activities and the actual prudential and treasury indicators for 2017/18.

RESOLVED - (1) That approval be given to the actual 2017/18 prudential and treasury indicators detailed in the report.

(2) That the annual treasury management report for 2017/18 be noted.

(3) That it be noted that no fundamental changes had been made during 2017/18 to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices approved at the Council Meeting on 14 September 2017.

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 a number of local authorities had started to face significant financial difficulties, including most notably Northamptonshire County Council where services had been pared down to the provision of statutory services.

However, it was stated that was not the position that Stockport faced as a result of the difficult decisions that had been taken in recent years in terms of service reform and increasing Council Tax.  It was further stated that in order to continue to provide decent levels of service, it would require more difficult decisions to be taken.  The Council had published an overview of the approach that would be taken in relation to the next budget which would be a two year budget requiring savings of approximately £30 million.  Councillor Ganotis stated that the Council had aimed to restrict any Council Tax increase in 2019/20 to no more than 2.99%, inclusive of a 1% adult social care precept, however it would be difficult to achieve that aim in the light of ongoing pressures on the Council’s budget.

Councillor Ganotis also reported on ongoing work to tackle air quality issues in Greater Manchester, including a major public campaign which aimed to show the impact of poor air quality. 

In respect of the town centre, Councillor Ganotis reported that there were a large number of new developments taking place including new bars and restaurants opening before Christmas.  It was stated that visitor numbers for Redrock had far exceeded expectations and that proposals would shortly be brought forward for the revamping of the Merseyway Shopping Centre.

Finally, Councillor Ganotis informed members of the CQC review that had been undertaken in respect of Stockport Together which recognised the positives and negatives in terms of the speed of implementation of Stockport Together and what had been delivered so far.  The report praised the leadership of Stockport Council over Stockport Together and the changes that had been implemented in previous months, and great strides had been made since the publication of the report in addressing those areas of the report which needed further attention. 

The Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) reported that on Monday, 17 September the second Public Space Protection Order brought in under the current administration would come into force that aimed at improving the environment for Stockport’s residents.  The first of these orders aimed to stop the nuisance of car cruises, whilst the second aimed to tackle the minority of dog owners that did not act responsibly.

Councillor Bailey then reported that the latest Viaduct Housing development had opened at Carrington Field Street and Charles Street, Heaviley.  The two developments together comprised 171 properties which included a mix of two and three bedroom homes for affordable rent and shared ownership.  It was stated that the next Viaduct Housing development to open would be the St Thomas’ development at Shaw Heath and later this year work would start on the development of 47 affordable homes at the site of the former Booth Street Depot.

Councillor Bailey confirmed that over 450 new trees would be planted during this year’s tree planting season, with similar numbers being planted in the following three years.  When combined with last year’s tree planting, it was stated that this would provide just under 2,200 new trees in Stockport which would complete the backlog inherited by the administration by 2022. 

Finally, Councillor Bailey reported that the street lighting programme would commence in October 2018 which would see the replacement of current street lighting with LED bulbs, and the replacement schedule would be circulated separately to councillors.

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance (Councillor Elise Wilson) reported that the first application window for the Stockport Local Fund closed on 7 August 2018 which had seen 186 applications of which 34 were for less than £500 with the remainder applying  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.(i)

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

The Leader of the Council  and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution and the Cabinet Members for Communities & Housing, Education, and Health answered questions and responded to comments relating to the business of the Cabinet in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

To receive the Minutes of the Cabinet held on 17 July and 14 August 2018 (pages) and the record of executive decisions taken since the last Council Meeting, (schedule enclosed, decisions previously circulated) (pages) and consider any recommendations they contain.

The Mayor declared the minutes of the Cabinet Meetings held on 17 July and 14 August 2018 and the record of executive decisions 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 – 26 June and 24 July 2018

Children & Families – 4 July and 1 August 2018

Communities & Housing – 2 July and 30 July 2018

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 3 July and 31 July 2018

Economy & Regeneration – 5 July and 2 August 2018

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 19 June and 13 August 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 – 26 June and 24 July 2018

Children & Families – 4 July and 1 August 2018

Communities & Housing – 2 July and 30 July 2018

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 3 July and 31 July 2018

Economy & Regeneration – 5 July and 2 August 2018

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 19 June and 13 August 2018

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee (Councillor Lisa Smart) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the development of work programmes for scrutiny committees in 2018/19 and providing details of a proposed programme of reviews to be carried out by Scrutiny Committees over the course of the year.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the Scrutiny Review Work Programme for 2018/19.

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 – 14 June and 19 July 2018

Audit – 18 July 2018

Contributors – 26 July 2018

Funding – 27 June 2018

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 20 June, 23 July, 25 July and 20 August 2018

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 1 August and 7 August 2018

Member – 9 July 2018

Planning & Highways Regulation – 21 June and 26 July 2018

Standards – 3 September 2018

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 12 July and 9 August 2018

Central Stockport – 12 July and 9 August 2018

Cheadle – 10 July and 7 August 2018

Heatons & Reddish – 9 July and 6 August 2018

Marple – 11 July and 8 August 2018

Stepping Hill – 10 July and 7 August 2018

Werneth – 9 July and 6 August 2018

Ward Committees

Brinnington & Reddish Joint – 18 June 2018

The 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 – 14 June and 19 July 2018

Audit – 18 July 2018

Contributors – 26 July 2018

Funding – 27 June 2018

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 20 June, 23 July, 25 July and 20 August 2018

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 1 August and 7 August 2018

Member – 9 July 2018

Planning & Highways Regulation – 21 June and 26 July 2018

Standards – 3 September 2018

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 12 July and 9 August 2018

Central Stockport – 12 July and 9 August 2018

Cheadle – 10 July and 7 August 2018

Heatons & Reddish – 9 July and 6 August 2018

Marple – 11 July and 8 August 2018

Stepping Hill – 10 July and 7 August 2018

Werneth – 9 July and 6 August 2018

Ward Committees

Brinnington & Reddish Joint – 18 June 2018

To consider a report of the Chair of Audit Committee.

The Chair of the Audit Committee submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which demonstrated how the Audit Committee had fulfilled its terms of reference during the financial year and how it was fully committed to helping to improve the Council’s governance and control environments during the year ahead.  The report further outlined how the committee’s activities during the financial year were designed to make a positive contribution to the continual improvement of governance arrangements across the Council, as well as performing the statutory roles as identified in the Constitution.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

This Council notes, with concern:

·         the recent Cooperative ‘Tackling Slavery’ campaign, which finds Modern Slavery to be very much with us in the present day, with an estimated 5,145 cases in 2017;

·         that 188 referrals were made either by or to Greater Manchester police in 2017 alone; and

·         that the above figures are likely to represent the ‘tip of the iceberg’ with the International Labour Organisation estimating annual profits from the trafficking of humans generates $150 billion globally.

This Council recognises:

·         that Modern Slavery is defined as a situation where traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment;

·         this is not an issue which concerns just one group or nationality, with the third largest victim group in 2016 being comprised of UK nationals, proportionate splits between male and female cases and sourcing of Modern Slavery from over 100 countries in 2017;

·         that Local Authorities in England spend over £40billion per year on our behalf across the services they provide and the supply chains they fund.  As organisations with huge spending power, we have a responsibility to the public to do our level best to ensure that public money does not end up supporting this exploitation;

·         The Cooperative Party’s’ recommendation for Local Authorities to adopt a Modern Day Slavery Charter (which can be read at https://party.coop/policy/modern-slavery-charter/), is comprised of series of simple and low-cost actions which can help Councils ensure their supply chains are not contributing to modern slavery.

Consequent to the above, this Council resolves to:

·         instruct and work with the relevant Officers to produce a Stockport Council Modern Slavery Statement, which adopts and incorporates principles set out in the Co-operative Party’s Charter against Modern Slavery which go beyond the provisions of existing LGA guidelines on Modern Slavery, in order to ensure our procurement practices do not support slavery;

·         review this Stockport Modern Slavery Statement  annually to ensure currency; and

·         request that the Chief Executive write to the Cooperative Party Tackling Slavery Campaign to alert them to these actions, of our support for their efforts and ongoing  vigilance against this abhorrent practice.

Moved by:                  Councillor David Meller

Seconded by:           Councillor Elise Wilson

RESOLVED - This Council notes, with concern:

·         the recent Cooperative ‘Tackling Slavery’ campaign, which finds Modern Slavery to be very much with us in the present day, with an estimated 5,145 cases in 2017;

·         that 188 referrals were made either by or to Greater Manchester police in 2017 alone; and

·         that the above figures are likely to represent the ‘tip of the iceberg’ with the International Labour Organisation estimating annual profits from the trafficking of humans generates $150 billion globally.

This Council recognises:

·         that Modern Slavery is defined as a situation where traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment;

·         this is not an issue which concerns just one group or nationality, with the third largest victim group in 2016 being comprised of UK nationals, proportionate splits between male and female cases and sourcing of Modern Slavery from over 100 countries in 2017;

·         that Local Authorities in England spend over £40billion per year on our behalf across the services they provide and the supply chains they fund.  As organisations with huge spending power, we have a responsibility to the public to do our level best to ensure that public money does not end up supporting this exploitation;

·         The Cooperative Party’s’ recommendation for Local Authorities to adopt a Modern Day Slavery Charter (which can be read at https://party.coop/policy/modern-slavery-charter/), is comprised of series of simple and low-cost actions which can help Councils ensure their supply chains are not contributing to modern slavery.

Consequent to the above, this Council resolves to:

·         instruct and work with the relevant Officers to produce a Stockport Council Modern Slavery Statement, which adopts and incorporates principles set out in the Co-operative Party’s Charter against Modern Slavery which go beyond the provisions of existing LGA guidelines on Modern Slavery, in order to ensure our procurement practices do not support slavery;

·         review this Stockport Modern Slavery Statement  annually to ensure currency; and

·         request that the Chief Executive write to the Cooperative Party Tackling Slavery Campaign to alert them to these actions, of our support for their efforts and ongoing  vigilance against this abhorrent practice.

This Council Meeting notes that it is now  more than two years since the EU referendum and the government has still to present to the public a deal with the European Union that secures a stable and sustainable place for Britain in the world and delivers on the promises of the Leave campaign.

This Council Meeting further notes:

·         The UK economy is now the slowest growing economy in Europe, reducing the prosperity of the UK and Stockport residents;

·         Confidence of investors and established businesses in Greater Manchester is ebbing like those elsewhere in the UK, as we await the results of negotiations and the final Brexit deal;

·         Both private business and public-sector organizations, such as the NHS, are facing labour shortages;

·         New investment in Greater Manchester is being jeopardised and new job opportunities are being lost for residents of Stockport and across the North West;

·         Inflation caused by Brexit-related depreciation of the pound is driving up living costs for the residents in Stockport and further squeezing living standards; and

·         Impact of any Brexit will reduce funding for the public sector, further restricting resilience and capacity to respond to shocks to our economy and limiting services for the poorest in our society.

This Council Meeting agrees that the current rights of EU citizens living in the UK should always be fully protected.

This Council also notes that in 2016 over 52% of Stockport residents voted to remain in the European Union. Current indications are that support for remaining is now at a substantially higher level.

This Council Meeting believes that the public should be given the final say on the most important decision to affect this Country in decades, in knowledge of the full facts.

This Council Meeting therefore resolves to call on the government to abandon any plans for a “hard Brexit” and to give the British people a final say on the deal finally negotiated, alongside the opportunity for a vote on keeping the many benefits Britons currently enjoy by staying in the European Union.

Moved by:                  Councillor Helen Foster-Grime

Seconded by:            Councillor Colin MacAlister

MOVED AND SECONDED -  This Council Meeting notes that it is now  more than two years since the EU referendum and the government has still to present to the public a deal with the European Union that secures a stable and sustainable place for Britain in the world and delivers on the promises of the Leave campaign.

This Council Meeting further notes:

·         The UK economy is now the slowest growing economy in Europe, reducing the prosperity of the UK and Stockport residents;

·         Confidence of investors and established businesses in Greater Manchester is ebbing like those elsewhere in the UK, as we await the results of negotiations and the final Brexit deal;

·         Both private business and public-sector organizations, such as the NHS, are facing labour shortages;

·         New investment in Greater Manchester is being jeopardised and new job opportunities are being lost for residents of Stockport and across the North West;

·         Inflation caused by Brexit-related depreciation of the pound is driving up living costs for the residents in Stockport and further squeezing living standards; and

·         Impact of any Brexit will reduce funding for the public sector, further restricting resilience and capacity to respond to shocks to our economy and limiting services for the poorest in our society.

This Council Meeting agrees that the current rights of EU citizens living in the UK should always be fully protected.

This Council also notes that in 2016 over 52% of Stockport residents voted to remain in the European Union. Current indications are that support for remaining is now at a substantially higher level.

This Council Meeting believes that the public should be given the final say on the most important decision to affect this Country in decades, in knowledge of the full facts.

This Council Meeting therefore resolves to call on the government to abandon any plans for a “hard Brexit” and to give the British people a final say on the deal finally negotiated, alongside the opportunity for a vote on keeping the many benefits Britons currently enjoy by staying in the European Union.

At this stage in the proceedings (10.00 pm) 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 – (45 for, 12 against, 1 abstention) That the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 9.1 (Duration of Meeting) be duly invoked.

It was then

RESOLVED – (40 for, 15 against, 3 abstentions) This Council Meeting notes that it is now  more than two years since the EU referendum and the government has still to present to the public a deal with the European Union that secures a stable and sustainable place for Britain in the world and delivers on the promises of the Leave campaign.

This Council Meeting further notes:

·         The UK economy is now the slowest growing economy in Europe, reducing the prosperity of the UK and Stockport residents;

·         Confidence of investors and established businesses in Greater Manchester is ebbing like those elsewhere in the UK, as we await the results of negotiations and the final Brexit deal;

·         Both private business and public-sector organizations, such as the NHS, are facing labour shortages;

·         New investment in Greater Manchester is being jeopardised and new job opportunities are being lost for residents of Stockport and across the North West;

·         Inflation caused by Brexit-related depreciation of the pound is driving up living costs for the residents in Stockport and further squeezing living standards; and

·         Impact of any Brexit will reduce funding for the public sector, further restricting resilience and capacity to respond to shocks to our economy and limiting services for the poorest in our society.

This Council Meeting agrees that the current rights of EU citizens living in the UK should always be fully protected.

This Council also notes that in 2016 over 52% of Stockport residents voted to remain in the European Union. Current indications are that support for remaining is now at a substantially higher level.

This Council Meeting believes that the public should be given the final say on the most important decision to affect this Country in decades, in knowledge of the full facts.

This Council Meeting therefore resolves to call on the government to abandon any plans for a “hard Brexit” and to give the British people a final say on the deal finally negotiated, alongside the opportunity for a vote on keeping the many benefits Britons currently enjoy by staying in the European Union.

This Council Meeting supports the extension of the electoral franchise to citizens aged 16 and over as a natural and just equalisation of voting rights to match personal responsibilities.

This council meeting also supports the need for greater engagement with young people, leading to greater involvement of young people in the decisions that affect their community.

This Council Meeting welcomes meaningful discussion on the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds to include civic and democratic education in schools.

This Council Meeting recognises the ongoing Votes at 16 campaign by the British Youth Council and the UK Youth Parliament to lower the voting age to 16.

This Council Meeting believes in a united democracy across the United Kingdom and calls for the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds in local government and devolved elections and for referenda in England and Northern Ireland, as seen in Scotland and Wales.

This Council Meeting notes and reaffirms the amended resolution it passed on 2nd July 2015 which sought an extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds in all elections, in addition to the then expected referendum on EU membership to which the original motion referred.

This Council Meeting resolves to ask the Chief Executive to:

·         Write to the British Youth Council stating our support for the Votes at 16 campaign;

·         Write to local Members of Parliament stating our support for the Votes at 16 campaign;

·         Write to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham stating our support for the Votes at 16 campaign; and

·         Write to the Prime Minister and the Minister for the Cabinet Office asking them to consider extending the voting age to 16 and 17 year olds for local government and devolved elections and for referenda in England and Northern Ireland, and to review the wider franchise for all elections and referenda in the UK

.

Moved by:                  Councillor Lisa Smart

Seconded by:            Councillor Will Dawson

RESOLVED – (44 for, 12 against) This Council Meeting supports the extension of the electoral franchise to citizens aged 16 and over as a natural and just equalisation of voting rights to match personal responsibilities.

This council meeting also supports the need for greater engagement with young people, leading to greater involvement of young people in the decisions that affect their community.

This Council Meeting welcomes meaningful discussion on the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds to include civic and democratic education in schools.

This Council Meeting recognises the ongoing Votes at 16 campaign by the British Youth Council and the UK Youth Parliament to lower the voting age to 16.

This Council Meeting believes in a united democracy across the United Kingdom and calls for the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds in local government and devolved elections and for referenda in England and Northern Ireland, as seen in Scotland and Wales.

This Council Meeting notes and reaffirms the amended resolution it passed on 2nd July 2015 which sought an extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds in all elections, in addition to the then expected referendum on EU membership to which the original motion referred.

This Council Meeting resolves to ask the Chief Executive to:

·         Write to the British Youth Council stating our support for the Votes at 16 campaign;

·         Write to local Members of Parliament stating our support for the Votes at 16 campaign;

·         Write to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham stating our support for the Votes at 16 campaign; and

·         Write to the Prime Minister and the Minister for the Cabinet Office asking them to consider extending the voting age to 16 and 17 year olds for local government and devolved elections and for referenda in England and Northern Ireland, and to review the wider franchise for all elections and referenda in the UK

This Council recognises;

·         that many people living with disability require fully accessible toilets with extra equipment and space which exceeds that of standard accessible toilets in order to use these facilities safely and comfortably; 

·         that it is estimated that up to a quarter of a million people in the UK require these additional facilities and experience  difficulty using standard accessible toilets;

·         the severe life-limiting impact that lack of adequate fully accessible, Changing Places standard toilets in the public realm can have on people living with a disability; and

·         subsequently recognises the value of the work of the Changing Places campaign to encourage accessible facilities for disabled people to be installed to cater to these individuals in venues such as Town Centres, Shopping Centres, Arts Venues, Leisure Complexes, Sporting Stadiums, Arenas, Hospitals and transport hubs including, train stations, airports and motorway service stations.

This Council further recognises;

·         that Stockport Council is already leading by example through housing its own such facility at Fred Perry House which meets the standards of the campaign;

·         that although this is welcome, this is currently the only such facility in the Borough, according to the Changing Places campaign website.

This Council Meeting welcomes recent progress in response to the Changing Places campaign, such as commitments in the Government’s recent Inclusive Transport Strategy to:

·         provide a £2m fund to install more Changing Places facilities at motorway services areas across England to deliver a rapid step-change in the availability of Changing Places facilities across the motorway network, allowing the majority of motorway service areas to have them in place by the early 2020s;

·         support the Rail Delivery Group’s work to explore how real-time information on the availability of Changing Places facilities can be provided to passengers; and

·         publish recommendations for the maritime industry on how they can make the infrastructure for travelling by sea more accessible, including by considering installing Changing Places facilities when they upgrade and renovate port facilities.   

This Council therefore resolves to;

·         endorse the work of the Changing Places campaign and endeavour to encourage organisations and the custodians of public spaces in the Borough of Stockport to install facilities of this standard where practicable;

·         work with Transport for Greater Manchester to deliver our shared and stated proposal to make provision within the new Stockport Interchange for fully accessible toilets with baby changing and Changing Places facilities;

·         examine the possibility of installing further compliant facilities in the Town Centre; and

·         request that the Chief Executive write to all relevant Local Disability Groups and other relevant organisations to raise awareness of the presence of the facilities at Fred Perry House and those planned at the Interchange, the Changing Places campaign and the importance of such facilities for those that need them.

Moved by:                  Councillor Laura Booth

Seconded by:           Councillor Annette Finnie 

RESOLVED - (56 for) This Council recognises;

·         that many people living with disability require fully accessible toilets with extra equipment and space which exceeds that of standard accessible toilets in order to use these facilities safely and comfortably; 

·         that it is estimated that up to a quarter of a million people in the UK require these additional facilities and experience  difficulty using standard accessible toilets;

·         the severe life-limiting impact that lack of adequate fully accessible, Changing Places standard toilets in the public realm can have on people living with a disability; and

·         subsequently recognises the value of the work of the Changing Places campaign to encourage accessible facilities for disabled people to be installed to cater to these individuals in venues such as Town Centres, Shopping Centres, Arts Venues, Leisure Complexes, Sporting Stadiums, Arenas, Hospitals and transport hubs including, train stations, airports and motorway service stations.

This Council further recognises;

·         that Stockport Council is already leading by example through housing its own such facility at Fred Perry House which meets the standards of the campaign;

·         that although this is welcome, this is currently the only such facility in the Borough, according to the Changing Places campaign website.

This Council Meeting welcomes recent progress in response to the Changing Places campaign, such as commitments in the Government’s recent Inclusive Transport Strategy to:

·         provide a £2m fund to install more Changing Places facilities at motorway services areas across England to deliver a rapid step-change in the availability of Changing Places facilities across the motorway network, allowing the majority of motorway service areas to have them in place by the early 2020s;

·         support the Rail Delivery Group’s work to explore how real-time information on the availability of Changing Places facilities can be provided to passengers; and

·         publish recommendations for the maritime industry on how they can make the infrastructure for travelling by sea more accessible, including by considering installing Changing Places facilities when they upgrade and renovate port facilities.   

This Council therefore resolves to;

·         endorse the work of the Changing Places campaign and endeavour to encourage organisations and the custodians of public spaces in the Borough of Stockport to install facilities of this standard where practicable;

·         work with Transport for Greater Manchester to deliver our shared and stated proposal to make provision within the new Stockport Interchange for fully accessible toilets with baby changing and Changing Places facilities;

·         examine the possibility of installing further compliant facilities in the Town Centre; and

·         request that the Chief Executive write to all relevant Local Disability Groups and other relevant organisations to raise awareness of the presence of the facilities at Fred Perry House and those planned at the Interchange, the Changing Places campaign and the importance of such facilities for those that need them.

To designate Victoria Bates as the Monitoring Officer.

RESOLVED – That Victoria Bates be designated as the Monitoring Officer with effect from 22 October 2018.