Agenda and minutes

At this stage in the proceedings, the Mayor invited the Cabinet Member for Education (Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick) to make a brief statement.

Councillor Fitzpatrick referred to the recent collapse of the suspended ceiling in the hall of St Thomas CE Primary School, Heaton Chapel and reported that the Council was working closely with the Diocese of Manchester, the head teacher and governors.  It was stated that the safety and security of children and staff at the school was paramount and the Council was taking expert advice and liaising with various organisations including the Health and Safety Executive and the Diocese regarding the reopening the school.

Councillor Fitzpatrick confirmed that the school would remain closed until the end of the week and would only reopen when it was safe to do so.  Every effort was being made to reopen after the half-term break and update would be sent to parents and staff shortly.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 13 September 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the Meeting of the Council held on 13 September 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 announced that on Friday, 2 October he had attended the funeral of Ken Hampson.  The Mayor stated that along with his wife Hilda, Ken had been heavily involved in the sale of poppies throughout Stockport and that together they had raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Royal British Legion.  On behalf of the Council, the Mayor expressed his sincere condolences to Ken’s family and its gratitude for his hard work over the years.

The Mayor then referred to the recent opening of the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road and stated that he had attended the open day that was held on Sunday, 7 October 2018.  The Mayor reported that the day had been very well attended and extended his thanks to all of those who had been involved in organising the day.

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 matters within the powers and duties of the Council.

Four public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to the future of the bronze-age site found during the construction of the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) responded that the archaeological findings were carefully recorded by archaeologists and passed onto the Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit to agree next steps.  It was stated that now that the works on the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road were complete, the land in question was being returned to its former use as open agricultural land.

·         Relating to whether there had been any progress on plans to relocate Lisburne Special School.

The Cabinet Member for Education (Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick) responded that there had been progress on the rebuild of Lisburne Special School on a larger scale, and the funding envelope for the project has been established at £14 million.  It was further stated that the footprint of the proposed build had also been established.  Reports that were necessary for the submission of the planning application for the new school were currently in the process of being commissioned.

·         Relating to whether there would be a refresh of Greater Manchester’s ‘Springboard to a Green City Region’ strategy in the light of the view that there was a need to reduce global temperature rises to no more than 1.5 degrees and not the 2 degrees on which the report was predicated and whether bus regulation should form an integral part of this strategy.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) responded that the aim of the ‘Springboard to a Green City Region’ strategy was to set out how Greater Manchester made its contribution towards the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.  Councillor Ganotis expressed his view that Greater Manchester should move to a franchised bus system similar to that operated in London, however there were a number of stages in the process that needed to be completed before such a system could be implemented.

·         Relating to whether an assurance would be given that the Council would not spend money on progressing the A6 to M60 Relief Road when there were competing demands for funding which included the Stockport Local Assistance Scheme.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) responded that there were proposals to remove the Stockport Local Assistance Scheme, but not the financial support that people who were eligible under that scheme received.  It was stated that while the way that services were administered would look very different, the services that people received would as far as possible be close to what they currently received.

A further question was submitted where the questioner was not present at the meeting and in accordance with the Code of Practice, the Chief Executive was requested to respond to the questioner in writing.

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

Citizen’s Advice Stockport – ASK for ANGELA

To receive a presentation from Steve Hughes, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Stockport in relation to the 'ASK for ANGELA' scheme which gives victims of domestic abuse an opportunity to engage with someone who may be able to help and encourage them to seek the support they need.

Petitions

One petition was submitted with over 1,400 signatories from a number of schools across Stockport requesting that the Council and the Mayor of Greater Manchester lobby the Government to ensure fair funding for Stockport schools.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to the Director of Children’s Services for her consideration.

Presentation - Citizens Advice Stockport: ASK for ANGELA

Steve Hughes and Jake Morrison of Citizens Advice Stockport attended the meeting and made a presentation in relation to the 'ASK for Angela' scheme which gives victims of domestic abuse an opportunity to engage with someone who may be able to help and encourage them to seek the support they needed.

At the conclusion of the item, the Mayor expressed thanks to Steve Hughes and Jake Morrison for their attendance and presentation.

(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

Councillor Smart stated that the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police had been reported as saying that there had been a 25% reduction in the number of police officers which had come alongside an increase in demand and a greater complexity of crime.  Councillor Smart asked whether Councillor Bailey agreed with her that one of the key duties of government was to keep its citizens safe and through its underfunding of the police in Greater Manchester the Government was failing its citizens.

Councillor Bailey replied that the figures that had been released indicated that there was a considerable problem with policing, not just in Greater Manchester but across the country, and that while the police did their best with reduced resources, it was clear from the figures that those resources were inadequate to deal with current demand.

Councillor Smart further asked what action the Council and the Police and Crime Panel had taken to lobby the Government for adequate funding for policing in Greater Manchester.

Councillor Bailey responded that she was unable to provide specific details at the meeting, but to say that there had been lobbying over a period of time.  Councillor Bailey undertook to provide a written response to Councillor Smart on the actions that had been taken recently in this regard.

(b)       Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Councillor Hunter asked whether Councillor Ganotis shared his view that the further delay of the publication of the revised Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) proposals was completely unacceptable and whether he understood the frustration of local residents who continued to be concerned about the future of the green belt in Stockport.

Councillor Ganotis replied that he shared the frustration of local residents and stated that the original plan had been to go out for consultation in July but that this had been delayed until September following the release of population growth figures from the Office for National Statistics, and it was now subject to a further delay.

It was explained that in July projected population growth had been revised downwards, and local authorities wanted to understand what the resultant sub-national housing projections would be.  It was stated that this information was published a month ago and suggested that Greater Manchester was now understood to need to deliver around 154,000 homes which was significantly less than the 211,000 which the GMSF had been working towards.  A reduction of this scale would significantly mitigate against the need to release green belt land for development, so it was important to understand what the implications of these figures were.

Councillor Hunter further stated that there was a lack of transparency and openness in the process of the GMSF, and asked whether Councillor Ganotis was able to share any further details with regard to the timetable for future stages of the GMSF.

Councillor Ganotis responded that residents did need more certainty as quickly as possible but the Combined Authority was having to reflect on the fact that the government had not announced its proposed methodology for calculating Greater Manchester’s housing requirement, and therefore it was necessary to make an assessment on whether it was safe to proceed with the second phase of the consultation.

Councillor Foster-Grime asked whether Councillor Ganotis could provide further information with regard to an article that had appeared in the Manchester Evening News relating to plans for tackling air pollution across Greater Manchester including the potential for the introduction of congestion charging.

Councillor Ganotis responded that reports had been considered in public both by the Combined Authority and in Stockport in relation to plans to tackle issues of air quality in Greater Manchester.  It was further stated that while a way forward had not yet been agreed, the Mayor of Greater Manchester had already stated that individual motorists should not be penalised and congestion charging was not something that was currently being considered.

Councillor Bagnall  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.(iii)

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 it had become the position of all councils in Greater Manchester that the final version of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) would need to be submitted to the Council Meetings of the respective ten Greater Manchester districts for approval or otherwise before it was finally formally agreed.  It was further stated that each Council would also vote on whether to proceed to the third stage of the consultation on the GMSF.

Councillor Ganotis then referred to the approach of the Cabinet to setting the budget for 2019/20 and 2020/21 and that it would be taking a thematic approach rather than a service based approach.  Councillor Ganotis stated that he believed that this provided the fairest and most sustainable way to address the funding gap over the next four years.  It was reiterated that council tax continued to form a core element of meeting the funding gap but that every effort would be made to restrict any increase in council tax to no more than 2.99%.

Finally, it was reported that a letter signed by representatives of all political groups on the Council and local MPs had been sent to both the Chancellor and the chair of the Treasury Select Committee in relation to concerns over closures of branches of the Royal Bank of Scotland in the borough.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) reported that the Redrock development had been shortlisted for the ‘Re:generate’ category of the 2018 Revo Gold Awards which looked for evidence that developments improved the sustainability and the vitality of the local retail environment.  It was stated that the announcement on the winner would be made on 5 December 2018.

Councillor Butler then reported that the Greater Manchester Combined Authority had given approval in principle to the Mayor of Greater Manchester forming his first Mayoral Development Corporation in Stockport.  Formal ratification of this decision was due to be taken by the Combined Authority in December which would help drive forward the Council’s plans for the Town Centre West redevelopment.

The Cabinet Member for Education (Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick) reported that on Friday, 12 October there had been a day of awareness raising in local schools throughout the borough in relation to funding for education, the focus of which was to motivate parents to lobby local MPs and raise the issue of fair funding for all learners in Stockport schools.

Councillor Fitzpatrick then stated that the Council was committed to the period poverty agenda and all schools and colleges had been made aware that this was a priority in Stockport.  Some of the initiatives in schools had included the introduction of a voucher scheme for use in foodbanks and support for the national Red Box Project.

Finally, Councillor Fitzpatrick reported on the excellent work of the more than 1,300 school governors across Stockport, but highlighted that there was a 15% vacancy rate for local authority nominees to governing boards.

The Cabinet Member for Children & Family Services (Councillor Colin Foster) reported that in 2016 a Greater Manchester Children's Strategy that was developed and used as the basis of a funding application to the Department for Education which in February of this year resulted in £7.3 million being made available for the Greater Manchester area.  In May 2017, a Greater Manchester Children's Board was established to oversee the funding which would be used to tackle a range of challenges in children's social care by disseminating good practice.

Councillor Foster also reported on £2 million of funding that the council had received as part of the Partners in Practice programme to support the development of the dissemination of good practice along with further progression of the Stockport Family model.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care (Councillor Wendy Wild) reported that in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.(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; the Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care; and the Cabinet Members for Children & Family Services, Communities & Housing, Economy & Regeneration, Education, Health and Reform & Governanceanswered 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 2 October 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 2 October 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.

Councillor Allan asked the Chair of the Economy & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Tom Dowse) whether he would pursue the correction of the Minutes of the meeting of the committee held on 20 September 2018 to accurately reflect the capacity in which two members of the public attended the meeting.

Councillor Dowse agreed that he would do so.

To receive the Minutes of the following Scrutiny Committees:-

Adult Social Care & Health – 11 September 2018

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 18 September 2018

Economy & Regeneration – 20 September 2018

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 1 October 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 – 11 September 2018

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 18 September 2018

Economy & Regeneration – 20 September 2018

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 1 October 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 and Area Committees:-

Ordinary Committees

Contributors – 6 September 2018

Health & Wellbeing Board – 26 September 2018

Health & Wellbeing Board (Better Care Fund) Sub – 16 July 2018

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 5 and 20 September 2018

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 19 September 2018

Planning & Highways Regulation – 6 September 2018

Standards – 3 September 2018

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 27 September 2018

Central Stockport – 27 September 2018

Cheadle – 25 September 2018

Heatons & Reddish – 24 September 2018

Marple – 26 September 2018

Stepping Hill – 25 September 2018

Werneth – 24 September 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

Contributors – 6 September 2018

Health & Wellbeing Board – 26 September 2018

Health & Wellbeing Board (Better Care Fund) Sub – 16 July 2018

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 5 and 20 September 2018

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 19 September 2018

Planning & Highways Regulation – 6 September 2018

Standards – 3 September 2018

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 27 September 2018

Central Stockport – 27 September 2018

Cheadle – 25 September 2018

Heatons & Reddish – 24 September 2018

Marple – 26 September 2018

Stepping Hill – 25 September 2018

Werneth – 24 September 2018

 This Council notes that:

·         A survey by Plan International UK found that 1 in 10 girls had been unable to afford sanitary products;

·         56% of girls said they would rather be bullied at school than talk to their parents about periods;

·         This is particularly problematic for girls from low-income families who see their parents struggling to make ends meet and feel reluctant to ask them to add sanitary products to the weekly shop;

·         In many cases, as a result, they may lose a significant number of days of schooling; 

·         Regrettably, even women in low-income employment are sometimes unable to afford such products when struggling to meet household bills and feed their families;

·         Ironically, only female prisoners have a statutory right to access free sanitary products.

Council believes that, in a country as wealthy as Britain, ‘Period Poverty’ is a scandal that should be ended.

Council commends:

·         The Scottish Government for its commitment to tackle ‘Period Poverty’ by introducing free sanitary products in all educational establishments, and notes that Scotland was one of the first countries to pilot a scheme to young women and girls in need in Aberdeen;

·         The ‘dignity bags’ scheme established by Chepstow Town Council where members of the public can donate sanitary products in branded boxes located in prominent places, such as pharmacies and libraries, for re-distribution to women in need.

Council resolves to:

·         Ask the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee and the Health and Well-being Board, working with relevant Cabinet Members, officers and partners, to explore with local secondary schools and colleges how sanitary products can be made available free in their establishments and the practicality of establishing a ‘dignity bags’ scheme in the Borough;

·         Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Education and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, asking the Government to scrap the VAT levied on female hygiene products as soon as is practicable and, in the meantime, to use the VAT collected on these products to fund the provision of free sanitary products for girls and women in need.

Moved by:                  Councillor Lisa Smart

Seconded by:           Councillor Mark Hunter

MOVED AND SECONDED -  This Council notes that:

·         A survey by Plan International UK found that 1 in 10 girls had been unable to afford sanitary products;

·         56% of girls said they would rather be bullied at school than talk to their parents about periods;

·         This is particularly problematic for girls from low-income families who see their parents struggling to make ends meet and feel reluctant to ask them to add sanitary products to the weekly shop;

·         In many cases, as a result, they may lose a significant number of days of schooling; 

·         Regrettably, even women in low-income employment are sometimes unable to afford such products when struggling to meet household bills and feed their families;

·         Ironically, only female prisoners have a statutory right to access free sanitary products.

Council believes that, in a country as wealthy as Britain, ‘Period Poverty’ is a scandal that should be ended.

Council commends:

·         The Scottish Government for its commitment to tackle ‘Period Poverty’ by introducing free sanitary products in all educational establishments, and notes that Scotland was one of the first countries to pilot a scheme to young women and girls in need in Aberdeen;

·         The ‘dignity bags’ scheme established by Chepstow Town Council where members of the public can donate sanitary products in branded boxes located in prominent places, such as pharmacies and libraries, for re-distribution to women in need.

Council resolves to:

·         Ask the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee and the Health and Well-being Board, working with relevant Cabinet Members, officers and partners, to explore with local secondary schools and colleges how sanitary products can be made available free in their establishments and the practicality of establishing a ‘dignity bags’ scheme in the Borough;

·         Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Education and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, asking the Government to scrap the VAT levied on female hygiene products as soon as is practicable and, in the meantime, to use the VAT collected on these products to fund the provision of free sanitary products for girls and women in need.

At 9.03 pm it was

RESOLVED – That the meeting be adjourned.

At 9.18 pm the meeting reconvened.

It was then

RESOLVED – (45 for, 11 against) That in accordance with the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 14.11(c) (Closure Motions), and the Mayor being of the opinion that the item had not been sufficiently discussed and could not reasonably be so discussed on this occasion, debate on this motion be adjourned to the next Ordinary meeting of the Council Meeting.

This Council notes:

·         ‘LGBT cures’, often referred to as ‘conversion therapies’ are processes which attempt to change a person’s sexuality or gender identity from being LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual or Transgender).

·         These processes are pseudoscientific and devoid of clinical merit;  and

·         A range of evidence suggests that individuals which have undergone these processes are at heightened risk of psychological harm and negative clinical outcomes relating to their subsequent mental health.

This Council further notes:

·         Individuals who undergo such ‘curing’ processes often do so in circumstances of duress, pressure and psychological manipulation;

·         The Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats have all stated their intention to examine legislative and non-legislative means to ban the practise of conversion therapy; however

·         Despite this, it is currently not illegal to offer, administer or give the LGBT ‘cure’ under UK Law.

This Council therefore resolves to:

·         Support calls upon the UK Government to make offering, administering or giving the LGBT ‘cure’ illegal and punishable by law;

·         Support calls upon the UK Government to provide properly funded and competent help to those who have been through such processes;

·         Write to the Minister for Women and Equalities, the Rt Hon Penny Mourdaunt MP advising her of this Council’s position and support for legislation in relation to the above points; and

·         Support the communication of any subsequent Legal change through Council corporate communications activity.

Moved by:                  Councillor David Sedgwick

Seconded by:           Councillor Laura Booth

RESOLVED -  This Council notes:

·         ‘LGBT cures’, often referred to as ‘conversion therapies’ are processes which attempt to change a person’s sexuality or gender identity from being LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual or Transgender).

·         These processes are pseudoscientific and devoid of clinical merit;  and

·         A range of evidence suggests that individuals which have undergone these processes are at heightened risk of psychological harm and negative clinical outcomes relating to their subsequent mental health.

This Council further notes:

·         Individuals who undergo such ‘curing’ processes often do so in circumstances of duress, pressure and psychological manipulation;

·         The Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats have all stated their intention to examine legislative and non-legislative means to ban the practise of conversion therapy; however

·         Despite this, it is currently not illegal to offer, administer or give the LGBT ‘cure’ under UK Law.

This Council therefore resolves to:

·         Support calls upon the UK Government to make offering, administering or giving the LGBT ‘cure’ illegal and punishable by law;

·         Support calls upon the UK Government to provide properly funded and competent help to those who have been through such processes;

·         Write to the Minister for Women and Equalities, the Rt Hon Penny Mourdaunt MP advising her of this Council’s position and support for legislation in relation to the above points; and

·         Support the communication of any subsequent Legal change through Council corporate communications activity.

This Council Meeting commends the Government’s efforts to encourage people to shop locally and assist small businesses in their communities by supporting the Small Business Saturday campaign and commits to doing everything it can to back local businesses.

This Council Meeting welcomes the announcement by the Government of a £31 million package of support for small businesses to help them grow and reach their full potential.

This Council Meeting notes that the UK’s small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and have created 2.4 million new jobs since 2010 – 74 per cent of all new jobs created in that time.

This Council Meeting further notes that in previous years, this Council has offered free parking to support Small Business Saturday.

This Council Meeting therefore resolves to;

·         Back local businesses in Stockport by taking part in and supporting Small Business Saturday; and

·         Request the Cabinet Member (Communities and Housing) agree to offer free parking in on and off street public parking across the Borough in support of Small Business Saturday on 1 December 2018.

Moved by:                  Councillor Tom Dowse

Seconded by:           Councillor Syd Lloyd

MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council Meeting commends the Government’s efforts to encourage people to shop locally and assist small businesses in their communities by supporting the Small Business Saturday campaign and commits to doing everything it can to back local businesses.

This Council Meeting welcomes the announcement by the Government of a £31 million package of support for small businesses to help them grow and reach their full potential.

This Council Meeting notes that the UK’s small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and have created 2.4 million new jobs since 2010 – 74 per cent of all new jobs created in that time.

This Council Meeting further notes that in previous years, this Council has offered free parking to support Small Business Saturday.

This Council Meeting therefore resolves to;

·         Back local businesses in Stockport by taking part in and supporting Small Business Saturday; and

·         Request the Cabinet Member (Communities and Housing) agree to offer free parking in on and off street public parking across the Borough in support of Small Business Saturday on 1 December 2018.

AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council Meeting commends the huge contribution small businesses make to our town centre and district centres both by providing employment and services to local residents and visitors.

This Council Meeting recognises the vital work of and the support provided by the Federation of Small Businesses and notes their research with the Centre for Local Economic Strategies which showed that every £1 spent with smaller local businesses generated an additional 63p of benefit for the local economy, compared to just 40p when it is spent with larger ones.

The Council notes that:

·         the best assistance that can be given to small businesses is to invest in the localities where they are situated and by so doing increase footfall and customers by providing an accessible and pleasant environment with good quality facilities that people want to visit and visit again; and

·         that almost £1bn pounds of investment in projects, some set in motion by the previous administration, to regenerate the town centre, together with the in-depth review currently taking place in district centres, has and will provide a massively regenerated environment in which small businesses can continue to play their essential role in our economy.

The Council will provide one day's free parking in the town centre and district centres on a Saturday.  However, in discussions with the Business Improvement District, it is proposed that this will take place in January, as this is the time they feel would benefit businesses and shoppers the most by encouraging people into the town centre at a time when traditionally finances may be tighter for shoppers and footfall reduces.  This will not impact on the four free Saturdays provided to the district centres during December.

This Council, therefore, resolves to provide one free day's parking in January in the town centre and district centres to support small businesses, on a date to be agreed with the BID, and will provide marketing and publicity to support this.

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 – That the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 9.1 (Duration of Meeting) be duly invoked.

Upon the amendment being put to the vote:-

For the amendment 57, against 1.

AMENDMENT CARRIED

The amendment was then put as the substantive motion, and it was

RESOLVED – (58 for) This Council Meeting commends the huge contribution small businesses make to our town centre and district centres both by providing employment and services to local residents and visitors.

This Council Meeting recognises the vital work of and the support provided by the Federation of Small Businesses and notes their research with the Centre for Local Economic Strategies which showed that every £1 spent with smaller local businesses generated an additional 63p of benefit for the local economy, compared to just 40p when it is spent with larger ones.

The Council notes that:

·         the best assistance that can be given to small businesses is to invest in the localities where they are situated and by so doing increase footfall and customers by providing an accessible and pleasant environment with good quality facilities that people want to visit and visit again; and

·         that almost £1bn pounds of investment in projects, some set in motion by the previous administration, to regenerate the town centre, together with the in-depth review currently taking place in district centres, has and will provide a massively regenerated environment in which small businesses can continue to play their essential role in our economy.

The Council will provide one day's free parking in the town centre and district centres on a Saturday.  However, in discussions with the Business Improvement District, it is proposed that this will take place in January, as this is the time they feel would benefit businesses and shoppers the most by encouraging people into the town centre at a time when traditionally finances may be tighter for shoppers and footfall reduces.  This will not impact on the four free Saturdays provided to the district centres during December.

This Council, therefore, resolves to provide one free day's parking in January in the town centre and district centres to support small businesses, on a date to be agreed with the BID, and will provide marketing and publicity to support this.

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

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the redesignation of the Woodford Neighbourhood Forum.

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

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to the adoption of the discretionary powers contained within the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.

(2) That approval be given to the delegation  of decisions relating to the determination of applications under these provision to the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

(3) That it be noted that under the Scheme of Delegation the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration shall have the discretion to refer the determination of any such application under the Regulations to the Licensing, Environment and Safety Committee for its determination (particularly in relation to applications where formal objections have been received).

(4) That approval be given to the proposed fees and charges in relation to animal licensing as of 1 October 2018 (set out in Appendix A of the report) and that it be agreed to delegate future decisions in relation to fees and charges setting to the Licensing, Environment & Safety Committee in line with the arrangements for the setting of other licensing fees and charges.

To appoint Ann Gilbert, Len Howarth and Ruth Le Lohe as members of the Admission Appeals Panel.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the appointment of Ann Gilbert, Len Howarth and Ruth Le Lohe as members of the Admission Appeals Panel.