Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 21 May 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 21 May 2019 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.

The Mayor reported that earlier in the day, the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with her, had taken urgent action under the constitution to approve a wide dispensation to enable any Member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a personal and prejudicial interest in Summons Item 6(ii) – ‘Abolishment of Section 21 No Fault Evictions’ to take part in the debate and vote.

RESOLVED – That the action be noted.

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

With deep regret, the Mayor referred to the recent death of former councillor, Hazel Lees.  It was stated that Mrs Lees had served as a councillor for the Bredbury Green & Romiley ward between 1996 until her retirement from the Council in 2016 and as Mayor of Stockport in 2010/11.

Councillor Lisa Smart then paid tribute to the memory of Mrs Lees.

The Mayor invited all those present to stand in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of Mrs Lees.

The Mayor then advised the Council Meeting that Councillors Chris Gordon, Philip Harding and Suzanne Wyatt 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 then referred to recent media coverage of the online abuse that she had received in relation to her choice of footwear at recent Mayoral engagement.  The Mayor advised the Council Meeting that her left leg had been amputated below the knee during her childhood and as a result has a prosthetic leg.  On this occasion, the Mayor had worn flat shoes to enable her to walk and stand at the event, rather than use her wheelchair.  The Mayor thanked members of the Council for the many messages of support that she had received from across the Chamber.

Finally, the Mayor stated that since the commencement of her Mayor Year she had attended 40 engagements and highlighted the recent launch of the ‘Stockport’s Giant Leap’ art trail around the town centre consisting of 19 giant frogs.  Each frog had been sponsored by a local business and individually designed and painted to showcase local businesses and the people of Stockport.  It was stated that the trail would be available between 29 June and 28 September 2019.

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

Personal and Prejudicial Interests

Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

It was noted that the Deputy Chief Executive had approved a wide dispensation to enable any member with a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or a Personal and Prejudicial interest in Summons Item 6(ii) – ‘Motion - Abolishment of Section 21 No Fault Evictions’ to take part and vote at the meeting.

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.

Fifteen public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to the progress with regard to a proposal by local residents to redevelop the former tennis court area in Gatley Park into a community and recreation space.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) responded that the area of land included within the original proposal comprised the pavilion and an adjacent plot of land.  It was stated that the Council had issued a proposed head of terms offering a lease by way of a letter in January 2018 to which a response had not been received.  It was suggested that the questioner contact officers to discuss the proposal further.  With regard to the issue of the former tennis courts, it was stated that this lay outwith the original application area and was now being developed into a multi-use games area.

·         Relating to whether the Council would agree that in the light of having previously declared a climate emergency, it would be appropriate for the Cabinet to request that the Greater Manchester Pension Fund divest out of fossil fuels.

Councillor John Pantall responded that the Greater Manchester Pension Fund had implemented a policy with regard to the issue of climate change that comprised three strands, specifically to reduce energy use, emissions and carbon footprint with the range of organisations invested in; working to influence fuel providers; and the promotion of alternative sources of energy.

Councillor John Taylor further responded that it was important to recognise that as a key stakeholder through its investments, the Greater Manchester Pension Fund had the opportunity to shape the behaviour of those companies in which it had invested.

·         Relating to whether in the light of the Council’s declaration of a climate emergency whether it would follow the example of Cambridge and Oxford councils and establish a citizens’ assembly to propose effective and proportionate measures to act on the Council’s declaration.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) responded that the proposed citizens’ assemblies had not yet met although the proposal was worthy of further investigation.  Councillor Bailey further stated that in any proposal developed for Stockport it would be important to involve children and young people.

·         Relating to when Stockport’s outdoor market would resume.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) acknowledged that there had been an element of a lack of communication which needed to be improved going forward.  It was stated that the market had a strong heritage, however it was losing on average £60,000 per annum and as such any proposal for the reopening of the market needed to ensure it was sustainable and complemented the indoor market and regeneration in the Produce Hall.

·         Relating to a meeting regarding Stockport Market in June 2018 at which Councillor Meller stated that the Council was seeking outdoor traders that could provide a more quality, desirable offer and what was meant by this statement.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) responded that there was agreement amongst those present at that meeting about the need for a quality offer for the outdoor market building on the bespoke markets taking place in the Market Place at the moment.

·         Relating to the progress of an application by the Gatley Carrs Conservation Group to protect the site by registering it as Field in Trust.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) responded that there were no plans for the development of Gatley Carrs and that she would undertake to investigate the current status of the application to register it as a Field in Trust.

·         Relating to a wildflower scheme being developed by Councillor Steve Gribbon and whether there were any plans to extend this to other areas of Stockport.

Councillor Steve Gribbon responded that councillors in 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.

Kieran McMahon (CEO, Disability Stockport) attended the meeting and made a presentation in relation to the work of Disability Stockport.

At the conclusion of the item, the Mayor expressed thanks to Kieran McMahon for his attendance and presentation.

Petitions

No petitions were submitted.

(a)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

To appoint Councillor Amanda Peers to answer questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.

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

(b)       Greater Manchester Combined Authority

To appoint the following spokespersons to answer questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority:-

Greater Manchester Combined Authority            - Councillor Elise Wilson

Greater Manchester Transport Committee          - Councillor David Meller

Greater Manchester Waste Committee               - Councillor Roy Driver

The appointed councillors to then answer questions, if any, on the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Greater Manchester Transport Committee and the Greater Manchester Waste Committee.

(a)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

RESOLVED – That Councillor Amanda Peers be appointed to answer questions in relation to the business of the 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

RESOLVED - That the following councillors be appointed to answer questions in relation to the discharge of the functions of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee and the Greater Manchester Waste Committee:-

Greater Manchester Combined Authority           - Councillor Elise Wilson

Transport for Greater Manchester Committee    - Councillor David Meller

Greater Manchester Waste Committee              - Councillor Roy Driver

Questions

Councillor Mark Hunter asked the Leader of the Council (Councillor Elise Wilson) how many extra police officers had been allocated to Stockport following the increase in the Mayoral Police and Crime Commissioner Precept.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Elise Wilson) replied that she would respond to the question in writing.

Councillor Mark Hunter then asked whether the Leader of the Council would agree with him that the Mayor of Greater Manchester needed to be reminded of his commitment to increase police numbers across Greater Manchester and whether she would give an assurance that she would demand a fair share of those additional police numbers for Stockport.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Elise Wilson) responded that she agreed that it was important that Stockport got its fair share of the increase in police numbers across the conurbation and that she would be prepared to remind the Mayor of Greater Manchester of that commitment.  However it was also stated that it was also important to acknowledge that the changing nature of crime meant that shared resources that tackled crime across the county were just as important as dedicated resources for particular localities.

There were no questions in relation to the business of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee or the Greater Manchester Waste Committee.

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 (Councillor Elise Wilson) reported that the Order to establish the Stockport Town Centre West Mayoral Development Corporation had been laid before parliament on 26 June 2019.  It was further reported that on the same day, the Council had won the MJ Digital Transformation Award at the MJ Awards.  Finally, Councillor Wilson announced that she had been appointed as the Digital City Region lead for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) reported that consultations were due to commence within the month with the residents of the first five tower blocks to have sprinklers fitted.  It was stated that the Council had previously unanimously agreed to support the retrofitting of sprinklers in all of its tower blocks, with the first five being prioritised on the basis that they had only one stairwell.

Councillor Bailey then reported on the ongoing regeneration work in the Brinnington area that included 166 new homes and a new leisure centre.  It was stated that connected to this, she had recently attended the opening of a new play area within Brinnington Park.

It was then stated that there was a proposal to install rapid charging points in Council owned car parks as part of a scheme by Transport for Greater Manchester to increase the number of charging points across Greater Manchester.  It was confirmed that the first two car parks to have them installed would be at Newbridge Lane, Stockport and Massie Street, Cheadle.

Councillor Bailey then referred to the public question posed earlier in the meeting relating to wildflower meadows, and stated that there was a significant amount of work that would need to be invested in such a proposal to ensure that the ground was suitable for wildflower planting.  It was confirmed that work was taking place to establish the costs of such work and the environmental benefits.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education (Councillor Colin Foster) thanked the Deputy Mayor for opening an event that was recently held in the Town Hall by the Normandy Veterans Association in conjunction with local schools.

Councillor Foster then reported that the Stockport Family Conference had taken place in the previous week which involved approximately 250 members of staff and which had been attended by the Chancellor of Manchester University.

It was then stated that the head teacher of the Pendlebury Pupil Referral Unit, Janice Cahill, had received an OBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to the education of vulnerable young learners and child and adolescent mental health in Stockport.  It was further stated that Sue Westwood, who was formerly the head of Stockport’s Adoption Service prior to its amalgamation with four other local authorities to become the regional lead for Adoption Counts had been awarded an MBE for services to vulnerable children and families.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance (Councillor Tom McGee) reported that work was underway to develop a budget for 2020/21 that would require further savings of approximately £10 million.  It was stated that there were particular pressures in adult social care and children’s services resulting from increased demand and the largest population of older people in Greater Manchester. 

Councillor McGee also reported on the wide ranging work taking place as part of the capital programme which included the Stockport Exchange development which continued to attract significant interest from potential occupiers.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) reported that the Light Cinema in the Redrock development was now expanding with the introduction of a further two screens by taking another unit within the development.  It was further reported that the Produce Hall was shortly due to welcome a new independent trader.

Councillor Meller then reported on the ongoing work to welcome the Tour of Britain to Stockport as part of the final stage of the  ...  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 the Cabinet Members for Economy & Regeneration, Inclusive Neighbourhoods and Sustainable Stockport 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 29 March, 23 April and 18 June 2019 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 29 March, 23 April and 18 June 2019 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:-

To receive the Minutes of the following Scrutiny Committees:-

Adult Social Care & Health – 26 March and 6 June 2019       

Children & Families – 3 April and 5 June 2019 

Communities & Housing – 1 April and 3 June 2019     

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 2 April and 4 June 2019

Economy & Regeneration – 4 April and 6 June 2019  

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 15 April and 17 June 2019    

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 March and 6 June 2019      

Children & Families – 3 April and 5 June 2019

Communities & Housing – 1 April and 3 June 2019    

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 2 April and 4 June 2019

Economy & Regeneration – 4 April and 6 June 2019 

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 15 April and 17 June 2019   

To consider a report of the Chair of the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee (Councillor Lisa Smart) submitted the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2018/19 (copies of which had been circulated) summarising the work of the Scrutiny Committees during the current Municipal Year.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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, and where appropriate, endorse, the minutes of the following Ordinary and Area Committees:-

Ordinary Committees

Appointments – 22 March and 13 June 2019

Contributors – 28 March 2019

Employment Appeals – 4 and 10 April 2019

Funding – 12 June 2019

Health & Wellbeing Board – 12 February and 5 June 2019

Health & Wellbeing Board (Better Care Fund) Sub – 17 April 2019

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 20 March and 24 April 2019

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 8 May, 13 May, 17 June and 24 June 2019

Planning & Highways Regulation – 21 March and 25 April 2019

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 11 April and 13 June 2019

Central Stockport – 11 April and 13 June 2019

Cheadle – 9 April and 11 June 2019

Heatons & Reddish – 8 April and 10 June 2019

Marple – 10 April and 12 June 2019

Stepping Hill – 9 April and 11 June 2019

Werneth – 8 April and 10 June 2019

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 – 22 March and 13 June 2019

Contributors – 28 March 2019

Employment Appeals – 4 and 10 April 2019

Funding – 12 June 2019

Health & Wellbeing Board – 12 February and 5 June 2019

Health & Wellbeing Board (Better Care Fund) Sub – 17 April 2019

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 20 March and 24 April 2019

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 8 May, 13 May, 17 June and 24 June 2019

Planning & Highways Regulation – 21 March and 25 April 2019

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 11 April and 13 June 2019

Central Stockport – 11 April and 13 June 2019

Cheadle – 9 April and 11 June 2019

Heatons & Reddish – 8 April and 10 June 2019

Marple – 10 April and 12 June 2019

Stepping Hill – 9 April and 11 June 2019

Werneth – 8 April and 10 June 2019

This council meeting notes with concern the ongoing uncertainty about the UK’s departure from the European Union.

This council meeting believes that the risk of a “no-deal Brexit” has become greater over the past year.

This council meeting further notes

·      the financial risks to the council of Brexit, as outlined in the Labour Group’s budget proposals in February, including the risk of less money being available to fund local government in general, the loss of direct EU funding, the potential loss of inward investment, the unpredictable demand pressures which may arise, the possibility of higher borrowing costs and the potential impact on pension fund deficits;

·      the brief report to the 2^nd April meeting of the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee, which outlined the work of the council’s Brexit Advisory Group and their close working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and outlined the forthcoming cross-party Task and Finish Group to provide oversight and scrutiny of Stockport’s plans and preparations, which has since met once;

·      that the forecast impact of a no-deal Brexit is so severe that it prompted the Heads of both the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress to write a joint letter to the Prime Minister in late March, describing the prospect of a no-deal Brexit as “a national emergency”, with the Head of the CBI last month describing Brexit as a “crushing disaster” for business;

·      that the true impact on Stockport of a no-deal Brexit is unknown and currently unquantifiable; and

·      that the adequacy of £0.543m Corporate Contingency fund agreed at the last Budget Council Meeting and £0.210m Brexit preparedness funding from central government cannot be assessed in the face of such uncertainty.

This council meeting resolves to

·      ask officers to provide their latest, detailed assessment of the financial and other impacts of a no-deal Brexit; and

·      recommence meetings of the cross-party Task and Finish Group as soon as practicable so that it can consider whether, on the balance of risk and the financial context, the funds available to mitigate the impact of a no-deal Brexit are adequate.

Moved by:                  Councillor Mark Hunter

Seconded by:            Councillor Lisa Smart

RESOLVED - This council meeting notes with concern the ongoing uncertainty about the UK’s departure from the European Union.

This council meeting believes that the risk of a “no-deal Brexit” has become greater over the past year.

This council meeting further notes

·     the financial risks to the council of Brexit, as outlined in the Labour Group’s budget proposals in February, including the risk of less money being available to fund local government in general, the loss of direct EU funding, the potential loss of inward investment, the unpredictable demand pressures which may arise, the possibility of higher borrowing costs and the potential impact on pension fund deficits;

·     the brief report to the 2^nd April meeting of the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee, which outlined the work of the council’s Brexit Advisory Group and their close working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and outlined the forthcoming cross-party Task and Finish Group to provide oversight and scrutiny of Stockport’s plans and preparations, which has since met once;

·     that the forecast impact of a no-deal Brexit is so severe that it prompted the Heads of both the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress to write a joint letter to the Prime Minister in late March, describing the prospect of a no-deal Brexit as “a national emergency”, with the Head of the CBI last month describing Brexit as a “crushing disaster” for business;

·     that the true impact on Stockport of a no-deal Brexit is unknown and currently unquantifiable; and

·     that the adequacy of £0.543m Corporate Contingency fund agreed at the last Budget Council Meeting and £0.210m Brexit preparedness funding from central government cannot be assessed in the face of such uncertainty.

This council meeting resolves to

·     ask officers to provide their latest, detailed assessment of the financial and other impacts of a no-deal Brexit; and

·     recommence meetings of the cross-party Task and Finish Group as soon as practicable so that it can consider whether, on the balance of risk and the financial context, the funds available to mitigate the impact of a no-deal Brexit are adequate.

This Council notes that:

·         no fault evictions, introduced under Section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act, allow landlords to evict tenants, without having to give a reason, once the term of the tenancy has expired;

·         most of England’s 11 million renters are on tenancies with fixed terms of six months or a year; after this period has ended, landlords can evict their tenants under Section 21;

·         research published by The Observer campaign group Generation Rent indicates that Section 21 evictions are now the single biggest cause of homelessness in England; and that

·         in 2017, the Scottish Government made tenancies indefinite and banned no-fault evictions under the terms of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016.

This Council believes Abolishing Section 21 no-fault evictions:

·         would help to make renting more secure, improve standards and increase tenant confidence;

·         would further help to tackle homelessness, which should be a priority for government at all levels; and,

·         should happen as soon as practicably possible.

This Council therefore:

·         welcomes the UK Government announcement in April on plans to consult on new legislation to abolish Section 21 evictions in England, with which we will engage constructively;

·         resolves to work with the Unfair Evictions Campaign led by Generation Rent, the New Economics Foundation, ACORN and the London Renters Union, to bring about the swift Abolition of Section 21 no fault evictions; and

·         resolves to bring a report to a future Communities and Housing Scrutiny Committee on the proportion of homelessness cases in Stockport resulting from private sector evictions under Section 21 and outlining how the Council has used the powers at its disposal to combat rogue landlords and support vulnerable tenants.

Moved by:                  Councillor Sheila Bailey

Seconded by:           Councillor Matt Wynne

RESOLVED - This Council notes that:

·           no fault evictions, introduced under Section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act, allow landlords to evict tenants, without having to give a reason, once the term of the tenancy has expired;

·           most of England’s 11 million renters are on tenancies with fixed terms of six months or a year; after this period has ended, landlords can evict their tenants under Section 21;

·           research published by The Observer campaign group Generation Rent indicates that Section 21 evictions are now the single biggest cause of homelessness in England; and that

·           in 2017, the Scottish Government made tenancies indefinite and banned no-fault evictions under the terms of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016.

This Council believes Abolishing Section 21 no-fault evictions:

·           would help to make renting more secure, improve standards and increase tenant confidence;

·           would further help to tackle homelessness, which should be a priority for government at all levels; and,

·           should happen as soon as practicably possible.

This Council therefore:

·         welcomes the UK Government announcement in April on plans to consult on new legislation to abolish Section 21 evictions in England, with which we will engage constructively;

·         resolves to work with the Unfair Evictions Campaign led by Generation Rent, the New Economics Foundation, ACORN and the London Renters Union, to bring about the swift Abolition of Section 21 no fault evictions; and

·         resolves to bring a report to a future Communities and Housing Scrutiny Committee on the proportion of homelessness cases in Stockport resulting from private sector evictions under Section 21 and outlining how the Council has used the powers at its disposal to combat rogue landlords and support vulnerable tenants.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance (Councillor Tom McGee) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to change the governance arrangements for transport in Greater Manchester in light of the Devolution Agreement and the GMCA Transport Order 3. The report included a possible revised terms of reference for a reconstituted GM Transport Committee, options for its structure, responsibilities and examples of how it might work in practice.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the proposals for a reconfigured Greater Manchester Transport Committee, in so far as they related to the discharge of non-executive functions:-

·         the establishment of the new GM Transport Committee as a joint committee of the 10 Greater Manchester local authorities, GMCA and Mayor;

·         the Terms of Reference and Operating Agreement for the Committee as set out in Schedule 1 of the report;

·         the delegation of the functions as set out in the Terms of Reference to the Transport Committee;

·         the appointment of Councillor David Meller (as cabinet portfolio holder) to the Transport Committee for 2019 – 2020.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the current position with regard to the Woodford Neighbourhood Plan and detailing a proposal for the Plan to be put to a public referendum.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the undertaking of a referendum with regard to the Woodford Neighbourhood Plan and that in the eventuality that it received majority support at that referendum that it be adopted to form part of the development plan for Stockport.

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) detailing suggested reporting arrangements to Scrutiny Committees in the light of changes made to the configuration of the Cabinet, and recommending changes to Scrutiny Committee remits aligned to these reporting arrangements.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to:-

(i)         the proposal made by Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee that the Inclusive Neighbourhoods Portfolio report to the Communities and Housing Scrutiny Committee rather than the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee with a consequential change in the remit of the Communities and Housing Scrutiny Committee to incorporate Inclusive Neighbourhoods Portfolio headings.

(ii)        the portfolio reporting arrangements and associated amendment to Scrutiny Committee remits required to incorporate all relevant Portfolio headings re-aligning all Scrutiny Committee remits with the reporting Portfolios.