Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 4 July 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the Meeting of the Council held on 4 July 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.

No urgent decisions were reported.

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor reported that Councillor Steve Gribbon had recently undertaken a charity bike ride in and that this had raised £160 which had contributed to the £11,000 that had been raised so far this year for local and regional good causes.

The Mayor further reported that she had been advised that Offerton resident and British Darts Open Champion, Nathan Aspinall, had won the USA World Masters tournament in Las Vegas.

The Mayor then thanked all those councillors that had attended the recent Stockport Pride event.  It was stated that the event had been a great success despite the poor weather on the day.

Finally, the Mayor reported that there would be a Halloween themed event held at Rainbow 88, Cheadle Hulme on 1 November 2019 in aid of her charity.

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 interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

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

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

Eleven public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Six questions were submitted that related generally to parking issues in the vicinity of Stepping Hill Hospital.  The Mayor exercised her discretion under Council Meeting Procedure Rule 10.3 to group together those questions.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) responded that the Council was very aware of the demand for on-street car parking near Stepping Hiss Hospital which had resulted in the streets around Stepping Hill being very parked up on most days.  The Council also appreciated the strength of feeling in the local community and had worked very hard with the hospital and the Stepping Hill Neighbourhood Action Group over the last two years to look at how the Council could, if possible, ensure that local residents were able to park near their homes.

It was stated that the hospital had introduced a number of measures such as reducing car parking costs and promoting flexible working methods to increase the number of staff who worked away from the hospital although it was accepted that these have only made a very small difference.

It was clearly the case that there were more cars in Stockport but road space for parking them was finite.  This meant that in some locations residents were unable to park near their home.  However, completely stopping car parking on the streets to non-residents would mean there was insufficient car parking in the locality for those using and working at the nearby school, local health centre, shops, businesses and the hospital.  The Council was therefore reviewing and would continue to review what options were available to try and deal with this which would create a balance between allowing some street parking for non-residents and also for protecting local residents.

It was stated that the work on this was ongoing and there was at present a consultation ongoing, the results of which would be discussed with officers and if there was a solution, then the Council would try very hard to find one.

However, the problem with parking across Stockport, wherever people lived, was increasingly difficult and consideration needed to be given to the fact that Stockport had largely been developed long before there were so many cars and the incidence of problems that were now being seen by the shortage of car parking was not restricted to the area around Stepping Hill but was in areas across Stockport.

Councillor Bailey further stated that with regard to the issue of the new build at Stepping Hill Hospital, The Council would have discussions with the hospital regarding the arrangements they would put in place to deal with construction traffic and the overspill of parking while the work was being completed.  There had to be a specific arrangement that would protect as far as possible residents from any additional problems that may be incurred in connection with this.

It was confirmed that Councillor David Mellor, who was the Council’s representative on the Greater Manchester Transport Committee, would be raising again with Stagecoach the fact that the northbound 192 bus did not enter into the hospital grounds as the southbound 192 did, which had previously been cited as a problem for people with mobility issues

Councillor Bailey also stated that the Council would also look to arrange a meeting with Adrian Belton, the chair of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, and would write to Adrian Belton and ask him if he would be prepared to meet with residents to discuss the issues that had been raised at the meeting this evening to see whether or not the hospital could do any more than they already had, and what plans they had to deal with the construction work that was imminent.

Councillor Bailey then referred to the issues with  ...  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.

Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service

To receive a presentation from Phil Nelson (Group Manager, Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service) in relation to the work the Service undertakes with schools and how this might be widened out to other schools in the Borough.

Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service

Phil Nelson (Group Manager, Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service) tended the meeting and made a presentation in relation to the work the Service undertakes with schools and how this might be widened out to other schools in the Borough.

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

Petitions

No petitions were submitted.

(a)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

Councillor Amanda Peers 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:-

Greater Manchester Combined Authority            - Councillor Elise Wilson

Greater Manchester Transport Committee          - Councillor David Meller

Greater Manchester Waste Committee               - Councillor Roy Driver

(a)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

Councillor Mark Weldon asked whether Councillor Amanda Peers, as the Council’s appointed representative on the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel, had any plans to improve the reporting arrangements  to this Council of her work on the Panel in overseeing and scrutinising the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester in the exercise of their policing functions and responsibilities.

Councillor Peers responded that meetings of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel were webcast and the work of the Panel was therefore open to inspection by anyone at any time.  Councillor Peers further stated that while she considered the arrangements for the oversight of this role at the Council Meeting to be appropriate, she would nonetheless by happy to have further detailed discussions with any member in relation to the work of the Panel.

Councillor Weldon then asked whether Councillor Peers intended to raise the well-publicised issues with the introduction of Greater Manchester Police’s new Integrated Operating Police Operating System (iOPS) that had been intended to make it easier for officers to access police records and provide a single integrated platform to support public contact, police response and investigative activity.

Councillor Peers stated that she would be providing an update on this issue as part of her report under Summons Item 4(i) – ‘Cabinet Business;. 

(b)       Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Councillor Adrian Nottingham asked the Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance (Councillor Tom McGee) whether he could provide an update on the progress of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

Councillor McGee responded that a report was due to be considered by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on Friday, 27 September 2019 that would provide a revised timetable for consultation on the Further Revised Draft of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.  

Councillor Brian Bagnall asked the Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance (Councillor Tom McGee) whether this Council had been misled by the Mayor of Greater Manchester who had proceeded with a strategy to allocate greenbelt land for release when he did not have the power to do so.

Councillor McGee responded that he did not consider that the Council had been misled, and that the report that was due to be considered by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on 27 September 2019 would provide additional clarity and direction for the progression of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

Councillor Colin MacAlister asked the Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance (Councillor Tom McGee) whether the Mayor of Greater Manchester had pursued the development of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework as a Spatial Development Strategy rather than as a Joint Development Plan because this required less evidence to demonstrate a need for the release of greenbelt land for development.  It was further stated that under current legislation a Spatial Development Strategy could not be used to allow for greenbelt release.

Councillor McGee responded that discussions remained ongoing between the government and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and that further clarity would be provided in the report that was due to be considered by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on 27 September 2019.

Councillor Graham Greenhalgh asked Councillor David Meller whether in the light of a report issued by Transport for the North that revealed that the punctuality and reliability of rail services provided by Northern and Transpennine Express had deteriorated since last year, he would represent residents’ concerns in relation to any proposals that would seek to reduce or withdraw bus services that residents would otherwise need to rely on.

Councillor Meller responded that there was an argument to made for a number of the services within Greater Manchester that were operated by Northern to be taken over and run locally.  Councillor Meller further stated that proposals were due to be considered by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.(iii)

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

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 the annual treasury report reviewing treasury management activities and the actual prudential and treasury indicators for 2018/19.

RESOLVED - (1) That approval be given to the actual 2018/19 prudential and treasury indicators detailed in the report.

(2) That the annual treasury management report for 2018/19 be noted.

(3) That it be noted that no fundamental changes had been made during 2018/19 to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices approved at the Council Meeting on 14 September 2017.

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 Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance (Councillor Tom McGee) expressed his thanks and appreciation to all those responders from the emergency services, military, council officers and volunteers who were involved in the response to the recent work to make safe and prepare for potential flooding following the partial collapse of the dam at Toddbrook Reservoir.  Councillor McGee further reported that the Council had written to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs seeking the convening of a Flood Summit to discuss potential solutions to coastal, rural and urban flooding and the necessary capital investment that might be needed to address some of these issues.

Councillor McGee then reported that the first meeting of the Board of the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation had now met from which it had been clear that there was enthusiasm and momentum behind the plans for the redevelopment of ‘Stockport West’.  It was stated that the next stage involved detailed master planning of potential development and that this would involve ward councillors, include highways assessments and an examination of the potential impact on education and health provision in the area.

Finally, Councillor McGee reported on the Council’s preparations for Brexit, and stated that a report was shortly due to be considered by all scrutiny committees in the forthcoming scrutiny round on this subject.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) reported on the recent issues with the reliability of the domestic waste collection service and advised the Council Meeting that a number of factors had contributed to these problems including the temporary closure of the Bredbury Waste Management Site which had increased the turnaround for refuse collection staff as they were diverted to other sites.   It was further state that two new refuse collection vehicles had been ordered and which were due to arrive in January 2020 which should improve the resilience of the service. 

Councillor Bailey then advised the meeting that nominations were now being sought from each political group on the Council for representation on a task group that was being established following the passing of a Climate emergency motion by the Council Meeting.  It was stated that those members nominated would be invited to join senior Council officers for a carbon literacy training event on 18 November 2019. 

Councillor Bailey then reported that work was taking place with local councillors to identify suitable sites across the Borough for wildflower planting.

Further to the statement made by Councillor McGee in relation to recent issues of flooding throughout the Borough, Councillor Bailey advised the meeting that over 250 had since provided statements on how the flooding had affected them and describing where the water had come from.  This information was being used by consultants engaged by the Council to identify how the flooding occurred and where mitigation could be put in place to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a recurrence in the future.

Finally, Councillor Bailey extended her thanks to Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force and the Friends of Stockport Cemeteries for their work in renovating the ‘forgotten’ Brunswick Cemetery located at the centre of Portwood Roundabout, Stockport.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) further reported on the Brexit preparations that were underway in the Borough and stated that there was a meeting of the  Stockport Economic Alliance on 25 September 2019 that would be focussed on the UK’s departure from the European Union.  It was stated that there was a seminar that was due to be held on 8 October 2019 to try and support local businesses to prepare for Brexit.

Councillor Meller then referred to the recent flooding that had occurred across the Borough and advised the Council Meeting that the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council had written to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Secretary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.(i)

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

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance and the Cabinet Members for Children, Family Services & Education, Economy & Regeneration, inclusive Neighbourhoods and Sustainable Stockport answered questions relating to the business of the Cabinet in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

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) had been invoked.

To receive the Minutes of the Cabinet held on 23 July, 20 August (pages) and 3 September 2019 (to follow) 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 held on Minutes of the Cabinet held on 23 July, 20 August and 3 September 2019 (copies of which had been circulated) and the record of executive decisions taken (copies of which were circulated) since the last meeting of the Council to be duly received.

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

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

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

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

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

To receive the Minutes of the following Scrutiny Committees:-

Adult Social Care & Health – 2 July and 30 July 2019

Children & Families – 10 July 2019

Communities & Housing – 8 July and 5 August 2019

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 9 July and 6 August 2019

Economy & Regeneration – 11 July and 8 August 2019

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 19 August 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 – 2 July and 30 July 2019

Children & Families – 10 July 2019

Communities & Housing – 8 July and 5 August 2019

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 9 July and 6 August 2019

Economy & Regeneration – 11 July and 8 August 2019

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 19 August 2019

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2019/20.

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 and Area Committees in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

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

Ordinary Committees

Audit – 24 July 2019           

Contributors – 25 July 2019          

Employment Appeals – 23 July and 24 July 2019        

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 26 June and 31 July 2019           

Member – 8 July 2019       

Planning & Highways Regulation – 27 June and 1 August 2019       

Standards – 2 September 2019

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 18 July and 15 August 2019

Central Stockport – 18 July and 15 August 2019

Cheadle – 16 July 2019

Heatons & Reddish – 15 July and 12 August 2019

Marple – 17 July and 14 August 2019

Stepping Hill – 16 July 2019

Werneth – 15 July and 12 August 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

Audit – 24 July 2019          

Contributors – 25 July 2019         

Employment Appeals – 23 July and 24 July 2019       

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 26 June and 31 July 2019          

Member – 8 July 2019      

Planning & Highways Regulation – 27 June and 1 August 2019      

Standards – 2 September 2019

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 18 July and 15 August 2019

Central Stockport – 18 July and 15 August 2019

Cheadle – 16 July 2019

Heatons & Reddish – 15 July and 12 August 2019

Marple – 17 July and 14 August 2019

Stepping Hill – 16 July 2019

Werneth – 15 July and 12 August 2019 

This council meeting notes that:

·           according to the Royal College of Physicians, an estimated 40,000 deaths a year in the UK are linked to air pollution, with engine idling contributing to this;

·           exhaust fumes contain a number of harmful gases including carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons linked to asthma and other lung diseases;

·           the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has made recommendations about improving road-traffic-related air pollution in which it urges local authorities to raise awareness of and crack down on idling, which may lead to ‘No Idling Zones’; and

·           Rule 123 of the Highway Code states that drivers must not leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road.

This council meeting further notes that:

·         local authorities have the power to issue £20 fixed penalties for emissions offences and stationary idling under the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions)(Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002, which may be imposed when a motorist refuses to switch their engine off when asked to do so by an authorised person;

·         that an increasing number of Liberal Democrat led councils have implemented or have published plans to implement No Idling Zones, including York, Bath & North East Somerset, Kingston upon Thames, and Richmond upon Thames;

·         that the Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, Wera Hobhouse, has introduced a private member’s bill which seeks to increase the fine for each subsequent offence up to a maximum of £400, and that the current government is giving consideration to supporting this bill.

This council meeting believes that if motorists make small changes now, such as turning their engines off when stationary for 2 minutes or more, it may be possible to drastically improve air quality and perhaps avoid Clean Air Zone charges altogether.

This council meeting also believes, however, that motorists need the “nudge” of possible penalties to make this change.

This council meeting resolves to:

·         ask officers to bring forward plans to introduce No Idling Zones across Stockport borough, particularly near schools, and include consideration of deploying our existing civil enforcement officers and the anti-social parking camera car for this purpose; and

·         ask the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister, making him aware of this motion and asking him to strengthen the powers of Local Authorities to minimise engine idling and to adopt and implement the proposals contained in the Hobhouse private member’s bill.

Moved by:                   Councillor Colin MacAlister

Seconded by:             Councillor Becky Senior

RESOLVED - This council meeting notes that:

·         according to the Royal College of Physicians, an estimated 40,000 deaths a year in the UK are linked to air pollution, with engine idling contributing to this;

·         exhaust fumes contain a number of harmful gases including carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons linked to asthma and other lung diseases;

·         the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has made recommendations about improving road-traffic-related air pollution in which it urges local authorities to raise awareness of and crack down on idling, which may lead to ‘No Idling Zones’; and

·         Rule 123 of the Highway Code states that drivers must not leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road.

This council meeting further notes that:

·         local authorities have the power to issue £20 fixed penalties for emissions offences and stationary idling under the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions)(Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002, which may be imposed when a motorist refuses to switch their engine off when asked to do so by an authorised person;

·         that an increasing number of Liberal Democrat led councils have implemented or have published plans to implement No Idling Zones, including York, Bath & North East Somerset, Kingston upon Thames, and Richmond upon Thames;

·         that the Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, Wera Hobhouse, has introduced a private member’s bill which seeks to increase the fine for each subsequent offence up to a maximum of £400, and that the current government is giving consideration to supporting this bill.

This council meeting believes that if motorists make small changes now, such as turning their engines off when stationary for 2 minutes or more, it may be possible to drastically improve air quality and perhaps avoid Clean Air Zone charges altogether.

This council meeting also believes, however, that motorists need the “nudge” of possible penalties to make this change.

This council meeting resolves to:

·         ask officers to bring forward plans to introduce No Idling Zones across Stockport borough, particularly near schools, and include consideration of deploying our existing civil enforcement officers and the anti-social parking camera car for this purpose; and

·         ask the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister, making him aware of this motion and asking him to strengthen the powers of Local Authorities to minimise engine idling and to adopt and implement the proposals contained in the Hobhouse private member’s bill.

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

RESOLVED – (1) That it be noted that the AGMA Executive Board & GMCA have agreed the amendments to the AGMA Constitution.

(2) That it be noted that Stockport Council’s Cabinet has approved the revised AGMA Constitution in so far as it relates to the discharge of executive functions.

(3) That approval be given to the revised AGMA Constitution in so far as it relates to the discharge of non-executive functions.

(4) That approval be given to the appointment of the GMCA substitute member (Councillor Tom McGee) as the substitute member for the AGMA Executive Board.