Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Council held on 17 October 2021 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 he had attended a number of events since the last meeting of the Council Meeting and thanked those members who had been present.  He stated that at the beginning of October, he had attended the Stockport’s first Inclusion and Integration Fair which had in excess of 20 groups exhibiting.  It was further reported that the Stockport Frog auction had taken place on 10 November 2021 which had raised in excess of £30,000 for St Ann’s Hospice.

The Mayor then extended the thanks of members to the Pam Smith who was shortly due to leave the authority to commence her new role as Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council.

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 agenda for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

Personal and Prejudicial 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.

Seven public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to the accessibility of railway stations in Stockport.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) responded that he supported the aims and objectives of the questioner and that he would do all he could to ensure that railway stations in Stockport were fully accessible.

Councillor Angie Clark further responded that the lack of accessibility was a real barrier to rail travel for wheelchair users and that she would continue to pressure Network Rail, Northern Rail and Transport for Greater Manchester to use the opportunity of platform lengthening works at the station to improve its accessibility.

·         Relating to a lack of enforcement of the actions contained in the 2008 and 2016 iterations of Stepping Hill Hospital’s travel plan.

and

·         Relating to an agreement between the Council and Stockport NHS Foundation Trust for the provision of a permanent solution to the parking problem at the site being the responsibility of the Trust.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) responded that she had only recently been made aware of the circumstances identified in the question and that further legal advice needed to be taken.  Councillor Bailey confirmed that the questioner would receive a written response.

Councillor Brian Bagnall further responded that the Council had a duty to work with the hospital to resolve the parking issues created by the hospital in residential streets.

·         Relating to the enforcement of an agreement between the Council and Stockport NHS Foundation Trust in regarding a requirement to ensure that parking demand did not exceed on-site provision or place a demand on any nearby streets and car parks.

The Chair of the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee (Councillor Andy Sorton) responded that Councillor Bailey had previously referred to the need to obtain further legal advice on this matter, and that a written response would be provided when this had been secured.

·         Relating to whether the Council would promote and acknowledge White Ribbon Day on 25 November 2021.

The Cabinet Member for Inclusive Neighbourhoods (Councillor Amanda Peers) responded that the Council was on track to achieving accreditation with White Ribbon UK and that there was a commitment from senior leaders at the Council to undertake the promise and to encourage all employees to take the White Ribbon promise.

The action plan to support the three year commitment to the campaign had been agreed by White Ribbon UK and promotion of the White Ribbon campaign and the Council's commitment had already started.  There was no plan to hold public events, however the Council would be encouraging activity in communities across the borough.  The Town Hall would also be lit orange on 25 November as part of the campaign to end gender-based violence.

·         Relating to the A6 to M60 bypass and whether the Council would commit to scrapping plans for the road.

The Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member for Devolution (Councillor Elise Wilson) responded that any decision to proceed with the business case for the A6 to M60 bypass would be a matter for the Council Meeting to determine.

·         Relating to whether there would be a debate at the Council Meeting in relation to the future of Central Library.

The Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member for Devolution (Councillor Elise Wilson) responded that this matter had been considered by the Central Stockport Area Committee and was due to be considered at the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee on 23 November; the Children & Families Scrutiny Committee on 24 November; and the Economy & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee on 25 November.  The Cabinet would take the final decision on the matter and take into consideration the comments and recommendations of those committees.

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

Greater Manchester Police

Chief Superintendent John Webster (Stockport District Commander) will attend the meeting and make a presentation and respond to questions in relation to his recent appointment to the role as Stockport’s new district commander.

Petitions

No petitions were submitted.

Presentation - Greater Manchester Police

Chief Superintendent John Webster (Stockport District Commander) attended the meeting and made a presentation and responded to questions in relation to his recent appointment to the role as Stockport’s new district commander.

At the conclusion of the item, the Mayor expressed thanks Chief Superintendent Webster for his attendance and presentation.

(a)       Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel

Councillor Amanda Peers to answer questions, if any, on the business of the Greater Manchester Police, Fire 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, Fire and Crime Panel

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

(b)       Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Councillor Elise Wilson responded to questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority; and Councillor David Meller responses to questions in relation to the business of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.

There were no questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Waste & Recycling Committee.

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) setting out the need for the re-designation of the Marple Neighbourhood Forum prior to its expiry after five years, the outcome from consultation and the timeframe for decision making.

RESOLVED – (1) That the outcome of the consultation be noted.

(2) That approval be given to the re-designation of Marple Neighbourhood Forum.

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

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance (Councillor Tom McGee) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal for the enlargement of the membership of the Appointments Committee following a recommendation from the committee that the Council Meeting exercises its discretion to appoint the Leader of the Independent Ratepayers Group to the committee for the purposes of this appointment process.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to an increase the membership of the Appointments Committee to eight for the remainder of the municipal year.

(2) That approval be given to the adoption of alternative arrangements in respect of the appointment of members to the Appointments Committee (not being strictly in accordance with proportionality under section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989) and to exclude the committee from the calculation for the period until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.

(3) That Councillor Anna Charles-Jones be appointed to the vacancy.

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 Devolution (Councillor Elise Wilson) reported on the success of Stockport County in the first round of the FA Cup; the first Climate Action Now Summit that had been held on 9 November 2021; progress towards bus franchising; work to bring Metrolink to Stockport; and congratulated Pam Smith on her appointment as Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance (Councillor Tom McGee) reported on the work being undertaken to develop a budget for 2022/23; progress towards implementing the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone; and engine idling outside schools.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) reported on the success of the first Climate Action Now Summit that had been held on 9 November 2021; engine idling outside schools; and the progress towards introducing more EV charging points.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) reported on the formal launch of the economic recovery campaign and the impact of the Integrated Rail Plan for Stockport.

The Cabinet Member for Inclusive Neighbourhoods (Councillor Amanda Peers) reported on the work being undertake to make significant improvements in the performance of Greater Manchester Police; work to tackle road safety and vehicle related anti-social behaviour and crime; increased recruitment of police call centre staff; and the impending deadline of 21 November for applications to the Stockport Local Fund.

The Cabinet Member for Citizen Focus & Engagement (Councillor David Sedgwick) reported on the digital transformation taking place within libraries through Open+; the progression of proposals for Stockroom through scrutiny committees prior to consideration by the Cabinet; and the future of the Central Library building.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care & Health (Councillor Jude Wells) reported on the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic in Stockport; the launch of the Safe and Well campaign; and nominations for a number of Health Service Journal awards.

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 Devolution; and the Cabinet Members for Children, Family Services & Education, Citizen Focus & Engagement, 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 2 November 2021 (pages) 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 2 November 2021 (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 – 14 October 2021

Children & Families – 13 October 2021

Communities & Housing – 11 October 2021

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 12 October 2021

Economy & Regeneration – 14 October 2021

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 8 November 2021

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 – 14 October 2021

Children & Families – 13 October 2021

Communities & Housing – 11 October 2021

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 12 October 2021

Economy & Regeneration – 14 October 2021

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 8 November 2021

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

Appointments – 14 October 2021

Employment Appeals – 6 October 2021

Health & Wellbeing Board – 13 October 2021

Health & Wellbeing Board (BCF) Sub – 8 November 2021

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 29 September 2021

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 6 October 2021

Member – 11 October 2021

Planning & Highways Regulation – 30 September 2021

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 21 October 2021

Central Stockport – 21 October 2021

Cheadle – 19 October 2021

Heatons & Reddish – 18 October 2021

Marple – 20 October 2021

Stepping Hill – 19 October 2021

Werneth – 18 October 2021

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

Ordinary Committees

Appointments – 14 October 2021

Employment Appeals – 6 October 2021

Health & Wellbeing Board – 13 October 2021

Health & Wellbeing Board (BCF) Sub – 8 November 2021

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 29 September 2021

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 6 October 2021

Member – 11 October 2021

Planning & Highways Regulation – 30 September 2021

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 21 October 2021

Central Stockport – 21 October 2021

Cheadle – 19 October 2021

Heatons & Reddish – 18 October 2021

Marple – 20 October 2021

Stepping Hill – 19 October 2021

Werneth – 18 October 2021

This council meeting notes that on average 30,000 people each year suffer a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital, and 20% of these incidents occur in public spaces. Council further notes only 10% of victims of cardiac arrests survive when the incident occurs outside hospital.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can play a significant role in saving the lives of people who suffer heart attacks in public. It is estimated that a shock from an AED, alongside CPR treatment, increases survival rates to 75-80%.

The Council meeting also notes that in cases where community groups have raised funds for a defibrillator and seek to place the equipment on Council premises there is a complicated and legal process they are forced to go through, delaying installation and, in some cases creating barriers to progress. One of the main charitable organisations that support installation of defibrillators, the Community Heartbeat Trust, work successfully with many local authorities to use a mixture of the “Managed Solution Partnership and a Hosting Agreement to make issues such as public liability and installation procedure easy and without risk to the council.

This council meeting further notes that, though there are public defibrillators in various places across the Borough, including some Council premises and assets, there are gaps in the provision of publicly accessible AEDs and at present there is no holistic mapping system listing all AEDs in Stockport.

This council meeting therefore resolves to ask Cabinet to:

·           Compile a list, and an interactive map, of all public defibrillators in Stockport including those in non-Council premises;

·           Review and, where appropriate, increase the provision of defibrillators across all Council-owned spaces including public parks, community centres, leisure facilities, and areas of high public footfall;

·           Implement a streamlined process for community groups to install defibrillators on council buildings using the Community Heartbeat Trust system;

·           Work with amateur sports teams to ensure they know how to access AEDs and are trained in the use of defibrillators and CPR; and

·           Bring a report to the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee meeting in January 2022, detailing a plan to roll out more AEDs across the Borough, and to produce a fully interactive mapping system to locate all public defibrillators in Stockport.

Moved by:             Councillor Will Dawson

Seconded by:      Councillor Malcolm Allan

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

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

RESOLVED – That the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 9.1 relating to the duration of (Council) meetings be duly invoked.

RESOLVED - This council meeting notes that on average 30,000 people each year suffer a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital, and 20% of these incidents occur in public spaces. Council further notes only 10% of victims of cardiac arrests survive when the incident occurs outside hospital.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can play a significant role in saving the lives of people who suffer heart attacks in public. It is estimated that a shock from an AED, alongside CPR treatment, increases survival rates to 75-80%.

The Council meeting also notes that in cases where community groups have raised funds for a defibrillator and seek to place the equipment on Council premises there is a complicated and legal process they are forced to go through, delaying installation and, in some cases creating barriers to progress. One of the main charitable organisations that support installation of defibrillators, the Community Heartbeat Trust, work successfully with many local authorities to use a mixture of the “Managed Solution Partnership and a Hosting Agreement to make issues such as public liability and installation procedure easy and without risk to the council.

This council meeting further notes that, though there are public defibrillators in various places across the Borough, including some Council premises and assets, there are gaps in the provision of publicly accessible AEDs and at present there is no publically accessible system listing all AEDs in Stockport.

This council meeting therefore resolves to ask Cabinet to:

·         Liaise with North West Ambulance Service to seek public access to their definitive list of public defibrillators and to make this available prominently via the council’s website;

·         Review and, where it would be beneficial, increase the provision of defibrillators across Council-owned spaces including public parks, community centres, leisure facilities, and areas of high public footfall;

·         Implement a streamlined process for community groups to install defibrillators on council buildings using the Community Heartbeat Trust system;

·         Liaise with Sport England and other key national sports governing bodies to check the first aid requirements for their affiliated clubs and make training courses available to local clubs and teams that want to learn how to access AEDs and be trained in the use of defibrillators and CPR; and

·         Bring a report to the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee meeting in January 2022, detailing a plan to roll out more AEDs across the Borough, and reporting on progress towards gaining public access to the North West Ambulance Service definitive list.

This Council Meeting welcomes the upcoming Small Business Saturday which is now in its ninth year and which has now grown into a recognised, popular, nationwide event. This year’s Small Business Saturday will be on 4th December 2021.

This Council Meeting notes;

·           Small Business Saturday is an opportunity to celebrate small business success and to encourage people to “shop local” supporting businesses in their local communities;

·           That last year’s event saw a record-breaking estimated £1.1 billion spent with small businesses; and

·           That Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, not-for-profit campaign which can have an impact for businesses all year round.

·           This Council further notes;

·           That at the most recent UK Business Count Stockport had 12,080 micro businesses and SMEs, accounting for around 99% of all enterprises in Stockport;

·           That, according to the Federation of Small Businesses, small business accounts for three fifths of employment in the UK private sector; and

·           Small businesses play an important role across Stockport in ensuring our local and district centres such as Bramhall, Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Edgeley, Hazel Grove, the Heatons, High Lane, Marple, Reddish and Romiley are vibrant and thriving and are at the heart of our local communities.

This Council Meeting therefore resolves to;

·           Request the Chief Executive and the Corporate Leadership Team ensure that the Council support and participate in this year’s Small Business Saturday on 4th December 2021;

·           Request officers work with local small businesses across Stockport, and especially in our local and district centres, to raise awareness of the Small Business Saturday (SBS), encouraging them to sign up and consider SBS ideas such as a 5% community discount scheme for the day;

·           Request that officers create a Small Business Saturday map of participating businesses across the Borough and make this available prominently online and through social media channels;

·           Request that officers download the Small Business Saturday Marketing pack for Local Authorities and the digital and press kit and use these and the ideas within to raise awareness of the campaign locally, encourage small businesses to get involved and urge the public to support it; and

·           Request Officers monitor the success and engagement with the campaign in Stockport this year and use the information collected to enhance future local initiatives such as free parking on Saturdays and communications promoting local small businesses and shopping locally all year round.

Moved by:             Councillor Oliver Johnstone

Seconded by:      Councillor John McGahan

RESOLVED - This Council Meeting welcomes the upcoming Small Business Saturday which is now in its ninth year and which has now grown into a recognised, popular, nationwide event. This year’s Small Business Saturday will be on 4th December 2021.

This Council Meeting notes;

·         Small Business Saturday is an opportunity to celebrate small business success and to encourage people to “shop local” supporting businesses in their local communities;

·         That last year’s event saw a record-breaking estimated £1.1 billion spent with small businesses; and

·         That Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, not-for-profit campaign which can have an impact for businesses all year round.

This Council further notes;

·         That at the most recent UK Business Count Stockport had 12,080 micro businesses and SMEs, accounting for around 99% of all enterprises in Stockport;

·         That, according to the Federation of Small Businesses, small business accounts for three fifths of employment in the UK private sector; and

·         Small businesses play an important role across Stockport in ensuring our local and district centres such as Bramhall, Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Edgeley, Hazel Grove, the Heatons, High Lane, Marple, Reddish and Romiley are vibrant and thriving and are at the heart of our local communities.

This Council Meeting therefore resolves to;

·         Request the Chief Executive and the Corporate Leadership Team ensure that the Council support and participate in this year’s Small Business Saturday on 4th December 2021;

·         Request officers work with local small businesses across Stockport, and especially in our local and district centres, to raise awareness of the Small Business Saturday (SBS), encouraging them to sign up and consider SBS ideas such as a 5% community discount scheme for the day;

·         Request that officers create a Small Business Saturday map of participating businesses across the Borough and make this available prominently online and through social media channels;

·         Request that officers download the Small Business Saturday Marketing pack for Local Authorities and the digital and press kit and use these and the ideas within to raise awareness of the campaign locally, encourage small businesses to get involved and urge the public to support it; and

·         Request Officers monitor the success and engagement with the campaign in Stockport this year and use the information collected to enhance future local initiatives such as free parking on Saturdays and communications promoting local small businesses and shopping locally all year round.