Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 6 October 2022.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Council held on 6 October 2022 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 since the last Council Meeting he had attended approximately 30 engagements, including six Remembrance events.  The Mayor extended his thanks to all those who participated in the many events held on Remembrance Day including past and serving members of the Armed Forces and the various youth and training corps.

The Mayor then welcomed Councillor Georgia Lynott to her first meeting of the Council following her election on Thursday, 13 October 2022 in the Edgeley & Cheadle Heath ward.  

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 for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

The Mayor reported that a personal interest had been recorded with regard to Summons Item 8(ii)  – ‘Motion - Creating a more transparent and environmentally responsible Greater Manchester Pension Fund’ on behalf of all those members who were members of or recipients of pensions from the Greater Manchester Pension Fund.

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 what the Labour Party can say that will re-assure women that men in the Labour Party cannot get away with degrading women following reports of members of the party being part of a WhatsApp group that belittled a woman from the Brinnington community.

Councillor Amanda Peers responded by agreeing with the questioner that it was frustrating that abuse of this kind was going unchallenged.  Councillor Peers stated that the Council had agreed a motion to sign up to the White Ribbon campaign which advocates for men and boys taking responsibility for tackling male violence and abuse against women.  Councillor Peers further stated that holders of public office were expected to abide by the Council’s Code of Conduct that included the Nolan principles of public life.

Councillor Peers stated that she was unable to speak on behalf of the Labour Party, but made a commitment that she would follow up on progress on the commencement of investigations by the local and regional party offices.

Councillor Andy Sorton further responded that local councillors had done all they could to get a response on this issue and it was frustrating that so little progress had yet been made.  Councillor Sorton stated that those involved did not understand the damage that had been done in the community and it was concerning that they had not accepted responsibility and apologised. 

·         Relating to the impact that the government’s Autumn Statement would have on the people of Stockport.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resource (Councillor Malcolm Allan) responded that there was some positive news in that benefits the level of the Living Wage were due to rise in line with inflation.  However, the level of the government settlement for local authorities was due to remain the same as last year which because of inflationary pressures would represent a 10% reduction in spending power.

As a consequence, the Council would need to look at the level of Council Tax it needed to raise to support the budget, and it was noted that the government had decided to raise the threshold of an increase that would trigger a local referendum.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Mark Hunter) further responded that the announcement made today had, on the whole, not been helpful and the Council could expect to pay more for the services that it received.  It was stated that further statements would be made later in the meeting in relation to the Council’s approach to tackling the cost of living crisis.

·         Relating to the proposed Hempshaw Lane Highway Scheme and whether members supported the objections made by residents in relation to certain elements of the scheme.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) responded that she supported the views of local residents and had expressed her own concerns to officers in relation to the removal of safety barriers and the construction of build outs.

The Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks & Leisure Services (Councillor Grace Baynham) responded that the petition submitted by residents would be considered as part of the consultation on the proposals and encouraged residents to maintain and open dialogue with their ward councillors.

·         Relating to the cessation of the school street trials held at St Matthew's and Our Lady's Primary Schools in Edgeley despite their success at addressing road safety concerns and whether a price was being put on the head of children in Edgeley.

Councillor Matt Wynne responded that it seemed like a lot of work had gone into producing a very negative report evaluating the trials of school street schemes in the borough that aimed to block progressive policies such as this.  Councillor Wynne stated that as a consequence of this report,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.(i)

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

No such arrangements have been made for this meeting.

Petitions

One petition was submitted signed by 43 signatories requesting that there be a full inquiry into why yorkstone paving was removed from the Dodge Hill conservation area, Heaton Norris without consultation and seeking the restoration of the original stone and the suspension of the removal of any further stones.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to the Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks & Leisure Services and the Director of Place Management for a response.

Presentations

There were no presentations.

(a)       Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel

Councillor Tom Morrison 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:-

(a)       Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel

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

(b)       Greater Manchester Combined Authority

There were no questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Transport for Greater Manchester Committee or the Greater Manchester Waste & Recycling Committee.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) submitted the Youth Justice Plan for 2022/23 (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED - That the Youth Justice Plan 2022/23 be approved and adopted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources (Councillor Malcolm Allan) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals for future polling arrangements for Stockport as a result of a review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations following a consultation period.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the adoption of the proposals for Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations as detailed in the report.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources (Councillor Malcolm Allan) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the proposed Business Programme for 2023/24.

RESOLVED – That approval to the proposed Business Programme for 2023/24.

To receive a report from the Returning Officer as to the person elected to the office of Councillor on 13 October 2022 as follows:-

RESOLVED – That the report of the Returning Officer as to the person elected to the office of Councillor for the Edgeley & Cheadle Heath ward on 13 October 2022 be noted.

To make the following appointments and amendments to the composition of Committees:-

·         To appoint Councillor Georgia Lynott as a member of the Central Stockport Area Committee.

·         To appoint Councillor Dickie Davies as Vice-Chair of the Licensing, Environment & Safety Committee in place of Councillor Matt Wynne.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the appointment of Councillor Georgia Lynott as a member of the Central Stockport Area Committee and the appointment of Councillor Dickie Davies as Vice-Chair of the Licensing, Environment & Safety Committee in place of Councillor Matt Wynne.

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; the Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education; and the Cabinet Members for Climate Change & Environment; Communities & Housing; Economy & Regeneration; Finance & Resources; Highways, Parks & Leisure Services made a report on the conduct of Cabinet business since the last Council Meeting.

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 Leader of the Council; and the Cabinet Members for Climate Change & Environment; Communities & Housing; Economy & Regeneration; Finance & Resources; and Highways, Parks & Leisure Services 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 1 November 2022 (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 1 November 2022 (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 – 13 October 2022

Children & Families – 12 October 2022

Communities & Housing – 10 October 2022

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 11 October 2022

Economy & Regeneration – 13 October 2022

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 – 13 October 2022

Children & Families – 12 October 2022

Communities & Housing – 10 October 2022

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 11 October 2022

Economy & Regeneration – 13 October 2022

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 – 28 September and 31 October 2022

Member – 10 October 2022

Planning & Highways Regulation – 29 September 2022

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 20 October 2022

Central Stockport – 20 October 2022

Cheadle – 18 October 2022

Heatons & Reddish – 17 October 2022

Marple – 19 October 2022

Stepping Hill – 18 October 2022

Werneth – 17 October 2022

Ward Committees and Area Sub-Committees

Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust Sub-Committee – 7 November 2022

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 – 28 September and 31 October 2022

Member – 10 October 2022

Planning & Highways Regulation – 29 September 2022

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 20 October 2022

Central Stockport – 20 October 2022

Cheadle – 18 October 2022

Heatons & Reddish – 17 October 2022

Marple – 19 October 2022

Stepping Hill – 18 October 2022

Werneth – 17 October 2022

Ward Committees and Area Sub-Committees

Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust Sub-Committee – 7 November 2022

Humans have already caused irreversible climate change, the impacts of which are being felt in the UK and around the world. The global temperature has already increased by 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels, and the natural world has reached crisis point, with 28% of plants and animals ¹ threatened with extinction.

Climate change

Unless we drastically change course, the world is set to exceed the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit. Pledges, such as the Paris Agreement and Glasgow Pact—and updated emissions targets—are not legally-binding. This gap between pledges and policy leaves the world on course for catastrophic warming of near 3°C ².

Following the “now or never” Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report ³ in April 2022, the UN Secretary General António Guterres stated that “we are on a fast track to climate disaster. This is not fiction or exaggeration. It is what science tells us will result from our current energy policies”.

In addition, the UK Government’s Net Zero Strategy ⁴ stated that “if we fail to limit global warming to 1.5°C, we risk reaching climatic tipping points, we could lose control of our climate for good”. The 1.5°C goal is ‘on life support’ and only ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society, the private sector and local communities will help us realise it.

Biodiversity loss

The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world ⁵. More than one in seven of our plants and animals face extinction, and more than 40% are in decline. We therefore welcome the Leaders' Pledge for Nature ⁶, signed by the UK Government, which states that—if we fail to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030—we increase the risk of further pandemics, rising global temperatures and loss of species. In order to achieve this, the UK needs a legally-enforceable nature target so that, by 2030, nature is visibly and measurably on the path of recovery—in line with the Global Goal for Nature ⁷.

Council notes that:

·         There is a Bill that was introduced into the current UK Parliament in May 2022—the Climate and Ecology Bill ⁸ —which, if it becomes law, would require the development of a strategy to ensure that the UK’s environmental response is in line with the latest science. The strategy would ensure that:

·         the ecological crisis is tackled shoulder to shoulder with the climate crisis via a joined-up approach;

·         the Paris Agreement aim is enshrined into law to ensure that the UK does its full and fair share to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C; 

·         we halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 to ensure that the UK’s ecosystems are protected and restored;

·         the UK takes responsibility for its greenhouse gas footprint, including international aviation and shipping—and by accounting for consumption emissions related to the goods and services that are imported and consumed in the UK;

·         the UK takes responsibility for its ecological footprint in order to better protect the health and resilience of ecosystems—including along domestic and global supply chains; and

·         an independent, temporary Climate and Nature Assembly is set-up—representative of the UK population—to engage with the UK Parliament and UK Government to help develop the strategy. This would be set up on broadly similar lines to the Climate Assembly 2020 which was very successful and very well received on all sides of the political divide.

Council therefore resolves to:

(1) Support the Climate and Ecology Bill;

(2) Write to the four local MPs representing the borough of Stockport letting them know that the motion has been passed —urging them to sign up to support the Bill, or thanking them for already doing so; and

(3) Write to Zero Hour ⁹, the organisers of the cross-party campaign for the Bill, expressing its support (joinus@ceebill.uk).

Moved by:                  Cllr Mark Roberts

Seconded by:           Cllr Rory Leonard

                                    Cllr Mike Hurleston

Cllr Anna Charles-Jones

                                    Cllr Gary Lawson

Footnotes:

1.  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.(i)

RESOLVED - Humans have already caused irreversible climate change, the impacts of which are being felt in the UK and around the world. The global temperature has already increased by 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels, and the natural world has reached crisis point, with 28% of plants and animals ¹ threatened with extinction.

Climate change

Unless we drastically change course, the world is set to exceed the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit. Pledges, such as the Paris Agreement and Glasgow Pact—and updated emissions targets—are not legally-binding. This gap between pledges and policy leaves the world on course for catastrophic warming of near 3°C ².

Following the “now or never” Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report ³ in April 2022, the UN Secretary General António Guterres stated that “we are on a fast track to climate disaster. This is not fiction or exaggeration. It is what science tells us will result from our current energy policies”.

In addition, the UK Government’s Net Zero Strategy ⁴ stated that “if we fail to limit global warming to 1.5°C, we risk reaching climatic tipping points, we could lose control of our climate for good”. The 1.5°C goal is ‘on life support’ and only ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society, the private sector and local communities will help us realise it.

Biodiversity loss

The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world ⁵. More than one in seven of our plants and animals face extinction, and more than 40% are in decline. We therefore welcome the Leaders' Pledge for Nature ⁶, signed by the UK Government, which states that—if we fail to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030—we increase the risk of further pandemics, rising global temperatures and loss of species. In order to achieve this, the UK needs a legally-enforceable nature target so that, by 2030, nature is visibly and measurably on the path of recovery—in line with the Global Goal for Nature ⁷.

Council notes that:

·         There is a Bill that was introduced into the current UK Parliament in May 2022—the Climate and Ecology Bill ⁸ —which, if it becomes law, would require the development of a strategy to ensure that the UK’s environmental response is in line with the latest science. The strategy would ensure that:

·         the ecological crisis is tackled shoulder to shoulder with the climate crisis via a joined-up approach;

·         the Paris Agreement aim is enshrined into law to ensure that the UK does its full and fair share to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C; 

·         we halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 to ensure that the UK’s ecosystems are protected and restored;

·         the UK takes responsibility for its greenhouse gas footprint, including international aviation and shipping—and by accounting for consumption emissions related to the goods and services that are imported and consumed in the UK;

·         the UK takes responsibility for its ecological footprint in order to better protect the health and resilience of ecosystems—including along domestic and global supply chains; and

·         an independent, temporary Climate and Nature Assembly is set-up—representative of the UK population—to engage with the UK Parliament and UK Government to help develop the strategy. This would be set up on broadly similar lines to the Climate Assembly 2020 which was very successful and very well received on all sides of the political divide.

Council therefore resolves to:

(1) Support the Climate and Ecology Bill;

(2) Write to the four local MPs representing the borough of Stockport letting them know that the motion has been passed —urging them to sign up to support the Bill, or thanking them for already doing so; and

(3) Write to Zero Hour ⁹, the organisers of the cross-party campaign for the Bill, expressing its support (joinus@ceebill.uk).

Footnotes:

1.    http://www.iucnredlist.org/

2.    http://www.climateactiontracker.org/global/cat-thermometer/

3.    https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-3/

4.    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1033990/net-zero-strategy-beis.pdf

5.    http://www.wwf.org.uk/future-of-UK-nature

6.    https://www.leaderspledgefornature.org/

7.    https://www.naturepositive.org/

8.    https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/58-02/0061/21061.pdf

9.      http://www.ceebill.uk/  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.(i)

This council meeting notes:

·         climate change is real and the biggest threat our planet faces;

·         the importance to our employees of a thriving pension scheme such as the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) that ensures they have a good retirement; but

·         these pensions will be worthless if the planet is uninhabitable; and

·         Climate change is a major risk factor for future cost of living.

This council meeting also notes that:

·         GMPF has a clear fiduciary duty to its members to invest wisely and deliver healthy returns;

·         GMPF already balances this against ethical and other concerns, for example in rejecting tobacco companies, armaments manufacturers and certain other investments; and

·         the motion passed in October 2021, “Making a Climate Action now step-change”, where we called on GMPF to “use the power it has, including its influence as one of the UK’s largest pension funds, to take more of a leadership role to tackle climate change and to accelerate its ambition from being carbon neutral by 2050 to achieving this by 2038, in line with the ambition expressed by all ten local authorities across Greater Manchester”; and

This council meeting regrets that

·         GMPF has so far refused to apply a similar approach to fossil fuel and other climate harming investments;

·         despite over a year passing, at the time of writing and after follow up by our own Democratic Governance officers, no response has been received from GMPF to our call to seek to be carbon neutral by 2038.

This council meeting further notes that:

·         GMPF is administered Tameside Council and the ten GM authorities are employers within the scheme plus a number of other local public bodies;

·         GMPF has a clear need to maintain the privacy of many reports, especially those containing investment advice and genuinely market sensitive information.

·         too many reports are taken in private despite there being no clear reason for this;

·         GMPF co-opts a number of non-Tameside members onto its various panels including the representative from Stockport Council;

·         members of these panels are unable to share any reports with their own council’s senior officers to seek guidance or to confer about the contents;

·         GMPF’s Governance Policy 2014 states such co-optees will be given full voting rights, as provided by the Sections 13(3) and (4) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and as enacted by other local government pension funds, such as in neighbouring Derbyshire; and

·         recent attempts by Stockport’s co-opted member to register a vote against an agenda item were refused by the chair of the meeting as she was deemed a non-voting member.

This council meeting therefore resolves to call on GMPF to:

·         review its ambition and to seek to be carbon neutral by 2038, as we did in October 2021;

·         review which reports genuinely need to be taken in private, seeking to move any exempt material into confidential appendices so that the body of reports can be published and considered in public;

·         formally allow members and co-optees to share with key officers in their own councils the public and private parts of all reports, to allow them to undertake their roles effectively; and

·         work with Tameside Council to apply the provisions of Sections 13(3) and (4) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 to treat all co-opted members of the pension fund as full voting members, in line with the GMPF’s own Governance Policy 2014.

Moved by:                  Councillor Lisa Smart

Seconded by:           Councillor Ian Hunter

RESOLVED - This council meeting notes:

·         climate change is real and the biggest threat our planet faces;

·         the importance to our employees of a thriving pension scheme such as the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) that ensures they have a good retirement; but

·         these pensions will be worthless if the planet is uninhabitable; and

·         Climate change is a major risk factor for future cost of living.

This council meeting also notes that:

·         GMPF has a clear fiduciary duty to its members to invest wisely and deliver healthy returns;

·         GMPF already balances this against ethical and other concerns, for example in rejecting tobacco companies, armaments manufacturers and certain other investments; and

·         the motion passed in October 2021, “Making a Climate Action now step-change”, where we called on GMPF to “use the power it has, including its influence as one of the UK’s largest pension funds, to take more of a leadership role to tackle climate change and to accelerate its ambition from being carbon neutral by 2050 to achieving this by 2038, in line with the ambition expressed by all ten local authorities across Greater Manchester”; and

This council meeting regrets that

·         GMPF has so far refused to apply a similar approach to fossil fuel and other climate harming investments;

·         despite over a year passing, at the time of writing and after follow up by our own Democratic Governance officers, no response has been received from GMPF to our call to seek to be carbon neutral by 2038.

This council meeting further notes that:

·         GMPF is administered Tameside Council and the ten GM authorities are employers within the scheme plus a number of other local public bodies;

·         GMPF has a clear need to maintain the privacy of many reports, especially those containing investment advice and genuinely market sensitive information.

·         too many reports are taken in private despite there being no clear reason for this;

·         GMPF co-opts a number of non-Tameside members onto its various panels including the representative from Stockport Council;

·         members of these panels are unable to share any reports with their own council’s senior officers to seek guidance or to confer about the contents;

·         GMPF’s Governance Policy 2014 states such co-optees will be given full voting rights, as provided by the Sections 13(3) and (4) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and as enacted by other local government pension funds, such as in neighbouring Derbyshire; and

·         recent attempts by Stockport’s co-opted member to register a vote against an agenda item were refused by the chair of the meeting as she was deemed a non-voting member.

This council meeting therefore resolves to call on GMPF to:

·         review its ambition and to seek to be carbon neutral by 2038, as we did in October 2021;

·         review which reports genuinely need to be taken in private, seeking to move any exempt material into confidential appendices so that the body of reports can be published and considered in public;

·         formally allow members and co-optees to share with key officers in their own councils the public and private parts of all reports, to allow them to undertake their roles effectively; and

·         work with Tameside Council to apply the provisions of Sections 13(3) and (4) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 to treat all co-opted members of the pension fund as full voting members, in line with the GMPF’s own Governance Policy 2014.

This Council notes:

·         This Council’s current policy on Library charges for overdue items:

-       Children under 13 do not pay fines

-       10p per day for Young People aged 13 to 17

-       20p per day for citizens aged 18 to 59

-       10p per day for citizens over 60

·         A growing number of Local Authorities across the country (Angus, Barnsley, Oldham, Trafford, Portsmouth and Shetland and Manchester) abolishing fines for overdue library books. The result of such a policy change being book borrowing rates increased in some areas.

·         A trend of nations including Ireland that have abolished Library fines nationwide along with regions in parts of Australia, Austria and the US.

·         Four additional Stockport libraries in 2022 fitted with the facilities to operate Open+, bringing the number of Libraries in the Borough to 12 allowing Branch Libraries to open until 8pm on weekdays, 5pm on Saturdays and 4pm on Sundays.

·         The presence of contactless card payment at Central Library and Merseyway hub only and current facility to pay fines either by cash or cheque addressed to ‘SMBC Libraries’ at Branch Libraries.

·         In October 2021, research published by the DfE, EPI and Renaissance Learning based on assessments in spring and summer terms 2021 indicated important differences in learning loss (relating to school closure during Covid-19 lockdowns) by key stage, individual and regional disadvantage for pupils in England. Learning loss in reading for secondary-aged pupils eligible for free school meals actually increased over the academic year 2020-21. In autumn, reading losses for disadvantaged pupils were 1.9 months, but by summer 2021, this had increased to 2.4 months.

·         The cost of living is increasing at its fastest rate in 40 years with inflation in the United Kingdom averaging 10% as of Nov 2022 putting massive burdens on household incomes.

This Council resolves:

·         That the Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks and Leisure Services reviews the Borough’s circulation policy with a view to imposing a moratorium on Library fines in the Borough with a review to come forward to relevant Scrutiny committees over the next municipal year on how it has had an effect on book borrowing levels.

·         That the Council advertises this moratorium as a policy change to the public with one outcome hopefully an encouragement of more book borrowing and reduce the fear of incurring fines for families and individual patrons when household incomes are the most strained in living memory.

Moved by:                  Councillor Matt Wynne

Seconded by:            Councillor Christine Carrigan

RESOLVED - This Council notes:

·         This Council’s current policy on Library charges for overdue items:

-       Children under 13 do not pay fines

-       10p per day for Young People aged 13 to 17

-       20p per day for citizens aged 18 to 59

-       10p per day for citizens over 60

·         A growing number of Local Authorities across the country (Angus, Barnsley, Oldham, Trafford, Portsmouth and Shetland and Manchester) abolishing fines for overdue library books. The result of such a policy change being book borrowing rates increased in some areas.

·         A trend of nations including Ireland that have abolished Library fines nationwide along with regions in parts of Australia, Austria and the US.

·         Four additional Stockport libraries in 2022 fitted with the facilities to operate Open+, bringing the number of Libraries in the Borough to 12 allowing Branch Libraries to open until 8pm on weekdays, 5pm on Saturdays and 4pm on Sundays.

·         The presence of contactless card payment at Central Library and Merseyway hub only and current facility to pay fines either by cash or cheque addressed to ‘SMBC Libraries’ at Branch Libraries.

·         In October 2021, research published by the DfE, EPI and Renaissance Learning based on assessments in spring and summer terms 2021 indicated important differences in learning loss (relating to school closure during Covid-19 lockdowns) by key stage, individual and regional disadvantage for pupils in England. Learning loss in reading for secondary-aged pupils eligible for free school meals actually increased over the academic year 2020-21. In autumn, reading losses for disadvantaged pupils were 1.9 months, but by summer 2021, this had increased to 2.4 months.

·         The cost of living is increasing at its fastest rate in 40 years with inflation in the United Kingdom averaging 10% as of Nov 2022 putting massive burdens on household incomes.

This Council resolves:

·         That the Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks and Leisure Services reviews the Borough’s circulation policy with a view to imposing a moratorium on Library fines in the Borough with a review to come forward to relevant Scrutiny committees over the next municipal year on how it has had an effect on book borrowing levels.

·         That the Council advertises this moratorium as a policy change to the public with one outcome hopefully an encouragement of more book borrowing and reduce the fear of incurring fines for families and individual patrons when household incomes are the most strained in living memory.