Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Annual Council held on 22 May 2012.                                                                                                  

The Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 22 May 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor reported that she had attended the following events since the Annual meeting of the Council on 22 May 2012:-

·         A Diamond Jubilee dinner hosted by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester on 27 June 2012.

·         The official opening of Offerton Community Centre on 24 June 2012.

·         The lighting of the Diamond Jubilee beacon at Heaton Norris Park on 4 June 2012.

·         The passing through the Borough of the Olympic Torch on 24 June 2012.

The Mayor also reported that she had written to the Mayor of Edgeley, North Dakota in the United States of America to congratulate them on their 125^th anniversary.

Finally, the Mayor thanked Councillor David Wilson for his charity bike ride from Stockport to Swinton which had raised almost £350 for the Mayor’s 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 interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

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

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

One public questions was submitted in relation to the promotion of the Council’s governance arrangements.  The Leader of the Council responded that there had been no change in the control of the Council since the elections on 3 May 2012 and that the leadership of the Council and changes to executive portfolios; the membership of the Executive and various committees had been reported to the Annual Meeting of the Council on 22 May 2012.  It was also confirmed that this information had also subsequently been further disseminated in the form of a press release.

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

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

To consider a presentation from representatives of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service in relation to recent developments and initiatives.

There were no petitions or presentations.

To report that under Section 41 of the Local Government Act 1985, the following councillors have been nominated by the bodies indicated to answer questions relating to the discharge of the functions of those authorities:-

(b)    Questions

The above mentioned Councillors to answer questions, if any, on the business of the Joint Authorities.

(c)     Greater Manchester Combined Authority

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

Unlike the Joint Authorities where the Section 41 Spokespersons are determined by the relevant Authority, it is for the Council Meeting to appoint spokespersons to answer questions on the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.  Councillor Sue Derbyshire is the Council’s representative on the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and the following are the Council’s representatives on the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee:-

Councillor Paul Bellis

Councillor Stuart Corris

Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick

Councillor Craig Wright

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

(a)       Section 41 Spokespersons

The Mayor reported that under Section 41 of the Local Government Act 1985, the following councillors had been nominated by the bodies indicated to answer questions relating to the discharge of functions of joint authorities for the Municipal Year 2012/13:-

(b)       Questions

There were no questions to the spokespersons appointed to answer questions on the business of the joint authorities.

(c)        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 and the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee:-

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

Greater Manchester Joint Minerals Development Plan Document (JMPDPD): Additional Main Modifications

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration).

Greater Manchester Joint Minerals Development Plan Document (JMPDPD): Additional Main Modifications

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) submitted the ‘Greater Manchester Joint Minerals Development Plan Document (JMPDPD): Additional Main Modifications’ (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the main and additional Minor Modifications required to the Minerals Plan following Submission to Secretary of State and Hearing Sessions held during February 2012.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the Main Modifications to the Joint Minerals Development Plan Document and the subsequent period of public consultation and that the additional minor modifications be noted.

To receive a report from the Executive Leader and other members of the Executive on the conduct of Executive business since the last Council Meeting.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) reported on the recent reconfiguration of executive councillor portfolios which aimed to reflect some of the organisation changes that had taken place within the Council and to provide a thematic approach within the Executive.

It was further reported that an independent investigation would take place with regard to an anomaly within the accounts of Solutions SK.

The Leader of the Council also reported on the following:-

·         Stockport had been selected as one of the 12 Portas Pilots as part of bid based around the historic market and Underbanks areas of the town centre.

·         A participatory budgeting event had taken place in the Town Hall ballroom which had included a £300,000 contribution from the Council.  There were a number of successful bids into this fund and some of the runners up may also see approval at a later date.

The Executive Councillor (Sustainable Future) (Councillor Stuart Bodsworth) reported that the Council had received nation recognition for its work to support sustainability.  He further congratulated the Environmental Services team for their nominations for recycling awards for the food caddy initiative and for ‘outstanding recycling team’.  Finally, the executive councillor referred to Stockport Homes’ recognition as British Renewable Energy Pioneers for their work in renewable energy in social housing in the Borough.

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Communities) (Councillor Mark Weldon) reported that he had recently attended the tenth Safer Stockport annual conference and commended the event to members.  He further reported that Stockport was celebrating the eighth year of crime reductions.

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, the Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor (Governance and Corporate Services) and the Executive Councillors (Lifelong Learning and Achievement), (Public Realm) and (Supporting Communities) answered questions relating to the business of the Executive in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

To receive the Minutes of the Executive held on 28 May and 19 June 2012 (pages) and the record of executive decisions taken since the last Council Meeting, (schedule enclosed, decisions previously circulated) (pages) and consider any recommendations they contain.

The Mayor declared the minutes of the Executive Meetings on 28 May and 19 June 2012 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 Scrutiny Committees in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

To receive the Minutes of the following Scrutiny Committees:-

The Mayor declared the minutes of the following Scrutiny Committees (copies of which had been circulated with the Summons) to be duly received:-

Adults & Communities – 11 June 2012

Children & Young People – 13 June 2012

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 18 June 2012

Environment & Economy  – 14 June 2012

Health – 12 June 2012

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 1 June 2012

There were no reports from the Chairs of the Planning and Highways Regulation and Licensing, Environment & Safety 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 from councillors addressed to the Chairs of 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

Area Committees

Ward Committees

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

Ordinary Committees

Employment Appeals – 31 May 2012

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 4 April, 25 April and 20 June 2012

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub –18 May and 21 May 2012 

Planning & Highways Regulation – 5 April, 26 April and 21 June 2012                                                                                                                                   

Area Committees

Bramhall& Cheadle Hulme South – 29 March and 7 June 2012

Central Stockport – 29 March, 19 April and 7 June 2012

Cheadle – 27 March and 29 May 2012

Heatons& Reddish – 26 March, 16 April and 30 May 2012

Marple– 28 March and 6 June 2012

Stepping Hill –29 May 2012

Werneth– 26 March and 30 May 2012

Ward Committees

Brinnington and Reddish Joint – 24 May 2012

This council notes that:-

·           Government figures released this year show that fuel poverty levels in the UK fell by three quarters of a million households in 2010, having more than doubled between 2003 and 2009;

·           These figures show that an estimated 18.5% of households in Stockport were in fuel poverty in 2010, which equates to 22,875 properties;

This council further notes that:-

·           It has been estimated that during the first decade of this century the government spent almost £20bn on benefits to alleviate fuel poverty in the short term;

·           Recent research from Cambridge University estimates that energy use in households struggling with fuel poverty could be halved through a retrofit, installation programme costing between £3.9bn and £17.5bn.

·           Such a retrofit programme would permanently reduce government spending on short-term fuel poverty benefits, offering a “worst case” payback period of less than 10 years;

·           The Association for the Conservation of Energy found energy efficiency programmes to be the most effective way of alleviating fuel poverty;

This council is concerned to note that the budget for energy efficiency programmes will be cut by 53% next year with the government’s overall fuel poverty budget being cut by almost 30% over 3 years  

This council believes that cuts in fuel efficiency measures are counterproductive in attempting to reduce government spending.

This council notes that investing in measures that tackle fuel poverty offers the following sustainability benefits:-

·           Social benefits, by helping some of the most vulnerable members of our society to escape the health implications and stress of living with fuel poverty;

·           Economic benefits, by providing skilled employment in the retrofit programme whilst permanently reducing both the need for short term benefits and the NHS costs associated with care of people living with fuel poverty; and

·           Environmental benefits by reducing household CO2 emissions which account for 40.51% of Stockport’s total emissions.

?

This council therefore calls on the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change:-

·           Setting out the case above for investment in permanent measures that will reduce fuel poverty in the short term and save money spent in fuel poverty benefits over the long term.

·           Offering the borough of Stockport as a trial location for a major retrofit programme aimed at eradicating fuel poverty and the social, economic and environmental costs associated with it. 

Moved by:                  Councillor Stuart Bodsworth

Seconded by:           Councillor Iain Roberts

RESOLVED - This council notes that:-

·           Government figures released this year show that fuel poverty levels in the UK fell by three quarters of a million households in 2010, having more than doubled between 2003 and 2009;

·           These figures show that an estimated 18.5% of households in Stockport were in fuel poverty in 2010, which equates to 22,875 properties;

This council further notes that:-

·           It has been estimated that during the first decade of this century the government spent almost £20bn on benefits to alleviate fuel poverty in the short term;

·           Recent research from Cambridge University estimates that energy use in households struggling with fuel poverty could be halved through a retrofit, installation programme costing between £3.9bn and £17.5bn.

·           Such a retrofit programme would permanently reduce government spending on short-term fuel poverty benefits, offering a “worst case” payback period of less than 10 years;

·           The Association for the Conservation of Energy found energy efficiency programmes to be the most effective way of alleviating fuel poverty;

This council is concerned to note that the budget for energy efficiency programmes will be cut by 53% next year with the government’s overall fuel poverty budget being cut by almost 30% over 3 years  

This council believes that cuts in fuel efficiency measures are counterproductive in attempting to reduce government spending.

This council notes that investing in measures that tackle fuel poverty offers the following sustainability benefits:-

·           Social benefits, by helping some of the most vulnerable members of our society to escape the health implications and stress of living with fuel poverty;

·           Economic benefits, by providing skilled employment in the retrofit programme whilst permanently reducing both the need for short term benefits and the NHS costs associated with care of people living with fuel poverty; and

·           Environmental benefits by reducing household CO2 emissions which account for 40.51% of Stockport’s total emissions.

?

This council therefore calls on the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change:-

·           Setting out the case above for investment in permanent measures that will reduce fuel poverty in the short term and save money spent in fuel poverty benefits over the long term.

·           Offering the borough of Stockport as a trial location for a major retrofit programme aimed at eradicating fuel poverty and the social, economic and environmental costs associated with it. 

This Council notes:-

·         That smoking tobacco can cause serious and fatal disease, and that the only way to avoid the risks is not to smoke.

·         That smoking is an addiction of childhood, with the vast majority of smokers starting before they are 18 years old.

·         That 486 people in Stockportdie from a smoking related disease every year.

·         That with advertising bans in place, tobacco manufacturers have increasingly focused on packaging design to make their products more appealing.

·         That published, peer reviewed scientific research is clear that plain packs are less attractive, especially to young people, strengthen the impact of health warnings, and make packs less misleading to consumers.

This Council believes:

·         That it is the responsibility of all levels of government to try to ensure good public health in the population.

Following a thorough discussion and the unanimous recommendation of the Health Scrutiny Committee on 12 June 2012, this Council resolves:

·         To request the Chief Executive to write the Secretary of State for Health, expressing these views and asking him to bring forward legislation to introduce standardised packaging of tobacco products to protect children and young people from tobacco marketing.

·         To continue to promote good health in our borough, to support the reduction of local rates of smoking, and to protect children and adults from tobacco harm.

Moved by:                  Councillor John Pantall

Seconded by:           Councillor Tom McGee

RESOLVED - This Council notes:-

·         That smoking tobacco can cause serious and fatal disease, and that the only way to avoid the risks is not to smoke.

·         That smoking is an addiction of childhood, with the vast majority of smokers starting before they are 18 years old.

·         That 486 people in Stockportdie from a smoking related disease every year.

·         That with advertising bans in place, tobacco manufacturers have increasingly focused on packaging design to make their products more appealing.

·         That published, peer reviewed scientific research is clear that plain packs are less attractive, especially to young people, strengthen the impact of health warnings, and make packs less misleading to consumers.

This Council believes:

·         That it is the responsibility of all levels of government to try to ensure good public health in the population.

Following a thorough discussion and the unanimous recommendation of the Health Scrutiny Committee on 12 June 2012, this Council resolves:

·         To request the Chief Executive to write the Secretary of State for Health, expressing these views and asking him to bring forward legislation to introduce standardised packaging of tobacco products to protect children and young people from tobacco marketing.

·         To continue to promote good health in our borough, to support the reduction of local rates of smoking, and to protect children and adults from tobacco harm.

This Council Meeting:-

·           takes seriously its duty of care towards children living in Stockport;

·           continues to regret the Executive’s decision last year to reduce the number of school crossing patrols by 40%; and

·           acknowledges the importance of school crossing patrols to the local community and parents and children in Stockport;

This Council Meeting notes that the School Crossing Patrol Service Guidelines sets out minimum standards for this vital service, but refers to various circumstances where additional patrols may be required, and believes that the one-size-fits-all approach adopted by the Council in 2011 did not adequately take into issues specific to particular locations, or the concerns of affected schools, parents and children.

This Council Meeting continues to believe that those school crossing patrols which were staffed should be re-established as soon as possible, and that those sites which were identified as vacant be re-examined.

This Council Meeting therefore requests:-

·           that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Executive Councillors, identify funding from existing resources within the Marketing and Communications Budget to restore the services identified, including a 50% cut in the number of issues of “The Review”;

·           that this matter is referred to the Executive with the recommendation that the view of this Council Meeting, to reverse their earlier decision, is accepted; and

·           that this course of action follows consultation with parents, headteachers, school governors and local councillors.

Moved by:                  Councillor Laura Booth

Seconded by:           Councillor Sheila Bailey

MOVED AND SECONDED

This Council Meeting:-

·           takes seriously its duty of care towards children living in Stockport;

·           continues to regret the Executive’s decision last year to reduce the number of school crossing patrols by 40%; and

·           acknowledges the importance of school crossing patrols to the local community and parents and children in Stockport;

This Council Meeting notes that the School Crossing Patrol Service Guidelines sets out minimum standards for this vital service, but refers to various circumstances where additional patrols may be required, and believes that the one-size-fits-all approach adopted by the Council in 2011 did not adequately take into issues specific to particular locations, or the concerns of affected schools, parents and children.

This Council Meeting continues to believe that those school crossing patrols which were staffed should be re-established as soon as possible, and that those sites which were identified as vacant be re-examined.

This Council Meeting therefore requests:-

·           that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Executive Councillors, identify funding from existing resources within the Marketing and Communications Budget to restore the services identified, including a 50% cut in the number of issues of “The Review”;

·           that this matter is referred to the Executive with the recommendation that the view of this Council Meeting, to reverse their earlier decision, is accepted; and

·           that this course of action follows consultation with parents, headteachers, school governors and local councillors.

For the motion 31, against 32

MOTION NOT CARRIED

A named vote was requested in relation to the voting on this motion, and the voting was recorded as follows:-

Those councillors who voted for the motion were:-

Councillors Brian Bagnall, Sheila Bailey, Paul Bellis, Laura Booth, Walter Brett, Kate Butler, Richard Coaton, Dean Fitzpatrick, Colin Foster, Alexander Ganotis, Tom Grundy, Philip Harding, Brian Hendley, Linda Holt, Bryan Leck, Syd Lloyd, Tom McGee, Paul Moss, Chris Murphy, Anthony O’Neill, Maureen Rowles, David Sedgwick, Andy Sorton, John Smith, Andrew Verdeille, Alanna Vine, Lisa Walker, David White, Wendy Wild, David Wilson and William Wragg.

Those councillors who voted against the motion were:-

The Mayor; Councillors Ben Alexander, Shan Alexander, Andrew Bispham, Stuart Bodsworth, Peter Burns, Martin Candler, Christine Corris, Stuart Corris, Sue Derbyshire, Kevin Dowling, Chris Gordon, Lenny Grice, Daniel Hawthorne, Kevin Hogg, Keith Holloway, Sylvia Humphreys, Sue Ingham, Pam King, Mags Kirkham, Hazel Lees, Patrick McAuley, Adrian Nottingham, Wendy Orrell, John Pantall, Paul Porgess, Iain Roberts, June Somekh, Mark Weldon, Mike Wilson, Craig Wright and Suzanne Wyatt.

At 8.09 pm it was

RESOLVED – That the meeting be adjourned.

At 8.24 pm the meeting reconvened.

This Council Meeting welcomes the improvements being made to leisure facilities in Stockport but does not accept that this needs to be at the expense of Peel Moat.  There is continuing support for recreational activities at Peel Moat Recreation Centre and there has been no consideration of any options that will allow it to be re-opened without having an effect on other Council services.

To ensure a sustainable future, Council Meeting calls upon the Executive to consider a comprehensive plan that includes the involvement of former users of the centre (including the Friends group), potential sale of the building to a community organisation(s), improvements to the football facilities in conjunction with a community football club and potential sale of some land for a capital receipt.  This Council Meeting further requests that the Executive Councillor for Economic Development & Regeneration reports back on this matter both to a future Council Meeting and to the Heatons & Reddish Area Committee no later than November of this year, and keeps local members fully informed in the meantime.

In the interim period Council Meeting calls for the re-opening of the centre whilst these discussions take place, and requests that no steps are taken towards the disposal of the site until this process is concluded.

Moved by:                  Councillor Alexander Ganotis

Seconded by:           Councillor David Sedgwick

MOVED AND SECONDED

This Council Meeting welcomes the improvements being made to leisure facilities in Stockport but does not accept that this needs to be at the expense of Peel Moat.  There is continuing support for recreational activities at Peel Moat Recreation Centre and there has been no consideration of any options that will allow it to be re-opened without having an effect on other Council services.

To ensure a sustainable future, Council Meeting calls upon the Executive to consider a comprehensive plan that includes the involvement of former users of the centre (including the Friends group), potential sale of the building to a community organisation(s), improvements to the football facilities in conjunction with a community football club and potential sale of some land for a capital receipt.  This Council Meeting further requests that the Executive Councillor for Economic Development & Regeneration reports back on this matter both to a future Council Meeting and to the Heatons & Reddish Area Committee no later than November of this year, and keeps local members fully informed in the meantime.

In the interim period Council Meeting calls for the re-opening of the centre whilst these discussions take place, and requests that no steps are taken towards the disposal of the site until this process is concluded.

AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED

Delete everything after “recreational activities at Peel Moat Recreation Centre” and insert:-

This Council Meeting therefore:-

·         Requests that a report is submitted to the EED scrutiny committee on steps which could be taken to re-open the Peel Moat Centre to include a review of possible community partnership working, a viability assessment and an update of the estimated costs of re-opening and re-furbishing the centre, with a view to the committee making a recommendation to the Executive for decision.

·         Requests that this report is prepared as soon as possible and in time for the September 6th meeting.

In accordance with the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 14.7 (Alteration of Motion) the mover of the motion agreed to incorporate the amendment within the original motion.  It was then

RESOLVED – This Council Meeting welcomes the improvements being made to leisure facilities in Stockport but does not accept that this needs to be at the expense of Peel Moat.  There is continuing support for recreational activities at Peel Moat Recreation Centre.

This Council Meeting therefore:-

·         Requests that a report is submitted to the EED scrutiny committee on steps which could be taken to re-open the Peel Moat Centre to include a review of possible community partnership working, a viability assessment and an update of the estimated costs of re-opening and re-furbishing the centre, with a view to the committee making a recommendation to the Executive for decision.

·         Requests that this report is prepared as soon as possible and in time for the September 6th meeting.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the fundamental changes to the system of regulation of

standards of conduct for elected members and co-opted members of the Council.  In order to ensure that the Council has compliant arrangements in place for the statutory deadline of 1 July 2012, the Council had already approved interim arrangements and this report detailed the final arrangements.

The Leader of the Council further reported that she wished to delete that part of Appendix 1 of the report which referred to the failure of members to attend training (point 3.2).

RESOLVED – (For 38, against 22) (1) That the recommended code of conduct for Members as set out at Appendix 1 to the report be adopted, subject to the deletion of point 3.2.

(2) That the recommended local arrangements to handle complaints about breach of the Code of Conduct for Members of Stockport Council as set out in Appendix 2 of the report be adopted.

(3) That the powers set out in the report and the ancillary powers needed to implement the decision, including making the necessary changes to the Council’s Constitution be delegated to the Monitoring Officer.

To appoint Patricia Goodstadt as the representative of the Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Authority on the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That Patricia Goodstadt be appointed as the representative of the Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Authority on the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee.