Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 20 December 2012.                                                       

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 20 December 2012 was approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor announced that since the last meeting of the Council she had:-

·         Attended the Annual Showman’s Guild Lunch at Cranage Hall, Holmes Chapel along with Mayor’s from 35 other authorities throughout the North West of England.

·         Toured the Wellspring Centre, Stockport and met a number of service users.

·         Been invited to the Lamp Lighters’ Rotary Club Annual Dinner.

·         Visited Dial Park, High Lane, Cale Green and Norris Bank Primary Schools.

·         Watched a production of ‘Teachers’ which had been put on by NK Theatre Arts and further noted that a production of ‘Quadraphenia’ was shortly due to commence.

·         Handed out certificates at the ‘Proud of Stockport Awards’.

·         Planted one of 2000 trees at the Marple Dale Care Home and then met with some of the residents.

·         Officially opened a new branch of Screw Fix at Stanley Green.

·         Celebrated the Chinese New Year both in Manchester on 10 February and then in Middleton on 11 February 2013.

·         Presented certificates at Stepping Hill hospital for achievements in Nursing.

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

Personal and Prejudicial Interests

Disclosable Pecuniary 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.

Five public questions were submitted.  Two public questions were submitted in advance of the meeting from questioners who were not present at the meeting and in accordance with the procedure for asking questions it was stated that written responses would be provided.

The third question related to the appropriateness of the proposed increase in the salaries of Directors of Stockport Homes.  The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) responded that the decision had been taken by the Board of Stockport Homes in December 2012 and not by the Council.  It was understood that Stockport Homes had decided to increase the salaries of a number of Director’s positions to take account of a decrease in the number of Director level positions and following a benchmarking exercise with Service Director positions at the Council. 

The fourth question related to the proposed increase in the level of rent for Stockport Homes properties and how residents would be expected to meet this increase in costs.  The Executive Councillor (Supporting Communities) (Councillor Mark Weldon) responded that it was recognised that residents would have to balance conflicting demands on their financial resources, however the Council needed to ensure that the housing stock was maintained in a good and viable condition for the lifetime of the properties.  It was further stated that notwithstanding the proposed increase in the level of rents, Stockport Homes’ rent levels remained amongst the lowest in the country.

The fifth question related to the proposed price freeze for Home Care and whether this would be reconsidered.  The Executive Councillor (Adult Care Services) responded that the proposed price freeze was essential to the Council’s savings proposals and that it was up to individual employers to manage their budgets taking into account their income from the Council.

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

Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester

Tony Lloyd (Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester) will attend the meeting to address the Council in relation to the work of the Commissioner.

There were no petitions presented to the meeting.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester

Tony Lloyd (Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester) attended the meeting to address the Council in relation to the work of the Commissioner which was followed by questions from Councillors.

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

(a)     Section 41 Spokespersons

The following councillors to answer questions (if any) on the business of the joint authorities:-

(b)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

Councillor Sue Derbyshire to answer questions (if any) on the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.

(c)     Greater Manchester Combined Authority

The following councillors to answer questions (if any) on the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee:-

(a)         Section 41 Spokespersons

Councillor Stuart Bodsworth asked a question in relation to recent criticism of the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Councillor Chris Gordon replied that the Secretary of State had accused the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority of being unelected and having made a decision relating to a 25 year recycling and waste management contract with Viridor Laing which was resulting in increases in Council Tax throughout the conurbation.   In response it was stated that the Authority consisted of 19 elected members from each of the nine member authorities, so it was inaccurate to suggest that it was unelected.  In addition, with regard to the recycling and waste management contract had been subject to significant internal and external scrutiny and would result in significant increase in recycling rates and reductions in the amount of waste sent to landfill.

(b)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

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

(c)        Greater Manchester Combined Authority

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

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Public Realm).

The Executive Councillor (Public Realm) (Councillor Kevin Hogg) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a revised policy in relation to the Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005.

RESOLVED – That the amended Statutory Statement of Licensing Policy 2013-2016 be approved and adopted subject to the deletion of those references to the former Offerton Park Parish Council.

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) and the Executive Councillor (Supporting Communities).

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Communities) (Councillor Mark Weldon) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Executive’s recommendations with regard to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2013/14, including the level of rent and service charges.

RESOLVED – (36 for, 19 against) That approval be given to:-

(i)         An increase in the average rent of 4.9% for dwelling rents;

(ii)        An increase of 3.1% for garage rents;

(iii)       Service charges increasing as outlined in paragraph 3.2;

(iv)       A 3.1% increase in Carecall Charges;

(v)        A 3.1% increase in Warden charges; and,

(vii)      The Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2013/14 as set out in Appendix One.

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 (Policy, Reform and Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) reported that the Council’s budget was due to be considered at the meeting of the Council on 5 March 2013 and explained the difficult financial outlook for the future.  Tribute was paid to the co-operation of the trade unions who had worked with the Council to ensure appropriate support mechanisms were in place for staff and that it was hoped that staffing reductions could be achieved through voluntary redundancy.  It was stated that the scrutiny committees would have the opportunity to comment on the savings proposals in due course and that the Executive would welcome any ideas or contributions from all parties now and in the future.

The Executive Councillor (Adult Care Services) (Councillor Daniel Hawthorne) reported on the outcome of a successful consultation with members of staff of Individual Solutions SK in relation to proposals to bring within the Council the home care support function.  The attendance of councillors at a recent safeguarding training session was also welcomed.

The Executive Councillor (Health and Wellbeing) (Councillor John Pantall) reported on the favourable budgetary allocation following the transfer of the public health function to the Council. 

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 (Policy, Reform and Finance); the Deputy Leader of the Council (Governance and Corporate Services) and the Executive Councillors (Adult Care Services), (Children & Young People), (Economic Development and Regeneration), (Public Realm), (Supporting Communities) and (Sustainable Future) 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 7 January, 14 January 2013 and 4 February 2013 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 7 January, 14 January 2013 and 4 February 2013 and the record of executive decision taken since the last meeting of the Council to be duly received.

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

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

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

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

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

To receive the Minutes of the following Scrutiny Committees:-

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 – 21 January 2013

Children & Young People – 23 January 2013

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 28 January 2013

Environment & Economy  – 24 January 2013

Health – 9, 22 and 31 January 2013

There were no reports from the Chairs of the Planning and Highways Regulation and Licensing, Environment and 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 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, Area and Ward Committees:-

Ordinary Committees

Area Committees

Ward Committee

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

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 30 January 2013

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 9 January 2013

Planning & Highways Regulation – 31 January 2013

Standards – 8 January 2013                                                                                                           

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 17 January 2013

Central Stockport – 17 January 2013

Cheadle – 15 January 2013

Heatons& Reddish – 14 January 2013

Marple– 16 January and 6 February 2013

Stepping Hill – 15 January 2013

Werneth– 14 January 2013

Ward Committees

Brinnington and Reddish Joint – 6 February 2013

Hazel Grove – 22 January 2013

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Governance & Corporate Services).

The Deputy Leader of the Council (Governance and Corporate Services) (Councillor Martin Candler) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Council’s Annual Pay Policy Statement that had been produced as required by the Localism Act 2011.

RESOLVED – That the Annual Pay Policy Statement be confirmed and published in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer.

The Deputy Leader of the Council (Governance and Corporate Services) (Councillor Martin Candler) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a number of proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the amendments to the Constitution as detailed in the appendices to the report subject to those amendments relating to the Council Meeting Procedure Rules standing adjourned until the 25 April 2013 meeting of the Council in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 24.2.

To establish a Health and Wellbeing Board with effect from 1 April 2013 and to appoint the following members:-

(a)       Councillors

Bryan Leck (Conservative)

Adrian Nottingham (Ind. Ratepayers)

Tom McGee (Labour)

John Pantall (Lib Dem)

(b)       Clinical Commissioning Group

Jane Crombleholme

Dr Ranjit Gill

Gaynor Mullins

Dr Vicci Owen Smith

(c)        HealthWatch

John Leach

(d)       Statutory Officers

Terry Dafter (as designated Director for Adult Services)

Dr Stephen Watkins (as Director of Public Health)

Andrew Webb (as designated Director for Children Services)

(e)       NHS Commissioning Board

Trish Bennett

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) requested that the Council Meeting give consideration to the establishment of a Health and Wellbeing Board with effect from 1 April 2013 and to appoint members to the Board.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the establishment of a Health and Wellbeing Board with effect from 1 April 2013 comprised of the following members:-

(a)       Councillors

Bryan Leck (Conservative)

Adrian Nottingham (Ind. Ratepayers)

Tom McGee (Labour)

John Pantall (Lib Dem)

(b)       Clinical Commissioning Group

Jane Crombleholme

Dr Ranjit Gill

Gaynor Mullins

Dr Vicci Owen Smith

(c)        HealthWatch

John Leach

(d)       Statutory Officers

Terry Dafter (as designated Director for Adult Services)

Dr Stephen Watkins (as Director of Public Health)

Andrew Webb (as designated Director for Children Services)

(e)       NHS Commissioning Board

Trish Bennett

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Governance & Corporate Services).

The Deputy Leader of the Council (Governance and Corporate Services) (Councillor Martin Candler) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the implications of the Pensions Acts 2008 and specifically the requirement for employees to be automatically enrolled onto pension schemes.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the use of Transitional Delay and Postponement in combination to provide the most cost effective means for the Council to secure compliance with auto enrolment.