Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 27 June 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held 27 June 2013 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 informed the Council that he was deeply saddened to report that the funeral of Firefighter Stephen Hunt of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service had taken place on Tuesday, 3 September 2013 who had died while fighting a fire in Manchester City Centre on Saturday, 13 July 2013.

The Mayor also expressed his regret at the recent death of Lesley Hunter, the wife of Mark Hunter, the Member of Parliament for the Cheadle constituency.

The Mayor invited all those present at the meeting to stand in silence as a mark of respect to the memories of Mr Hunt and Mrs Hunter.

The Mayor then advised the Council of a forthcoming ‘James Bond Casino Night’ which would be held in aid of the Mayor’s Charity on Thursday, 19 September 2013 at the Gala Casino, Stockport.  The Mayor also referred to a tattoo of the ‘Stockport Shield’ which he had recently had on his arm and which had attracted national media coverage. 

The Mayor further informed the Council that he had also visited the newly opened flight simulator at ‘Ringway Flight Sim’ in Cheadle Hulme and that the company had agreed to donate a 40-minute session as a prize in a future Mayoral Raffle.

The Mayor advised the Council that he had attended the Princes Trust Awards held in association with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service at Edgeley Park.

It was reported that the Mayor had attended a service at Chester Cathedral on 8 September 2013 at which the old colours of the now defunct Cheshire Regiment were formally laid up following which he visited Broughton House in Salford which provided accommodation for ex-service men and women.  The Mayor then invited all Councillors to join him at a service commemorating the Battle of Britain which would take place on Sunday, 15 September 2013 at St George’s Church, Stockport.

Finally, the Mayor informed the Council that the United Nations International Day of Peace would be held on 21 September which aimed to provide people with an opportunity reflect on how they could contribute towards breaking the cycle of violence that conflict causes.

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 interest which they had in any of the items on the Summons for the meeting.

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.

Nine public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to whether Councillors were aware when discussing the Brinnington Regeneration Plan that the proposed housing development ‘Site A’ was not only in the Green Belt but also within the boundaries of Reddish Vale Country Park.

Councillor Verdeille responded that whilst he was not a member of any of the committees that had discussed this issue, he was aware that councillors had been told that ‘Site A’ was within the Green Belt but had not been informed that the site fell within Reddish Vale Country Park. 

Councillor Harding stated that the information that had been provided to the Central Stockport Area Committee when it considered the Brinnington Regeneration Plan was misleading and inaccurate in that it had not indicated that the proposed housing development site was within the boundaries of the Reddish Vale Country Park.

·         Relating to how the Council could consider giving planning permission for the building of houses on any part of Reddish Vale Country Park when it was supposed to be a protected area.

Councillor Wild responded that it was her understanding that whether the Council was able to build on protected land was a matter for the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee to determine in the light of national planning policies and guidance.  Councillor Wild stated that she understood the land in question was within Reddish Vale Country Park and that it was regrettable that this had not been made to clear to councillors earlier and further that it was her view that other brownfield sites should be considered for development.

·         Relating to whether attention had been drawn at any of the area committees, scrutiny committees or at the Executive to the fact that ‘Phase 3’ of the Brinnington Regeneration Plan would mean building inside the boundaries of Reddish Vale Country Park.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) responded that the Brinnington Masterplan, including a map which had clearly identified the location of any planned development, and which had identified the land in question as being in the Green Belt had been considered by the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee on 13 January 2011 and by the Central Stockport Area Committee on 3 March 2011.  The Allocations DPD had also been considered by the Central Stockport Area Committee and as part of the presentation on this item included a bullet point which asked whether the council should consider releasing Green Belt as part of the regeneration aims of Brinnington.  The Brinnington Masterplan had been through a further round of scrutiny committees and subsequently to the Executive in 2013 which incorporated a map which clearly identified the boundaries of any proposed development.  Councillor Roberts expressed the view that anyone who had seen those maps could have been left in no doubt that the housing development would be in part of the Reddish Vale Country Park.

Councillor Bailey responded that no one had drawn attention to the fact that the proposed housing development would entail building in the Reddish Vale Country Park and that this had not been identified on any of the maps or within any of the text within the reports that had been submitted to the various committees.  Councillor Bailey further stated that the development brief which had been sent to prospective developers identified the land in question as being adjacent to the country park, and not inside it.

·         Relating to whether every ward in the Borough should have been included in the public consultation on the proposals to offer part of Reddish Vale Country Park for sale in the light of acknowledgement from Council officers that the consultation had been inadequate.

Councillor Sorton responded that he would urge the Council to consult as widely as possible when  ...  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.

There were no petitions or presentations.

(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 Hawthorne asked Councillor Gordon how the recent fire at the Junction 25 Recycling Centre had affected operations at the nearby Bredbury Parkway Household Waste Recycling Centre operated by the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA).  Councillor Gordon responded that the GMWDA site had closed for half a day due to smoke from the fire being drawn into the building, but was now fully operational.

There were no questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority.

(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 Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance).

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) Submitted the Treasury Management Annual Report 2012/13 and Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED - (1) That approval be given to the actual 2012/13 prudential and treasury indicators as detailed in the report.

(2) That the annual treasury management report for 2012/13 be noted.

(3) That it be noted that no changes had been made during 2012/13 to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices approved by the Council Meeting on 27 September 2012.

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 & Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) stated that a report would be submitted to the 19 September 2013 meeting of the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee relating to the recent fire at the Junction 25 Recycling facility in Bredbury.  Councillor Derbyshire extended her thanks to all those who had been involved in tackling the fire and the impact that it had on residents with particular regard to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, officers from the Council, the Environment Agency and Greater Manchester Police. 

Councillor Derbyshire then referred to the Medium Term Financial Plan which was considered by the Executive at its meeting on 13 August 2013.  It was stated that the Council would be required to make significant levels of savings to meet future budgetary challenges in 2015/16 and 2016/17.  In addition to that challenge, it was reported that the Council had engaged in ‘Public Service Reform’ which was part of the Greater Manchester Community Budgets pilot which had concluded that there was scope for significant changes to be made to the way that the Council delivered a number of services, including Supporting Families, Early Years and Health and Wellbeing to produce better outcomes for service users.

It was further reported that there was the opportunity for the Council to give additional consideration as to how it deployed its Capital Budget, with particular regard to the borrowing capacity of the Council to reinvigorate the economy.

The Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning and Achievement) (Councillor Shan Alexander) reported that following the launch of 100:100 Apprenticeship Scheme which was launched in June 2013 and which aimed to employ 100 apprentices within 100 days, the scheme had achieved that target within just 50 days.

Councillor Shan Alexander provided a further update on the Council’s bid for funding from the Government’s Targeted Basic Need Capital scheme and reported that the Council would receive additional funding of £7.2 million to create an additional 735 primary school places at Arden Primary School, Cale Green Primary School, Greave Primary School, Queen's Road Primary School and St Elisabeth's CE Primary School with a further 50 places created at Castle Hill High School.

Finally, it was reported that for 2013/14 the Council needed to find an additional 1,140 primary school places to ensure that every child in Stockport was able to secure a place at a school in Stockport.  However, it was noted that a further 1,280 primary school places would need to be found by 2016 to meet demand, and that there was a particular pressure on places within the Heatons such that the Council had identified the former Peel Moat recreation site as a possible location for additional primary place provision and which may involve the relocation of an expanded Tithe Barn Primary School.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) reported upon the efforts to regenerate the marketplace and the Underbanks area in the town centre.  It was stated that Little Underbank now had only two vacant units with a range of independent businesses having recently opened up and that a range of initiatives were being rolled out to promote and enhance Stockport Town Centre.

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 Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability), the Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) and the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning and Achievement) 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 16 July and 13 August 2013 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 Executive Meeting held on 16 July and 13 August 2013 (copies of which had been circulated) and the record of executive decision 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:-

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

Adult Care Services & Housing – 1 and 29 July 2013

Children & Young People – 3 and 31 July 2013

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 2 and 30 July 2013

Environment & Economy  – 4 and 30 July 2013

Health & Wellbeing –  25 June and 23 July 2013

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 10 July 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 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

Contributors – 8 July 2013

Employment Appeals – 31 July 2013

Health and Wellbeing Board – 17 July 2013

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 19 June and 24 July 2013

Planning & Highways Regulation – 25 July 2013

Standards – 18 June 2013

Town Centre – 19 June 2013

Area Committees

Bramhall& Cheadle Hulme South – 11 July and 8 August 2013

Central Stockport – 11 July and 8 August 2013

Cheadle – 9 July and 6 August 2013

Heatons& Reddish – 8 July and 5 August 2013

Marple– 10 July and 7 August 2013

Stepping Hill – 9 July and 6 August 2013

Werneth– 8 July and 5 August 2013

Ward Committee

Brinnington and Reddish Joint Ward – 17 July 2013

This Council notes - 

·           The scourge of Pay Day Lenders preying on vulnerable people and exploiting them with extortionate interest rates on short term loans.

·           The damaging impacts irresponsible lending can have.

·           That one in three pay day loans are taken out to pay off another pay day loan.

This Council further notes the alternative sources of financial support and advice available to people in financial difficulty, such as Stockport Credit Union and Stockport Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

This Council believes that it has a duty to speak out against threats to our communities and that irresponsible Pay Day Lenders pose such a threat.

This Council therefore requests that –

·           Access to Pay Day Lenders’ websites is blocked on all Council-owned computers and on all devices within Council-owned buildings. Users should be adequately signposted to information about Stockport Credit Union, Stockport Citizen’s Advice Bureau and other responsible financial advice websites.

·           A joint letter is sent from the Group Leaders to the Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee asking him to investigate the possibility of banning Pay Day Lenders from advertising at bus stops, at Metrolink stations or at any other TfGM owned sites.

·           Efforts are redoubled to improve the capacity of Stockport Credit Union to assist local people at risk of exploitation by Pay Day Lenders.

·           A campaign for improving access to information about financial planning is devised and implemented as soon as possible by the Council.

Moved by:                  Councillor Laura Booth

Seconded by:           Councillor Kate Butler

MOVED AND SECONDED – This Council notes - 

·           The scourge of Pay Day Lenders preying on vulnerable people and exploiting them with extortionate interest rates on short term loans.

·           The damaging impacts irresponsible lending can have.

·           That one in three pay day loans are taken out to pay off another pay day loan.

This Council further notes the alternative sources of financial support and advice available to people in financial difficulty, such as Stockport Credit Union and Stockport Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

This Council believes that it has a duty to speak out against threats to our communities and that irresponsible Pay Day Lenders pose such a threat.

This Council therefore requests that –

·         Access to Pay Day Lenders’ websites is blocked on all Council-owned computers and on all devices within Council-owned buildings. Users should be adequately signposted to information about Stockport Credit Union, Stockport Citizen’s Advice Bureau and other responsible financial advice websites.

·         A joint letter is sent from the Group Leaders to the Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee asking him to investigate the possibility of banning Pay Day Lenders from advertising at bus stops, at Metrolink stations or at any other TfGM owned sites.

·         Efforts are redoubled to improve the capacity of Stockport Credit Union to assist local people at risk of exploitation by Pay Day Lenders.

·         A campaign for improving access to information about financial planning is devised and implemented as soon as possible by the Council.

AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council notes - 

·           The scourge of Pay Day Lenders preying on vulnerable people and exploiting them with extortionate interest rates on short term loans.

·           The damaging impacts irresponsible lending can have.

·           That one in three pay day loans are taken out to pay off another pay day loan.

·           The recent summit held by the Office of Fair Trading in advance of the Financial Conduct Authority assuming responsibility for this sector next year, which highlighted restrictions in advertising as one measure which may be introduced as Pay Day Lenders face tighter regulation.

·           The recent comments of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, who recently visited Stockport Credit Union, on the role of competition from Credit Unions to challenge Pay Day Lenders’ ability to charge such high interest rates.

·           The provision within the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (as amended) for “unfair credit relationships” to be set aside.

This Council further notes –

·           The alternative sources of financial support and advice available to people in financial difficulty, such as Stockport Credit Union and Stockport Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

·           The extensive work already underway by which the Council and its partners, most notably Stockport Homes, to help Stockport Credit Union develop into a responsive lender with a range of flexible lending options.

·           Stockport Homes’ agreement to fund a new post of Development Manager for 12 months to help Stockport Credit Union increase its capacity and its range of products.

·           The variety of other financial inclusion work carried out by this Council and its partners.

·           This Council believes that it has a duty to speak out against threats to our communities and that irresponsible Pay Day Lenders pose such a threat.

However, this Council also notes –

·           the scourge of “Loan Sharks” who prey on vulnerable residents;

·           the good work undertaken over many years by officers of this Council and our partners to tackle “Loan Sharks”, such as the highly successful “month of action” run in Brinnington last year;

·           the vital need to ensure that any action taken to deter residents from using Pay Day Lenders does not push them towards even worse sources of finance.

This Council therefore requests that –

·           Officers prepare a report for the October Council Meeting assessing the likely impact of blocking access to Pay Day Lenders’ websites on all Council-owned computers and on all devices within Council-owned buildings, both in the light of the experiences of other Councils  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.(i)

At 7.39 pm it was

RESOLVED – That the meeting be adjourned.

At 7.54 pm the meeting reconvened.

It was then

RESOLVED - This Council notes - 

·           The scourge of Pay Day Lenders preying on vulnerable people and exploiting them with extortionate interest rates on short term loans.

·           The damaging impacts irresponsible lending can have.

·           That one in three pay day loans are taken out to pay off another pay day loan.

·           The recent summit held by the Office of Fair Trading in advance of the Financial Conduct Authority assuming responsibility for this sector next year, which highlighted restrictions in advertising as one measure which may be introduced as Pay Day Lenders face tighter regulation.

·           The recent comments of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, who recently visited Stockport Credit Union, on the role of competition from Credit Unions to challenge Pay Day Lenders’ ability to charge such high interest rates.

·           The provision within the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (as amended) for “unfair credit relationships” to be set aside.

This Council further notes –

·           The alternative sources of financial support and advice available to people in financial difficulty, such as Stockport Credit Union and Stockport Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

·           The extensive work already underway by which the Council and its partners, most notably Stockport Homes, to help Stockport Credit Union develop into a responsive lender with a range of flexible lending options.

·           Stockport Homes’ agreement to fund a new post of Development Manager for 12 months to help Stockport Credit Union increase its capacity and its range of products.

·           The variety of other financial inclusion work carried out by this Council and its partners.

·           This Council believes that it has a duty to speak out against threats to our communities and that irresponsible Pay Day Lenders pose such a threat.

However, this Council also notes –

·           the scourge of “Loan Sharks” who prey on vulnerable residents;

·           the good work undertaken over many years by officers of this Council and our partners to tackle “Loan Sharks”, such as the highly successful “month of action” run in Brinnington last year;

·           the vital need to ensure that any action taken to deter residents from using Pay Day Lenders does not push them towards even worse sources of finance.

This Council therefore requests that –

·           Officers prepare a report for the October Council Meeting assessing the likely impact of blocking access to Pay Day Lenders’ websites on all Council-owned computers and on all devices within Council-owned buildings, both in the light of the experiences of other Councils and with respect to pushing residents towards "Loan Sharks", so that this Council can then make an informed decision on how best to proceed.

·           Officers ensure that our libraries and advice staff are aware of how best to signpost residents to information about Stockport Credit Union, Stockport Citizen’s Advice Bureau and other responsible financial advice websites.

·           A joint letter is sent from the Group Leaders to the Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee pointing out that it is unacceptable for Pay Day Lenders to be allowed to advertise at bus stops, at Metrolink stations or at any other TfGM owned sites, requesting that any such adverts be removed as quickly as possible and that a policy be introduced to ensure that similar adverts will not be allowed in these sites in the future, and asking him to investigate the possibility of offering instead free advertising space to the Credit Union active in each GM borough.

·           Efforts continue to improve the capacity of Stockport Credit Union to assist local people at risk of exploitation by Pay Day Lenders.

·           A campaign for improving access to information about financial planning is devised and implemented as soon as possible by the Council.

·           Further “months of action” be conducted in areas considered to be vulnerable to Loan Sharks.

·           A letter is sent from the Chief Executive to the Office of Fair Trading and the Financial Conduct Authority, urging them to work with the appropriate government  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.(i)