Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 23 January and 27 February 2014.                                                                             

The Minutes of the Meetings of the Council held on 23 January and 27 February 2014 were approved as correct records 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.

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:-

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 as follows:-

·         Relating to whether discussions had taken place between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups on the Council with regard to the potential for a coalition after the 2014 local elections.

The Leader of the Conservative Group (Councillor Syd Lloyd) responded that he had received number of similar enquiries from residents following the issuing of a leaflet by the Labour Party stating that informal discussions had taken place between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups in relation to the formation of a coalition between the two groups to run the Council after May 2014.  Councillor Lloyd confirmed that no such discussions had taken place.

·         Relating to why no financial assessment had been made of the Blackberry Lane site of the ‘Brinnington Regeneration Plan’.

Councillor Wendy Wild responded that it was her understanding that a full tender process had been gone through to determine the joint market value of all the sites and that no individual site had been valued separately.

·         Relating to the timescales for the receipt of written responses to public questions submitted at meetings of the Council.

Councillor Wendy Wild responded that a written response should be provided within seven working days.  Councillor Wild further stated that she understood that there had been a delay in the questioner receiving a response to a question that they had submitted, but which had now received a full answer and that the procedure for responding to questions had since been reviewed and tightened up.

·         Relating to claims by Councillor Laura Booth that she had helped bring Aldi to Offerton and how Councillor Booth had achieved this, including the number of meetings she had attended, the attendees at those meetings and how long it took to secure the deal.

Councillor Laura Booth responded that she welcomed the addition of Aldi to Offerton and that she had attended numerous meetings relating to the development of the Aldi store.  Although some of the information was commercially sensitive, Councillor Booth undertook to respond to the questioner in writing with as much information as she was able to provide.

·         Relating to whether Councillor Iain Roberts would provide a view on the claims made by Councillor Booth that she had helped bring Aldi to Offerton.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) paid tribute to the former Offerton Park Parish Council which had started the campaign for the redevelopment of the Offerton Precinct a number of years ago and to Councillors Wendy Meikle and John Smith and former Councillor Dave Goddard for their work in bringing this aim to fruition.  Councillor Roberts further stated that he was not aware of any actions that Councillor Booth had taken which had brought about the redevelopment of the Offerton Precinct which would not have otherwise happened.

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 presentations.

One petition was submitted by Councillor Syd Lloyd on behalf of a number of residents of Bramhall with over 2,700 signatories against proposals to construct a retirement home on land off Bramhall Lane South, Bramhall.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration for consideration as part of the determination of the planning application.

(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

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

Councillor Wendy Meikle asked Councillor Craig Wright if would be able to provide any background on the decision of Transport for Greater Manchester to withdraw the Offerton ‘Local Link’ bus service from 28 April 2014.

Councillor Craig Wright responded that in 2008 the 317 bus service was withdrawn from the Offerton Estate and in its stead, the Offerton ‘Local Link’ demand responsive service was put in place with the aim of retaining links from the estate to Stepping Hill Hospital and local shopping facilities.  Councillor Wright noted that a significant number of journeys were for essential shopping or health related visits and that patronage on the service had been rising.  Councillor Wright expressed his concern that the Transport for Greater Manchester Bus Network and TfGM Services Sub Committee had agreed to withdraw this service in advance of the wholesale review of the subsidised network which was due to take place later in the year.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance).

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking approval for the draft indicative 2014/15 Council Plan.

RESOLVED – That the Council Plan 2014/15 be approved and adopted.

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) commented on recent news that the Front National had taken control of Beziers in France following recent elections.  It was noted that Stockport had a longstanding twinning arrangements with Beziers.  Councillor Derbyshire stated that it was important to respect the outcome of the democratic process in Beziers and that notwithstanding the outcome of the election, Stockport had not had a civic exchange with Beziers since 2005.  It was further commented that while the Council would not accept or initiate any civic exchange with Beziers, there would be no formal move to terminate or amend the twinning arrangement.

Councillor Derbyshire further reported that Stockport’s Chief Superintendent, Chris Sykes would be leaving his post to assume a new role as Territorial Commander in Rochdale and Bury.  Councillor Derbyshire then welcomed Chief Superintendent Caroline Ball who, as part of a reorganisation of the structure of Greater Manchester Police, would become Territorial Commander for Stockport, Tameside and Oldham.

The Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning and Achievement) (Councillor Shan Alexander) referred to recent changes to school meal provision, such that from September 2014 every child in an infant class would be offered a free school lunch. 

Councillor Shan Alexander further reported on the recent GOVAS Annual Conference which had been held during the previous week and recommended that all Councillors attend future such conferences.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) (Councillor Stuart Bodsworth) reported upon a number of initiatives that Stockport Homes had recently introduced including a construction course for people living in their communities which would lead to a certificate upon completion.  In addition, it was reported that young people were being encouraged to recycle clothing, while young people in Adswood had created film to help young protect themselves from cyber-bullying using funding from Stockport Homes.  Councillor Bodsworth commented that all the schemes and initiatives set up and promoted by Stockport Homes were available for both their tenants and the wider community.

Councillor Bodsworth also reported that since 2008 Stockport Homes had completed nine new housing schemes which had resulted in 124 new properties being built with a further five schemes incorporating 85 new properties programmed for completion.  In 2012/13, 50% of all affordable homes built in Stockport had been completed by Stockport Homes, and Councillor Bodsworth commended Stockport Homes on this achievement.

The Executive Councillor (Health and Wellbeing) (Councillor John Pantall) commented that this week marked the first anniversary of the transfer of the responsibility for public health to local authorities and commended the work that had been undertaken in the last twelve months in Stockport to ensure the smooth and successful transition of the service.

Councillor Pantall welcomed the recent report by Professor Sir Cyril Chantler in relation to the introduction of plain packaging for tobacco products and expressed his hope that the recommendations of the report would be implemented.

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 & Finance); The Deputy Leader of the Council (Corporate, Customer and Community Services) and the Executive Councillors (Children and Young People), (Communities and Sustainability), (Economic Development and Regeneration) and (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 11 February and 18 March 2014 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 Meetings held on 11 February and 18 March 2014 (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:-

Adult Care Services & Housing – 27 January and 3 March 2014

Children & Young People – 29 January and 5 March 2014

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 4 March 2014

Environment & Economy  – 30 January and 6 March 2014

Health & Wellbeing –  21 January and 25 February 2014

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 – 27 January and 3 March 2014

Children & Young People – 29 January and 5 March 2014

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 4 March 2014

Environment & Economy  – 30 January and 6 March 2014

Health & Wellbeing –  21 January and 25 February 2014

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

Appointments – 5 February 2014

Audit – 19 March 2014       

Contributors – 29 January 2014

Health & Wellbeing Board – 15 January and 12 March 2014

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 19 February 2014

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 22 January 2014     

Planning & Highways Regulation – 22 January and 20 February 2014

Stockport Homes Member – 14 January 2014   

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 16 January, 6 February and 13 March 2014

Central Stockport – 6 February and 13 March 2014     

Cheadle – 14 January, 4 February and 11 March 2014          

Heatons & Reddish – 3 February and 10 March 2014

Marple – 15 January, 5 February and 12 March 2014 

Stepping Hill – 13 January, 4 February and 11 March 2014  

Werneth – 3 February and 10 March 2014        

Ward Committee

Brinnington and Reddish Joint – 13 January and 17 March 2014

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

Appointments – 5 February 2014

Audit – 19 March 2014      

Contributors – 29 January 2014

Health & Wellbeing Board – 15 January and 12 March 2014

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 19 February 2014

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 22 January 2014    

Planning & Highways Regulation – 22 January and 20 February 2014

Stockport Homes Member – 14 January 2014  

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 16 January, 6 February and 13 March 2014

Central Stockport – 6 February and 13 March 2014    

Cheadle – 14 January, 4 February and 11 March 2014         

Heatons & Reddish – 3 February and 10 March 2014

Marple – 15 January, 5 February and 12 March 2014

Stepping Hill – 13 January, 4 February and 11 March 2014 

Werneth – 3 February and 10 March 2014       

Ward Committee

Brinnington and Reddish Joint – 13 January and 17 March 2014

This Council Meeting notes that:

·           Young Carers are children and young people in our schools and colleges who provide regular and on-going care to a family member who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses substances;

·           the tasks and level of caring undertaken by Young Carers can vary according to the nature of the illness or disability, the level and frequency of care needed and the structure of the family as a whole;

·           375 Young Carers in Stockport have self-identified but estimates suggest that the true figure is closer to 1,000.

This Council Meeting recognises and values the work of Young Carers and understands the impact caring responsibilities can have on a Young Carer’s education and well-being.  For example, according to a recent analysis:

·           27% of Young Carers of secondary school age experience educational difficulties or miss school;

·           Where they are caring for someone who misuses drugs or alcohol, 40% have educational difficulties;

·           Young Carers between 16 and 18 are twice as likely to be Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET);

·           68% of Young Carers experience bullying at school and 39% said that nobody in their school was aware of their caring role;

·           Young Carers have significantly lower attainment at GCSE level than their peers, equivalent to nine grades lower overall;

·           Young Carers are four times more likely to live in households where no adult is in work.

This Council Meeting further notes that:

·           the support the Council currently offers is through school staff and governors, in close partnership with Signpost for Young Carers;

·           most schools have a designated member of staff for Young Carers;

·           many Governing Bodies now include the performance and well-being of Young Carers as an agenda item at their meetings, which should be considered “best practice”.

This Council further notes

·           that the Pupil Premium is an additional allowance to support certain groups of children and young people at risk of not achieving their potential;

·           that children entitled to free school meals are eligible for Pupil Premium of £1,300 a year for primary pupils and £935 a year for secondary pupils;

·           that whilst eligibility for free school meals is the main criteria for entitlement to Pupil Premium, other groups are also entitled to Pupil Premium including children in care, adopted children,  children in hospital schools and service personnel children;

·           that including Young Carers within Pupil Premium eligibility would enable schools and colleges to provide additional support to these young people.

Given the challenges faced by Young Carers, this Council Meeting resolves:

·           to ask the Chief Executive to write to Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon David Laws MP, the Minister of State for Schools, and Dr John Dunford OBE, the national Pupil Premium Champion, noting the content of this motion and asking that consideration be given to widen the eligibility for Pupil Premium to include Young Carers;

·           to ask the Chief Executive to write to Sir Merrick Cockell, Chair of the Local Government Association, asking his organisation to support this campaign;

·           to ask the Corporate Director, Services to People to write to the Headteachers of all schools in the Borough, asking them to lend their support to this request and to consider how best to support Young Carers, including identifying a designated member of staff and regularly monitoring the performance and well-being of Young Carers through their Governing Body; providing additional support where needed; and to work with the Young Carers Trust to ensure Young Carers are supported and not disadvantaged because of the voluntary work they undertake looking after others.

Moved by:                  Councillor Shan Alexander

Seconded by:           Councillor Wendy Meikle

RESOLVED – That this Council Meeting notes that:-

·         Young Carers are children and young people in our schools and colleges who provide regular and on-going care to a family member who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses substances;

·         the tasks and level of caring undertaken by Young Carers can vary according to the nature of the illness or disability, the level and frequency of care needed and the structure of the family as a whole;

·         375 Young Carers in Stockport have self-identified but estimates suggest that the true figure is closer to 1,000.

This Council Meeting recognises and values the work of Young Carers and understands the impact caring responsibilities can have on a Young Carer’s education and well-being.  For example, according to a recent analysis:

·         27% of Young Carers of secondary school age experience educational difficulties or miss school;

·         Where they are caring for someone who misuses drugs or alcohol, 40% have educational difficulties;

·         Young Carers between 16 and 18 are twice as likely to be Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET);

·         68% of Young Carers experience bullying at school and 39% said that nobody in their school was aware of their caring role;

·         Young Carers have significantly lower attainment at GCSE level than their peers, equivalent to nine grades lower overall;

·         Young Carers are four times more likely to live in households where no adult is in work.

This Council Meeting further notes that:

·         the support the Council currently offers is through school staff and governors, in close partnership with Signpost for Young Carers;

·         most schools have a designated member of staff for Young Carers;

·         many Governing Bodies now include the performance and well-being of Young Carers as an agenda item at their meetings, which should be considered “best practice”.

This Council further notes

·         that the Pupil Premium is an additional allowance to support certain groups of children and young people at risk of not achieving their potential;

·         that children entitled to free school meals are eligible for Pupil Premium of £1,300 a year for primary pupils and £935 a year for secondary pupils;

·         that whilst eligibility for free school meals is the main criteria for entitlement to Pupil Premium, other groups are also entitled to Pupil Premium including children in care, adopted children,  children in hospital schools and service personnel children;

·         that including Young Carers within Pupil Premium eligibility would enable schools and colleges to provide additional support to these young people.

Given the challenges faced by Young Carers, this Council Meeting resolves:

·         to ask the Chief Executive to write to Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, the Secretary of State for Education, RtHon David Laws MP, the Minister of State for Schools, and Dr John Dunford OBE, the national Pupil Premium Champion, noting the content of this motion and asking that consideration be given to widen the eligibility for Pupil Premium to include Young Carers;

·         to ask the Chief Executive to write to Sir Merrick Cockell, Chair of the Local Government Association, asking his organisation to support this campaign;

·         to ask the Corporate Director, Services to People to write to the Headteachers of all schools in the Borough, asking them to lend their support to this request and to consider how best to support Young Carers, including identifying a designated member of staff and regularly monitoring the performance and well-being of Young Carers through their Governing Body; providing additional support where needed; and to work with the Young Carers Trust to ensure Young Carers are supported and not disadvantaged because of the voluntary work they undertake looking after others.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

The Executive Councillor (Children and Young People) (Councillor Wendy Meikle) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress made by this local authority and partner agencies to improve and enhance services provided to victims of domestic abuse.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services).

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) (Councillor Mark Weldon) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a number of proposed changes to the Constitution in light of legislative changes and changes to the operation of the Council.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting:-

(i)         adopt the proposed amendments as detailed in the report and appendices (with the exception of those relating to the Council Meeting Procedure Rules), subject to the revisions to Article 9 ‘Health & Wellbeing Board’ (appendix 2 of the report) as recommended by the Health & Wellbeing Board;

(ii)        request that the Monitoring Officer review Council Meeting Procedure Rule 26 to ensure it reflects any changes agreed as part of the recommendation above; and,

(iii)       agree that the proposed changes to the Council Meeting Procedure Rules should stand adjourned without discussion to the next ordinary Council Meeting, in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 24.2.

To:-

(1) make the interim appointment of Parveen Akhtar (Head of Legal and Democratic Governance) as the Council’s Monitoring Officer and that the Appointments Committee review this appointment after six months and that a decision as to whether to make this appointment permanent be delegated to that Committee.

(2) amend the Council’s Constitution to delegate those functions formerly delegated to the Council Solicitor to the Head of Legal and Democratic Governance.  

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) requested that the Council Meeting give consideration to the proposal that Parveen Akhtar (Head of Legal and Democratic Governance) be appointed Monitoring Officer on an interim basis.

RESOLVED - (1) That approval be given to the the interim appointment of Parveen Akhtar (Head of Legal and Democratic Governance) as the Council’s Monitoring Officer and that the Appointments Committee review this appointment after six months and that a decision as to whether to make this appointment permanent be delegated to that Committee.

(2) That approval be given to the amendment of the Council’s Constitution to delegate those functions formerly delegated to the Council Solicitor to the Head of Legal and Democratic Governance.

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

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