Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 10 June 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 10 June 2014 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 announced that Councillor Dave Goddard had on 8 August 2014 been conferred a Peerage of the United Kingdom for Life by Her Majesty the Queen.

The Mayor also extended the congratulations of the Council to those athletes from Stockport who had competed in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

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

Personal and Prejudicial 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.

Two public questions had been submitted where the questioner was not present at the meeting and in accordance with the Code of Practice, the Chief Executive was requested to respond to the questioner in writing.

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

Petitions

One petition has been submitted with 1009 signatories entitled:-

“Protect the Green Belt in Cheadle Hulme, protect the health of our more senior citizens and reconsider your plans to build a sixteen berth coach park on a field.”

Presentations

No such arrangements have been made for this meeting.

There were no presentations.

One petition was submitted with 1,169 signatories entitled “Protect the Green Belt in Cheadle Hulme, protect the health of our more senior citizens and reconsider your plans to build a sixteen berth coach park on a field”.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to the Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) for his consideration.

(a)       Section 41 Spokespersons

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:-

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

(b)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

To appoint Councillor Sue Derbyshire to answer questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.

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

(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:-

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 2014/15:-

Questions

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

RESOLVED – That Councillor Sue Derbyshire be appointed to answer questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.

Questions

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

(c)        Greater Manchester Combined Authority

The Mayor requested that the Council Meeting give consideration to the appointment of persons to answer questions in relation to the discharge of the functions of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee as detailed in the Summons, subject to the replacement of Councillor Kevin Dowling with Councillor Martin Candler as the person so nominated in respect of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.

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:-

Questions

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 Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) (Councillor Iain Roberts) submitted the Treasury Management Annual Report 2013/14 (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED - (1) That approved be given to the actual 2013/14 prudential and treasury indicators as detailed in the report.

(2) That the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2013/14 be noted.

(3) That it be noted that no fundamental changes had been made during 2013/14 to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices approved at the Council meeting on 12 September 2013.

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) congratulated Councillor Dave Goddard on his recent appointment to the House of Lords.

Councillor Derbyshire also referred to the forthcoming retirement of Janine Watson, the Council’s Assistant Chief Executive (Communications and Customer Engagement) and thanked her for her work on behalf of the Council.

The progress of the Executive’s budget proposals through the Councils decision-making structures was also raised, and the key role that scrutiny had to play in shaping these proposals before they were finalised.

The Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning and Achievement) (Councillor Shan Alexander) reported that further to previous announcements in relation to the Council’s performance in securing apprenticeships for young people in Stockport and the opening of an apprenticeship store the number of apprentices in in the Borough had now doubled.  Councillor Alexander also reported on the work that had been done to ensure that apprenticeships were embedded within the Council’s procurement arrangements.  The improving performance of the Continuing Education Service which provided basic skills in maths and English was also reported on.

Councillor Shan Alexander expressed disappointment in relation to delays to the opening of Castle Hill High School, and reported that additional contractors had been made available to ensure that the school was ready to open to pupils and staff on 15 September 2014.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) (Councillor Martin Candler) reported that figures had recently been released in relation to the recycling rates of local authorities throughout the country and that Stockport was the fifth best performing local authority nationally.

Councillor Candler also reported that Stockport had benefited from agreements made by central government and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to provide two significant capital schemes in the Borough, namely the Stockport Town Centre Access Package and the Stockport Interchange.

The Executive Councillor (Adult Care Services) (Councillor Keith Holloway) reported that Stockport had received a grant of £750,000 to improve services for people with dementia.

Councillor Holloway further referred to one of the budget savings proposals referred to during Councillor Derbyshire’s statement relating to Adult Social Care and prevention.  Specifically, the Council had commissioned the Greater Manchester Council for Voluntary Organisations to undertake a review of all those organisations which offered services and support within the community with a view to improving the way the Council procured such services in the future.

Following recent rulings by the Supreme Court, Councillor Holloway then outlined the circumstances by which the Council would institute a ‘Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards’ case where an individual lacks the capacity to make decisions about their care and residence.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Patrick McAuley) reported that the second phase of the Stockport Exchange development was due to commence shortly, and a planning application was due to be submitted in late September 2014 in relation to the Bridgefield development.

Councillor McAuley further reported that the Council had received a £5.5 million grant from the Homes and Communities Agency from the Affordable Homes Programme to help provide 250 new affordable homes in the Borough.

The Executive Councillor (Health and Wellbeing) (Councillor John Pantall) reported that the Council had recently receive notification of its budgetary allocation for its public health functions which were in line with expectations.  Councillor Pantall further announced that the annual Stoptober event would be running throughout October to encourage the 40,000 residents of Stockport who smoked to quit.

The progress of the Healthier Together consultation was also commented on which would include modest reconfiguration of services provided through hospitals in addition to more significant changes proposed in community care and proposals to better integrate health and social care.

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) and the Executive Councillors (Adult Care Services), (Children and Young People), (Communities and Sustainability), (Economic Development and Regeneration), (Health and Wellbeing) and (Lifelong Learning and Achievement) answered questions relating to the business of the Executive in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

The Deputy Mayor (Councillor Linda Holt) made a comment with regard to widely reported cases of child sexual exploitation in Rochdale and Rotherham and advised the Council Meeting that she had invited the Corporate Director for People to the next meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee to provide an update on child sexual exploitation in this region and extended an invitation to all members of the Council to attend.

To receive the Minutes of the Executive held on 22 April, 17 June, 15 July and 12 August 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 22 April, 17 June, 15 July and 12 August 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.

The Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Tom McGee) answered questions relating to the business of the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee 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 – 30 April, 30 June and 28 July 2014

Children & Young People – 9 April, 7 May, 2 July and 30 July 2014

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 8 April, 6 May, 1 July and 29 July 2014

Environment & Economy  – 10 April, 3 July and 31 July 2014

Health & Wellbeing – 1 April, 29 April, 24 June and 13 August 2014

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 14 July 2014

To consider the Scrutiny Annual Report 2013/14.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee (Councillor Ben Alexander) submitted the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2013/14 (copies of which had been circulated) summarising the work of the Scrutiny Committees during the current Municipal Year.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Brinnington and Reddish Joint Ward – 16 June and 1 September 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 – 14 August 2014

Audit – 11 June 2014

Contributors – 27 March, 30 April and 30 July 2014

Employment Appeals – 14 July and 15 July 2014

Funding – 26 June 2014

Health & Wellbeing Board – 4 June and 16 July 2014

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 26 March, 23 April and 18 June 2014

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub-Committee –  14 July 2014              

Planning & Highways Regulation – 27 March, 24 April, 19 June, 24 July and 29 July 2014

Standards – 1 September 2014

Stockport Homes Member – 14 April and 14 July 2014

Town Centre – 13 May 2014

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 17 April, 3 June, 10 July, 17 July and 7 August 2014

Central Stockport – 17 April, 4 June, 9 July and 7 August 2014

Cheadle – 15 April, 3 June, 8 July and 5 August 2014

Heatons & Reddish – 14 April, 6 May, 2 June,  7 July 2014 and 4 August 2014

Marple – 16 April, 4 June, 9 July and 6 August 2014

Stepping Hill – 15 April, 3 June, 8 July and 5 August 2014

Werneth – 14 April, 2 June, 7 July and 4 August  2014

Ward Committees

Brinnington and Reddish Joint Ward – 16 June and 1 September 2014

This Council Meeting believes:

·         that “if Stockport residents don’t feel that they’re able to contact us in the manner they expect, want and need, they either won’t or they’ll be left dissatisfied, both of these being undesirable outcomes” (Foreward. “How the Public Contact the Council Scrutiny Review”, CRMG, June 2012).

·         that residents have a right to contact their Council in a variety of different ways and that the Council and its services should be easy to access, as stated in the Council’s Customer Charter.

·         that prioritising digital communications above all other forms of contact can have the effect, however unintended, of marginalising older and vulnerable people as well as hard to reach groups and unfairly excludes those people who do not have access to the internet or who have low confidence in their internet skills.

This Council Meeting notes:

·         that the preferred way for members of the public to contact the Council is by telephone. Over 485,100 telephone calls were received by the Council in 2013-14. In contrast, 41,860 emails were received.

·         that the Council Contact Centre’s answer rate for telephone calls fell to 70.6% in 2013/14, the lowest level in the 3 years for which performance data is available.

·         that ONS statistics show that, as at Q1 2014, 263,000 people in Greater Manchester had never used the Internet and that use of public authorities or services’ websites among adult age groups was lowest among the over 65s.

This Council Meeting further believes:

·         that cuts made to Contact Centre staffing levels since March 2013 are proving unsustainable and have been undertaken without the support of a Customer Engagement Strategy which assesses actual demand and levels of incoming calls.

·         that Councillors are receiving increased levels of complaint about contacting the Council by telephone, difficulty getting through and long waiting times.

·         that the Council’s aspirations to move towards increased self-service, online solutions and a Digital Stockport approach have not made adequate provision to support traditional methods of getting in touch with the Council during the changeover period.

This Council Meeting requests that the Executive:

·         increase staffing levels at the Contact Centre by at least 4FTEs to reduce waiting times, improve performance for residents and reflect the fact that the telephone is still the preferred method of contacting the Council; and

·         Support this increase in staffing through the allocation of appropriate resources (of around £200k over the two years of the current proposed MTFP) from the Investing In Stockport reserve which is available to assist with projects requiring extra resources and where there may be a need to incur costs while new delivery models are embedded more successfully.

Moved by:                  Councillor. Alanna Vine

Seconded by:           Councillor Syd Lloyd

MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council Meeting believes:

·        that “if Stockport residents don’t feel that they’re able to contact us in the manner they expect, want and need, they either won’t or they’ll be left dissatisfied, both of these being undesirable outcomes” (Foreward. “How the Public Contact the Council Scrutiny Review”, CRMG, June 2012).

·        that residents have a right to contact their Council in a variety of different ways and that the Council and its services should be easy to access, as stated in the Council’s Customer Charter.

·        that prioritising digital communications above all other forms of contact can have the effect, however unintended, of marginalising older and vulnerable people as well as hard to reach groups and unfairly excludes those people who do not have access to the internet or who have low confidence in their internet skills.

This Council Meeting notes:

·        that the preferred way for members of the public to contact the Council is by telephone. Over 485,100 telephone calls were received by the Council in 2013-14. In contrast, 41,860 emails were received.

·        that the Council Contact Centre’s answer rate for telephone calls fell to 70.6% in 2013/14, the lowest level in the 3 years for which performance data is available.

·        that ONS statistics show that, as at Q1 2014, 263,000 people in Greater Manchester had never used the Internet and that use of public authorities or services’ websites among adult age groups was lowest among the over 65s.

This Council Meeting further believes:

·        that cuts made to Contact Centre staffing levels since March 2013 are proving unsustainable and have been undertaken without the support of a Customer Engagement Strategy which assesses actual demand and levels of incoming calls.

·        that Councillors are receiving increased levels of complaint about contacting the Council by telephone, difficulty getting through and long waiting times.

·        that the Council’s aspirations to move towards increased self-service, online solutions and a Digital Stockport approach have not made adequate provision to support traditional methods of getting in touch with the Council during the changeover period.

This Council Meeting requests that the Executive:

·        increase staffing levels at the Contact Centre by at least 4FTEs to reduce waiting times, improve performance for residents and reflect the fact that the telephone is still the preferred method of contacting the Council; and

·        Support this increase in staffing through the allocation of appropriate resources (of around £200k over the two years of the current proposed MTFP) from the Investing In Stockport reserve which is available to assist with projects requiring extra resources and where there may be a need to incur costs while new delivery models are embedded more successfully.

AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council Meeting believes:

·        that “if Stockport residents don’t feel that they’re able to contact us in the manner they expect, want and need, they either won’t or they’ll be left dissatisfied, both of these being undesirable outcomes” (Foreward. “How the Public Contact the Council Scrutiny Review”, CRMG, June 2012).

·        that residents have a right to contact their Council in a variety of different ways and that the Council and its services should be easy to access, as stated in the Council’s Customer Charter.

·        that prioritising digital communications above all other forms of contact can have the effect, however unintended, of marginalising older and vulnerable people as well as hard to reach groups and unfairly excludes those people who do not have access to the internet or who have low confidence in their internet skills.

This Council Meeting notes:

·        that the preferred way for members of the public to contact the Council is by telephone. Over 485,100 telephone calls were received by the Council in 2013-14. In contrast, 41,860 emails were received.

·        that the Council Contact Centre’s answer rate for telephone calls fell to 70.6% in 2013/14, the lowest level in the 3 years for which performance data is available.

·        that ONS  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.(i)

This Council notes

·         That on 1st April 2013 the Liberal Democrat and Conservative Government introduced reductions to Housing Benefit payments where social tenants are deemed to be under-occupying their homes. This has been called the ‘Bedroom Tax’

·         That according to the Government’s own Equality Impact Assessment, two thirds of the households affected by the Bedroom Tax are home to someone with a disability

·         The Deputy Prime Minister’s comments of 16th July 2014 acknowledging the inherent unfairness of the Bedroom Tax

·         The lack of suitable smaller accommodation for people affected by the Bedroom Tax and the negative impact this has on people’s lives

·         The work undertaken by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and Stockport Homes to help mitigate some of the dire consequences of the Bedroom Tax

This Council believes

·         That the Bedroom Tax is a punitive measure that does nothing to improve the supply or availability of social housing

·         That the introduction of changes to Housing Benefit from the Bedroom Tax have had, and will continue to have, an adverse impact on the most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged people

This Council resolves

·         That the Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions outlining our concerns and requesting that the Bedroom Tax is scrapped

Moved by:                  Councillor Kate Butler

Seconded by:           Councillor Paul Moss

MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council notes

·        That on 1st April 2013 the Liberal Democrat and Conservative Government introduced reductions to Housing Benefit payments where social tenants are deemed to be under-occupying their homes. This has been called the ‘Bedroom Tax’

·        That according to the Government’s own Equality Impact Assessment, two thirds of the households affected by the Bedroom Tax are home to someone with a disability

·        The Deputy Prime Minister’s comments of 16th July 2014 acknowledging the inherent unfairness of the Bedroom Tax

·        The lack of suitable smaller accommodation for people affected by the Bedroom Tax and the negative impact this has on people’s lives

·        The work undertaken by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and Stockport Homes to help mitigate some of the dire consequences of the Bedroom Tax

This Council believes

·        That the Bedroom Tax is a punitive measure that does nothing to improve the supply or availability of social housing

·        That the introduction of changes to Housing Benefit from the Bedroom Tax have had, and will continue to have, an adverse impact on the most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged people

This Council resolves

·        That the Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions outlining our concerns and requesting that the Bedroom Tax is scrapped

AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council notes

·        That since 2003 successive Governments have sought to maximise the use of housing stock in the social rented sector, while reducing the Housing Benefit burdened on Government.

·        That in January 2004 the then Labour Housing Minister Malcolm Wicks introduced a ‘Bedroom Tax’ in the private sector and announced plans to introduce one in the social housing sector.

·        In 2013 the Coalition Government followed through with the previous Labour Government’s intention to introduce the criteria for the LHA in the social housing sector.

·        That in Summer 2014, after careful consideration of the evidence, the Deputy Prime Minister called for the policy to be reformed.

·        The lack of suitable housing for people affected by the Bedroom Tax as well as for people living in overcrowded conditions.

·        That Stockport Council led the way nationally through the setting up of a hardship fund that reformed the Bedroom Tax policy at a local level.

·        That the Labour Group on Stockport Council voted against this fund and their members have even called for it to be scrapped.

·        That Stockport Council’s hardship fund has ensured that no Stockport Homes tenants have been evicted as a result of the Bedroom Tax.

·        That Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George has a Private Members bill currently going through parliament that will reform the policy and abolish the Bedroom Tax. 

This Council believes

·        That social housing should be allocated according to need.

·        That building more houses is the best way of resolving the shortage of social housing and commends officers for their work over many years to attract funds to the borough, including the recent £5.5 million HCA affordable homes grant.

·        That the current, national Bedroom Tax policy is a blunt instrument and that the majority of MPs in Westminster will back the Affordable Homes Bill Sponsored by Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George.

This Council resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and our local MPs, expressing our support for the Affordable Homes Bill and encouraging them to support it.

At this stage in the proceedings (10.00 pm) the Mayor informed the Council Meeting that the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 9.1 (Duration of Meeting) would be invoked unless the Council Meeting wished the meeting to continue.

It was then

RESOLVED – (For 49, against 10, abstention 1)That the provision of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 9.1 (Duration of Meeting) be not invoked and that the Council Meeting continues.

For the amendment 30, against 30.

The Mayor exercised his casting vote in favour of the amendment.

AMENDMENT CARRIED

The amendment was then put as the substantive motion and it was

RESOLVED – (30 for, 8 against, 22 abstentions) - This Council notes

·        That since 2003 successive Governments have sought to maximise the use of housing stock in the social rented sector, while reducing the Housing Benefit burdened on Government.

·        That in January 2004 the then Labour Housing Minister Malcolm Wicks introduced a ‘Bedroom Tax’ in the private sector and announced plans to introduce one in the social housing sector.

·        In 2013 the Coalition Government followed through with the previous Labour Government’s intention to introduce the criteria for the LHA in the social housing sector.

·        That in Summer 2014, after careful consideration of the evidence, the Deputy Prime Minister called for the policy to be reformed.

·        The lack of suitable housing for people affected by the Bedroom Tax as well as for people living in overcrowded conditions.

·        That Stockport Council led the way nationally through the setting up of a hardship fund that reformed the Bedroom Tax policy at a local level.

·        That the Labour Group on Stockport Council voted against this fund and their members have even called for it to be scrapped.

·        That Stockport Council’s hardship fund has ensured that no Stockport Homes tenants have been evicted as a result of the Bedroom Tax.

·        That Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George has a Private Members bill currently going through parliament that will reform the policy and abolish the Bedroom Tax. 

This Council believes

·        That social housing should be allocated according to need.

·        That building more houses is the best way of resolving the shortage of social housing and commends officers for their work over many years to attract funds to the borough, including the recent £5.5 million HCA affordable homes grant.

·        That the current, national Bedroom Tax policy is a blunt instrument and that the majority of MPs in Westminster will back the Affordable Homes Bill Sponsored by Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George.

This Council resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and our local MPs, expressing our support for the Affordable Homes Bill and encouraging them to support it.

This Council notes:

·         The GMB campaign to highlight that 3,213 workers were blacklisted by construction firms and which calls for all of those affected to be given an unreserved apology and compensation by the firms involved

·         That in 2009 the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) seized a database of  3,213 construction workers used by 44 companies to vet new recruits and keep out of employment Trade Union representatives and Health and Safety activists

·         That the vast majority of the 3,213 workers identified on the Blacklist are unaware that they appear on the list

This Council believes:

·         Blacklisting is an unacceptable practice which cannot be condoned

·         That all the construction firms that engaged in blacklisting should publically apologise and, where possible, compensate those who have been affected and denied jobs as a result of the list

·         That the Information Commissioners' Office, when approached by members of the public, should inform all those who feature on the Blacklist

This Council resolves:

·         To announce its opposition to the blacklisting of construction workers by publicising this motion

·         To make clear to all companies bidding for Council contracts that operating an unlawful Blacklist of workers will not be tolerated

·         To ensure that in the future the Council will not enter into contracts with any companies, whether as contractors or sub-contractors, which are implicated in blacklisting unless they can demonstrate that they have ‘self-cleansed’ and taken adequate measures to remedy past damage done and prevent any future occurrence

·         To instruct the Chief Executive and Legal Services to review the Council’s procurement processes to ensure that action is taken in respect of the above

Moved by:                  Councillor Laura Booth

Seconded by:           Councillor Iain Roberts

RESOLVED - This Council notes:

·        The GMB campaign to highlight that 3,213 workers were blacklisted by construction firms and which calls for all of those affected to be given an unreserved apology and compensation by the firms involved

·        That in 2009 the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) seized a database of  3,213 construction workers used by 44 companies to vet new recruits and keep out of employment Trade Union representatives and Health and Safety activists

·        That the vast majority of the 3,213 workers identified on the Blacklist are unaware that they appear on the list

This Council believes:

·        Blacklisting is an unacceptable practice which cannot be condoned

·        That all the construction firms that engaged in blacklisting should publically apologise and, where possible, compensate those who have been

·        That the Information Commissioners' Office, when approached by members of the public, should inform all those who feature on the Blacklist

This Council resolves:

·        To announce its opposition to the blacklisting of construction workers by publicising this motion

·        To make clear to all companies bidding for Council contracts that operating an unlawful Blacklist of workers will not be tolerated

·        To ensure that in the future the Council will not enter into contracts with any companies, whether as contractors or sub-contractors, which are implicated in blacklisting unless they can demonstrate that they have ‘self-cleansed’ and taken adequate measures to remedy past damage done and prevent any future occurrence

·        To instruct the Chief Executive and Legal Services to review the Council’s procurement processes to ensure that action is taken in respect of the above.

This Council notes

·         That residents in Stockport often require convenient access to local parking for visiting friends or relatives

·         That Stockport Council has a system in place to charge all residents, irrespective of need, for their application for a visitor parking permit

·         That charges for visitor parking permits have increased significantly in recent years, having been £20 per year from 2008-09, rising to £21 from 2011-12, and now being £31 from 2014-15 onwards

·         That the Council raises approximately £14,000 per annum from visitor parking permits, around half of the total received from all parking permits, but representing 0.4% of overall parking revenue which stood at some £3.49million in 2013-14

This Council believes

·         That it can often be difficult for pensioners and disabled people to afford the costs associated with visitor parking permits, especially when in receipt of the state pension or disability-related benefits

·         That charging all applicants for visitor parking permits is a regressive measure and that people in receipt of the state pension or disability-related benefits should be excluded from the £31 annual charge and the £1 daily charge

·         That, whilst the Council does not hold data on what the cost of offering visitor parking permits to pensioners and disabled people free of charge would be, the cost would be less than the £14,000 per annum which the Council receives from such permits

This Council resolves

·         To instruct the Chief Executive and Senior Officers of the Council to undertake a review of charges for visitor parking permits, focusing on how to provide more assistance for the most vulnerable in our community

·         That, as a starting point for the terms of reference for this review, it should focus on ensuring people receiving the state pension or disability-related benefits be given free visitor parking permits

Moved by:                  Councillor Chris Murphy

Seconded by:           Councillor Maureen Rowles

In accordance with the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 14.8 (Withdrawal of motion) with the consent of the Council Meeting and seconder, the mover of the motion withdrew the motion from consideration by the Council Meeting.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Councillors (Corporate, Customer and Community Services) and (Lifelong Learning and Achievement).       

The Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning and Achievement) (Councillor Shan Alexander) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a broad overview of the progress on Apprenticeships in Stockport.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer and Community Services) (Councillor Iain Roberts) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a number of amendments proposed to the Council Meeting Procedure Rules (PR1 in the Constitution), namely (i) Changes to the Public Question Time Procedure; and (ii) Reporting and Recording of Meetings of the Council.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the amendments detailed in paragraphs 2.5 and 2.14 of the report.

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

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer and Community Services) (Councillor Iain Roberts) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining proposed revisions to the Council’s Code of Conduct for Officers and the Confidential Reporting policy and procedure.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the proposed revisions to the Council’s Code of Conduct for Officers and the Confidential Reporting policy and procedure as detailed in the report.

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

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer and Community Services) (Councillor Iain Roberts) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the arrangements for a Funding Committee to consider the performance of Life Leisure.

RESOLVED – That approved be given to the Terms of Reference for the Funding Committee as set out in the Report.

To consider a report of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) submitted a report of the Independent Remuneration Panel (copies of which had been circulated) recommending amendments to the Members’ Allowances Scheme.

RESOLVED - (1) That the Chair of Employment Appeals Committee Special Responsibility Allowance be discontinued.

(2) That the existing provision within the scheme as relates to the Dependent Carer’s Allowance be maintained, save that:-

(i)         the upper limit of £42 that may be claimed for the care of dependents who are children within any one week period be removed.

(ii)        the figure at which the Dependent Carer’s Allowance is reimbursed be

increased from the £6.00 stated in the report, and which has not been

adjusted since 2006, to the rate equivalent to the current value of the Living Wage paid by the Council.