Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 22 January and 26 February 2015.                                                      

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meetings of the Council held on 22 January and 26 February 2015 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.

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor extended his thanks and gratitude to members of the Council for their conduct throughout his Mayoral year.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they may have in any of the items on the Summons for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests which they had in any of the items on the Summons for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

Councillors declared a personal interest in Summons Item 9 – ‘Notice of Amendments to the Executive Scheme of Delegation’ where they were members of the Governing Body of schools within Stockport Metropolitan Borough.

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 any matters within the powers and duties of the Council.

Four public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to the cost associated with the consultation, marketing and branding strategy for the Redrock development and the negative impression caused to visitors to the town centre by prominent graffiti adjacent to the town centre on the M60.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) responded that the Council was working closely with the Highways Agency which was responsible for the condition of the wall which had been subject of graffiti.  It was commented that it was difficult for contractors to safely access the wall to remove graffiti and that discussions were taking place to put in place a permanent solution to discourage future incidents.

·         Relating to the recent closure of the Little Underbank Tea Room which had been attributed by the owner in part to “decline in little underbank area compounded by a lack of support from local authorities to invest in and promote the area” and what plans were in place to invest, improve and promote the town centre as a whole.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) responded that the Council has invested heavily in the historic areas of the town centre, including in the market hall.  It was further stated that it had since been announced that the business would be reopening under new management and that there had been further similar businesses opening in the historic areas of the town centre.  Councillor Derbyshire reported that the Council had also given approval to a £7m package to regenerate and support the Market Place, the Underbanks and Lower Hillgate.

·         Relating to Stockport’s economic vision and in particular the importance of Stockport’s districts and what, beyond the wider rollout of superfast broadband, was the Council’s strategy for the economic development of Stockport’s District Centres.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) responded that both she and the Executive Councillor for Economic Development & Regeneration were very familiar with Stockport’s District Centres.  Significant sums of money had been invested in transportation infrastructure in the district centres since 2003 to raise the standard of physical environment and to improve vehicular, cycling and pedestrian movements into and through the centres.  It was stated that the Council did have a clear strategy for the District Centres, which consistently performed strongly with some of the lowest vacancy rates in Greater Manchester.  The Council was working to support the development of a Neighbourhood Plan in Marple, however, the nature of such plans was such that they were intended to be led by the community rather than by the Council.

·         Relating to traffic problems on Mill Lane, Woodley associated with the Stockport Sports Village development.

Councillor Christine Corris responded that the Sports Centre had been a victim of its own success and that the Council had been in negotiations with the owners of the centre to seek match funding to facilitate improvements to the junction of Mill Lane and Hyde Road to improve traffic movements.  The Council’s enforcement team were investigating the implementation of the planning permission granted by the Council to ensure that the development as built was compliant with the permission.  Councillor Corris further stated that she had requested that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Werneth Area Committee outlining the investigation that had been undertaken on behalf of the Council into the traffic problems on Mill Lane.

Councillor Chris Gordon confirmed that he agreed with the response that had been provided by Councillor Corris, and further that the report into traffic problems on Mill Lane had been commissioned following complaints made to local ward councillors rather than following the submission of a petition.

A further public question had been submitted where the  ...  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

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 Kevin Dowling asked Councillor Martin Candler if he could provide an update the Council Meeting on developments with regard to the new North of England rail franchise.

Councillor Candler responded that the Department for Transport issued invitations to tender a few months ago and shortly thereafter announced that three companies would be shortlisted for the Northern Rail franchise and three for the TransPennine Express franchise.  Councillor Candler reported that as the leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, he had been invited to interview the shortlisted bidders in the last week and it was anticipated that the franchises would be awarded by the government in October 2015.  Councillor Candler commented that the current Northern Rail franchise had been awarded on the basis of ‘no-growth’ which had meant that the operator had found it extremely challenging to respond to the significant growth experienced in passenger numbers over the lifetime of the franchise. However, the new franchise would be awarde don the basis of projected growth which should allow for additional investment in rail infrastructure.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the proposed Greater Manchester Spatial Framework which aimed to provide an informed and integrated approach to spatial planning across the city region.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to the making of an agreement with the other nine Greater Manchester councils to prepare jointly the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework to cover housing and employment land requirements and associated infrastructure across Greater Manchester (as set out in Appendix 1 of the attached AGMA Executive Board report of the 28 November 2014) as a joint development plan document on terms to be approved by the Council’s Chief Executive.

(2) That it be noted that the Executive will be asked to delegate the formulating and preparing of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework to AGMA Executive Board.

(3) That it be noted that there will be further reports to full Council in respect of matters which were within the remit of the Council Meeting including approval of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

(4) That approval be given to the amendment of paragraph 13.2 of Schedule 1 to the AGMA constitution by deleting the words ‘(initially in terms of Waste and Minerals Planning)‘ and authorise the updating of the AGMA Constitution to reflect this.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

The Executive Councillor (Health & Wellbeing) (Councillor John Pantall) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing information on the Memorandum of Understanding developed between Greater Manchester local authorities, GM CCGs and NHS England which created a framework for the delegation and ultimate devolution of health and social care responsibilities to Greater Manchester.

RESOLVED – That the Memorandum of Understanding 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 & Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) reported that she had recently circulated to all councillors the proposed arrangements for the appointment of the Interim Mayor of Greater Manchester. 

Councillor Derbyshire then reflected on the past year and stated that notwithstanding the Council being in a position of no overall control, a lot had been achieved during that period and commented that it was her belief that was due to members of the Council working together to achieve the best outcomes for the residents of Stockport.

Finally, Councillor Derbyshire commented that this would be the last meeting of the Council to be attended by Councillor Pam King following her forthcoming retirement from the Council in May 2015.  Councillor Derbyshire extended her thanks to Councillor King for her work on behalf of the Council and the residents of Cheadle & Gatley and the wider Stockport area.

The Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) (Councillor Shan Alexander) reported that Stockport schools continued to outperform schools nationally and in the North West.  It was further stated that Stockport had been awarded £3.5m to provide extra places for vulnerable two-year olds.

Councillor Shan Alexander reported on the Early Years Pupil Premium which was being introduced from April 2015 for every low income three and four year old family to help prevent them from falling behind before they have started school and setting them on a path to a more successful future.

The Executive Councillor (Adult Care Services) (Councillor Keith Holloway) reported that the Council’s end of life care service which was part of Reablement and Community Support Team had been nominated for a national ‘Skills for Care’ award and had won in the category of ‘Most Effective New Approach to Integration and Innovation’.

Councillor Holloway further reported that the Stockport Together initiative had also been selected as one of 29 partnerships to be part of the NHS programme of ‘vanguard’ sites as part of its proposals to move specialist care out of hospitals and into the community building on the work of the integrated locality hubs.

The Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) (Councillor Wendy Meikle) reflected on comments made by Councillor Fitzpatrick at the last meeting of the Council Meeting in relation to the deprivation of 20% of young people from support in the integrated service and that Surestart Centres would be closed and the validity of consultations with regard to SEND reform.  Councillor Meikle stated that the Integrated Children’s Service would not deprive any young children of any support and that the ambition was to keep young people, where possible, with their families.

Councillor Meikle stated that the number of young people that went missing from care was a cause of concern and that the Council worked closely with partners to ensure that it was able to respond quickly to any such incidents.

It was further stated that the Council would continue to provide services for children and young people from across 19 sites around the Borough and that some of these would change to become Children & Family Centres.

Councillor Meikle addressed concern in relation to the consultation on SEND proposals to reduce the budget by £300,000 with specific regard to short breaks.  Councillor Meikle stated that she had listened to the outcomes of the consultation and requested officer to develop further options in this area which would result in savings of £100,000.

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 Deputy Leader of the Council (Corporate, Customer and Community Services) and the Executive Councillors (Adult Care Services), (Children and Young People) 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 10 February and 17 March 2015 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 10 February and 17 March 2015 (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 – 26 January and 2 March 2015     

Children & Young People – 28 January and 4 March 2015   

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 27 January and 3 March 2015

Environment & Economy  – 14 January, 9 February and 5 March 2015

Health & Wellbeing – 20 January and 24 February 2015

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 – 26 January and 2 March 2015    

Children & Young People – 28 January and 4 March 2015  

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 27 January and 3 March 2015

Environment & Economy  – 14 January, 9 February and 5 March 2015

Health & Wellbeing – 20 January and 24 February 2015

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

Audit – 18 March 2015       

Contributors – 14 and 28 January 2015 

Funding – 21 January 2015         

Health & Wellbeing – 14 January and 11 March 2015

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 18 February 2015

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub-Committee – 12 January 2015

Planning & Highways Regulation – 19 February 2015           

Standards – 16 February 2015

Stockport Homes Member – 12 January 2015

Town Centre – 14 January 2015

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 5 February and 12 March 2015

Central Stockport – 5 February and 12 March 2015

Cheadle – 3 February and 10 March 2015

Heatons & Reddish – 2 February and 9 March 2015

Marple – 4 February and 11 March 2015

Stepping Hill - 3 February and 10 March 2015

Werneth – 2 February and 9 March 2015

Ward Committee

Brinnington & Central Joint – 16 February 2015

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

Audit – 18 March 2015       

Contributors – 14 and 28 January 2015

Funding – 21 January 2015        

Health & Wellbeing – 14 January and 11 March 2015

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 18 February 2015

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub-Committee – 12 January 2015

Planning & Highways Regulation – 19 February 2015          

Standards – 16 February 2015

Stockport Homes Member – 12 January 2015

Town Centre – 14 January 2015

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 5 February and 12 March 2015

Central Stockport – 5 February and 12 March 2015

Cheadle – 3 February and 10 March 2015

Heatons & Reddish – 2 February and 9 March 2015

Marple – 4 February and 11 March 2015

Stepping Hill - 3 February and 10 March 2015

Werneth – 2 February and 9 March 2015

Ward Committee

Brinnington & Central Joint – 16 February 2015

We stand up for hope in our communities, not the fear and hatred extremists would use to divide us.

We vow to import peace, never to export conflict.

We are proud of our borough and region.

We celebrate our common heritage of peaceful radical protest to achieve social progress and justice.

We uphold the right to peaceful protest as essential in a healthy democracy.

However, we will stand up to those who try to use protest to divide or threaten our people and whip up intolerance, violence and hatred.

We gain strength from the diversity of our people. We welcome people from around the world, from different cultures, religions, backgrounds and outlook.

We pledge:

·         To promote positive relationships between all communities and reject and condemn any  form of discrimination, violence or harassment to any member of our communities.

·         In exercising the right to demonstrate and protest, we will not do anything to generate hostility or division between our communities. We will avoid doing anything in our protest to cause racial or religious hatred or prejudice on grounds of race, nationality, sex, sexuality or religion.

·         In managing protests, we will facilitate peaceful protest as the exercising of a basic democratic right.

·         In expressing deeply held opinions, including the use of social media, we will do so responsibly and respect the right of others to do the same.

·         To ensure everyone involved in the managing of protest and those who organise and participate in our protest to abide by this pledge.

We expect the community of Greater Manchester to hold us to account in continuing to promote strong communities that work against hatred and fear.

On behalf of all of the people of Greater Manchester, we call on all those in the news media to report issues on protests and demonstrations, race, nationality, gender, sexuality and religion positively, responsibly and with sensitivity.

Moved by:                  Councillor Sue Derbyshire                       

(Liberal Democrat Group)

Seconded by:           Councillor Walter Brett                   

(Labour Group)

Councillor Syd Lloyd                      

(Conservative Group)

Councillor Peter Burns                  

(Independent Ratepayers Group)

RESOLVED - We stand up for hope in our communities, not the fear and hatred extremists would use to divide us.

We vow to import peace, never to export conflict.

We are proud of our borough and region.

We celebrate our common heritage of peaceful radical protest to achieve social progress and justice.

We uphold the right to peaceful protest as essential in a healthy democracy.

However, we will stand up to those who try to use protest to divide or threaten our people and whip up intolerance, violence and hatred.

We gain strength from the diversity of our people. We welcome people from around the world, from different cultures, religions, backgrounds and outlook.

We pledge:

·         To promote positive relationships between all communities and reject and condemn any form of discrimination, violence or harassment to any member of our communities.

·         In exercising the right to demonstrate and protest, we will not do anything to generate hostility or division between our communities. We will avoid doing anything in our protest to cause racial or religious hatred or prejudice on grounds of race, nationality, sex, sexuality or religion.

·         In managing protests, we will facilitate peaceful protest as the exercising of a basic democratic right.

·         In expressing deeply held opinions, including the use of social media, we will do so responsibly and respect the right of others to do the same.

·         To ensure everyone involved in the managing of protest and those who organise and participate in protest to abide by this pledge.

We expect the community of Greater Manchester to hold us to account in continuing to promote strong communities that work against hatred and fear.

On behalf of all of the people of Greater Manchester, we call on all those in the news media to report issues on protests and demonstrations, race, nationality, gender, sexuality and religion positively, responsibly and with sensitivity.

This Council Meeting notes:

·         That parks and cemeteries have previously been exempt from surface water and highway drainage charges, except where there are facilities such as toilets present where highway drainage only is charged in addition to water supply and waste water disposal charges;

·         That United Utilities is set to change the way it calculates surface water and highway drainage charges from April 2016.

·         That this change will result in charges for highway drainage for all areas of hard standing in green spaces and a surface water charge if the surface water goes into their drainage system.

·         That the consequent charge is estimated to be £470,000 per annum and is to be phased in over five years, increasing by 20% per year and will cost the council almost £1.5m between 2016/17 and 2020/21.

·         That this change comes at a time of unprecedented cuts to local authority spending.

This Council Meeting resolves:

1.       To request that the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs expressing the concern of Council at both current charges and proposed further water service charges affecting Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council.

2.       To ask the Secretary of State to note that surface water highway drainage charges applied by United Utilities to local authorities are already charged at the highest rates in England and Wales. Her attention is drawn to United Utilities proposing to phase-in new and further charges for Council premises and open spaces from April 2016 at a time when this Council has sustained prolonged and unprecedented reductions in budget.

3.       To ask the Secretary of State to note the significant difference between what Councils within the United Utilities region are charged and what level of water service charges are applied to local authorities by all other water and sewerage companies in other regions. 

           The following examples are noted:

·         Department for Education CFR data shows that in 2012/13, schools in the North West region paid a total of £27 million for water/sewerage, whereas schools in the South East paid £11 million. Both regions roughly have similar numbers of schools and pupils yet an extra £16 million of added charges are applied in our region.

·         United Utilities have indicated intent to phase in added charges to the six Greater Merseyside local authorities of £2,430,000 from April 2016. No other district outside the North West will face such extensive additional charging.

4.       Council calls upon the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs to commission an independent review of the differing scale of charges facing public sector services for water and sewerage services, similar in scope to the 2009 Walker Review of household charging.

They are asked to revise guidance on concessionary schemes that relate to section 43 of the Flood & Water Management Act 2010 to make clear that community assets managed by local authorities can be included within a concessionary scheme.

Moved by:                  Councillor Sue Derbyshire

Seconded by:           Councillor Iain Roberts

This Council Meeting notes:

·         That parks and cemeteries have previously been exempt from surface water and highway drainage charges, except where there are facilities such as toilets present where highway drainage only is charged in addition to water supply and waste water disposal charges;

·         That United Utilities is set to change the way it calculates surface water and highway drainage charges from April 2016.

·         That this change will result in charges for highway drainage for all areas of hard standing in green spaces and a surface water charge if the surface water goes into their drainage system.

·         That the consequent charge is estimated to be £470,000 per annum and is to be phased in over five years, increasing by 20% per year and will cost the council almost £1.5m between 2016/17 and 2020/21.

·         That this change comes at a time of unprecedented cuts to local authority spending.

This Council Meeting resolves:

1.    To request that the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs expressing the concern of Council at both current charges and proposed further water service charges affecting Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council.

2.    To ask the Secretary of State to note that surface water highway drainage charges applied by United Utilities to local authorities are already charged at the highest rates in England and Wales. Her attention is drawn to United Utilities proposing to phase-in new and further charges for Council premises and open spaces from April 2016 at a time when this Council has sustained prolonged and unprecedented reductions in budget.

3.    To ask the Secretary of State to note the significant difference between what Councils within the United Utilities region are charged and what level of water service charges are applied to local authorities by all other water and sewerage companies in other regions.

The following examples are noted:

·         Department for Education CFR data shows that in 2012/13, schools in the North West region paid a total of £27 million for water/sewerage, whereas schools in the South East paid £11 million. Both regions roughly have similar numbers of schools and pupils yet an extra £16 million of added charges are applied in our region.

·         United Utilities have indicated intent to phase in added charges to the six Greater Merseyside local authorities of £2,430,000 from April 2016. No other district outside the North West will face such extensive additional charging.

4.   Council calls upon the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs to commission an independent review of the differing scale of charges facing public sector services for water and sewerage services, similar in scope to the 2009 Walker Review of household charging.

They are asked to revise guidance on concessionary schemes that relate to section 43 of the Flood & Water Management Act 2010 to make clear that community assets managed by local authorities can be included within a concessionary scheme.

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer.

The Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) (Councillor Martin Candler) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposed changed to the Council’s Constitution in relation to:-

·         the Schedule of Delegation Arrangements for Development and Related Matters;

·         change in the appointment process for Local Authority school governors; and

·         incidental changes.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the proposed amendments to the Constitution making changes to the Schedule of Delegation Arrangements for Development and Related Matters; the appointment process for Local Authority school governors and various incidental changes outlined in paragraphs 2-5 of the report.

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer.  

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) giving notice of amendments made to the Executive Scheme of Delegation to allow the Corporate Director for People to discharge functions in relation to making of Instruments of Governance; and to amend item 12 of the Individual Member Functions in Appendix 3 to Part 3 of the Constitution to read: “The Executive Councillor with responsibility for school management/governance is authorised to make nominations of Local Authority representatives to School Governing Bodies and when permitted by law to appoint such nominees after consultation with the Governor Representative Group”

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.