Agenda and minutes

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor announced that on 23 February 2016, Stockport Air Cadets Josh Parry and Jack Whitworth had demonstrated immense bravery in assisting in the rescue of a woman from a burning vehicle following a road traffic accident on Banks Lane in Offerton.  The cadets also offered first aid and contacted the emergency services.

Each of the Party Group Leaders then addressed the Council Meeting and paid tribute to Air Cadets Parry and Whitworth.

It was then

RESOLVED (unanimously) – That this Council records its congratulations to Josh Parry and Jack Whitworth for their actions on Tuesday, 23 February 2016 when they assisted in the rescue of a driver from a burning car and used their first aid training to assist three people who were injured in the accident.  They demonstrated great presence of mind and maturity in acting swiftly to prevent serious injury to the driver.

The Mayor then reported that this would be the last meeting of the Council Meeting prior to the retirement of the Mr Steve Houston, the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services who would retire at the end of March 2016.

Each of the Party Group Leaders then addressed the Council Meeting and paid tribute to Mr Houston.

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

No declarations were made.

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.

Eight public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to whether there had been an attempt made by Stockport Council to discuss with the new operators of the Northern rail franchise the possibility of introducing a new rail service from Stockport to Manchester Victoria via Reddish South and Denton railway stations.

The Deputy Leader of the Council (Support & Governance) responded that he regretted that the work undertaken by various parties had not achieved the inclusion of such a service within the basic specification of the franchise.  It was further stated that the Council would continue to pursue the introduction of this service along with Tameside Council and the Friends of Reddish South Station.

·         Relating to whether the Council would support an approach from the market traders to operate Stockport Market under a new management model concentrating on retaining Stockport’s market within the traditional marketplace, aim to increase and retain market traders, increase footfall and operate within a neutral budget.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) replied that the issue of a different trading style was something that had been discussed with the traders a number of years ago and view of traders at that time that they did not wish to pursue that avenue and instead a market improvement plan was instituted instead.  Notwithstanding the investment put into place as part of that plan, the market was still not trading at the level it should be.  It was stated that should the market be relocated, then the issue of the management of the market could be investigated again. 

The Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy) (Councillor Patrick McAuley) further responded that a consultation in relation to Stockport Market would commence on 7 March and end on 1 April 2016.

·         Relating generally to devolution to Greater Manchester and a perceived lack of information being made available to public and specifically what share of the devolution budget in relation to health, mental health and housing was being allocated to Stockport and what the criteria was for such an allocation.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) responded that she did not agree that the work of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Strategic Health Partnership Board was not in the public domain as all of their meetings were held in public, were webcast live and their agendas and reports were made available on the website of the Authority.  Councillor Derbyshire then stated that there was not a devolved budget for health, mental health and housing, but rather partners had been given more influence over how public money was spent in Greater Manchester.

·         Relating to the report in the Stockport Review that the efforts of the public of Stockport in recycling had avoided the Council incurring costs of £12 million in landfill charges in 2014/15 and that this money was spent on vital local services.  Clarification was requested on how this £12 million had been spent by the Council.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) responded that the £12 million had been avoided costs rather than additional income and therefore it was not possible to attribute specific beneficiaries of this avoided cost.

·         Relating to whether Stockport Market was in profit or loss.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) responded that while the inside market produced a modest profit and the produce hall a small loss, the outside market ran at such a loss as to mean that the whole market operation was running at a loss of £220,000.

Councillor Andy Sorton further responded that the level of losses sustained by the market could not continue in the long term.  He noted that the indoor market had generated a profit over the last two years with a year on year increase in the level  ...  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.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking approval for the draft 2016/17 Council Plan.

RESOLVED – (53 for) That the Council Plan 2016/17 be approved and adopted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor (Support & Governance).

The Deputy Leader of the Council (Support & Governance) (Councillor Iain Roberts) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the Medium Term Financial Plan forecasts for the Council’s finances for the period 2016/17 to 2020/21 taking account of the 2016/17 final local government finance settlement published on 8 February 2016.

RESOLVED – That the updated Medium Term Financial Plan forecasts for the Council’s finances for the period 2016/17 to 2020/21 taking account of the 2016/17 final local government finance settlement published on 8 February 2016 be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader of the Council Executive Councillor (Support & Governance).

The Deputy Leader of the Council (Support & Governance) (Councillor Iain Roberts) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Executive’s Revenue Budget Proposals for 2016/17 and Capital Programme Investment Plans and outlines the prospects for the Council’s finances for the medium term.

MOVED AND SECONDED – That the Council Meeting

(1) Approve the Budget for 2016/17 described in the report and set out in Appendix Three.

(2) Note the financial forecasts for 2016/17 to 2020/21 (Appendix Eight), and the key issues to be addressed in formulating a response to the future financial challenges facing the Council.

(3) Approve the capital programme and the funding arrangements as described in section eight of the report and set out at Appendix Nine.

(4) Approve the prudential indicators set out in Appendix Ten.

(5) Note the risk assessment of the Budget at Appendix Six and the report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services on the adequacy of proposed financial reserves and robustness of the estimates included at Appendix Seven.

AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED

That the Council Meeting agrees to the proposed amendment to the report titled “2016/17 Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Medium Term Financial Plan” put forward by the Conservative Group, and as set out in its proposals thereby limiting any increase in the Council Tax to 2% i.e. the social care precept and which would result consequential changes to Appendices 2, 3, 8 and 11 to the report.

At 7.07 pm it was

RESOLVED – That the meeting be adjourned.

The meeting reconvened at 7.25 pm.

The Council Meeting then proceeded to debate the amendment.

Upon the amendment being put to the vote:-

For the amendment 12, against 44.

AMENDMENT NOT CARRIED

The names of those councillors voting on this amendment were recorded as follows:-

Those councillors who voted for the amendment were:-

Councillors Brian Bagnall, Kenny Blair, Annette Finnie, Paul Hadfield, Linda Holt, Mike Hurleston, Oliver Johnstone, Julian Lewis-Booth, Syd Lloyd, John McGahan, Alanna Vine and John Wright.

Those councillors who voted against the amendment were:-

The Mayor (Councillor Andrew Verdeille); The Deputy Mayor (Councillor June Somekh); Councillors Geoff Abell, Shan Alexander, Sheila Bailey, Stuart Bodsworth, Walter Brett, Peter Burns, Kate Butler, Martin Candler, Richard Coaton, Christine Corris, Stuart Corris, Dickie Davies, Sue Derbyshire, Roy Driver, Dean Fitzpatrick, Colin Foster, Alex Ganotis, Chris Gordon, Graham Greenhalgh, Tom Grundy, Philip Harding, Daniel Hawthorne, Kevin Hogg, Keith Holloway, Sylvia Humphreys, Sue Ingham, Mags Kirkham, Hazel Lees, Patrick McAuley, Tom McGee, Wendy Meikle, Adrian Nottingham, Wendy Orrell, John Pantall, Paul Porgess, Iain Roberts, David Sedgwick, Andy Sorton, John Taylor, Wendy Wild, David Wilson and Suzanne Wyatt.

The Council Meeting then proceeded to debate the original motion.

It was then

RESOLVED – (26 for, 12 against and 18 abstentions) That -

(1) Approval be given to the Budget for 2016/17 described in the report and set out in Appendix Three.

(2) That the financial forecasts for 2016/17 to 2020/21 (Appendix Eight), and the key issues to be addressed in formulating a response to the future financial challenges facing the Council be noted.

(3) Approval be given to the capital programme and the funding arrangements as described in section eight of the report and set out at Appendix Nine.

(4) Approval be given to the prudential indicators set out in Appendix Ten.

(5) That the risk assessment of the Budget at Appendix Six and the report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services on the adequacy of proposed financial reserves and robustness of the estimates included at Appendix Seven be noted.

The names of those councillors voting on this resolution were recorded as follows:-

Those councillors who voted for the resolution were:-

The Deputy Mayor (Councillor June Somekh); Councillors Geoff Abell, Shan Alexander, Stuart Bodsworth, Peter Burns, Martin Candler, Christine Corris, Stuart Corris, Sue Derbyshire, Chris Gordon, Graham Greenhalgh, Daniel Hawthorne, Kevin Hogg, Keith Holloway, Sylvia Humphreys, Sue Ingham, Mags Kirkham, Hazel Lees, Patrick McAuley, Wendy Meikle, Adrian Nottingham, Wendy Orrell, John Pantall, Paul Porgess, Iain Roberts and Suzanne Wyatt.

Those councillors who voted against the resolution were:-

Councillors Brian Bagnall, Kenny Blair, Annette Finnie, Paul Hadfield, Linda Holt, Mike Hurleston, Oliver Johnstone, Julian Lewis-Booth, Syd Lloyd, John McGahan, Alanna Vine and John Wright.

Those councillors who abstained were:-

The Mayor (Councillor Andrew Verdeille); Councillors Sheila Bailey, Walter Brett, Kate Butler, Richard Coaton, Dickie Davies, Roy Driver, Dean Fitzpatrick, Colin Foster, Alex Ganotis, Tom Grundy, Philip Harding, Tom McGee, David Sedgwick, Andy Sorton, John Taylor, Wendy Wild and David Wilson.

To consider a report of the Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) and to pass the appropriate resolutions setting the Council Tax for 2016/17.

The Deputy Leader of the Council (Support & Governance) (Councillor Iain Roberts) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Council Tax for 2016/17 and the level of precepts for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester and the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority.

RESOLVED (44 for, 12 against) –

(1) That it be noted that on 16 December 2015, the following amount was approved by the Executive Committee as the Council's Council Tax Base for the financial year 2016/17:

·         90,697.7 for the whole Council area [Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the "Act")]

(2) That the Council Meeting approve the Council Tax Requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2016/17 as being £131,460,874.

(3) That the following amounts be calculated by the Council for the year 2016/17 in accordance with sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

(a)       £610,742,594 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in section 31A(2) of the Act (Appendix Two).

(b)       £479,281,720 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in section 31A(3) of the Act (Appendix Two).

(c )       £131,460,874 being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 31A(4) of the Act, as its Council Tax Requirement for the year (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act). (Appendix Two).

(d)       £1,449.44 being the amount at 3(c) above, all divided by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year.

(e)       £0.00  being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in section 34(1) of the Act

(f)        £1,449.44 being the amount at 3(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 3(e) above by the amount by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates.

(4) That it be noted that for the year 2016/17 the Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester and the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority have issued precepts to the Council in accordance with section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each category of dwellings in the Council's area as indicated in the table below.

(5) That the Council, in accordance with Sections 30 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the aggregate amounts shown in the tables below as the amounts of Council Tax for 2016/17 for each part of its area and for each of the categories of dwellings.

(6) That the Council, in accordance with section 52ZB of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 hereby determines that the Council’s relevant basic amount of council tax for 2015/16 is not excessive in accordance with the principles determined by the Secretary of State under section 52ZC of the Act.

The names of those councillors voting on this resolution were recorded as follows:-

Those councillors who voted for the resolution were:-

The Mayor (Councillor Andrew Verdeille); The Deputy Mayor (Councillor June Somekh); Councillors Geoff Abell,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.(ii)

To consider a report of the Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor (Support & Governance).

The Deputy Leader of the Council (Support & Governance) (Councillor Iain Roberts) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Council Meeting to consider the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, the Annual Investment Strategy and the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy 2016/17.

RESOLVED (55 for) – That approval be given to:-

·         The revised Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2015/16 and 2016/17;

·         The Capital Expenditure Forecasts and Capital Financing Requirement projections;

·         The Treasury Management Strategy 2016/17;

·         The Treasury and Prudential Indicators and limits 2016/17-2018/19;

·         The Annual Investment Strategy 2016/17.