Agenda and minutes

Council Meeting - Thursday, 29th June, 2017 6.00 pm

Venue: Council Chamber - Town Hall

Contact: Craig Ainsworth  (0161 474 3204)

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Formalities and Announcements

Additional documents:

1.(i)

Minutes pdf icon PDF 163 KB

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 16 May 2017.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 16 May 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

1.(ii)

Urgent Decisions

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Mayor reported that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Mayor, had given approval to the appointment of Councillors to the following outside bodies so as to enable those members to represent the Council in advance of this meeting of the Council Meeting:-

 

Greater Manchester Police & Crime Panel

Member – Councillor Wendy Wild

Substitute – Councillor Sheila Bailey

Substitute – Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick

 

Greater Manchester Health Scrutiny Committee

Member – Councillor Laura Booth

Substitute – Councillor John Taylor

 

Pennine Care NHS Trust Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee

Member – Councillor Chris Gordon

Member – Councillor Chris Murphy

Member – Councillor John Wright

 

RESOLVED – That the action be noted.

1.(iii)

Mayor's Announcements

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

With regret the Mayor referred to the recent tragic event in Manchester of 22 May 2017 and expressed the Council’s condolences to all those who were affected.  The Mayor then confirmed that the funeral of Stockport resident, Martyn Hett, who was one of the 22 people killed in the bombing, was due to take place at 12 noon on Friday, 30 June 2017.  The Mayor invited councillors and members of the public to sign a book of condolence which was available both in the Reception area of Stockport Town Hall or alternatively electronically, on the Council’s website.

 

The Mayor then reported on the Grenfell Tower Fire which started on 14 June 2017 in North Kensington, West London which had resulted in at least 79 fatalities and over 70 injuries.  At this point in the proceedings, the Mayor invited the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) to make a statement in relation to the Council’s response to the tragedy.

 

Councillor Bailey stated that action needed to be taken locally and nationally to prevent an incident such as this one occurring again.  Councillor Bailey reported that on 14 June she had requested an urgent briefing on the status of fire safety in Stockport’s 22 tower blocks and that she met with officers from both the Council and Stockport Homes on 16 June where a series of actions was agreed which included urgently undertaking level one fire safety assessments of all tower blocks.

 

It was further commented that six of Stockport’s tower blocks were cladded, but was not of the type, or of a similar type, to that used on the Grenfell Tower and was specified as non-combustible.  However notwithstanding this, arrangements had been made for samples to be taken of the cladding, insulation material and fire stop material for this to be tested. 

 

Councillor Bailey also stated that she had made a request for a feasibility assessment and costings to be prepared in relation to the introduction of sprinklers within Stockport’s tower blocks.

1.(iv)

Declarations of Interest

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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 interest was declared:-

 

Disclosable Pecuniary Interest

 

Councillor

Interest

 

 

Mark Weldon

Summons Item 5(iii) – ‘Minutes of the Werneth Area Committee of 5 June 2017’ as the Area Committee had considered a development application which had been submitted in respect of his residential property,

 

 

Suzanne Wyatt

Summons Item 3(i) – ‘Cabinet Business’ as an employee of the Citizen’s Advice Bureau which was raised during the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance’s report.

 

Councillor Wyatt left the meeting during the consideration of this item and took no part in any subsequent discussion on the matter.

 

2.

Community Engagement

Additional documents:

2.(i)

Public Question Time

To receive any questions from and provide answers to the public in relation to matters relevant to the Council’s activities.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Mayor and Councillors on matters within the powers and duties of the Council.

 

One public question was submitted where the questioner was not in attendance at the meeting and in accordance with the Code of Practice, the Chief Executive was requested to respond to the questioners in writing.

2.(ii)

Petitions and Presentations

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

 

Greater Manchester Police

 

Chief Superintendent Wayne Miller and Superintendent Steve McFarlane will attend the meeting and make a presentation in relation to local policing arrangements in Stockport.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no petitions presented to the meeting.

 

Greater Manchester Police

 

Chief Superintendent Wayne Miller and Superintendent Steve McFarlane attended the meeting and made a presentation in relation to local policing arrangements in Stockport.

 

At the conclusion of the item, the Mayor expressed thanks to Chief Superintendent Miller and Superintendent McFarlane for their attendance and presentation.

2.(iii)

Joint Authorities

(a)       Section 41 Spokesperson

 

To report that under Section 41 of the Local Government Act 1985, the following councillor has been nominated by the body indicated to answer questions relating to the discharge of the functions of that authorities:-

 

Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority

- Councillor Roy Driver

 

The appointed councillor to then answer questions, if any, on the business of the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority.

 

(b)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

 

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

 

Councillor Alex Ganotis 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:-

 

Greater Manchester Combined Authority   

- Councillor Alex Ganotis

Transport for Greater Manchester Committee

- Councillor John Taylor

Fire Committee

- Councillor Walter Brett

 

The appointed councillors to then answer questions, if any, on the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee and the Fire Committtee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(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 2017/18:-

 

Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority              - Councillor Roy Driver

 

Questions

 

Councillor Mark Hunter asked a question of Councillor Driver relating to the termination of the Recycling and Waste Management Contract between the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority and Viridor Laing (Greater Manchester) Limited in April 2017 and whether he was in a position to provide an update to members of the Council in relation to the impact of this decision on residents of Stockport.

 

Councillor Driver responded that the GMWDA had since met on 12 June 2017 which considered performance by the Operator against the contract which had compromised the value for money element of the contract; noted progress towards the termination of the contract; and approved the way forward which included the progression of the reprocurement for the service.

 

It was further stated that contingency plans had been developed to ensure that the waste collection and disposal service was able to continue to operate in the interim.

 

(b)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

 

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

 

Questions

 

Councillor Oliver Johnstone asked a question of Councillor Wild relating to proposed review by the Mayor of Greater Manchester into the response of the emergency services to the recent terrorist attack in Manchester and whether it could be confirmed what the scope of the proposed review would be.  It was further commented that the Mayor of Greater Manchester had suggested that consideration should be given to replacing the Government’s ‘Prevent’ Strategy to tackling radicalisation with a local scheme and it was queried whether Councillor Wild agreed with this suggested approach.

 

Councillor Wild confirmed that a written response would be provided in relation to the issues raised by Councillor Johnstone.

 

(c)        Greater Manchester Combined Authority

 

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:-

 

Greater Manchester Combined Authority            - Councillor Alex Ganotis

Transport for Greater Manchester Committee    - Councillor John Taylor

Fire Committee                                                         - Councillor Walter Brett

 

Questions

 

There were no questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

3.

Leader's Report and Cabinet Question Time

Additional documents:

3.(i)

Cabinet Business

To receive a report from the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet on the conduct of Cabinet business since the last Council Meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care (Councillor Wendy Wild) provided an update on the review of the Council’s Reserves Policy the proposed 2017-18 Reserves Policy which aimed to provide certainty and transparency in the way in which reserves were managed within the Council.  It was confirmed that it was proposed to increase reserves to the Children & Families and Adult Social Care portfolios to smooth out some of the issues faced in these areas and support spending.  It was also proposed to temporarily increase the waste smoothing reserve to support the transition of the GMWDA’s waste collection and recycling contract.

 

It was further reported that work was due to take place on the Wellington Bridge in the centre of Stockport which would necessitate the closure of the A6 for a 12 week period.  It was stated that alternative routes through the centre of Stockport would be clearly signed.

 

Councillor Wild then reported that the Stockport Together Outline Business Cases had now been published and that there would be a series of listening events held throughout July which would be open to everyone as mains of gaining feedback and to help further shape the plans.

 

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) reported that the development of the Stockport Local Plan continued to be progressed and that the first step would be the publication of an issues paper which would form the basis of a public consultation which would take place from July to September and which would include consultation events in each of the area committee areas.

 

It was then reported that the Cabinet had recently agreed a plan for the long term future of Stockport Market which aimed to use the unique environment of the market to encourage shoppers and new visitors by making better use of the Produce Hall and the Blackshaw’s Café by bringing in anchor tenants and creating a new destination point for the town centre.  

 

Councillor Butler then responded to concerns over the impact of the proposed residential development in Handforth Dean and stated that the Council would express its opposition to the development in forthcoming enquiries.

 

The Cabinet Member for Education (Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick) reported that he had recently attended the Bridgewater One Voice celebration at the Lowry Theatre in Salford Quays which aimed to promote integration, co-operation and understanding and expressed his congratulations to all who were involved.

 

Councillor Fitzpatrick referred to the recent Grenfell Tower fire and commented that advice from the government was that maintained schools should have appropriate evacuation procedures and had a practiced fire drill.  It was stated that 94% of maintained schools were currently compliant and work was taking place to ensure all schools were fully compliant.  Further, it was stated that schools with cladding but less than four floors high were not considered a high priority as they were expected to be able to evacuate within three minutes of the alert being raised.  The immediate focus was on those schools of four floors or higher which in Stockport included Marple Hall and Bramhall High Schools.  With regard to Marple Hall School, the cladding material had been certified as being fully non-combustible and fire breaks had been installed within the building.  Work remained ongoing at Bramhall High School to ascertain the materials used at those premises.

 

Councillor Fitzpatrick then reported that he had requested that a report be circulated to all area committees requesting that members give consideration to the acquisition of mobile speed indication devices for use within their localities as a means of encouraging improved road safety around schools.  It was further stated that an additional report would be circulated to area committees identifying those schools within their purview which had vacancies on their Governing Body and requesting that members give consideration to nominating individuals to fill those vacancies.

 

The Cabinet Member for Health (Councillor Tom McGee) thanked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.(i)

3.(ii)

Questions

To answer questions and receive comments from Councillors addressed to the Leader of the Council or other members of the Cabinet, in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Deputy Leader of the Council  and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care) and the Cabinet Members (Communities & Housing), (Economy & Regeneration), (Education), (Reform & Governance) answered questions and responded to comments relating to the business of the Executive in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

3.(iii)

Minutes pdf icon PDF 78 KB

To receive the Minutes of the Executive held on 25 April and the Cabinet held on 13 June 2017 (pages) and the record of executive decisions taken since the last Council Meeting, (schedule enclosed, decisions previously circulated) (pages) and consider any recommendations they contain.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Mayor declared the minutes of the Executive Meeting held on 25 April and the Cabinet Meeting held on 13 June 2017 and the record of executive decision taken since the last meeting of the Council to be duly received.

4.

Scrutiny

To receive a report from the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees on the conduct of Scrutiny business.

Additional documents:

4.(i)

Scrutiny Business

To receive a report from the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees on the conduct of Scrutiny business.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no reports from the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees on the conduct of their business since the last Council Meeting.

4.(ii)

Questions

To answer questions from Councillors addressed to the Scrutiny Chairs, in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no questions relating to the business of the Scrutiny Committees in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

4.(iii)

Minutes pdf icon PDF 56 KB

To receive the Minutes of the following Scrutiny Committees:-

 

Adult Care Services & Housing – 3 April 2017

Adult Social Care & Health – 17 May 2017

Children & Families – 24 May 2017

Children & Young People – 5 April 2017

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 4 April and 23 May 2017

Environment & Economy – 6 April 2017

Economy & Regeneration – 25 May 2017

Health & Wellbeing – 28 March 2017

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 27 March and 16 June 2017

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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 – 3 April 2017

Adult Social Care & Health – 17 May 2017

Children & Families – 24 May 2017

Children & Young People – 5 April 2017

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 4 April and 23 May 2017

Environment & Economy – 6 April 2017

Economy & Regeneration – 25 May 2017

Health & Wellbeing – 28 March 2017

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 27 March and 16 June 2017

4.(iv)

Scrutiny Annual Report 2016/17 pdf icon PDF 213 KB

To consider a report of the Chair of the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair of the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee (Councillor Wendy Meikle) submitted the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2016/17 (copies of which had been circulated) summarising the work of the Scrutiny Committees during the current Municipal Year.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

5.

Ordinary and Area Committees

Additional documents:

5.(i)

Regulatory Business

To receive a report from the Chairs of the Planning & Highways Regulation; Licensing, Environment & Safety; and Audit Committees on the conduct of their business since the last Council Meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair of the Audit Committee (Councillor Stuart Corris) reported that the Audit Committee on 19 July 2017 would be giving consideration to the Council’s Accounts for the period 2016/17 and that a briefing and training session would be held for all members in relation to the Statement of Accounts on Wednesday, 5 July 2017.

5.(ii)

Questions

To answer questions from Councillors addressed to the Chairs of Ordinary and Area Committees, in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no questions relating to the business of the Ordinary, Area and Ward Committees in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

5.(iii)

Minutes pdf icon PDF 44 KB

To receive the minutes of the following Ordinary and Area Committees:-

 

Ordinary Committees

 

Appointments – 5, 19 and 25 April 2017

Audit – 15 March 2017

Contributors – 30 March 2017

Employment Appeals – 25 April 2017

Funding – 22 May 2017

Health & Wellbeing Board – 24 May 2017

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 22 March, 25 April and 26 April 2017

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 29 March, 11 May and 15 May

Member – 8 May 2017

Planning & Highways Regulation – 23 March and 27 April 2017

Standards – 19 June 2017

 

Area Committees

 

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 13 April and 15 June 2017

Central Stockport – 13 April and 15 June 2017

Cheadle – 11 April and 6 June 2017

Heatons & Reddish – 10 April and 5 June 2017

Marple – 12 April and 14 June 2017

Stepping Hill – 11 April and 6 June 2017

Werneth – 10 April and 5 June 2017

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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, 19 and 25 April 2017

Audit – 15 March 2017

Contributors – 30 March 2017

Employment Appeals – 25 April 2017

Funding – 22 May 2017

Health & Wellbeing Board – 24 May 2017

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 22 March, 25 April and 26 April 2017

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 29 March, 11 May and 15 May

Member – 8 May 2017

Planning & Highways Regulation – 23 March and 27 April 2017

Standards – 19 June 2017

 

Area Committees

 

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 13 April and 15 June 2017

Central Stockport – 13 April and 15 June 2017

Cheadle – 11 April and 6 June 2017

Heatons & Reddish – 10 April and 5 June 2017

Marple – 12 April and 14 June 2017

Stepping Hill – 11 April and 6 June 2017

Werneth – 10 April and 5 June 2017

6.

Complaints About Councillors' Conduct During 2016/17 pdf icon PDF 81 KB

To consider a report of the Chair of the Standards Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair of the Standards Committee (Mr Stephen Clarke) attended the meeting and submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated providing an update on those complaints received in relation to the conduct of members during the 2016/17 municipal year.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

7.

Motions - Notice of which have been given under Council Meeting Procedure Rule 12

Additional documents:

7.(i)

Encouraging training in CPR

This Council Meeting notes that cardiac arrest:

 

·           is a serious medical emergency where the heart stops pumping blood around the body;

·           leads to death within minutes unless treated immediately;

·           occurs out of hospital over 30,000 times each year;

·           can happen anywhere, at work, rest or play; and

·           has a UK survival rate of less than one in ten.

 

This Council Meeting further notes that:

 

·           every minute without cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by up to 10%;

·           performing CPR can double the chance of survival in some cases;

·           the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have identified the “Chain of Survival”, a sequence of steps that together maximise the chance of survival following a cardiac arrest; and

·           across the country, thousands of adults and schoolchildren have already participated in BHF lifesaver training schemes.

 

This Council Meeting believes that more people should be encouraged to seek this training so that they have the skills and confidence to act when they witness a cardiac arrest, improving survival rates and building a nation of lifesavers.

 

This Council Meeting further believes that councillors should lead by example and, where possible, they should undertake BHF lifesaver training.  To this end, arrangements have been made to enable all councillors to receive this training and free, 2-hour evening sessions will be organised this year.

 

This Council Meeting resolves:

 

·      to endorse the encouragement of the widest possible training in lifesaving skills;

·      to encourage all councillors to attend a BHF lifesaver training event; and

·      to encourage residents, local businesses and partner organisations to seek this training themselves.

 

Moved by:                  Councillor Laura Booth

Seconded by:            Councillor Tom McGee

Additional documents:

Minutes:

MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council Meeting notes that cardiac arrest:

 

·         is a serious medical emergency where the heart stops pumping blood around the body;

 

·         leads to death within minutes unless treated immediately;

·         occurs out of hospital over 30,000 times each year;

·         can happen anywhere, at work, rest or play; and

·         has a UK survival rate of less than one in ten.

 

This Council Meeting further notes that:

 

·         every minute without cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by up to 10%;

·         performing CPR can double the chance of survival in some cases;

·         the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have identified the “Chain of Survival”, a sequence of steps that together maximise the chance of survival following a cardiac arrest; and

·         across the country, thousands of adults and schoolchildren have already participated in BHF lifesaver training schemes.

 

This Council Meeting believes that more people should be encouraged to seek this training so that they have the skills and confidence to act when they witness a cardiac arrest, improving survival rates and building a nation of lifesavers.

 

This Council Meeting further believes that councillors should lead by example and, where possible, they should undertake BHF lifesaver training.  To this end, arrangements have been made to enable all councillors to receive this training and free, 2-hour evening sessions will be organised this year.

 

This Council Meeting resolves:

 

·         to endorse the encouragement of the widest possible training in lifesaving skills;

·         to encourage all councillors to attend a BHF lifesaver training event; and

·         to encourage residents, local businesses and partner organisations to seek this training themselves.

 

AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED - This Council Meeting notes that cardiac arrest:

 

·         is a serious medical emergency where the heart stops pumping blood around the body;

·         leads to death within minutes unless treated immediately;

·         occurs out of hospital over 30,000 times each year;

·         can happen anywhere, at work, rest or play; and

·         has a UK survival rate of less than one in ten.

 

This Council Meeting further notes that:

 

·         every minute without cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by up to 10%;

·         performing CPR can double the chance of survival in some cases;

·         the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have identified the “Chain of Survival”, a sequence of steps that together maximise the chance of survival following a cardiac arrest; and

·         across the country, thousands of adults and schoolchildren have already participated in BHF lifesaver training schemes.

·         an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)  delivers a high energy electric shock to a victim in Sudden Cardiac Arrest caused by  ventricular fibrillation to restore the hearts normal rhythm. AEDs are compact, portable, easy to use and can be used on adults and children.

 

This Council Meeting believes that more people should be encouraged to seek this training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation so that they have the skills and confidence to act when they witness a cardiac arrest, improving survival rates and building a nation of lifesavers.

 

This Council Meeting further believes that councillors should lead by example and, where possible, they should undertake BHF lifesaver training.  To this end, arrangements have been made to enable all councillors to receive this training and free, 2-hour evening sessions will be organised this year.

 

This Council Meeting resolves:

 

·      to endorse the encouragement of the widest possible training in lifesaving skills both for adults and infants;

·      to encourage all councillors to attend a BHF lifesaver training event; and to encourage residents, local businesses and partner organisations to seek this training themselves;

·      to aim to place into its public facing estate eg schools, gyms, sports centres Public Access Defibrillators (PADs) which are kept in easy to access places;

·      to explore external sources of funding for CPR training and PADs; and

·       to encourage the pupils in the Authority’s maintained schools to undertake BHF life saver training.

 

AMENDMENT CARRIED

 

The amendment was then put as the substantive motion and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.(i)

7.(ii)

Guards on Trains Motion pdf icon PDF 98 KB

This Council Meeting notes:

 

·           the valuable work of Northern Rail staff in providing the travelling public with information, assistance for disabled and vulnerable passengers, and critical operational safety responsibilities which include dealing with emergencies and train evacuations;

·           that recent levels of violent crime, sexual assaults and anti-social behaviour remain at unacceptable levels for the travelling public;

·           that the August 2014 Passenger Focus response to the TransPennnine Express and Northern rail franchise consultations (available at https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/research-publications/publications/transpennine-express-and-northern-rail-franchise-consultations-passenger-focus-response/) notes significant concern over rail safety, and that “passengers cite the lack of staff as a major reason for...concern over personal security”, and “passengers consistently identify staff presence as important to providing reassurance to those travelling on the railway”;

·           an RMT commissioned survey from independent polling company Survation Ltd, (February 2015), which found 74 per cent of regular Northern Rail passengers would be concerned about the safety of travelling on trains without onboard train guards.

 

This Council therefore further notes with concern:

 

·           proposals for the Northern Rail franchise which would end the guarantee of a guard on every train, by introducing Driver Only Operation on at least fifty per cent of services;

·           the dispute with the RMT union arising from these plans, and the potential for disruption for the travelling public represented by dispute continuance.

 

In light of the above, this Council believes that:

 

·           given the concerns of the travelling public, reductions in staff whose role it is to protect the public appears both irresponsible and out of step with the public mood;

·           Northern Rail plans for ‘customer service staff’ appear to be insufficient as compared to the status quo;

·           future risks and costs associated with losing skilled guards on trains are hard to quantify, in relation both to railway service functionality and the general public,

·           the industrial dispute with Northern Rail could find swift resolution through an agreement similar to those reached recently by Transpennine Express and Scotrail, which have retained Guards whilst also introducing new modern rolling stock.

 

This Council therefore resolves to:

 

·         call upon our Rail North representatives to make representations to Northern Rail to reach an agreement with RMT that retains the guarantee of a safety critical guard on every train;

·         request our acting Chief Executive to share the Councils concerns with the Secretary of State for Transport (at time of writing the Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP) and, where necessary, request appropriate changes be made to franchise agreements to facilitate a resolution.

 

Moved by:                  Councillor John Taylor                     

Seconded by:           Councillor Andy Sorton

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED (44 for, 10 against, 3 abstentions) - This Council Meeting notes:

 

·         the valuable work of Northern Rail staff in providing the travelling public with information, assistance for disabled and vulnerable passengers, and critical operational safety responsibilities which include dealing with emergencies and train evacuations;

·         that recent levels of violent crime, sexual assaults and anti-social behaviour remain at unacceptable levels for the travelling public;

·         that the August 2014 Passenger Focus response to the TransPennnine Express and Northern rail franchise consultations (available at https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/research-publications/publications/transpennine-express-and-northern-rail-franchise-consultations-passenger-focus-response/) notes significant concern over rail safety, and that “passengers cite the lack of staff as a major reason for...concern over personal security”, and “passengers consistently identify staff presence as important to providing reassurance to those travelling on the railway”;

·         an RMT commissioned survey from independent polling company Survation Ltd, (February 2015), which found 74 per cent of regular Northern Rail passengers would be concerned about the safety of travelling on trains without onboard train guards.

 

This Council therefore further notes with concern:

 

·         proposals for the Northern Rail franchise which would end the guarantee of a guard on every train, by introducing Driver Only Operation on at least fifty per cent of services;

·         the dispute with the RMT union arising from these plans, and the potential for disruption for the travelling public represented by dispute continuance.

 

In light of the above, this Council believes that:

 

·         given the concerns of the travelling public, reductions in staff whose role it is to protect the public appears both irresponsible and out of step with the public mood;

·         Northern Rail plans for ‘customer service staff’ appear to be insufficient as compared to the status quo;

·         future risks and costs associated with losing skilled guards on trains are hard to quantify, in relation both to railway service functionality and the general public,

·         the industrial dispute with Northern Rail could find swift resolution through an agreement similar to those reached recently by Transpennine Express and Scotrail, which have retained Guards whilst also introducing new modern rolling stock.

 

This Council therefore resolves to:

 

·         call upon our Rail North representatives to make representations to Northern Rail to reach an agreement with RMT that retains the guarantee of a safety critical guard on every train;

·         request our acting Chief Executive to share the Councils concerns with the Secretary of State for Transport (at time of writing the Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP) and, where necessary, request appropriate changes be made to franchise agreements to facilitate a resolution.

8.

Committee Memberships pdf icon PDF 48 KB

To note the resignation of Councillor Charlie Stewart from the Communities & Housing Scrutiny Committee and to appoint Councillor Becky Crawford to fill the vacancy.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care (Councillor Wendy Wild) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposed schedule of appointments to vacancies on committees following resignations from those committees.

 

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the appointment of the members indicated in the report to fill vacancies on committees.

9.

Nominations to GMCA Scrutiny Committees

The Leader of the Council to report at the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care (Councillor Wendy Wild) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a schedule of proposed nominations to the AGMA/ GMCA Scrutiny Committees.

 

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the following nominations:-

 

Corporate Issues and Reform

Councillor Yvonne Guariento

Councillor John McGahan

 

Economy, Business Growth and Skills

Councillor Elise Wilson

Councillor Mark Hunter

 

Housing, Planning and Environment

Councillor Elise Wilson

Liberal Democrat Vacancy