Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 18 October 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the Meeting of the Council held on 18 October 2018 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.

With deep regret the Mayor reported that former councillor Stella Humphries had passed away on Wednesday, 7 November 2018.  It was stated that Mrs Humphries had first been elected as a member of Stockport Council for the then Bredbury ward in 1982 and served as Deputy Mayor in 1991/1992.  Mrs Humphries had also served on the former Greater Manchester County Council from 1981 until its abolition in 1986 representing the Bredbury & Romiley division.  Mrs Humphries retired from the Council in May 2012 after 30 years of service to the Borough.

All those present at the meeting then stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of Mrs Humphries.

The Mayor then announced that the Mayor of Stockport’s Annual Carol Service would be held at St Mary's Parish Church, Stockport on 12.30 pm on Wednesday, 12 December 2018.

Finally, the Mayor thanked all those who has participated in the Acts of Remembrance that had been held around the Borough to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War.

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

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

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

Five public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to whether Councillor McGee would retract a statement he’d made at the last meeting of the Council Meeting in relation to the number of people that presented themselves to the accident and emergency department that were consequently admitted to hospital as a result of a risk averse system. 

The Cabinet Member for Health (Councillor Tom McGee) responded that Dr Agnelo Fernandes who was then the Royal College of GPs lead on urgent and emergency care on the NHS England's Urgent and Emergency Care Reviewi said in a personal capacity that accident and emergency attendance figures had remained flat over the decade and the reason for an apparent increase in attendance is due to a change in recording and risk-averse junior doctors. It was further stated that the NHS Interim Management Support Group had hypothesised that the phenomena of increased admissions was partly the result of increased risk aversion amongst usually junior doctors compounded by a less experienced junior doctors managing admissions.

Councillor McGee said that his personal view on this matter was neither casual nor ill-informed but more importantly as the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board he had a legitimacy in commenting on the wider heath system.

·         Relating to the closure of seven care homes in Stockport over the last three years with the loss of 151 beds and whether it was expected that there would be any further closures in the near future or whether any further units would be provided.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care (Councillor Wendy Wild) responded that the Council did not anticipate any further closures in the near future but that it remained vigilant to any providers that may be vulnerable.  It was stated that there were plans for new provision of care homes within Stockport but these discussions were at an early stage.

·         Relating to the alternative provision that would be offered should the Stockport Local Assistance Scheme be removed.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care (Councillor Wendy Wild) responded that a consultation was ongoing in relation to the Stockport Local Assistance Scheme and the Council was committed to this being a meaningful process.

·         Relating to why no councillor or senior officers of the Council had attended carbon literacy training offered by the Cooler Project and how the public could trust the people in charge of the future of Stockport when they may lack the knowledge needed to help make appropriate decisions with regard to climate breakdown.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance and Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) responded that the carbon literacy training offered by Cooler Project was a very specific example of a training course that was available and it was not the case that the Council had taken no action with regard to staff training and awareness relating to climate change and carbon reduction.

Councillor Ganotis stated that it was also important to note that in all of the work being undertaken on climate change and carbon reduction advice was being taken from experts to ensure that it was being led by the science and had science-based targets.

·         Relating to whether the Leader of the Council agreed that ending the Stockport Local Assistance Scheme would compound the suffering that had been inflicted upon some of the poorest people in the borough and whether he would recommend that the Cabinet drop the proposal.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance and Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) responded that the Council needed to come up with a sustainable solution to help people in the fairest possible way and in a way that was affordable.  ...  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.

Petitions

One petition was submitted requesting that Gatley Carrs and Millbrow Recreation Ground, Marple be made part of the Fields in Trust scheme to protect them from future development.

RESOLVED – That the petition be referred to the Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing.

Presentations

There were no presentations.

(a)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

Councillor Sheila Bailey to answer questions, if any, on the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.

(b)       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)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

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

(b)       Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Councillor MacAlister asked which of the 90 measures identified in the Clean Air Plan are being or had been implemented in Stockport.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance and Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) responded that the Council had undertaken work to improve traffic flows which had included improvements to junction management as slow moving traffic has a more negative impact on air quality than fast moving traffic.  It was confirmed that not enough was currently being done to address air quality and that work needed to be done to expedite the implementation of the measures in the Plan.

Councillor MacAlister asked how information relating to the Clean Air Plan was being disseminated to officers and what training was planned.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance and Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) responded that Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)was leading on the Clean Air Plan on behalf of the ten Greater Manchester districts and had brought in the necessary expertise to implement it.  It was stated that TfGM had devised a publicity programme for the Plan and training for officers across the conurbation.

Councillor MacAlister asked what measures the Council would put in place to monitor air quality along the most polluted routes, especially in locations where schools, nurseries and accommodation for elderly people were sited.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance and Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) responded that the routes most affected by air quality had now been clearly mapped out which would allow the Council to look at solutions for those individual areas of road.

Councillor Lloyd asked whether the Leader of the Council agreed that the decision to appoint the Chief Executive of the Combined Authority to the role of interim Chief Executive of Transport for Greater Manchester and whether this second role was separately remunerated.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance and Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) responded that there needed to be a close alignment between the Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester and the Chief Executive of the Combined Authority has found that an increasingly large part of his role had already been dedicated to issues involving transport.  As a result, it was not anticipated that this appointment would result in a significant change to the proportion of time that the Chief Executive dedicated to this role.  Councillor Ganotis confirmed that he would provide a written response with regard to the issue of the remuneration for the role of Interim Chief Executive of Transport for Greater Manchester.

Councillor Lloyd asked whether Transport for Graeter Manchester would give consideration to a petition prior to taking a decision on changes to bus services.

Councillor Taylor confirmed that was the case.

Councillor Lloyd stated that Councillors Clark and Smart had been involved in drawing up a petition in relation to the former 380 and 381 bus services which received approximately 1,500 signatures, and asked whether Councillor Taylor was surprised that this had not been submitted to Transport for Greater Manchester.

Councillor Taylor responded that he had made enquiries with TfGM who had confirmed that such a petition had not been received and he failed to understand why it had not been.

In response, Councillor Smart stated that she had presented the petition on the understanding that it would be conveyed to the appropriate officer in TfGM and then asked whether it was the duty of a councillor to represent their residents when an issue of concern was raised, such as the cancellation of a bus service.

Councillor Taylor responded that the service in question had not been cancelled, but had rather been varied.

(c)        Greater Manchester  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.(iii)

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance and Devolution.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance and Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a mid-year review of the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2018/19.

RESOLVED – That

·         The report and the treasury activity in the first half of the financial year be noted; and

·         The revised interest rate forecasts for PWLB rates over the short and medium term, which would drive the Council’s long-term borrowing strategies going forward be noted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the findings of the review of the Stockport Council Gambling Policy, consequential actions resulting from that and providing a proposed final policy for approval.

RESOLVED -  That the revised Gambling Policy, as detailed in the report, be approved and adopted for the next three year period with effect from 31 January 2019.

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.   

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance and Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) reported that in September Ofsted and the CQC conducted a joint inspection of SEND provision across Stockport.  It was stated that there were a number of positives in that report that the Council can be proud of with particular regard to the dedication of staff; the quality of school provision for children with SEND; and the provision for children with the most complex needs.  However, there was a lot in the report that needed to be addressed including how the whole system within the Council and outside worked together and focused in the importance of SEND and joint commissioning between the Council and the Clinical Commissioning Group.

It was further reported that since the last Council Meeting the Chancellor had announced a one-off increased resource for councils for social care funding which had resulted in an increased allocation for Stockport of £2.1 million pounds for the next financial year for social services. 

Councillor Ganotis reported that following a motion which had been agreed by the Council Meeting in June 2018, a letter signed by all political groups on the Council and local MPs objecting to the closure of branches of the Royal Bank of Scotland had been sent to the Treasury.  However, the response from the Treasury refuted the points which had been made in that letter and as a consequence had not arrested the ongoing closure programme.

It was then stated that a revised timetable for the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) would be announced shortly.  Work was ongoing to ensure that the use of greenbelt land was minimised as far as possible and members would be offered the opportunity for briefings in advance of its publication and the public consultation to ensure that they were able to properly represent local residents.  Councillor Ganotis reiterated his commitment that the GMSF would be subject to approval by the Council Meeting.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) stated that members had been provided with information relating to the resources that were available for those people who were at risk of homelessness during the winter period.

The Cabinet Member for Education (Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick) reported that Ofsted and the CQC had conducted a joint inspection to judge the effectiveness of the area in implementing the Special Educational Needs and Disability reforms as set out in the Children and Families Act 2014.  The inspection focused on how education health and social care met the needs of vulnerable groups.  The report indicated significant areas where improvement was needed including concerns around overall leadership of education, health and social care to jointly commission provision, to identify and meet needs and the assessment of social care needs as part of the education health and care assessment process. 

As a result of the findings of this inspection Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, the local authority and the area's Clinical Commissioning Group are jointly responsible for submitting a written statement of action within 70 days to the Department for Education. 

Since the inspections, a parent feedback session had been held with more planned in December, and an all-councillor briefing on the matter would also be convened.  The area will be subject to inspection again within the next two years, and during this period there would be regular meetings with the Department for Education and specialist advisers from NHS England to evaluate progress in addressing these areas.

The Cabinet Member for Health (Councillor Tom McGee) reported that there had been a meeting of the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership in Stockport which had examined the performance of the Stockport health economy over the last quarter which had focused in particular on urgent case referral times and waiting times.

Councillor McGee then referred to the national shortage of flu vaccinations, but stated that Stockport now had the necessary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.(i)

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.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution; The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care; and the Cabinet Members for Children & Family Services, Communities & Housing, Economy & Regeneration, Education and Health answered questions and responded to comments relating to the business of the Cabinet in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 11.

To receive the Minutes of the Cabinet held on 13 November 2018 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 Cabinet Meetings held on 13 November 2018 and the record of executive decisions taken 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 Social Care & Health – 23 October 2018

Children & Families – 31 October 2018

Communities & Housing – 29 October 2018

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 29 October 2018

Economy & Regeneration – 1 November 2018

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 12 November 2018

The Mayor declared the Minutes of the following Scrutiny Committees (copies of which had been circulated with the Summons) to be duly received:-

Adult Social Care & Health – 23 October 2018

Children & Families – 31 October 2018

Communities & Housing – 29 October 2018

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 29 October 2018

Economy & Regeneration – 1 November 2018

Scrutiny Co-ordination – 12 November 2018

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.

There were no reports from the Chairs of the Planning and Highways Regulation, Licensing, Environment and Safety or Audit Committees on the conduct of their business since the last Council Meeting.

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

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

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

Ordinary Committees

Appointments – 8 October 2018

Employment Appeals – 28 September 2018

Funding – 17 October 2018

Health & Wellbeing Board – 13 November 2018

Health & Wellbeing Board (Better Care Fund) Sub – 17 October 2018

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 10 October 2018

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 22 October, 24 October and 7 November 2018

Member – 15 October 2018

Planning & Highways Regulation – 11 October 2018

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 8 November 2018

Central Stockport – 8 November 2018

Cheadle – 6 November 2018

Heatons & Reddish – 5 November 2018

Marple – 7 November 2018

Stepping Hill – 6 November 2018

Werneth – 5 November 2018

Ward Committees

Brinnington & Reddish Joint – 22 October 2018

The Mayor declared the Minutes of the following Ordinary and Area Committees (copies of which had been circulated with the Summons) to be duly received:-

Ordinary Committees

Appointments – 8 October 2018

Employment Appeals – 28 September 2018

Funding – 17 October 2018

Health & Wellbeing Board – 13 November 2018

Health & Wellbeing Board (Better Care Fund) Sub – 17 October 2018

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 10 October 2018

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 22 October, 24 October and 7 November 2018

Member – 15 October 2018

Planning & Highways Regulation – 11 October 2018

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 8 November 2018

Central Stockport – 8 November 2018

Cheadle – 6 November 2018

Heatons & Reddish – 5 November 2018

Marple – 7 November 2018

Stepping Hill – 6 November 2018

Werneth – 5 November 2018

Ward Committees

Brinnington & Reddish Joint – 22 October 2018

 This Council notes that:

·         A survey by Plan International UK found that 1 in 10 girls had been unable to afford sanitary products;

·         56% of girls said they would rather be bullied at school than talk to their parents about periods;

·         This is particularly problematic for girls from low-income families who see their parents struggling to make ends meet and feel reluctant to ask them to add sanitary products to the weekly shop;

·         In many cases, as a result, they may lose a significant number of days of schooling; 

·         Regrettably, even women in low-income employment are sometimes unable to afford such products when struggling to meet household bills and feed their families;

·         Ironically, only female prisoners have a statutory right to access free sanitary products.

Council believes that, in a country as wealthy as Britain, ‘Period Poverty’ is a scandal that should be ended.

Council commends:

·         The Scottish Government for its commitment to tackle ‘Period Poverty’ by introducing free sanitary products in all educational establishments, and notes that Scotland was one of the first countries to pilot a scheme to young women and girls in need in Aberdeen;

·         The ‘dignity bags’ scheme established by Chepstow Town Council where members of the public can donate sanitary products in branded boxes located in prominent places, such as pharmacies and libraries, for re-distribution to women in need.

Council resolves to:

·         Ask the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee and the Health and Well-being Board, working with relevant Cabinet Members, officers and partners, to explore with local secondary schools and colleges how sanitary products can be made available free in their establishments and the practicality of establishing a ‘dignity bags’ scheme in the Borough;

·         Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Education and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, asking the Government to scrap the VAT levied on female hygiene products as soon as is practicable and, in the meantime, to use the VAT collected on these products to fund the provision of free sanitary products for girls and women in need.

RESOLVED – That the motion be withdrawn in accordance with the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 14.8.

This Council notes:-

·         the continuing deterioration of air quality across the UK, with particular areas of exceedance of nitrogen dioxide legal limits across Greater Manchester, including in Stockport;

·         the current work ongoing at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to seek ways of improving air quality, reported to Members at a recent briefing; and

·         the main cause of poor air quality is fossil fuel burning vehicles, particularly when they encounter congestion.

This Council further notes:-

·         electric vehicle sales are increasing, but Battery Electric Vehicles and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles still account for only one in twelve new cars sold in the UK;

·         by 2017 only 3% of Britons had ever driven an electric vehicle and only 7% had been a passenger in one; and

·         purchase cost, fear of obsolescence, slow speed of re-charging and limited availability of rapid-charging stations are cited as the main reasons why more drivers do not switch to electric vehicles

This Council welcomes the investment made across Greater Manchester over several years, making our electric vehicle network one of the biggest and most modern in the UK, with nearly 2,000 registered drivers by the end of 2017 and an average of 50 new members joining each month.

This Council regrets the recent government decision to cut the subsidies for new electric vehicles by £1,000 to £3,500 and to abolish altogether the subsidy of £2,500 for new hybrid cars, announced only three months after the transport secretary published the “Road to Zero” strategy (which looks to curb vehicle emissions by promoting greener cars) and only three days after the Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change called for an urgent switch to electric vehicles.

This Council believes we should do all that we can to encourage the further use of electric vehicles but notes the relative absence of electric options for commercial vehicles, including waste and recycling collection vehicles and larger vans, and the challenges faced by those who do not have off-street parking options.

This Council recognises work already being done elsewhere, for example Lancaster City Council’s planning policies include a requirement for new developments (including conversions) to promote Ultra Low Emission Vehicles by requiring the provision of dedicated parking bays and charging points as follows:

·         one electric vehicle dedicated charging point per house with garage or driveway;

·         at least 10% of parking bays for flats to be provided with dedicated charging points and all other spaces to be provided with passive wiring to allow future charging point connection; and

·         all other developments to have 4% of parking bays (minimum 2 bays) marked out for use by electric vehicles only, together with charging infrastructure and cabling.

This Council further recognises the government’s scheme to provide grants to local authorities for 75% of the capital cost to provide residential on-street charge points for plug-in electric vehicles, aimed at those who do not have off-street parking options.  Bids can include schemes for retrofitting electric charge points into car parks where these are near to residential properties who lack off-street parking.

This Council resolves to include in our planning policy as soon as practicable the requirement that new developments (including conversions) make provision for dedicated electric vehicle charging points, using the Lancaster guidelines as outlined above as the starting point.

This Council further resolves to ask the Council Leader to instruct officers to form a project group, initially to put together an urgent bid for grant funding as outlined above and then to devise a comprehensive plan of how best to develop the borough-wide on-street charging infrastructure we would need to meet future demand.

Moved by:                  Councillor Colin MacAlister

Seconded by:            Councillor Christine Corris

At this stage in the proceedings, in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 14.11(b) (Closure Motions), it was RESOLVED that the question now be put.

It was then

RESOLVED – (54 for) This Council notes:-

·         the continuing deterioration of air quality across the UK, with particular areas of exceedance of nitrogen dioxide legal limits across Greater Manchester, including in Stockport;

·         the current work ongoing at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to seek ways of improving air quality, reported to Members at a recent briefing; and

·         the main cause of poor air quality is fossil fuel burning vehicles, particularly when they encounter congestion.

This Council further notes:-

·         electric vehicle sales are increasing, but Battery Electric Vehicles and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles still account for only one in twelve new cars sold in the UK;

·         by 2017 only 3% of Britons had ever driven an electric vehicle and only 7% had been a passenger in one; and

·         purchase cost, fear of obsolescence, slow speed of re-charging and limited availability of rapid-charging stations are cited as the main reasons why more drivers do not switch to electric vehicles

This Council welcomes the investment made across Greater Manchester over several years, making our electric vehicle network one of the biggest and most modern in the UK, with nearly 2,000 registered drivers by the end of 2017 and an average of 50 new members joining each month.

This Council regrets the recent government decision to cut the subsidies for new electric vehicles by £1,000 to £3,500 and to abolish altogether the subsidy of £2,500 for new hybrid cars, announced only three months after the transport secretary published the “Road to Zero” strategy (which looks to curb vehicle emissions by promoting greener cars) and only three days after the Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change called for an urgent switch to electric vehicles.

This Council believes we should do all that we can to encourage the further use of electric vehicles but notes the relative absence of electric options for commercial vehicles, including waste and recycling collection vehicles and larger vans, and the challenges faced by those who do not have off-street parking options.

This Council recognises work already being done elsewhere, for example Lancaster City Council’s planning policies include a requirement for new developments (including conversions) to promote Ultra Low Emission Vehicles by requiring the provision of dedicated parking bays and charging points as follows:

·         one electric vehicle dedicated charging point per house with garage or driveway;

·         at least 10% of parking bays for flats to be provided with dedicated charging points and all other spaces to be provided with passive wiring to allow future charging point connection; and

·         all other developments to have 4% of parking bays (minimum 2 bays) marked out for use by electric vehicles only, together with charging infrastructure and cabling.

This Council further recognises the government’s scheme to provide grants to local authorities for 75% of the capital cost to provide residential on-street charge points for plug-in electric vehicles, aimed at those who do not have off-street parking options.  Bids can include schemes for retrofitting electric charge points into car parks where these are near to residential properties who lack off-street parking.

This Council resolves to include in our planning policy as soon as practicable the requirement that new developments (including conversions) make provision for dedicated electric vehicle charging points, using the Lancaster guidelines as outlined above as the starting point.

This Council further resolves to ask the Council Leader to instruct officers to form a project group, initially to put together an urgent bid for grant funding as outlined above and then to devise a comprehensive plan of how best to develop the borough-wide on-street charging infrastructure we would need to meet future demand.

This Council notes that:

·           A survey by Plan International UK found that 1 in 10 girls have been unable to afford sanitary products;

·           A survey by Bodyform has found that 52% of girls said they would rather be bullied at school than talk to their parents about periods;

·           This is particularly problematic for girls from low-income families who see their parents struggling to make ends meet and feel reluctant to ask them to add sanitary products to the weekly shop;

·           In many cases, as a result, they may lose a significant number of days of schooling; 

·           Regrettably, even women in low-income employment are sometimes unable to afford such products when struggling to meet household bills and feed their families; and

·           Ironically, only female prisoners have a statutory right to access free sanitary products.

Council believes that, in a country as wealthy as Britain, ‘Period Poverty’ is a scandal that should be ended.

Council commends:

·           The Scottish Government for its commitment to tackle ‘Period Poverty’ by introducing free sanitary products in all educational establishments, and notes that Scotland was one of the first countries to pilot a scheme to young women and girls in need in Aberdeen;

·           The ‘dignity bags’ scheme established by Chepstow Town Council where members of the public can donate sanitary products in branded boxes located in prominent places, such as pharmacies and libraries, for re-distribution to women in need;

·           The work of The Red Box Project in Stockport, who currently deliver stocked boxes of free sanitary products directly into some of our primary schools and who have four collection points across the borough; and

·           The efforts being made towards sustainably addressing this issue in Stockport, with the Council working in collaboration with partner organisations to ensure free access to sanitary products and learning resources in relation to sanitary products in schools, colleges, community centres, foodbanks and other contact points for young women.

This Council resolves to ask the Cabinet Member for Education to:

·           Work with officers to continue to expand the reach of free sanitary products and related learning resources across all schools and colleges;

·           Through regular communications notify all schools and colleges of the Council’s support for this scheme and work with them to overcome any barriers which may prevent or delay any individual school from participating;

·           Investigate how best the council can support projects such as the Red Box scheme to deliver further free sanitary products to our schools and colleges; and

·           Report back to this Council to update upon progress on this issue within the calendar year.

This Council further resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Education and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, requesting that they reconfirm their ongoing commitment to scrap the VAT levied on female hygiene products as soon as possible as outlined in the provisions of the Finance Act 2016 and that in the meantime the VAT collected from women’s sanitary products is directed towards women and girls in need through the Tampon Tax Fund, and that the use of these funds is continually reviewed to have optimal impact in addressing these needs, inclusive of period poverty.

Moved by:                  Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick

Seconded by:           Councillor Lisa Smart

Councillor Alanna Vine

At this stage in the proceedings, in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 14.11(b) (Closure Motions), it was RESOLVED that the question now be put.

It was then

RESOLVED – (54 for) This Council notes that:

·         A survey by Plan International UK found that 1 in 10 girls have been unable to afford sanitary products;

·         A survey by Bodyform has found that 52% of girls said they would rather be bullied at school than talk to their parents about periods;

·         This is particularly problematic for girls from low-income families who see their parents struggling to make ends meet and feel reluctant to ask them to add sanitary products to the weekly shop;

·         In many cases, as a result, they may lose a significant number of days of schooling; 

·         Regrettably, even women in low-income employment are sometimes unable to afford such products when struggling to meet household bills and feed their families; and

·         Ironically, only female prisoners have a statutory right to access free sanitary products.

Council believes that, in a country as wealthy as Britain, ‘Period Poverty’ is a scandal that should be ended.

Council commends:

·         The Scottish Government for its commitment to tackle ‘Period Poverty’ by introducing free sanitary products in all educational establishments, and notes that Scotland was one of the first countries to pilot a scheme to young women and girls in need in Aberdeen;

·         The ‘dignity bags’ scheme established by Chepstow Town Council where members of the public can donate sanitary products in branded boxes located in prominent places, such as pharmacies and libraries, for re-distribution to women in need;

·         The work of The Red Box Project in Stockport, who currently deliver stocked boxes of free sanitary products directly into some of our primary schools and who have four collection points across the borough; and

·         The efforts being made towards sustainably addressing this issue in Stockport, with the Council working in collaboration with partner organisations to ensure free access to sanitary products and learning resources in relation to sanitary products in schools, colleges, community centres, foodbanks and other contact points for young women.

This Council resolves to ask the Cabinet Member for Education to:

·         Work with officers to continue to expand the reach of free sanitary products and related learning resources across all schools and colleges;

·         Through regular communications notify all schools and colleges of the Council’s support for this scheme and work with them to overcome any barriers which may prevent or delay any individual school from participating;

·         Investigate how best the council can support projects such as the Red Box scheme to deliver further free sanitary products to our schools and colleges; and

·         Report back to this Council to update upon progress on this issue within the calendar year.

This Council further resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Education and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, requesting that they reconfirm their ongoing commitment to scrap the VAT levied on female hygiene products as soon as possible as outlined in the provisions of the Finance Act 2016 and that in the meantime the VAT collected from women’s sanitary products is directed towards women and girls in need through the Tampon Tax Fund, and that the use of these funds is continually reviewed to have optimal impact in addressing these needs, inclusive of period poverty.

This Council notes:

·           cross-party backing for the principles behind Universal Credit (UC), including the amalgamation of benefits, access via one application portal and ensuring work always pays; 

·           the work of this Council and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau to help and support people in relation to navigating the changing benefits system and mitigating the risks of change; and

·           that despite this, the Government’s approach to UC rollout has raised significant concern in relation to monthly payments in arrears, overuse of sanctions, the pacing of transition and rollout; opacity in relation to the benefits entitlement, and cuts to the benefits system which are not reflective of need.

This Council further notes concerning reports that for many people, this has led to:

·           exacerbated poverty and hardship, in particular for those living with disabilities;

·           increased poverty for low income working families;

·           people having to choose between food and rent;

·           indebtedness due to delayed payments;

·           increased rent arrears for tenants in social and private housing relating to the removal of the former direct payments system;

·           making it harder for victims of domestic abuse to escape relationships;

·           disadvantages for non-IT literate people; and

·           instances where these factors have led to loss of employment.

This Council believes that:

·           measures contained in the recent Budget to provide resources to help improve the taper and help with return to work are to be welcomed, but as the Children’s Society has noted, they do not and cannot fully address the aforementioned concerns;

·           as such, this Budget represented a missed opportunity to bring in both these measures immediately and pause Universal Credit rollout completely, allowing for the full review needed to fully address these problems. 

This Council therefore resolves to:

·           continue to work with partner organisations to mitigate as far as possible the risks and challenges associated with this month’s UC rollout;

·           request that the Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions urging a pause to further rollout of the ‘Full Service’ system;

·           in that letter, emphasise the need to address all of the above points, with particular emphasis on ending the current system of monthly payments in arrears; and

·           request that the Chief Executive write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer requesting that funding be urgently found to address the needs of UC recipients and plug the wait times gap.

Moved By:                Councillor Elise Wilson

Seconded by:           Councillor Andy Sorton

At this stage in the proceedings, in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 14.11(b) (Closure Motions), it was MOVED AND SECONDED that the question now be put.

For the motion 8, against 42, abstentions 5.

MOTION NOT CARRIED

Debate on the motion then proceeded in accordance with the rules of debate.

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 – (27 for, 26 against, 2 abstentions) That the provision of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 9.1 (Duration of Meeting) be not invoked and that the Council Meeting continues.

RESOLVED – (52 for, 3 abstentions) This Council notes:

·           cross-party backing for the principles behind Universal Credit (UC), including the amalgamation of benefits, access via one application portal and ensuring work always pays; 

·           the work of this Council and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau to help and support people in relation to navigating the changing benefits system and mitigating the risks of change; and

·           that despite this, the Government’s approach to UC rollout has raised significant concern in relation to monthly payments in arrears, overuse of sanctions, the pacing of transition and rollout; opacity in relation to the benefits entitlement, and cuts to the benefits system which are not reflective of need.

This Council further notes concerning reports that for many people, this has led to:

·           exacerbated poverty and hardship, in particular for those living with disabilities;

·           increased poverty for low income working families;

·           people having to choose between food and rent;

·           indebtedness due to delayed payments;

·           increased rent arrears for tenants in social and private housing relating to the removal of the former direct payments system;

·           making it harder for victims of domestic abuse to escape relationships;

·           disadvantages for non-IT literate people; and

·           instances where these factors have led to loss of employment.

This Council believes that:

·           measures contained in the recent Budget to provide resources to help improve the taper and help with return to work are to be welcomed, but as the Children’s Society has noted, they do not and cannot fully address the aforementioned concerns;

·           as such, this Budget represented a missed opportunity to bring in both these measures immediately and pause Universal Credit rollout completely, allowing for the full review needed to fully address these problems. 

This Council therefore resolves to:

·           continue to work with partner organisations to mitigate as far as possible the risks and challenges associated with this month’s UC rollout;

·           request that the Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions urging a pause to further rollout of the ‘Full Service’ system;

·           in that letter, emphasise the need to address all of the above points, with particular emphasis on ending the current system of monthly payments in arrears; and

·           request that the Chief Executive write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer requesting that funding be urgently found to address the needs of UC recipients and plug the wait times gap.

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

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance (Councillor Elise Wilson) submitted the Standards Committee Annual Report (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer.

The Cabinet Member for Health (Councillor Tom McGee) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out proposals to change the membership and Terms of Reference of the Health & Wellbeing Board following consultation with members and partners.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the revised Terms of Reference and membership set out in Appendix 1 and that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to amend the Constitution to reflect these changes.