Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 11 January and 22 February 2024.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meetings of the Council held on 11 January and 22 February 2024 were approved as correct records and signed by the Mayor.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Council.

No urgent decisions were reported.

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor announced that this would be the last meeting of the Council to be attended by a number of members of the council as a result of their forthcoming retirement from the Council after the local elections on 2 May 2024.

The Group Leaders then paid tribute to the retiring councillors.

The Mayor further announced that Stockport had retained its Fairtrade status in its most recent application for renewal.  It was noted that Stockport had been a Fairtrade Borough since 2003.

Finally, the Mayor stated that the Jo Cox Foundation had recently launched the Jo Cox Civility Commission highlighting that intimidation and threats often became particularly heightened in the run-up to elections. 

With the local and mayoral elections coming up on 2 May, a Civility Pledge campaign had been launched urging candidates to commit to running a respectful election campaign.  It was noted that members and candidates could sign up to the pledge online.

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

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

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 matters within the powers and duties of the Council.

Three public questions were submitted as follows:-

·         Relating to whether a review would be undertaken with regard to the Council’s approach to carbon literacy training for councillors.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Environment (Councillor Mark Roberts) responded that there were a number of inaccuracies in the question, and that the Council would not stop offering such training to members.

·         Relating to clean air zone infrastructure and the introduction of a bus lane along the A6 from Levenshulme to Stockport.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Mark Hunter) responded that Greater Manchester had presented an investment led clean air plan to government over 18 months ago that would deliver clean air for Stockport and that did not include charging for any category of motorists.  However, a response was still awaited from the government on this proposal and as a consequence, it would not be appropriate to remove any infrastructure pending the government’s support for this approach.

It was further stated that the A6 ‘Improving Journeys’ proposal was designed to improve the reliability of bus travel along the A6 with a number of associated pedestrian and cycle improvements.   It was commented that the only way that Greater Manchester could meet increased demand for travel was by increasing the capacity of the public transport network and this proposal aimed to support that by increasing and improving bus lanes along the A6, from just north of Stockport town centre to the boundary with Manchester.

·         Relating to the use of council tax revenues through the government’s Consolidated Fund to support the Ukrainian governments war efforts.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Mark Hunter) responded that council tax was collected locally and used in full and exclusively to fund local services for Stockport residents and businesses.

A further 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.

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

No such arrangements have been made for this meeting.

There were no petitions or presentations.

(a)       Greater Manchester Police, Crime & Fire Panel

Councillor Tom Morrison to answer questions, if any, on the business of the Greater Manchester Police, Crime & Fire Panel.

(b)       Greater Manchester Combined Authority

The following councillors to answer questions (if any) on the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority:-

(a)       Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel

Councillor Tom Morrison responded to a question in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel.

(b)       Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Councillor Grace Baynham responded to questions in relation to the business of the Bee Network Committee.

There were no questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority or the Greater Manchester Waste & Recycling Committee.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources (Councillor Jilly Julian) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Council’s Annual Pay Policy Statement for 2024/25 and the Gender Pay Gap figures.

RESOLVED - That the Annual Pay Policy Statement be adopted and approval be given to the publication of the Council’s Gender Pay Gap information.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources (Councillor Jilly Julian) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals to make a number of changes to the scheme of delegation for the determination of planning applications and amendments to the Planning Protocol to ensure that it reflects accurately long-standing custom and practice in how the Council exercised its planning powers.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the proposed changes to the Scheme of Delegation for Determining Planning Applications and the Planning Protocol as detailed in the report and associated appendices.

To move that:-

(1) Councillor Suzanne Wyatt be invited to allow her name to be submitted to the Annual Council Meeting for election to the Office of Mayor for the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport for the year 2024/2025.

(2) Councillor Kerry Waters be invited to allow her name to be submitted to the Annual Council Meeting for the appointment to the Office of Deputy Mayor for the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport for the year 2024/25.

RESOLVED - (1) That Councillor Suzanne Wyatt be invited to allow her name to be submitted to the Annual Council Meeting for election to the Office of Mayor for the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport for the year 2024/2025.

(2) That Councillor Kerry Waters be invited to allow her name to be submitted to the Annual Council Meeting for the appointment to the Office of Deputy Mayor for the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport for the year 2024/25.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources (Councillor Jilly Julian) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal for the enlargement of the membership of the Appointments Committee following a recommendation from the committee that the Council Meeting exercises its discretion to appoint the Leader of the Independent Ratepayers Group and the Leader of the Edgeley Community Association to the committee for the purposes of this appointment process.

RESOLVED - (1) That approval be given to an increase in the membership of the Appointments Committee to nine for the remainder of the municipal year.

(2) That approval be given to the adoption of alternative arrangements in respect of the appointment of members to the Appointments Committee (not being strictly in accordance with proportionality under section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989) and to exclude the committee from the calculation for the period until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.

(3) That Councillors Anna Charles-Jones and Matt Wynne be appointed to the vacancies.

(4) That it be noted that the Annual Council Meeting may need to further resolve to adopt alternative arrangements in relation to the Appointments Committee to ensure continuity of cross-party oversight of the recruitment process should this extend into the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

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; the Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Environment; and the Cabinet Members for Communities, Culture & Sport; Economy, Regeneration & Housing; Finance & Resources; Parks, Highways & Transport Services made a report on the conduct of Cabinet business since the last Council Meeting.

To answer questions 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 the Cabinet Members for Communities, Culture & Sport; Economy, Regeneration & Housing; Finance & Resources; and Parks, Highways & Transport Services 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 30 January and 12 March 2024 (pages) 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 held 30 January and 12 March 2024 (copies of which had been circulated) and the record of executive decisions taken (copies of which were circulated) since the last meeting of the Council to be duly received.

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

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

The Chairs of the Communities & Transport and Economy, Regeneration & Climate Change Scrutiny Committees made reports on the conduct of the business of the scrutiny committee since the last Council Meeting.

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

The Chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Climate Change Scrutiny Committee responded to a question on the business of the committee.

To receive the Minutes of the following Scrutiny Committees:-

Adult Social Care & Health – 18 January and 29 February 2024       

Children & Families – 17 January and 28 February 2024       

Communities & Transport – 15 January and 26 February 2024         

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 16 January and 27 February 2024

Economy, Regeneration & Climate Change – 18 January and 29 February 2024

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 – 18 January and 29 February 2024      

Children & Families – 17 January and 28 February 2024      

Communities & Transport – 15 January and 26 February 2024        

Corporate, Resource Management & Governance – 16 January and 27 February 2024

Economy, Regeneration & Climate Change – 18 January and 29 February 2024

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 and Area Committees:-

Ordinary Committees

Audit Committee – 13 March 2024

Health & Wellbeing Board – 17 January and 6 March 2024

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 7 February 2024

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 15 January, 2 and 26 February and 15 March 2024

Member – 12 February 2024

Planning & Highways Regulation – 8 February 2024

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 25 January and 7 March 2024

Central Stockport – 25 January and 7 March 2024

Cheadle – 23 January and 5 March 2024

Heatons & Reddish – 22 January and 4 March 2024

Marple – 24 January and 6 March 2024

Stepping Hill – 23 January and 5 March 2024

Werneth – 22 January and 4 March 2024

Ward Committees and Area Sub-Committees

Brookfield Park Shiers Family Trust Sub-Committee – 18 January and 14 November 2023 and 31 January 2024

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

Audit Committee – 13 March 2024

Health & Wellbeing Board – 17 January and 6 March 2024

Licensing, Environment & Safety – 7 February 2024

Licensing, Environment & Safety Sub – 15 January, 2 and 26 February and 15 March 2024

Member – 12 February 2024

Planning & Highways Regulation – 8 February 2024

Area Committees

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South – 25 January and 7 March 2024

Central Stockport – 25 January and 7 March 2024

Cheadle – 23 January and 5 March 2024

Heatons & Reddish – 22 January and 4 March 2024

Marple – 24 January and 6 March 2024

Stepping Hill – 23 January and 5 March 2024

Werneth – 22 January and 4 March 2024

This Council notes;

·           Manchester International Airport being a significant economic asset for Stockport and Greater Manchester employing approximately 22.000 people on site, operating routes to over 200 destinations and directly generates £1.4 billion through its operations for local economy. It supports businesses and industries across the Borough, the city region and the North West through tourism, holidaymaking, business travel and freight.

·           The continual poor connectivity between the Borough of Stockport and Manchester Airport, even though the Borough borders the Airport.

·           That there are only two regular bus services to the Airport between Stockport and the Airport, one being the only express 199 service which comes from Buxton in High Peak meaning it is often unreliable due to length of distance to travel and traffic congestion at peak times. The 199 is often overcrowded for Airport shift workers and holidaymakers due to frequency, lack of luggage space and it being a solely single decker service.

·           Stagecoach cutting the previous Stockport > Airport dedicated express service the X30 in 2020 and previous routes connecting other areas of the Borough directly to the Airport such as the 330.

·           The opening of our new Interchange and Stockport being integrated into the Bee Network proper in January 2025 giving us the ability through franchising to plan and set our bus network.

This Council resolves to;

·           Write to GM Mayor Andy Burnham, TfGM and Transport for North about the need to restore a resilient express bus service between Stockport and Manchester Airport

·           Bring the matter before the Stockport Bee Network Cttee once it is constituted for further consideration following a response from respective parties in resolution point one above.

Moved by:                  Councillor Matt Wynne

Seconded by:           Councillor Asa Caton

RESOLVED - This Council notes;

·         Manchester International Airport being a significant economic asset for Stockport and Greater Manchester employing approximately 22.000 people on site, operating routes to over 200 destinations and directly generates £1.4 billion through its operations for local economy. It supports businesses and industries across the Borough, the city region and the North West through tourism, holidaymaking, business travel and freight.

·         The continual poor connectivity between the Borough of Stockport and Manchester Airport, even though the Borough borders the Airport.

·         That there are only two regular bus services to the Airport between Stockport and the Airport, one being the only express 199 service which comes from Buxton in High Peak meaning it is often unreliable due to length of distance to travel and traffic congestion at peak times. The 199 is often overcrowded for Airport shift workers and holidaymakers due to frequency, lack of luggage space and it being a solely single decker service.

·         Stagecoach cutting the previous Stockport > Airport dedicated express service the X30 in 2020 and previous routes connecting other areas of the Borough directly to the Airport such as the 330.

·         The opening of our new Interchange and Stockport being integrated into the Bee Network proper in January 2025 giving us the ability through franchising to plan and set our bus network.

This Council resolves to;

·         Write to GM Mayor Andy Burnham, TfGM and Transport for North about the need to restore a resilient express bus service between Stockport and Manchester Airport

·         Bring the matter before the Stockport Bee Network Cttee once it is constituted for further consideration following a response from respective parties in resolution point one above.