Decisions

The Deputy Chief Executive has given approval to the renewal of the lease at A1E, 93 Merseyway, Stockport to Pandora Jewellery UK Ltd on the terms identified in the ‘not for publication’ report.

(NOTE: The report contained information ‘not for publication’ that was circulated to the decision maker only).

The Deputy Chief Executive has given approval to the renewal of the lease at 6 Deanery Way, Merseyway, Stockport on the terms identified in the ‘not for publication’ report.

(NOTE: The report contained information ‘not for publication’ that was circulated to the decision maker only).

The Deputy Chief Executive has given approval to the renewal of the lease at 71 Merseyway, Stockport on the terms identified in the ‘not for publication’ report.

(NOTE: The report contained information ‘not for publication’ that was circulated to the decision maker only).

The Deputy Chief Executive has given approval to the new letting of 91 Merseyway, Stockport on the terms as outlined in the ‘not for publication’ report.

(NOTE: The report contained information ‘not for publication’ that was circulated to the decision maker only).

The Deputy Chief Executive has given approval to the entering into of a new lease agreement for B4-5-3-2, 16-22 Mersey Square, Merseyway Stockport on the terms as outlined in the ‘not for publication’ report.

(NOTE: The report contained information ‘not for publication’ that was circulated to the decision maker only).

The Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Sport has given approval to the making of grants to outside bodies over £5,000 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services, following consultation with the Highway Ward Spokesperson, has given approval to the revocation of the original traffic regulation orders, and to the advertisement of the following revised traffic regulation orders and, subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders:-

Revocation of existing TRO Schedule

‘No Waiting at Any Time’

Dennison Road, Cheadle Hulme (West Side)
From the intersection of the northern kerb line of Hulme Hall Road, for a distance of 46 metres in a northerly direction.

Dennison Road, Cheadle Hulme (West Side)
From a point 7 metres south of the projected southern kerb line of Brock Drive to point 10 metres north of the projected northern kerb line of Brock Drive.

Brock Drive, Cheadle Hulme (Both Sides)
From the intersection of the western kerb line of Dennison Road for a distance of 10 metres in a westerly direction.

Proposed TRO Schedule

‘No Waiting at Any Time’

Dennison Road, Cheadle Hulme (West Side)
From the intersection of the northern kerb line of Hulme Hall Avenue, for a distance of 46 metres in a northerly direction.

Dennison Road, Cheadle Hulme (West Side)
From a point 7 metres south of the projected southern kerb line of Brock Drive to point 10 metres north of the projected northern kerb line of Brock Drive.

Brock Drive, Cheadle Hulme (Both Sides)
From the intersection of the western kerb line of Dennison Road for a distance of 10 metres in a westerly direction.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services has given approval to the legal advertising of the following Traffic Regulation Orders and, subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders to be funded by the developer.

Revocation of existing TRO Schedule

‘No Waiting at Any Time’

Outwood Road, Heald Green (Northern Side)

From a point, 11 metres east of the intersection of the eastern kerb line of Viscount Drive to a point, 11 metres west of the western kerb line of Viscount Drive.

Outwood Road, Heald Green (Northern Side)

From a point, 16 metres east of the intersection of the eastern kerb line of Viscount Drive to the intersection of the western kerb line of Wilmslow Road.

Viscount Drive, Heald Green (Both Sides)

From the intersection of the northern kerb line of Outwood Road for a distance of 10 metres in a northerly direction.

Outwood Road, Heald Green (South Side)

From its intersection with the north western kerb line of Wilmslow Road for a distance of 22 metres in a westerly direction.

‘No Loading Monday-Friday 08:15-09:15am & 14:45-15:45’

Outwood Road, Heald Green (Northern Side)

From the intersection of the western kerb line of Viscount Drive for a distance of 11 metres in a westerly direction.

Viscount Road, Heald Green (Western Side)

From the intersection of the northern kerb line of Outwood Road for a distance of 10 metres.

Proposed TRO Schedule

‘No Waiting at Any Time’

Outwood Road, Heald Green (North Side)

From a point, 11 metres west of the intersection of the western kerb line of Viscount Drive to the intersection of the north west kerb line of Wilmslow Road.

Viscount Drive, Heald Green (Both Sides)

From the intersection of the northern kerb line of Outwood Road for a distance of 10 metres in a northerly direction.

Outwood Road, Heald Green (South Side)

From a point 3 metres east of its intersection with the projected eastern kerb line of Viscount Drive to the intersection of the north western kerb line of Wilmslow Road.

‘No Loading Monday-Friday 08:15-09:15am & 14:45-15:45’

Outwood Road, Heald Green (North Side)

From the intersection of the western kerb line of Viscount Drive for a distance of 11 metres in a westerly direction.

Viscount Drive, Heald Green (West Side)

From the intersection of the northern kerb line of Outwood Road for a distance of 10 metres in a northerly direction.

For notification

Removal of Existing Speed Hump

Outwood Road, Heald Green

At a point, approximately 13 metres east of the eastern kerb line of Viscount Drive.

Installation of Raised Platform (20 Metres long, 7.3 metres wide & 75 millimetres high)

Outwood Road, Heald Green

Centrally at a point, approximately 11 metres east of the eastern kerb line of Viscount Drive.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services has given approval to the legal advertising of the following Traffic Regulation Orders and, subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders at a cost of £750 to be funded by the Delegated Ward Budget (Heald Green ward allocation) (elements related to the Bloor Homes development will be funded from the S278).

Revocation of existing TRO Schedule

No Waiting at Any Time

Wilmslow Road, Heald Green (North West Side)

From a point 25 metres south west of its intersection with the south western kerb line of Greenway Road to a point 8.5 metres north east of the intersection with the north eastern kerbline of Greenway Road.

Greenway Road, Heald Green(Both Sides)

From its intersection with the north western kerb line of Wilmslow Road for a distance of 20 metres in a north westerly direction.

Proposed TRO Schedule

No Waiting at Any Time

Wilmslow Road, Heald Green (South East Side)

From a point 6 metres north east of the projected north easterly kerb line of Greenway Road for a distance of 83 metres in a south westerly direction.

Wilmslow Road, Heald Green (North West Side)

From a point 25 metres south west of its intersection with the south western kerb line to a point 6 metres north east of the intersection with the north eastern kerbline of Greenway Road.

Greenway Road, Heald Green (North East Side)

From a point 10 metres north west of the north western kerb line of Greenhythe Road to its intersection with the north western kerb line of Wilmslow Road.

Greenway Road, Heald Green (South West Side)

From its intersection with the north western kerb line of Wilmslow Road for a distance of  20 metres in a north westerly direction.

Greenhythe Road, Heald Green (Both Sides)

From its intersection with the north eastern kerb line of Greenway Road for a distance of 10 metres in a north easterly direction.

For Notification

Installation of Raised Platform (20 metres long, 6 metres wide & 75 millimetres high)

Greenway Road, Heald Green

Centrally at a point, approximately 18 metres west of the projected north western kerb line of Wilmslow Road.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services has given approval to the allocation of £0.007m of formal sport commuted sum to Bramhall Hockey Club for improved path access to Bramhall Artificial Turf Pitch.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services has:-

(1)  Given approval to the legal advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders as set out in Appendix A to the report and, subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders to be funded from the Section 278 funds associated with the planning application for the Ludworth Primary School extension.

(2)  Noted the responses provided by traffic services in relation to the issues raised at the meeting of Marple Area Committee, as outlined in the report.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services has given approval to the allocation of £129,503.68 of open space commuted sum, associated with the development of Meadow Mill (DC063280 / DC075521), for play provision to be split between Woodbank Park and Heaton Norris Park, as follows:-

·         £91,518.57 allocated to Woodbank Park

·         £37,985.11 allocated to Heaton Norris Park

The Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport has given approval to the virement of the projected underspend of £29,135 from the COVID Commemoration Fund to the Ward Flexibility Budget from 1 April 2024. Allocations will be made to Wards where projects cost less than £7,000 and be equal to the underspend against this amount. The detail is included at Appendix 1 to the report.

To allocate UKSPF funding to provide a remedial solution to the main auditorium roof at Romiley Forum.

Romiley Forum was constructed in the early 1970s, opening in 1972. The freehold of the site is owned by SMBC and there is a long leasehold granted to private owners who, in turn, have granted leases back to SMBC for the Theatre and the Flats.

The Theatre is operated by NK Theatre Arts (NKTA) who were granted a lease from SMBC in 2003 for 30 years.

RAAC has been identified in both the main auditorium roof and the lower section that sits above the community centre and foyer of the theatre. The theatre has been closed to prevent any risk to safety and to enable inspections and assessment of the repairs needed to allow NKTA to resume its arts and creative activities there

The Director of Development & Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration & Housing, has given approval to the allocation of £300,000 from the UKSPF Communities and Place 2023/24 monies, and any supplemental money required following more detailed work, to provide a remedial solution to the main auditorium roof at Romiley Forum.

None.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services has given approval to the package of road safety measures detailed in Section 3 of the report and the legal advertising of the associated Traffic Regulation Orders set out in Appendix A to the report and, subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders to be funded from the Road Safety around Schools programme budget allocation.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services, following consultation with ward councillors, has given approval to the revocation of the original traffic regulation orders, and to the advertisement of the following revised traffic regulation orders and, subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders:-

Proposed New Traffic Regulation Orders

No Waiting ‘At Any Time’
Keswick Avenue (Both Sides): From its intersection with the Northern kerb line of Troutbeck Road in a North-Westerly direction for a distance of 10 metres.

Troutbeck Road (Northern Side): From a point 8.5 metres South-West of its intersection with the Western kerb line of Keswick Avenue to a point 10 metres North-East of the intersection with the Eastern kerb line of Keswick Avenue.

No Waiting Monday - Friday, 08:00am - 09:30am and 14:30-15:30pm
Troutbeck Road (Northern Side): From a point 10 metres North-East of its intersection with the Eastern kerb line of Keswick Avenue in a North-Easterly direction for a distance of 57 metres.

No Stopping Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm on School Keep Clear Markings
Troutbeck Road (Southern Side): From a point 31.56 metres North-East of the projected Western kerb line of Keswick Avenue in a South-Westerly direction for a distance of 63.22 metres.

Revocations of Existing Traffic Regulation Orders

No Waiting at Any Time
Keswick Avenue (Both Sides) from the intersection of the northern kerbline of Troutbeck Road for a distance of 10m in a north north-westerly direction. Troutbeck Road (Northern Side) from a point 8.5m south-west of the intersection of the western kerbline of Keswick Avenue to a point 10m north-east of the intersection of the eastern kerbline of Keswick Avenue.

No Waiting Monday – Friday, 08:00am – 09:30am and 14:30-15:30pm
Troutbeck Road (Northern Side) from a point 10m north-east of the intersection of the eastern kerbline of Keswick Avenue for a distance of 57m in a north-easterly direction.

No Stopping Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm on School Keep Clear Markings
Troutbeck Road (Southern Side) from a point 32m north-east of the projected western kerbline of Keswick Avenue for a distance of 63m in a south-westerly direction.

Revocation of No Stopping Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm on School Keep Clear Markings on Troutbeck Road, Gatley, as referred to in the Consolidation order. (E19)

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services, following consultation with ward councillors, has given approval to the revocation of the original traffic regulation order, and to the advertisement of the following revised traffic regulation order and, subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the order:-

Proposed New Traffic Regulation Order

No Waiting, Monday to Friday 8 - 9.30am and 2.30 - 4pm
Highfield Park (East side): From a point 19 metres South-East of its intersection with the Southern kerb line of Didsbury Road in a South-Easterly direction for a distance of 181 metres.

Revocations of Existing Traffic Regulation Order

The Metropolitan Borough Council of Stockport (Didsbury Road Primary School) (Prohibition of Waiting / Restriction of Waiting/Prohibition and Restriction of Loading/Unloading) and (Revocation) Order 2021 for the following location;

No Loading, Monday to Friday 8-9.30am and 2.30 – 4pm

Highfield Park (East side): From a point 19 metres South-East of the intersection of the Southern kerb line of Didsbury Road for a distance of 181 metres in a South Easterly direction.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources has given approval to the use of £5,000 from the Discretionary Ward Budget (Reddish South Ward) towards the cost of improved play at Grafton Street Play Area and for the funds to be deposited in Capital Schemes for Parks as soon as practicable to support future play equipment procurement.

That the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources has given approval to the use of £7,000 from the Ward Discretionary Fund (Reddish North allocation) towards the cost of improved play at Houldsworth Park and for the funds to be deposited in Capital Schemes for Parks as soon as practicable to support future play equipment procurement.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources has given approval to the use of £4,500 from the Discretionary Ward Budget (Reddish South Ward) towards the cost of pond restoration works in Reddish Vale Country Park and for the funds to be deposited in Capital Schemes for Parks as soon as practicable.

The Cabinet received the final report of the Scrutiny Review into the Financial Impact of Bus Franchising and agreed that:-

(1) The Deputy Chief Executive be requested to prepare a response to the Financial Impact of Bus Franchising scrutiny review and the recommendations contained therein for consideration by the Cabinet at a future meeting.

(2) The gratitude of the Cabinet be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel ‘Financial Impact of Bus Franchising’ and others involved in the Review.

The Stockport Council Plan 2024-2027 is our main strategic document for the council. It describes the key role the council plays in supporting the borough, through the provision and delivery of services that are essential to everyday life. The Plan also outlines our four big ambitions for the upcoming years, that will create opportunities for everyone within the borough.

The Council Plan accompanies the budget. It is a public-facing summary document that sits above annual Portfolio Agreements and complements the One Stockport Borough Plan. It is aligned with our medium-term financial plan and incorporates our key transformation activity.

The Plan explains that we have big ambitions for our Borough and our people, but we want to challenge ourselves to reach further to achieve our ambition of being the very best we can be. We know we are on the right track and our ambitions and priorities remain the right ones. This Council Plan, therefore, builds on our existing ambitions and steps up the pace of change and delivery.

The Plan is intentionally longer term and places transformation at the heart of our ambitions. Providing efficient and effective services continues to be at the very core of our Plan; and the Plan builds on the four ‘Big Ambitions’ and two cross cutting themes set out in the Council Plan 2023/4.

The Cabinet has recommended that the Council Meeting give approval to the draft Council Plan for 2024-2027.

The Cabinet has considered a proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the council and Stockport County Football Club and has:-

(1) Approved the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Council and Stockport County Football Club to set out how we will work together to deliver our shared objectives; and

(2) Delegated authority to the Director of Development and Regeneration (Place), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources and Economy, Regeneration and Housing, to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding; and

(3) Delegated authority to the Assistant Director (Legal & Democratic Governance), to take such steps and complete such agreements as are necessary to implement the resolutions recommended in this report and any decisions properly made under authority delegated by these resolutions.

The Cabinet has considered the Quarter 2+ revenue forecast outturn including an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account, Collection Fund, updates to the Capital Programme and budget virements to be incorporated into the 2024/25 budget setting process, and has agreed to:-

(1) Approve the virements to the Revenue Budget.

(2) Note the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for 2023/24 as at Quarter 2+.

(3) Note the DSG, HRA and Collection Fund forecast outturn positions for 2023/24 as at Quarter 2+.

(4) Note the update on Reserves.

(5) Note the update on the council’s medium term financial position.

(6) Note the forecast position for the 2023/24 Capital Programme.

(7) Note the changes to the Capital Programme and re-phasing of schemes during Quarter 2+.

(8) Note the 2023/24 Capital Programme Prudential Indicators.

The Cabinet has considered a report setting out the Council’s Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) Policy which must be considered by elected members annually to set the Policy and to ensure that if the Council is using its RIPA powers, it is doing so appropriately and complying with its own Code of Practice when carrying out covert surveillance, and has:-

(1)  Noted that the Council has not exercised its RIPA powers since the last report.

(2)  Approved the RIPA Policy/ Code of Practice for the forthcoming year.

The Cabinet has considered the draft One Stockport Safety Partnership Serious Violence Strategic Needs Assessment and Plan 2024 and has:-

(1) Noted the proposed additional actions for 2024/25 outlined in the tables in 4.1 in the report.

(2) Noted the One Stockport Safety Partnership’s intention to use these proposed additional actions as the basis for its Serious Violence Plan for 2024/25.

(3) Noted the One Stockport Safety Partnership’s proposed approach to serious violence assessment and planning beyond 2024/25, set out in 2.5 above – that is, to incorporate work relating to serious violence as a specific strand within its overall assessment and planning arrangements.

The Cabinet has considered an update on the key announcements made by the Department for Education (DfE) on the education funding settlement for 2024/25, and has:-

(1) Noted the details of the Education Funding Settlement for 2024/25.

(2) Approved the construction of the early year’s budget as per section 3.1 to 3.2 and the updated 2024/25 local funding formula for schools as outlined in sections 3.3. to 3.5 and detailed in the table(s) in section 6.2 which will form the basis of the calculation of school budgets and be notified to the DfE in accordance with statutory requirements.

The Cabinet considered its proposed 2024/25 Revenue Budget outlining the Council’s strategic approach to responding to the significant medium-term financial pressures whilst ensuring a sustainable and stable financial position to deliver our overarching priorities and desired outcomes, and recommended to the Council Meeting that it:-

(1) Approve the Budget for 2024/25 described in the report and set out in Appendix 2 and 3.

(2) Approve the cabinet’s use of any available one-off resources to support the positive investment detailed in Section 6 subject to the council’s 2023/24 outturn position and the 2024/25 Final Settlement.

(3) Note the risk assessment of the 2024/25 Budget at Appendix 5 and the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer on the adequacy of proposed financial reserves and robustness of the estimates also included at Appendix 5.

(4) Approve the required Council General Fund Balance to reflect the Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer’s assessment of risks.

(5) Note, comment upon, and approve the financial forecasts and assumptions for 2024/25 to 2027/28 at Appendix 6, and the key issues to be addressed in formulating a response to the future financial challenges facing the council.

(6) Pass the appropriate Council Tax resolutions which produce a Council Tax increase of 4.99% in 2024/25 (2.99% General increase, 2% Adult Social Care Precept increase) as illustrated in Appendix 7.

The Cabinet considered the draft 2024/25 Capital Strategy and Capital Programme, developed in accordance with the CIPFA Prudential Code, which provided a framework for the Council’s capital investment plans and recommended to the Council Meeting that it approve:-

(1) The Capital Strategy at Appendix one.

(2) The 2024/25 to 2026/27 Capital Programme and the funding arrangements as described in the report and set out at Appendix two.

(3) The prudential indicators set out in Appendix three.

The Cabinet considered the rent levels and service charges for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and a recommended budget for 2024/25 and then recommended that the Council Meeting give approval to:-

(1) An increase of 7.7% for social and affordable rent.

(2) An increase of 9.4% for rent of shared ownership properties.

(3) Service charge increases as outlined the updated section 3 in this addendum, with authority delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration & Housing, to agree a lower increase should this be necessary.

(4) The Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2024/25 as set out in Appendix 1.

The Cabinet has considered the Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy Mid-Year Review Report 2024/25 and has agreed to recommended that the Council Meeting:-

(1) The Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2024/25.

(2) The Capital Expenditure Forecasts and Capital Financing Requirement projections.

(3) The Treasury Management Strategy 2024/25.

(4) The Treasury and Prudential Indicators and Limits 2024/25-2026/27.

(5) The Annual Investment Strategy (AIS) 2024/25.

The Cabinet has considered an update on the Council’s 2024/25 to 2027/28 Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) forecasts and assumptions as part of setting a robust and resilient budget and financial plan to meet the unprecedented uncertainty, volatility, and risk within the financial landscape, and has:-

(1) Noted the details of the 2024/25 Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement.

(2) Noted the financial forecasts and assumptions for 2024/25 to 2027/28.

(3) Noted and approved the indicative budget adjustments since the MTFP Update presented to the Cabinet meeting on 19 September resulting in savings requirement of £5.655m in 2024/25.

(4) Approved the allocation of £16.543m of the corporate contingency budgets to Cash Limit budgets as part of the budget setting process.

(5) Noted the Section 151 Officer’s recommendation to hold the Council’s General Fund Balance at its current level £15.183m in 2024/25 aligned to his risk assessment of the budget and the adequacy of reserves and balances to support the Council’s 2024/25 Budget.

(6) Agreed to take the necessary steps to propose a final balanced 2024/25 Budget including any proposed Council Tax increase to be recommended for approval at the Council meeting on 22 February 2024.

The Cabinet has considered an update on our strategic approach in responding to the review of the Medium Term Financial Plan and included the budget proposals being considered by the cabinet to address our financial challenges and balance the rising cost of delivering services to the people in our communities who need it most, and has:-

(1) Noted the further development of proposals and the feedback received from the engagement and consultation to date.

(2) Approved the proposals for inclusion within the budget papers for Budget Council.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources has given approval to the write off of 5 outstanding debts with a total value of £104,354.89, which the Service considers to be irrecoverable. These include 4 Business Rates debts and 1 Housing Benefit overpayment.

Every possible method of recovery has been attempted to recover these debts. However, for the reasons stated in the report, there is no further recovery action that can be taken to recover the money owed.

If circumstances change and it becomes possible to recover the debt, recovery can be reinstated even if the debt has been written off.

It is recommended that these debts are now written off as all attempts to recover the monies owed have been exhausted.

(NOTE: The report contains a confidential appendix that has been circulated to the decision maker only).

The Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration & Housing has given approval to the January 2024 update of the Stockport Local Development Scheme (LDS) as set out in Appendix A to the report.