Decisions

The Cabinet considered its response to addressing the uncertainty, volatility and risk outlined within the review of the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) with a focus on delivering impactful and outcomes-focused transformational change for communities and businesses across Stockport.  The report further provided an overview of the approach the Cabinet will be taking to respond to the financial impact identified in the Part A report which would involve careful consideration of a series of budget options and some difficult decisions to ensure that the Council continued to have a balanced budget, and has:-

(1) Noted the approach and endorsed the next steps, including agreeing to share with scrutiny, for comment, the proposals which support a resilient and sustainable MTFP; and

(2) Supported the ongoing development of our MTFP response and transformation programme.

The Cabinet has considered the Outcomes of the review of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2023/24 to 2025/26 including the underpinning MTFP forecasts and assumptions and given the changes in the unprecedented adverse national economic conditions in terms of increasing inflationary costs, increasing interest rates and increasing demand for services, to ensure they continue to be based on the latest available information, and has:-

(1) Noted the outcomes of the MTFP Update including the continuing financial scarring impacts of the pandemic, the increased inflationary pressures including pay award, increased demand in Children’s services and the highlighted changes to the MTFP forecasts and assumptions approved in February.

(2) Approved the forecast and assumption adjustments as a result of the MTFP Update outlined in the report.

(3) Noted that the Council’s savings requirement has slightly decreased to £10.861m in 2024/25 rising to £44.059m in 2027/28 as a result of the adjustment highlighted and subject to further review and updates during the financial year.

(4) Noted that due to the significant uncertainty, volatility, and risk of the financial landscape the assessment of the MTFP forecasts and assumptions will continue to be iterative with further updates to the MTFP reported to Cabinet as part of the 2024/25 budget setting process; and

(5) Approved the recommended use of one-off resources identified during the financial year to support the Council’s 2024/25 Budget and MTFP.

The cabinet has given approval to the appointment of councillors to the following outside bodies:-

The Cabinet has considered a report providing an update on the delivery of a new ambulance station on the site of Hazel Grove Park and Ride which will replace the existing Ambulance Service (NWAS) facility at Travis Brow, and subject to planning consent being secured, has:-

(1)  Approved use of the Mayoral Development Corporation Investment Facility to fund the development costs for the replacement ambulance station at Hazel Grove as set out in Appendix 2.

(2) Delegated authority to the Director Development and Regeneration and Deputy Chief Executive to enter into the legal documentation with North West Ambulance Service to facilitate a ‘land swap’ following completion of the new ambulance station. 

(3) Delegated authority to the Assistant Director, Legal and Democratic Governance to do all things necessary or incidental to the implementation of the above resolutions.

(NOTE: An appendix to the report contained information ‘not for publication’ which had been circulated to the Cabinet only).

The Cabinet considered an update on the Council’s Reserves Policy following the reporting of the Council’s 2022/23 outturn position and has agreed to:-

(1) Note the annual review of Council’s 2023/24 Reserves Policy including the level and rationale for the reserves held.

(2) Approve the adjustments and reclassification of earmarked reserves held in line with the recommended amounts.

(3) Approve the proposed 2023/24 Reserves Policy.

The Cabinet has considered an update on the revenue budget forecast outturn for the period to the end of July 2023 (Quarter 1+) which included an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and updates to the Capital Programme, and has:-

(1)  Approved the virements to the Revenue Budget.

(2)  Noted the Cash Limit and Non-Cash Limit forecast outturn positions for 2023/24 as at Quarter 1+.

(3)  Noted the update on Reserves.

(4)  Noted the DSG and HRA forecast outturn positions for 2023/24 as at Quarter 1+.

(5)  Noted the forecast position for the 2023/24 Capital Programme.

(6)  Noted the changes to the Capital Programme and re-phasing of schemes during Quarter 1+.

(7)  Noted the 2023/24 Capital Programme Prudential Indicators.

(8)  Approved the debt write off as detailed in appendix 2.

The Cabinet has considered a report providing an update on the design, construction and plans to animate the new Interchange Park on top of the Stockport Interchange development, and has:-

(1)  Noted the report and progress in the park.

(2)  Supported the use of existing funding to maintain and develop the space.

The Cabinet considered and noted the information contained in the Annual Complaints Report, and the positive progress being taken to improve complaints handling across the council.

The Cabinet considered a report providing an update on the operation and effectiveness of the Council's Treasury Management function for quarter one of 2023/24 and has agreed to note the report, the treasury activity and recommend approval of any changes to the prudential indicators.

The Cabinet has approved and adopted the Stockport Council Modern Slavery Statement 2023/24.

The cabinet considered a report detailing a proposed Schools Strategy that provided an opportunity to define, refine and reorganise thinking and approach to ensure that Stockport had a school system which was fit for purpose, sustainable, able to respond to the needs of children in our borough and met the requirements of the current national policy agenda.

The Cabinet then:-

(1) Agreed the Schools Strategy outlined in Appendix One of this report, noting the 6 priorities identified in it.

(2) Agreed the success measures identified in the Strategy and agreed that an annual update will be provided on its delivery.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services has given approval to the legal advertisement of the following Traffic Regulation Order and, subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 says of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders, at a cost of £1,250 to be funded from the Central Stockport Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Davenport & Cale Green ward allocation):-

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) – ‘No Waiting At Any Time’

Roslyn Road, Adswood – Both Sides:  From the intersection of the northern kerb line of Garner’s Lane for a distance of 9 metres in a northerly direction.

Sterndale Road, Adswood – Both Sides: From the intersection of the northern kerb line of Garner’s Lane for a distance of 10 metres in a northerly direction.

Garner’s Lane, Davenport – North Side: From a point 10 metres west of the intersection of the south western kerb line of Roslyn Road to a point 10 metres east of the north eastern kerb line of Roslyn Road.

Garner’s Lane, Davenport – North Side: From a point 10 metres west of the intersection of the south western kerb line of Sterndale Road to a point 10 metres east of the north eastern kerbline of Sterndale Road.

Garner’s Lane - South Side: From the intersection of the north eastern kerb line of Elmfield Road, for a distance of 15 metres in an easterly direction.

Revocation of existing Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) ‘No Waiting At Any Time’

Garner’s Lane – South Side: From the intersection of the north eastern kerb line of Elmfield Road, for a distance of 10 metres in an easterly direction.