Decisions

The Deputy Chief Executive has given approval to:-

(1) The disposal of one property and the demolition and redevelopment of a further property by Stockport Homes Group utilising the proceeds from the disposal of the first property at the locations identified in the ‘not for publication’ report.

(2) The use of any surplus funds remaining from the disposal of the above property being utilised towards the delivery of additional social rented accommodation elsewhere in the borough.

(Note: The report contained information ‘not for publication’ that was circulated to the decision maker only)

The Cabinet outlined the budget options being considered by the Cabinet to address financial and demand challenges, enable longer term transformation, and ensure the delivery of shared strategic partnership ambitions, 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 council vision, MTFP response and transformation programme.

The Cabinet has considered the Outcomes of the review of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 022/23 to 2024/25 including the underpinning MTFP forecasts and assumptions approved at the Council Budget Meeting on 24 February 2022 and determined whether these forecasts and assumptions are still appropriate in light of the context of the financial landscape, and has:-

(1) Noted the outcomes of the MTFP Update including the continuing financial scarring impacts of the pandemic, the increased Energy costs, inflationary pressures, 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 increased to £16.953m in 2023/24 rising to £33.329m in 2024/25 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 2023/24 budget setting process; and

(5) Approved the recommended use of one-off resources identified during the financial year to support the Council’s 2023/24 Budget and MTFP.

The Cabinet considered and approved the draft Portfolio Agreements for 2022/23 that reflected the policy priorities for 2022/23 set out in the 2022/23 Council Plan and 2022/23 budgets within the Medium Term Financial Plan, along with the new Cabinet Portfolio responsibilities.

The Cabinet received the final report of the Scrutiny Review into ‘The Council’s Property Portfolio - The Next 5-10’ years and agreed that:-

(1) The Corporate Director for Corporate & Support Services & Deputy Chief Executive be requested to prepare a response to the ‘The Council’s Property Portfolio - The Next 5-10 years’ 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 ‘The Council’s Property Portfolio - The Next 5-10 years’ and others involved in the Review.

The Cabinet considered an update on the Council’s Reserves Policy following the reporting of the Council’s 2021/22 outturn position and has agreed to:-

(1) Note the annual review of Council’s 2022/23 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; and

(3) Approve the proposed 2022/23 Reserves Policy.

The Cabinet has considered a report outlining the progress made by the Armed Forces Community Covenant Steering Group in delivering the priorities of the covenant from April 2021 to March 2022 and setting out the actions that were being prioritised for the year 2022-2023 and has then noted and endorsed the report.

The Cabinet has considered a reporting setting out proposals for the Stockport Council Annual Flood Resilience Plan and describing the various roles and responsibilities of the Council with regard to flooding and flood resilience including its roles as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), Highway Authority and landowner both of greenspace and, working with Stockport Homes, its significant housing assets. 

The Cabinet has then noted and endorsed the progress and the proposed future works in the report.

The Cabinet received the final report of the Scrutiny Review into Pupil Place Planning and agreed that:-

(1) The Director of Education be requested to prepare a response to the “Access to Health Services” 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 ‘Pupil Place Planning’ and others involved in the Review.

The Cabinet has considered a report presenting the next steps for the redevelopment of Central Library following the opening of Stockroom in late 2023 and providing an update on the ongoing progress of the Stockroom Project, and has:-

(1) Noted the progress update on the Stockroom Project.

(2) Noted the update on Central Library Redevelopment Strategy and recommend for approval the proposals.

(3) Given approval to the release of up to £400k in reserves to fund the development of the project through to planning and construction tender in line with the steps covered in section 11 of this report.

(4) Delegated authority for the Director of Development and Regeneration (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate and Support Services) in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance to enter into any required professional services and construction contracts and bring forth any necessary planning applications related to the refurbishment of Central Library.

(5) Delegated authority for the Director of Development and Regeneration (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate and Support Services) in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance and Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance) to take the necessary steps to implement the strategy set out in this report.

(NOTE: The report contained a ‘not for publication’ appendix that was circulated to the Cabinet only).

The Cabinet has considered a proposal to progress with the demolition and subsequent landscaping of 76- 84 Wellington Road South and 2 Railway Road, Stockport and has:-

(1) Approved that the Council proceeds with the demolition of 76-84 Wellington Road South and 2 Railway Road (as shown as option 1 within Appendix 1) and landscaping works, on the basis outlined in this report and its appendices;

(2) Delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Development and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources and the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration:

(a)  to appoint contractor(s) and professional team as required to deliver the demolition and landscaping works and enter into all appropriate agreements to fund and deliver such works;

(b)  to take such other steps as are appropriate and necessary to implement the strategy set out in this report;

(3) Delegated authority to the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance) to do all things necessary or incidental to the implementation of the above-mentioned resolutions.

(NOTE: The report contained appendices that were ‘not for publication’ and which were circulated to the Cabinet only).

The Cabinet has considered a report detailing a proposal for the procurement of a Joint Venture Partner (a private sector development entity) to bring forward development on the sites in Stockport Town Centre West known as Stockport 8 and has then:-

(1) Approved the principle of the Council entering into a Joint Venture with a Joint Venture Partner as proposed within the report on terms to be agreed

(2) Approved commencement of the procurement of a Joint Venture Partner as set out in section 3 of the Report and approve the costs of up to £300,000 set out in section 4.4 of the Report which will be funded from the Capital Investment Reserve – Mayoral Development Corporation.

(3) Delegated authority to the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Economy and Regeneration, and Finance and Resources to:

·         appoint a Joint Venture Partner

·         agree the terms of the Corporate Joint Venture

·         enter into all appropriate legal agreements to establish the Corporate Joint Venture

·         enter into all legal documentation required to deliver the development of Stockport 8 and to take the necessary steps to implement the strategy set out in this report

(4) Delegated authority to the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance) to do all things necessary or incidental to the implementation of the resolutions above.

(NOTE: The report contained a ‘not for publication’ appendix that was circulated to the Cabinet only).

The Cabinet has endorsed the draft Stockport Transport Plan.

The Cabinet considered the Annual Report on the functioning of the Council’s Treasury Management functions for 2021/22 and recommended to the Council Meeting that it:-

·         Approve the actual 2021/22 prudential and treasury indicators in this report.

·         Note the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2021/22.

The Cabinet has considered an update on the revenue budget forecast outturn for the period to the end of July 2022 (Quarter 1+) which included an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account and updates to the Capital Programme, and has:-

·         approved the virements to the Revenue Budget;

·         noted the Cash Limit and Non-Cash Limit forecast positions for 2022/23 as at Quarter 1+;

·         noted the HRA and DSG forecast positions for 2022/23 as at Quarter 1+;

·         noted the forecast position for the 2022/23 Capital Programme; and

·         noted the changes to the Capital Programme and re-phasing of schemes during Quarter 1+.

The Cabinet has considered a proposal to transfer certain responsibilities within the Right to Buy (RTB) service from the Council to Stockport Homes Limited and has agreed:-

(1) That the responsibility for the Application element of the Right to Buy service be transferred from the Council to Stockport Homes Limited.

(2) That a variation to the Management Agreement be entered into to document the reallocation of responsibilities; and

(3) That the Director of Place Management and the Strategic Head of Service (Legal and Democratic Governance) be authorised to do such things as are necessary or incidental to ensure the implementation of the above recommendations.

The Cabinet has noted and endorsed the Stockport Economic Plan 2022-2030 and initial actions.

To consider the updated Stockport Housing Plan.

The Cabinet has endorsed and adopted the refreshed Housing Plan for Stockport, fulfilling the Council’s statutory requirement for the Council to have a strategy for housing in the borough which was informed by the Housing Needs Assessment and setting out clear priorities.