On behalf of the Executive, the Leader of the Council welcomed Councillor Mrs. Evans to her first meeting of the Executive, and requested that thanks be recorded to Councillor Cornes for his work as a member of the Executive.

Members to give notice of any interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

No declarations were made by Executive Members.

To receive and, if so determined, to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the following meetings:

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Budget Meeting held on 18^th February, Meeting held on 16^th March and Special Meeting held on 25^th March, 2015 be approved as correct records.

To consider any matters referred by the Council or by the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

There were no issues to be reported to this meeting.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning.

[NOTE: A related report is to be considered in Part II of the agenda.]

1. That the outcome of the 2014/15 Land Sales Programme be noted.

2. That the Land Sales Programme for 2015/16 onwards as set out in the reports be approved.

3. That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Economic Growth Environment and Infrastructure to:

a. negotiate and accept bids.

b. engage external resources where this will assist in implementing the programme.

c. submit an application for planning permission on any properties included in the programme where this will assist in marketing.

d. offset eligible disposal costs against capital receipts in accordance with capital regulations up to a maximum of 4% of the value of the capital receipt.

e. advertise the intention to dispose of a site in the event that it comprises open space as defined by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, in accordance with the relevant statutory procedure, and if any objections are received, to refer to the relevant portfolio holder for consideration in consultation with the Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning.

i)  add to or substitute sites into the programme during the year.

ii) hire security services or arrange for the demolition of any property.

iii)  authorise alternative methods of disposal where appropriate.

4. That the Director of Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with the  Corporate Director for Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure and, where appropriate, the Director of Finance be authorised to finalise and enter into all legal agreements required to implement the above decisions.

The Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning submitted a report advising Members of the outcome of the 2014/15 Land Sales Programme, proposing a programme for the disposal of land and buildings during the financial year 2015/16 and beyond, and seeking the necessary delegations. As associated report setting out additional financial information was considered in Part II of the agenda.

            RESOLVED -

(1)          That the outcome of the 2014/15 Land Sales Programme be noted.

(2)          That the Land Sales Programme for 2015/16 onwards as set out in the reports be approved.

(3)          That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Economic Growth Environment and Infrastructure to:

a. negotiate and accept bids.

b. engage external resources where this will assist in implementing the programme.

c. submit an application for planning permission on any properties included in the programme where this will assist in marketing.

d. offset eligible disposal costs against capital receipts in accordance with capital regulations up to a maximum of 4% of the value of the capital receipt.

e. advertise the intention to dispose of a site in the event that it comprises open space as defined by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, in accordance with the relevant statutory procedure, and if any objections are received, to refer to the relevant portfolio holder for consideration in consultation with the Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning.

f.    i) add to or substitute sites into the programme during the year.

ii) hire security services or arrange for the demolition of any property.

iii) authorise alternative methods of disposal where appropriate.

(4)          That the Director of Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with the Corporate Director for Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure and, where appropriate, the Director of Finance be authorised to finalise and enter into all legal agreements required to implement the above decisions.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning.

1)    That the Altrincham BID Proposal be endorsed on the basis that it does not conflict with any policy formally adopted by and contained in a document published by the authority.

2)    That Democratic and Performance Services formally manage the ballot process in accordance with the BID regulations.

3)    That Exchequer Services, subject to a ‘yes’ vote at ballot, manages the billing and collection of the BID levy, and its transfer to the BID Company.

4)    That payment of the one-off purchase cost of software to collect the BID levy be agreed.

5)    That the Corporate Director for Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure be authorised, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, to prepare and enter into the appropriate legal agreements (including but not limited to a suitable operating agreement) to give effect to the above.

5) That the Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning be authorised in consultation with the Corporate Director for Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure to cast vote(s) in the event of a BID ballot.

6) That the Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning be authorised to be the Council’s representative on the BID Company Board of Directors and that he be authorised to cast votes on the BID Board following prior consultation with the Corporate Director for Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure.

The Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning submitted a report providing an update on progress to deliver a Business Improvement District (BID) in Altrincham, seeking endorsement of the Altrincham BID proposal and approval to manage the ballot and collect the BID Levy. Members were advised that the Altrincham BID Proposal did not conflict with current published Council policies.

            RESOLVED -

(1)       That the Altrincham BID Proposal be endorsed on the basis that it does not conflict with any policy formally adopted by and contained in a document published by the authority.

(2)       That Democratic and Performance Services formally manage the ballot process in accordance with the BID regulations.

(3)       That Exchequer Services, subject to a ‘yes’ vote at ballot, manages the billing and collection of the BID levy, and its transfer to the BID Company.

(4)       That payment of the one-off purchase cost of software to collect the BID levy be agreed.

(5)       That the Corporate Director for Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure be authorised, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, to prepare and enter into the appropriate legal agreements (including but not limited to a suitable operating agreement) to give effect to the above.

(5)       That the Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning be authorised in consultation with the Corporate Director for Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure to cast vote(s) in the event of a BID ballot.

(6)       That the Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning be authorised to be the Council’s representative on the BID Company Board of Directors and that he be authorised to cast votes on the BID Board following prior consultation with the Corporate Director for Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning.

1. That the ‘Markets Policy’, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

2. That the next steps contained within section 4.0 of the report, which requires the development of the application process and the establishment of a charging schedule on the basis outlined in the report, be noted.

The Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning submitted a report setting out a proposal to implement a Markets Policy, the legal context for such a policy, and details of the proposed application and sign off processes.

            RESOLVED -

(1)       That the ‘Markets Policy’, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

(2)       That the next steps contained within section 4.0 of the report, which requires the development of the application process and the establishment of a charging schedule on the basis outlined in the report, be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Director of Legal & Democratic Services.

NOTE: In accordance with the Constitutional procedure, the Executive, Scrutiny and Standards Committees are being asked to review and endorse the CPRs prior to referral to Council for incorporation within the Constitution.

1. That the contents of the report and the proposed CPRs be noted.

2. That the establishment of a working group to review and recommend new Directorate financial schemes of delegation be noted.

3. That it be recommended to Council that it approves the incorporation of the revised CPR’s in the Council’s Constitution and authorises the Director of Legal and Democratic Services to make the necessary amendments to the Constitution.

The Executive Member for Finance and Director of Legal and Democratic Services submitted a report which set out the background to the harmonisation of the CPRs for Stockport, Trafford and Rochdale, and highlighted the main changes to the Council’s existing CPRs. The CPRs had been approved by the STaR Joint Committee on 22nd April 2015, and were being referred to the Executive as part of the process prior to incorporation into the Council’s Constitution.

            RESOLVED -

(1)       That the contents of the report and the proposed CPRs be noted.

(2)       That the establishment of a working group to review and recommend new Directorate financial schemes of delegation be noted.

(3)       That it be recommended to Council that it approves the incorporation of the revised CPR’s in the Council’s Constitution and authorises the Director of Legal and Democratic Services to make the necessary amendments to the Constitution.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Transformation and Resources and Acting Corporate Director Transformation and Resources.

That the content of the Annual Delivery Plan 2015/16 be agreed.

The Executive Member for Transformation and Resources submitted a report presenting for agreement the 2015/16 Annual Delivery Plan, a document at the heart of the Council’s performance management framework, and designed to deliver the Council’s corporate priorities. The plan contained priority actions to be delivered over the coming year and the indicators which would be used to measure performance. An opportunity was provided for Members to raise questions regarding the content of the report.

RESOLVED - That the content of the Annual Delivery Plan 2015/16 be agreed.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Transformation and Resources and Acting Corporate Director Transformation and Resources.

The Executive Member for Transformation and Resources submitted a report setting out for information details of performance against the Council’s 2014/15 Annual Delivery Plan. An opportunity was provided for Members to raise questions regarding the content of the report. In response to a query regarding the Sport and Leisure Strategy, the Leader advised that the Council was proceeding in accordance with the statement previously issued, and that a further update would be provided to Council in due course

RESOLVED - That the content of the Annual Delivery Plan 2015/16 be agreed.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance.

1. That the pre-audited outturn be noted.

2. That the £(1.067)m underspend in Children, Families & Wellbeing be transferred to the General Reserve.

3. That an earmarked reserve of £400k is established in respect of the Better Care Fund.

4. That the General Reserve and Collection Fund balances and commitments be noted and confirmed.

The Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance submitted a report setting out the pre-audit outturn position in relation to the monitoring of the Council’s Revenue Budget for 2014/15. An opportunity was provided for Members to ask questions on the content of the report. In response to a query regarding adoption levels, the Executive Member advised that the Council’s policy remained unchanged, but that its practical application had needed to respond to changes in the legal environment as interpreted by the courts.

            RESOLVED -

(1)       That the pre-audited outturn be noted.

(2)       That the £(1.067)m underspend in Children, Families & Wellbeing be transferred to the General Reserve.

(3)       That an earmarked reserve of £400k is established in respect of the Better Care Fund.

(4)       That the General Reserve and Collection Fund balances and commitments be noted and confirmed.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance.

1. That the content of the summary report be noted.

2. That the changes to the 2015/18 Programme be approved.

3. That approval be given to the additional expenditure, listed in Appendix B to the report, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule No. 4.

4. That the outturn of the prudential indicators for 2014/15 as set out in paragraph 14 and Appendix C to the report be noted.

The Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance submitted a report summarising the outturn position in relation to the monitoring of the Council’s Capital Investment Programme for 2014/15 and the consequential impact on the Medium Term Financial Plan 2015/18. An opportunity was provided for Members to ask questions on the content of the report.

            RESOLVED -

(1)       That the content of the summary report be noted.

(2)       That the changes to the 2015/18 Programme be approved.

(3)       That approval be given to the additional expenditure, listed in Appendix B to the report, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule No. 4.

(4)       That the outturn of the prudential indicators for 2014/15 as set out in paragraph 14 and Appendix C to the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance.

The Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance submitted a report setting out details of Treasury Management Performance for the year 2014/15. In the course of discussion Members requested that thanks be accorded to the Treasury Management team in respect of performance achieved during the year.

            RESOLVED – That Council be advised:

(1)       of the Treasury Management activities undertaken in 2014/15;

(2)       that no prudential limits were breached during 2014/15;

(3)       that both the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management and CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance were fully complied with.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance.

That the following elements be recommended to Council for approval:-

·      inclusion of the Local Authorities Property Investment fund into the current Investment strategy,

·      maximum duration funds can be placed in an investment instrument be extended from 3 years to 10 years however this extension only applies to monies placed in this fund,

·    maximum level of funds to be placed into this fund be set at £10m,

·   the Prudential indicator for Upper limit for sums invested over 364 days be  amended from £60m 2015/16, £60m 2016/17 & £50m 2017/18 to £70m 2015/16, £70m 2016/17 & £60m 2017/18 and a new category be incorporated under the existing Investment criteria as detailed at Appendix A to the report.

The Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance submitted a report outlining a request for a new investment instrument to be added to those currently permitted to be used as outlined in the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy approved on 18 February 2015, to improve the potential for an increase in investment income to be generated.

RESOLVED – That the following elements be recommended to Council for approval:-

·      inclusion of the Local Authorities Property Investment fund into the current Investment strategy,

·      maximum duration funds can be placed in an investment instrument be extended from 3 years to 10 years however this extension only applies to monies placed in this fund,

·    maximum level of funds to be placed into this fund be set at £10m,

·   the Prudential indicator for Upper limit for sums invested over 364 days be  amended from £60m 2015/16, £60m 2016/17 & £50m 2017/18 to £70m 2015/16, £70m 2016/17 & £60m 2017/18 and a new category be incorporated under the existing Investment criteria as detailed at Appendix A to the report.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

1.    That approval be given to the appointment of representatives to those outside and independent bodies set out in the Appendix to the report.

2.    That the Chief Executive be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Opposition Group Leader(s) if necessary, to appoint members to any outside body vacancy that remains or arises after the meeting and to any additional bodies to which the Executive may be required to make appointment(s).

The Chief Executive submitted a report seeking agreement to the appointment of representatives to those outside and independent bodies whose activities relate to Executive functions.

            RESOLVED -

(1)       That approval be given to the appointment of representatives to those outside and independent bodies set out in the Appendix to the report.

(2)       That the Chief Executive be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Opposition Group Leader(s) if necessary, to appoint members to any outside body vacancy that remains or arises after the meeting and to any additional bodies to which the Executive may be required to make appointment(s).

To receive the following, for information:

The Executive received for information details of decisions made by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and by the Joint GMCA and AGMA Executive, on 27^th March and on 29^th May 2015, and of the GMCA and Joint GMCA / AGMA Forward Plans covering the period May to August 2015.

RESOLVED – That the content of the decision summaries and forward plans be noted.

Motion   (Which may be amended as Members think fit):

            That the public be excluded from this meeting during consideration of the remaining items on the agenda, because of the likelihood of disclosure of “exempt information” which falls within one or more descriptive category or categories of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, as amended by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, and specified on the agenda item or report relating to each such item respectively.

RESOLVED - That the public be excluded from this meeting during consideration of the remaining items on the agenda, because of the likelihood of disclosure of “exempt information” which falls within one or more descriptive category or categories of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, as amended by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, and specified on the agenda item or report relating to each such item respectively.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning.

[NOTE: A related report is to be considered in Part I of the agenda.]

The Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning submitted a report providing supplementary financial information in relation to the Land Sales Programme for 2015/16 and beyond. All decisions relating to this item were taken in Part I of the agenda. (Minute 5 refers.)