SALFORD CITY COUNCIL

11th June, 2014

Meeting commenced: 9.30 a.m. “ ended: 11.40 a.m.

PRESENT: Councillor Alan Clague (Ceremonial Mayor) - in the Chair

Mr Ian Stewart - City Mayor

Councillors Derek Antrobus, Howard Balkind Neil Blower, Adrian Brocklehurst, Eric Burgoyne, Val Burgoyne, Andy Cheetham, Christopher Clarkson, Stephen Coen, Jillian Collinson, Graham Compton, Peter Connor, Richard Critchley, Jim Dawson, Paul Dennett, Sareda Dirir, Peter Dobbs, John Ferguson, Karen Garrido, Jane Hamilton, Stephen Hesling, Bill Hinds, Ann-Marie Humphreys, Jimmy Hunt, David Jolley, Roger Jones, Joe Kean, Tracy Kelly, Jim King, David Lancaster, Bernard Lea, Iain Lindley, Charlie McIntyre, Ray Mashiter, Gena Merrett, John Merry, Margaret Morris, Joe Murphy, Stephen Ord, Bernard Pennington, Sue Pugh, Gina Reynolds, John Walsh, John Warmisham, Barry Warner, Michael Wheeler, Peter Wheeler, George Wilson, Paul Wilson and Ronnie Wilson

80. URGENT ITEMS OF WHICH THE CHAIR HAS BEEN NOTIFIED

The Chair indicated that he had not been notified of any urgent items.

81. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Paula Boshell, Robin Garrido, John Mullen, Michelle Mullen, Brendan Ryan, Pat Ryan, Lisa Stone and Les Turner.

82. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

83. MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

The minutes of the meetings held on 19th March and 14th April, 2014, were approved as correct records.

84. RECEIPT OF PETITIONS/COMMUNICATIONS

Councillor Sue Pugh submitted a petition on behalf of residents of Swinton Park Road and Delamere Avenue, o’ th’ Heights, seeking action regarding the lack of any speed control on roads in the area, as well as congestion caused particularly by parents dropping off and collecting children from local schools.

R:status\admin\omin\councilm110614 Councillor Adrian Brocklehurst submitted a petition on behalf of local residents objecting to the proposed closure of St. Paul’s Heathside Grove Children’s Centre, Walkden.

Councillor Joe Kean submitted a petition on behalf of local residents seeking the retention of the Irlam and Cadishead Surestart Centres.

85. PUBLIC QUESTIONS

The following question was received from a member of the public:-

Salford Children’s Holiday Camp

Karl Davison, on behalf of Nick Abbott, asked:-

“I am a member of the Save the Jam Butty Camp Campaign. Our members have e-mailed every ward councillor and the City Mayor for many weeks and await answers to many questions:-

1. We call for an urgent inquiry into the management of the Camp, as the trustees are not meeting their charitable objectives and letting the children of Salford down. 2. Why will the City Mayor not respond to the members of this group, having rallied the community, local businesses, schools and voluntary groups like no other cause in recent years and showing the true Spirit of Salford?”

The City Mayor said the Board of Trustees were the sole responsible body for the Children’s Holiday Camp and he accepted that the future of the Salford Children’s Holiday Camp was an emotive issue, which clearly many citizens had an interest in. He was confident that the Board of Trustees, who were responsible for the Camp’s management, were acting appropriately and ensuring the deeds of the charity were being met. The issue had already been referred to the Charity Commission and the City Council would be happy to take part in any investigations they may undertake, or subsequent inquiry. He concluded by saying that he was impressed by the community campaign which had been mounted by supporters of the Camp and suggested that they and all other interested parties, along with the Board of Trustees, needed to come together to bring about a hopefully mutually acceptable conclusion. He concluded by again advising the campaign supporters to transfer all money raised in relation to the Children’s Holiday Camp to the Board of Trustees who were the legally responsible body.

Karl Davison responded by saying that, although what the City Mayor had said was acknowledged and members of the campaign had met with the Board of Trustees, it was felt their concerns, particularly their objections to the closure of the Camp, had not been fully recognised. In addition they had misgivings about the accuracy of attendance figures at the Camp, which had been provided by the Board. The City Mayor reiterated that rather than the City Council, these were all issues which were the responsibility of the Board of Trustees and encouraged the Save the Jam Butty Camp Campaign to engage with them.

R:status\admin\omin\councilm110614 Mental Health Services in Salford

A member of the public sought to ask a question in relation the provision of mental health services in Salford. The Monitoring Officer indicated that the question had not been received 12 days in advance of the meeting, as was required by the City Council’s Constitution and therefore could not be asked today, but it would be considered for inclusion on the agenda for the next meeting.

86. URGENT KEY DECISIONS

The City Mayor submitted a report detailing key decisions which had been taken in the period up to May, 2014, in accordance with the urgency provisions contained within the City Council’s Constitution.

RESOLVED: THAT the report be noted.

87. EUROPEAN AND LOCAL ELECTIONS RESULTS 2014

The Returning Officer submitted a report detailing the results of both the European and Local Elections, which had been held on Thursday, 22nd May, 2014.

RESOLVED: THAT the report be noted.

88. MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES AND PANELS AND THE APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRS AND DEPUTY CHAIRS FOR THE MUNICIPAL YEAR 2014/15 INCLUDING THE COUNCIL AGENDA SETTING GROUP

The City Mayor submitted a report containing details of the membership of committees for the Municipal Year 2014/15.

It was reported that Councillor Graham Compton and Councillor Karen Garrido would take up the two opposition group places on the Equal Opportunities Forum.

RESOLVED: THAT the membership of the committees and panels and the appointments of chairs and deputy chairs, as detailed in the report and subject to the amendments highlighted above, be noted.

89. APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES.

The City Mayor submitted a report containing details of appointments to outside bodies and of nominations and appointments to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)/Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA).

RESOLVED: (1) THAT the GMCA/AGMA appointments and nominations of the City Council, as detailed on pages 3 to 6 of the report now submitted, be approved.

(2) THAT the GMCA/AGMA nominations and appointments of the City Mayor and detailed on pages 7 to 10 of the report now submitted, be noted.

R:status\admin\omin\councilm110614 (3) THAT appointments made by GMCA/AGMA, as detailed on page 11 of the report now submitted, with the exception of that to the North West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, which not be taken up, be noted.

(4) THAT the non GMCA and non AGMA nominations and appointments of the City Council as detailed on pages 12 to 14 of the report now submitted, be approved.

90. SALFORD COMMUNITY SAFETY STRATEGY

The Deputy City Mayor submitted a report summarising the development of the Salford Community Safety Strategy and how progress on its delivery would be reported.

RESOLVED: THAT the report be noted and the Salford Community Safety Strategy, be endorsed.

91. COUNCIL CONSTITUTION (Previous Minute 68 - 19th March, 2014)

The Deputy Monitoring Officer submitted a report detailing amendments to the following sections of the City Council’s Constitution:-

 Part 3 Responsibility for Council Functions Section C - Planning and Transportation Regulatory Panel  Part 3 Responsibility for Council Functions Section F - Scheme of Delegation of the Council’s Non Executive Functions to Chief Officers and List of Salford City Council’s Statutory and Proper Officers  Part 6 Section B - Planning Protocol for Members and Officers

Councillor Iain Lindley referred to the sections relating to the procedures for the referral of planning applications to the Planning and Transportation Regulatory Panel by elected members (Part 3 Section C Paragraph 1(ii)(d)) and the taking of decisions on planning matters, which were contrary to officer recommendations (Part 6 Section B Paragraph 13). He said it was felt these both reduced the influence backbench members had and as a result the Conservative Opposition Group could not give their support to these particular sections of the proposed Constitution.

Councillor Derek Antrobus, Assistant Mayor for Strategic Planning, replied that the procedures now submitted did not represent any restriction on the influence of elected members and merely clarified existing practices, with regard to the referral of applications to the Panel for determination. Similarly the requirement for decisions contrary to officer recommendation, to be clear and convincing, was in compliance with existing planning legislation and would guard the City Council from being open to legal challenge.

Councillor Ray Mashiter, Chair of the Planning and Transportation Regulatory Panel, commented that he felt the procedures would ensure transparency and allow for a robust decision making process when the Panel was determining planning applications.

R:status\admin\omin\councilm110614 RESOLVED: (1) THAT, subject to (2) below the City Council’s Constitution be readopted as amended by (a) the revisions now submitted to Sections C (ii)(d) and F of Part 3 Responsibility for Council Functions, (b) the inclusion of Part 6 Section B - Planning Protocol for Members and Officers and (c) all references to the Council’s “Chief Executive” being replaced with “Council Director”.

(2) THAT, in relation to Part 3 Responsibility for Council Functions, the discharge of executive functions and responsibility for their delegation rests with the City Mayor, be noted.

92. SENIOR MANAGER REMUNERATION

The Assistant Director (Human Resources) submitted a report seeking approval, in accordance with Section 40 of the Localism Act 2011 and the City Council’s Constitution, to two new appointments whose remuneration was to be greater than £100,000.

RESOLVED: THAT approval be given to the salary ranges respectively indicated for the following posts:-

 Strategic Director for Children’s Services (£93,540 to £115,761)  Director of Public Health (£93,540 to £100,950)

93. CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 2014/15

Submitted, the proposed schedule of City Council meetings for 2014/15.

RESOLVED: (1) THAT approval be given to the following schedule of dates for City Council meetings during the Municipal Year 2014/15:-

Wednesday, 16th July, 2014 Wednesday, 17th September, 2014 Wednesday, 19th November, 2014 Wednesday, 21st January, 2015 Wednesday, 18th February, 2015 Wednesday, 18th March, 2015 Wednesday, 20th May, 2015 (all commencing at 9.30 am and to be held at Salford Civic Centre)

(2) THAT outcome of the Scrutiny Review and membership of scrutiny committees are to be considered at the City Council meeting to be held on 16th July, 2014, be noted.

94. STATEMENT OF THE CITY MAYOR

The City Mayor made a number of announcements, highlighted issues and reported on some of the key areas of work he had been involved with since the last meeting of the Council as follows:-

R:status\admin\omin\councilm110614 (a) Councillor Tanya Burch and Councillor Jane Hamilton were both welcomed to their first meeting of the City Council, following their election as members for respectively the and wards. Congratulations were also extended to those returning Councillors, who had been successful in the recent Local Elections.

(b) Thanks and best wishes were extended to Nick Page who was attending his last meeting of the City Council, prior to taking up his new position as Chief Executive of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. Particular reference was made to the work of Nick and his team in improving child safeguarding in Salford. Councillor Jillian Collinson, on behalf of the Conservative Opposition Group, added her own thanks and best wishes for the future.

(c) Congratulations were extended to Councillor Lisa Stone and her husband Jonny on the birth of their son Jacob.

(d) A successful event was organised by the City Council to encourage the regeneration of Salford through investment had been held at The Landing.

(e) He had attended the opening of the new Aldi store in Pendleton.

(f) The City Mayor attended and spoke at an event organised by the TUC (Trades Union Congress) promoting and encouraging employers to adopt the living wage.

(g) He had attended the Salford Police Cadets passing out parade at Salford Civic Centre on 23rd May, 2014.

(h) The impact of H.M. Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) was continuing to be realised. With further reductions in funding anticipated, by 2017 the City Council’s budget could be reduced by up to two thirds of what it had been in 2010. It was important to engage with government ministers to make them aware the negative impact this would have on Salford and its citizens so this could be minimised.

(i) The Salford Business Awards had been held at the A.J. Bell Stadium on 5th June, 2014. This was a joint event organised by the City Council, Salford University, Business Group Salford and the local business community and showcased the economic vitality and entrepreneurial talent of the City.

(j) The Spirit of Salford Weekender had been held from 31st May to 1st June, 2014. This had been an extremely successful and well attended event and had also been an opportunity to open up Salford Civic Centre to the local community.

(k) Work was continuing with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and other agencies and partners, with regard to the impact of ongoing welfare reforms and mitigate the negative effects of these on some of Salford’s most vulnerable residents.

R:status\admin\omin\councilm110614 (l) The demographics of Salford continued to change. Until 2000 the City’s population had been declining, this was now predicted to rise by 9% by 2020. Similarly the economic development of the City was projected to rise by 8% in the same period. These presented fantastic opportunities and challenges for the Salford and the City Council would be working with its partners to create the infrastructures to accommodate this growth. It was essential that the benefits of this were used to improve the environment of the City and its neighbourhoods, together with the quality of life of its residents.

96. GENERAL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS TO THE CITY MAYOR AND ASSISTANT MAYORS

Q1. Councillor Stephen Ord referred to statements which had been made by the Conservative Party during the recent local election campaign, questioning the value of the Working Class Movement Library, which was based in Salford and the benefits it provided to the City and its residents.

The City Mayor said that although there would always be difference of opinion between political groups, but any statements presented during an election campaign which were believed to be untruthful, needed to be challenged. He continued by saying the Working Class Movement Library was a valued asset to the City, which was open to the public and recognised both nationally and internationally, as an important research and archive facility. He encouraged all Councillors to visit the Library.

Q2. Councillor Sue Pugh referred to fly tipping, which was becoming an ever increasing problem in the and wards and asked what was being done to address this.

Councillor David Lancaster, Deputy City Mayor, replied that fly tipping was a major problem for Salford, with 3,772 such incidents reported in the last 12 months, with many committed by people who lived outside the City. Stiff financial penalties and CCTV (closed circuit television) were being used to combat the problem, but it was important for local residents to report incidents so enforcement and preventative action could be taken.

Q3. Councillor Adrian Brocklehurst referred to the Empty Homes Team and asked what benefits their activities had provided.

Councillor Gena Merrett, Assistant Mayor for Housing and Environment, said the Empty Homes Team had been established in 2011 and had significantly reduced the number of void properties in the City by bringing them back into use. This in turn had many benefits, most notably improving the appearance and revitalising the areas concerned. In addition there were financial benefits for the City through increased council tax receipts and new home bonus monies. The Team also undertook an active role in the recovery of council tax debts. She expressed thanks to John Wooderson, Head of Service - Urban Renewal and members of the Team for their work.

R:status\admin\omin\councilm110614 Q4. Councillor Jane Hamilton expressed congratulations to the Biospheric Project which had recently been shortlisted for an award.

Councillor Derek Antrobus, Assistant Mayor for Strategic Planning, also added to these congratulations and paid tribute to Vincent Walsh who was the director of the Biospheric Project which was located in the Blackfriars area of the City. He said the project had been at the forefront of encouraging community interest and involvement in ecological issues and activities, as well as playing an important role in Salford’s commitment to be a sustainable city.

Q5. Councillor Charlie McIntyre referred to the ongoing consultation with regard to Surestart Centres in Salford. In particular he asked whether the focus groups held the wards in the east of the City, would take into account the ethnic diversity of the population which existed there. He also asked whether details could be provided on the issues raised and attendance figures for the focus groups.

The City Mayor replied that the outcomes of the consultation exercise, including the focus groups, would be essential to the decisions about the future operation of the Surestart Centres. He said there was a commitment to maintain Surestart services, although there may be changes in the manner they were delivered and the premises they operated from.

Councillor John Merry, Assistant Mayor for Services for Children and Young People, commented that he had personally met with many service users and reiterated that the intention was not to withdraw Surestart services from any area of the City. He said the consultation process ran until 30th June, 2014 and during which, essential information would be gathered on which a decision on the manner of the future delivery of services could be based and ensure the needs of all existing and future users continued to be met.

Q6. Councillor Gina Reynolds referred to the Pendleton PFI (Private Finance Initiative) and asked how this major project was managed to ensure the deadlines for its delivery were kept.

Councillor Gena Merrett, Assistant Mayor for Housing and Environment, said the project was overseen by the Pendleton Together Team, who undertook detailed monitoring, on which she was provided with regular updates. Delivery of the various elements of the programme were performance led, with financial penalties imposed if these were not met. To date, significant new employment and training opportunities had be created by the Pendleton PFI Project, as well as 30 new homes, which would be available for occupation soon.

R:status\admin\omin\councilm110614 97. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THE DISCHARGE OF FUNCTIONS OF JOINT AUTHORITIES AND OUTSIDE BODIES

(a) City West Board

Councillor Joe Kean commented that Councillor Jim Dawson would no longer be continuing as a member of the City West Board. He paid tribute to the work and commitment he had provided to the Board since it had been established.

Councillor Iain Lindley welcomed the many new homes City West had created in and hoped this would continue.

(b) Salford Community Stadium Limited

Councillor David Lancaster, Deputy City Mayor and the Deputy Director of Environment and Community Safety submitted a joint report detailing the operation and future development plans for the A.J. Bell Stadium.

Councillor Andy Cheetham said he welcomed the report, but it failed to provide any detailed financial information, particularly when the stadium’s operation was likely to break even and whether the City Council and the Peel Group would be providing further financial support. Councillor David Lancaster said it was not possible to provide such information at the present time due to reasons of commercial confidentiality, but the company’s financial accounts would be made available as normal in due course. He commented that the current road works around the ground had impacted on the deadlines for the sale of adjacent packages of land, which were an integral part of the stadium’s business plan.

Councillor Bernard Lea suggested that the pricing policy for alcohol at the A.J. Bell Stadium could deter spectators, particularly those interested in corporate hospitality packages. Councillor David Lancaster said the catering functions at the stadium were contracted out and it was felt the charges made for alcoholic refreshments were in line with those of other comparable venues, however he would raise this issue with the company’s board.

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