To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Anstee, Dutton, Holly, Hornby, Joinson, Mir, Nickson, Robinson, Taylor and Donna Williams.

Members are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary, personal or personal and prejudicial interests they may have and the nature of those interests relating to items on this agenda and/or indicate if S106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.  

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider the Minutes of the meeting of Council held 19^th May 2021

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 19^th May 2021 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

To receive petitions and questions from members of the public, where these have been received in accordance with the Petitions Scheme and/or Council Procedure Rules.

There were no submitted questions or petitions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule CP2, the Mayor advised that Agenda Item 7, Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan Document, would be considered first on the Agenda.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Economy and Communications.

Appendix 2 to the report – The Plan – can be viewed via the following link to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority website

https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning-and-housing/places-for-everyone/the-plan/

The Council was informed that following the withdrawal of Stockport Council from the production of the Greater Manchester Plan for Jobs, Homes & the Environment, the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, the AGMA Executive Board agreed to consider producing a joint Development Plan Document (DPD) of the nine remaining Greater Manchester (GM) districts.

Earlier this year, the 9 Councils approved the setting up of a Joint Committee

to progress the Joint Development Plan document, to be known as ‘Places for

Everyone’.

The report sets out the process that had been undertaken to date, the content

of the plan and the next steps. Specifically the report sought approval to undertake a Regulation 19 consultation on the plan and, following that consultation, approval to submit the plan to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

The Motion as moved and seconded was then voted upon by means of a recorded vote.

Voting for the motion: Councillors Ali Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shakil Ahmed, Daalat Ali, Sultan Ali, Blundell, Brett, Burke, Cocks, Dale, Neil Emmott, Susan Emmott, Faisal, Heakin, Hussain, Martin, Rachel Massey, Philip Massey, Meredith, Nolan, O’Neill, O’Rourke, Rana, Rowbotham, Rush, Susan Smith, Terry Smith, Wardle, West, Wazir, Peter Williams, Wraighte, Zaheer and Zaman.

Voting against the motion: Councillors Bamford, Besford, Beswick, Davidson, Dearnley, Emsley, Gartside, Hartley, Kelly McCarthy, Paolucci, Sheerin, Angela Smith, Sullivan, Winkler and Rashid.

Resolved:

That the Places for Everyone Publication Plan 2021 be approved for submission to the Secretary of State for examination following the period for representation

To consider Motions submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.

a.     Motion One - Support for the England Football Team

To be moved by Councillor Meredith and seconded by Councillor Nolan

“This Council is requested to sends it’s thanks to the England team for bringing hope and unity to the Borough during Euro 2020 in what has been a tough year for everyone.

The Council recognises not only the achievement of this England team, performing better than any other men's football team since 1966, but we also recognise the professionalism and inclusivity of this squad of players, many of whom have shown their dedication to Britain through their personal charity work. Their actions on and off the pitch, have inspired millions across the nation.

The Council is in complete solidarity with those players facing abuse and discrimination, and utterly condemns any form of racism. Rochdale is a borough that is known historically for its inclusivity and diversity and we are proud of this.”

b.     Motion Two - Solidarity with the Leader of Oldham Council

To be moved by Councillor Wraighte and seconded by Councillor Sameena Zaheer

“The Council is asked to note that women in public life - and especially women of colour - are routinely the targets of unacceptable behaviour and abuse, which is often aimed at silencing women's voices. The violence is never acceptable, and that those who serve the public should not have to carry out their work while being intimidated by thugs.

The Council is therefore asked to resolve:-

 i)  To condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the recent arson attack on the Leader of Oldham Council, Councillor Arooj Shah.

 ii) To continue to work alongside the police and criminal justice system, in our own Borough, to protect victims and prevent violence and harassment.

 iii) To instruct the Chief Executive of Rochdale Council to see what more we can do, as a Council, to tackle attitudes that foster gender-based abuse and violence ant to write to the Chief Executive and Leader of Oldham Council to make clear that we stand in solidarity with them against this attack, and that we will fully support Oldham Council and its Leader on this issue in any way we can.”

c.     Motion Three - Masks in public

To be moved by Councillor Daalat Ali and seconded by Councillor Pat Dale

“This Council notes that there is overwhelming scientific evidence that makes help prevent the spread of Covid-19. The council also notes the 'Delta' variant of Covid-19 is currently increasing across the country. 

In light of this, the council urges the government to reverse its decision to drop the mandatory mask mandate that has kept the public safe for the last year.

The council is requested to authorise the Chief Executive to write to the government to make this position clear.”

d.    Motion Four – Planning Processes

To be moved by Councillor Dearnley and seconded by Councillor Taylor

“This council believes that planning works best for local residents when  ...  view the full agenda text for item 19.

It was MOVED by Councillor Meredith and seconded by Councillor Nolan that:

“This Council is requested to sends it’s thanks to the England team for bringing hope and unity to the Borough during Euro 2020 in what has been a tough year for everyone.

The Council recognises not only the achievement of this England team, performing better than any other men's football team since 1966, but we also recognise the professionalism and inclusivity of this squad of players, many of whom have shown their dedication to Britain through their personal charity work. Their actions on and off the pitch, have inspired millions across the nation.

The Council is in complete solidarity with those players facing abuse and discrimination, and utterly condemns any form of racism.

Rochdale is a borough that is known historically for its inclusivity and diversity and we are proud of this.”

On being put the vote, the motion was carried and it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was MOVED by Councillor Wraighte and seconded by Councillor Zaheer that:

“The Council is asked to note that women in public life - and especially women of colour - are routinely the targets of unacceptable behaviour and abuse, which is often aimed at silencing women's voices. The violence is never acceptable, and that those who serve the public should not have to carry out their work while being intimidated by thugs.

The Council is therefore asked to resolve:-

i) To condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the recent arson attack on the Leader of Oldham Council, Councillor Arooj Shah.

ii) To continue to work alongside the police and criminal justice system, in our own Borough, to protect victims and prevent violence and harassment.

iii) To instruct the Chief Executive of Rochdale Council to see what more we can do, as a Council, to tackle attitudes that foster gender based abuse and violence ant to write to the Chief Executive and Leader of Oldham Council to make clear that we stand in solidarity with them against this attack, and that we will fully support Oldham Council and its Leader on this issue in any way we can.”

On being put the vote, the motion was carried and it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was MOVED by Councillor Brett and seconded by Councillor Dale that:

“This Council notes that there is overwhelming scientific evidence that masks help prevent the spread of Covid-19. The council also notes the 'Delta' variant of Covid-19 is currently increasing across the country.

In light of this, the council urges the government to reverse its decision to drop the mandatory mask mandate that has kept the public safe for the last year.

The council is requested to authorise the Chief Executive to write to the government to make this position clear.”

On being put the vote, the motion was carried and it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was MOVED by Councillor Dearnley and seconded by Councillor Sullivan that:

“This council believes that planning works best for local residents when developers and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

To review the political balance of the Council and to advice of necessary changes to the appointments of committees.

The Council was informed of the results of a review of the political balance of the Council and advised of the necessary changes to the appointments to committees.

Resolved:

1.    That Councillor McCarthy be appointed to the Planning and Licencing Committee in place of Councillor Nolan;

2.    That the amendments to appointments to Committees, shadow Portfolio’s and outside bodies be noted.

To confirm the appointment of Director of Children’s Services – Chief Executive to report

The Council were informed that the current Director of Children’s Services will be retiring from the Council at the end of July 2021. The role also incorporates the statutory function of the Director of Children’s Services. The Council was required to appoint a Council officer to discharge this statutory function.

Resolved:

1.    That Sharon Hubber be appointed as the Council’s Director of Children’s Services in accordance with Section 6 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 with effect from 23rd August 2021;

2.    That Julia Hassall (Assistant Director Children’s Social Care) be appointed as Interim Director of Children’s Services between 1st August and the date of Sharon Hubber’s appointment.

To receive quarterly reports from Members of the Cabinet, Chairs of Township Committees and Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committees and to permit questions from Members of the Council.

Members presented their Quarterly Reports responding to questions and remarks from Members of the Council:-

·         The Leader of the Council;

·         Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health;

·         Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Change and

Sustainability;

·         Cabinet Member for Economy and Communications;

·         Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate;

·         Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Wellbeing;

·         Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education;

·         Cabinet Member for Communities and Cooperation;

·         Cabinet Member for Environment and Facilities;

·         Cabinet Member for Highways and Housing;

Resolved:

That the reports be noted.