Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 22 January 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Ian Roberts

The Chair informed the Committee that Co-opted Member, Ian Roberts had resigned due to ill-health and wanted to place on record the Committee’s thanks and best wishes to Ian Roberts during this time.

The Chair also welcomed on the Committee the newly appointed Co-opted Member, Oliver Harrison.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

Representatives of Stockport College will attend the meeting and make a presentation.

Members of the Student Equalities Council from Stockport College attended the meeting and made a presentation to the Scrutiny Committee in relation to the climate change emergency and the following key drivers for change: -

·         Ecosystems

·         Fossil Fuels

·         Air Pollution

·         Traffic Pollution

·         Plastic Pollution

·         Water Waste

·         Ocean Pollution

Members of the Student Equalities Council highlighted a number of problems associated with each of the key drivers for change, but also provided possible solutions and actions to change peoples’ lifestyles and day to day practices.

There was a general agreement with the proposed actions and solutions identified by Members of the Equalities Council with the Committee confirming that the information would be communicated to the Climate Action Now (CAN) taskforce that had been set up by Stockport Council in order that they might be able to consider their proposals.

RESOLVED – (1) That the members of the Student Equalities Council be thanked for their attendance and presentation.

(2) That members of the Student Equalities Council be invited to speak to the CAN taskforce and make representation regarding the climate change emergency.

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Director Children Services. 

The report outlines the business case for the proposal to TUPE staff currently employed across four partner local authorities to Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to approve the proposal in principal subject to all parties agreeing to the revised Integrated Services Agreements and schedules.

Officer contact: Sue Westwood on 0161 474 2726 or by email on sue.westwood@stockport.gov.uk

A report of the Director for Children Services was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the business case for the proposal to TUPE staff currently employed across four partner local authorities to Stockport.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education (Councillor Colin Foster) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         Clarification was sought regarding whether there was any financial benefit to Stockport Council in the proposal. In response, it was commented that in the proposal Trafford Council would pay for the transfer costs and salaries of staff involved in the TUPE and Stockport Council would only be paying for the activities related to Stockport.

·         Members expressed concerns regarding what would happen if one of the authorities left the partnership. In response, it was commented that as part of the partnership agreement, local authorities were required to give twelve months’ notice in advance and their staff would be TUPED back to their own local authority.

·         It was noted that staff within the service were currently split across three sites outside Stockport and it was queried whether consideration had been given to co-locating the service within one location in Stockport. In response, it was stated that consideration had been given to co-locating staff, however, such a site would need to be centrally located within the geographic cluster of local authorities that were participating in the regional adoption agency. It was stated that at the time this was originally considered, there was no single, suitable site within the Borough that could accommodate the service.

The Committee were informed that all staff could join Trade Unions and access advice from their local authorities and that around 98% of staff received their first choice of site and other staff have not moved sites, but there has been a 50% turnover since 2017.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet be recommended to give approval in principal to the proposal subject to all parties agreeing to the revised Integrated Services Agreement and schedules.  

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration. 

The report provides an update on implementation of the Active Communities Strategy which was approved by Cabinet in June 2019.

This report also seeks approval for a new approach to a delivery partnership within the Active Communities Strategy following the end of current arrangements with Life Leisure in March 2022 and authorisation to commence the pre-procurement process.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the update and approach proposed above.

Officer contact: Jennifer Connolly on 0161 474 2442 or Paul Richards on 0161 474 2940 or by email on jennifer.connolly@stockport.gov.uk or  paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

A report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the implementation of the Active Communities Strategy which was approved by Cabinet in June 2019.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education (Councillor Colin Foster) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee was informed that the report sought approval for a new approach to a delivery partnership within the Active Communities Strategy following the end of current arrangements with Life Leisure in March 2022 and authorisation to commence the pre-procurement process.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.                                                          

The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the information in the report and put forward any agenda items for future meetings of the Committee.

Officer contact: Charles Yankiah,   0161 474 3206, charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

(1)  The Committee were provided with an update regarding the ongoing Scrutiny Review and the two sessions that had been arranged relating to “Supporting Young People’s Mental Wellbeing & Developing Resilience” and “Children & Young People’s Participation”.

RESOLVED – That the report and update be noted.

(2)  The Chair informed the Committee that she had recently attended a ‘production’ on knife crime which had an impact on the audience and enquired of the Committee if it would be interested in having a presentation about knife crime entitled, “on the edge”.

RESOLVED – That Director for Children Services make the appropriate arrangements for the presentation to be given to the Committee.

(3)  The Chair also enquired if there were any updates for members relating to the Coronavirus.

The Director for Children Services informed the Committee that the Council’s website had up to date information being published related to the Coronavirus.

RESOLVED – That the Director for Children Services ensure that members are sent direct communication regarding any Coronavirus updates.