Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 31 October 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director of Place.

The report provides a detailed overview of performance which relates to the Adults and Communities Scrutiny Committee.

The information is provided in the form of the Quarter 2 2011/12 Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports for each of the Communities and Adults and Health Portfolios and specific detail and information in relation to the Council’s ‘A Safe and Strong Stockport’, ‘A Thriving Stockport’ and ‘A Healthy Stockport’ Priorities. 

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

(1)  Review the current levels of performance;

(2) Highlight key areas of, and responsibility for, taking forward corrective action to address any existing or forecast performance issues;

(3) Identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services.

Officer contact: Doug Holland on 474 2976 or email: doug.holland@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director of Place submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with an assessment of the mid-year position in delivering the Council’s priorities, budget and capital programme for 2011/12. The Scrutiny Committee was invited to consider the Adults and Health and Communities portfolios, which fell within the remit of this Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The costs associated with the provision of broadband internet facilities in learning disability supported properties appeared high, although it was explained that this provision also enabled staff as well as users to remain connected to council and external services.

·         Discussions were still ongoing with regard to the future use of the former nursery at Woodbank Park which included consultation with residents and the Friends of Woodbank Park.

·         It was noted that there was a savings target of £1.6 million through the reablement service and how achievable this saving was.  It was responded that in arriving at this figure a number of factors had been considered, including evidence from other local authorities.

·         There was a discussion around the introduction of photovoltaic panels on Stockport Homes’ properties and the benefit to both local residents and the Council.  It was stated that there was a payback period of approximately six years on the panels, and that the panels had a life expectancy of approximately 25 years.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Strategy, Partnerships & Transformation).

The report sets out the Draft Portfolio Priorities in relation to the Adults and Health and Communities portfolios to be included within the Council Plan for 2012/13.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the draft portfolio priorities.

Officer contact: Steve Skelton, 0161 474 3174, steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Strategy, Partnerships and Transformation) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing extracts from the draft Council Plan for 2012-13 that were relevant to the Adults and Health and Communities Portfolios.

The Scrutiny Committee was invited to comment on the initial proposals developed by the Executive, taking account of the performance information and outcomes of the consultation on budget reductions that had been included on the agenda for the meeting as part of Item 4 – ‘Second Quarter 2011/12 Performance Report’ and Item 6 ‘Consultation on Executive Savings Proposals’.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Director for People and Place.

The consultation period ends on 5 December 2011 and therefore the report will not be finalised for circulation until after this date.

The report will summarise the results of the consultation which relate to the portfolios under the remit of this Scrutiny Committee

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the consultation responses.

Officer contact: Donna Sager on 474 3928 or email: donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk or Jim McMahon on 474 4800 or email: jim.mcmahon@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director to Place and a representative of the Corporate Director of People submitted a report (copies of which were circulated) summarising the responses to the consultation processes which related to the Adults and Health and Communities portfolios.  The consultation took place between 5 September and 5 December 2011 and the report focused, primarily, on the responses to the two Stakeholder Consultations for Adult Services which closed on 22 November 2011 and the outcome of consultations with staff.  The report also included any updated details to the remainder of the proposals.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that any comments on the proposals be forwarded to the Democratic Services Manager by 15 December 2011.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Adult Social Care).

This item provides a briefing and draft business case for the development of a Stockport ‘Circle’.  The Circle concept is an innovative model of facilitated community networking, in this case for people over the age of 50, to support overall wellbeing, quality of life and independence.  The item specifically refers to a match-funding opportunity that arose at very short notice at the beginning of November.  The match-funding opportunity has been created by an organisation called ‘Participle’ which has developed the Circle concept and has submitted a bid to the Social Action Fund upon encouragement by the Office for Civil Society.  Stockport Council was approached to be party to the bid.  The decision relating to the funding is expected around 1 December.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

(1) To discuss the development of the ‘Circle’ approach in Stockport, recognising its potential in support of achieving Council priorities.

(2) Assuming that Participle’s application to the Social Action Fund is successful, to discuss the allocation of £450,000 one-off match funding (to fund a 3 year period of operation) to enable the Council to enter into a partnership with Participle to develop a ‘Stockport Circle’.

Officer contact: Sarah Newsam on 07891 949204 or email: sarah.newsam@stockport.gov.uk

With the consent of the Scrutiny Committee, this item was withdrawn.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the résumé of the meeting of the Adult Education, Skills and Employability Partnership held on 20 October 2011.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali Tel: 474 3201; e-mail: jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

The Scrutiny Committee considered a résumé (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Adult Education, Skills and Employability Partnership held on 20 October 2011.

RESOLVED – That the résumé of the meeting of the Adult Education, Skills and Employability Partnership held on 20 October 2011 be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the résumé of the meeting of the Safer Stockport Partnership held on 30 August 2011.

Officer contact: Craig Ainsworth Tel: 474 3204; e-mail: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Scrutiny Committee considered a résumé (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Safer Stockport Partnership held on 30 August  2011.

RESOLVED – That the résumé of the meeting of the Safer Stockport Partnership held on 30 August  2011 be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.                                                        

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: Damian Eaton 474 3207 email: damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

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

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to invite the Independent Chair of the Stockport Safeguarding Children Board to attend a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.