Agenda and minutes

The Chair referred to the explosion at Manchester Arena the previous evening and that 22 people had been confirmed dead in the suspected suicide attack

All members present stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of those who had lost their lives in the attack.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 April 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 4 April 2017 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 they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ appendices to the following agenda item in the event that the content of this appendices needed to be discussed:-

To consider call-in items (if any)

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Interim Chief Executive.

The Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Reform and Governance Portfolio is presented for consideration by the Scrutiny Committee. The report provides a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the final update report, with a focus on the fourth quarter of the year (January to March). It includes out-turn performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Report is based on the 2016/17 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement (PPRA). This was considered by the Committee on 28 June 2016 and approved by the Cabinet on 19 July 2016. A final draft of the 2017/18 Portfolio Agreement is presented for consideration elsewhere on this agenda, and will be submitted for approval by the Cabinet on 13 June.

Recommendation

Scrutiny Committee is asked to

a)         Consider the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;  

b)        Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2016/17;

c)         Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues;

d)        Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report;

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

Officer contacts: Peter Owston, Policy, Strategy and Performance Manager peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk (474 3274) Susan Wood, Head of Management Accounting susan.wood@stockport.go.uk (218 1032)

The Interim Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding setting out the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Reform and Governance Portfolio. The report provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the final update report, with a focus on the fourth quarter of the year (January to March). It included out-turn performance and financial data (where this was available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Report was based on the 2016/17 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement (PPRA). This was considered by the Scrutiny Committee on 28 June 2016 and approved by the Cabinet on 19 July 2016. A final draft of the 2017/18 Portfolio Agreement was presented for consideration elsewhere on this agenda, and would be submitted for approval to the Cabinet on 13 June.

The Executive Councillor for Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Quarter 4 has had seen strong performance in collection of Council Tax and Business Rates

·         The performance levels for the Contact Centre continue to be maintained

·         Customer complaints have reduced for the third year in a row.

·         The provisional figure for sickness absence was an average of 10.3 days lost per employee, which is a reduction of 0.5 days from last year’s figure.

·         The total number of highways claims had continued to decline in the main due to the Highways Investment Programme.

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted that the HR function and Health, Safety and Wellbeing would be supporting a number of schools, colleges and other customers during 2017/18 but asked why schools were opting out of these services.

·         Clarification was sought as to when the percentage of invoices paid for local businesses within 10 days was calculated from e.g. the date of receipt by the relevant department.

·         It was noted that there had been a net surplus of £2.949m generated from the central Stockport land and property investments.

·         It was suggested that the DigiFest and a series of roadshows in priority areas held during February 2017 be repeated later in the year.

·         It was noted that performance on processing benefit applications had shown a marked improvement, and that there had been an improvement in the recruitment and retention of high quality staff.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) In relation to Traded Services, the Scrutiny Committee be provided with details of why schools were opting out of services such as HR function and Health, Safety and Wellbeing.

(3) Clarification be provided to members of the Scrutiny Committee as to the measure regarding the percentage of invoices paid for local businesses within 10 days and whether this was from when the invoice was received by the relevant department.

(4) In relation to the net surplus of £2.949m generated from the central Stockport land and property investments, the Scrutiny Committee be provided with a breakdown of from where this surplus had been generated.

(5) That a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee in relation to the ‘proactive’ approach being adopted in respect of the collection of Council Tax and Business Rates.

(6) That a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee is relation to the resilience measures in places against potential cyber-attack on the Council’s IT systems.

To consider a report of the Interim Chief Executive.

Policy priorities for 2017/18 were set out within the Council Plan, which was adopted at the Budget Council Meeting in February. This incorporates the shared outcomes from the Borough Plan alongside specific priorities of the Cabinet.

These priorities are articulated within the Portfolio Agreements, which form the basis for regular in-year reporting. Portfolio and Corporate Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs and CPRRs) will assess progress against key objectives, priorities, outcomes and budgets, enabling Scrutiny Committees to hold the Cabinet to account and for the Cabinet to identify current and future risks to delivery.

This report presents the draft 2017/18 Agreement for the Reform and Governance Portfolio for consideration and comment by the Committee.

Recommendation

Scrutiny Committee is asked to review and comment on the draft Portfolio Agreement.

Officer contact Peter Owston, Policy, Performance and Reform (CSS), peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk (474 3274) Susan Wood, Head of Management Accounting susan.wood@stockport.go.uk (218 1032)

The Interim Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the policy priorities for 2017/18 as set out within the Council Plan, which was adopted at the Budget Council Meeting in February. This incorporated the shared outcomes from the Borough Plan alongside specific priorities of the Cabinet.

These priorities were articulated within the Portfolio Agreements, which form the basis for regular in-year reporting. Portfolio and Corporate Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs and CPRRs) and would assess progress against key objectives, priorities, outcomes and budgets, enabling Scrutiny Committees to hold the Cabinet to account and for the Cabinet to identify current and future risks to delivery.

This report presented the draft 2017/18 Agreement for the Reform and Governance Portfolio for consideration and comment by the Scrutiny Committee.

The Executive Councillor for Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         The Scrutiny Committee expressed concern that the framework regarding the Greater Manchester Business Rates Retention Pilot had not yet been confirmed and the risks associated with the Council relying on business rates to fund council services.

·         That the proposed sickness absence measures did not include a breakdown by short term and long term sickness or data relating to disability.

·         The Scrutiny Committee considered the impact of the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) Regulations 2015 and in particular the impact on empty mills.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the report on Sickness Absence to be considered at the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee should include a breakdown the figures by short term and long term sickness and provide data relating to disability.

To consider a report of the Interim Chief Executive.

The purpose of this report is to invite the CRMG Scrutiny Committee to comment upon the proposal to appoint a framework of suppliers to deliver Building and Roofing projects, which will be submitted to the Executive for consideration at the meeting of 13 June 2017.

The framework of suppliers will be to deliver both Multi-Disciplinary Design (MDD) and single discipline projects on behalf of Stockport Council in relation to Building and Roofing works.

Recommendation

The Scrutiny Committee was invited to comment on the following recommendations to the Cabinet:

·         Awarding of a two year contract (plus two optional one year extensions) to the suppliers identified in this report for the provision of both Multi-Disciplinary Design (MDD) and single discipline projects on behalf of Stockport Council in relation to Building & Roofing works;

·         Should any of the proposed suppliers fail to enter into a contract with the Council, it is recommended to award to the next highest bidder in sequence attaining the minimum quality score threshold as identified above;

·         Authority be delegated to the Borough Treasurer to finalise and agree the frameworks following consultation with Executive Councillor (Reform & Governance);

·         Authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive or Borough Treasurer in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Reform & Governance) of subsequent call-off contracts under the frameworks;

Officer contact Charlotte Cordingley   on Tel: 0161 474 4240 or by email on Charlotte.cordingley@stockport.gov.uk

The Interim Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to comment upon the proposal to appoint a framework of suppliers to deliver Building and Roofing projects, which will be submitted to the Executive for consideration at the meeting of 13 June 2017.

The framework of suppliers would be to deliver both Multi-Disciplinary Design (MDD) and single discipline projects on behalf of Stockport Council in relation to Building and Roofing works.

The Executive Councillor for Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

RESOLVED That the Cabinet be recommended to approve the recommendations as set out in the report.

To consider a joint report of the Interim Chief Executive and Corporate Director for Services to People.

The purpose of this report is to:

·         Provide background information regarding the requirement to procure a single supplier case management and finance solution for Adult Social Care and Children’s Services

·         Provide an overview of the work to date including the approach to developing a functional specification and engagement with suppliers

·         Highlight the resource required to support the purchase and implementation of a single supplier solution

·         Set out the recommended level of investment required to procure a new case management system and the proposed funding arrangements.

·         Highlight the benefits that will be realised through the purchase and implementation of a replacement system, and outline how these benefits will be maximised as a result of the level of investment recommended.

Recommendation

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on the content of the report, in particular the proposed acquisition of the software. The Scrutiny Committee is also asked to note the recommended value of the investment and also the proposed funding arrangements.

Officer contact: Jenny Rollinson, Head of Service Redesign, Telephone 0161 218 1064

A joint report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Interim Chief Executive and Corporate Director for Services to People was submitted

·         Provide background information regarding the requirement to procure a single supplier case management and finance solution for Adult Social Care and Children’s Services

·         Provide an overview of the work to date including the approach to developing a functional specification and engagement with suppliers

·         Highlight the resource required to support the purchase and implementation of a single supplier solution

·         Set out the recommended level of investment required to procure a new case management system and the proposed funding arrangements.

·         Highlight the benefits that will be realised through the purchase and implementation of a replacement system, and outline how these benefits will be maximised as a result of the level of investment recommended.

The Executive Councillor for Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         The Scrutiny Committee questioned the proposed additional human resources required to support the implementation of a new core system, 16 posts at a cost of £820,404.

·         The Scrutiny Committee expressed concern that it the estimated cost to support, purchase and implementation of a replacement case management and finance solution for Adult Social Care and Children’s Services was £1,450,404 t but only £382,000 had been identified with the balance being underwritten with Council reserve funding.

·         The Scrutiny Committee suggested that the Cabinet be provided with further details in respect of ‘Value for Money’ and the financial savings the new system is expected to generate in addition to the benefits and efficiencies set out in paragraph 6,2 of the report.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Cabinet be recommended to approve the recommendations as set out in the report.

(2) that the Cabinet be provided with further details in respect of ‘Value for Money’ and the financial savings the new system is expected to generate in addition to the benefits and efficiencies set out in paragraph 6,2 of the report.

(3) That regular progress reports be submitted to this Scrutiny Committee on the implementation of the new case management and finance solution for Adult Social Care and Children’s Services.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.               

The report sets out planned agenda items for future meetings of the Committee and Forward Plan items that fall within its remit.

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

Officer contact: Craig Ainsworth, Democratic Services Manager, telephone number 474 3204, email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

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.

The Chair reported that at the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee, the Committee would be asked to consider potential Scrutiny Reviews and invited members to discuss any suggestions with the Democratic Services Manager in advance of that meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.