Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2023.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 28 February 2023 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.

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider call-in items (if any)

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services).

The Annual Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) for 2022/23 provides a summary of progress in delivering the council’s priority outcomes up to 31 March 2023, with a particular focus on the final quarter of 2022/23 (January to March 2023).

The report reflects the 2022/23 Council Plan, MTFP and Portfolio priorities. It includes:

·       An overview of corporate delivery and performance (including brief highlights from the seven individual Portfolio Reports).

·       A detailed financial update, including, the outturn position on revenue and capital.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

1)    Review progress against delivering council priorities and capital schemes alongside budget outturns contained within the report.

2)    Note the key achievements and other issues this quarter in each of the councils seven priorities set out in the Overview of Corporate Delivery and Performance.

3)    Note the Cash Limit and Non -Cash Limit outturn positions for 2022/23 as set out in section 2.3 and 2.6.

4)    Note the update to the council’s positive investments as set out in section 2.4.

5)    Note the update on the council’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) investments plan set out in section 2.5.

6)    Note the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account and Collection Fund outturn positions as set out in sections 2.7, 2.8, and 2.9.

7)    Note the appropriations to/from reserves and balances during the period as set out in section 2.10 and note the resulting reserves and balances position as of 31 March 2023.

8)    Note the outturn position for the 2022/23 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1.

9)    Note the adjustments of capital schemes during the quarter as set out in section 3.2.

10)Approve the resourcing of the capital programme as set out in section 3.3.

11) Approve the 2022/23 prudential indicators as set out in section 3.4, and l) Identify key areas for further investigation and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any existing or outturn issues or risks.

Officer contact: Alan Lawson at alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive and the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of progress in delivering the council’s priority outcomes up to 31 March 2023, with a particular focus on the final quarter of 2022/23 (January to March 2023).

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Members queried the vacancy numbers for the council and in response it was reported there were 2,900 job roles across the council and that it always carried vacancies, some of which were difficult to fill. Two recruitment fairs had recently taken place, one at the Town Hall and one in Brinnington which had proven to be successful in providing roles to local residents and filling vacancies.

·         In relation to fly tipping, it was reported that, whilst there had been a number of successful prosecutions, the figure was not felt to be sufficiently high and a council target was to ensure offenders were prosecuted.

·         Members queried the SEND transport budget for those claiming transport to school and those with a disability car and whether there might be a doubling of provision.

·         In response to a query about the rising cost of borrowing, it was reported that, going forward, many of this Committee’s meetings will be dedicated to reviewing the treasury management and strategy. The Local Authority can only borrow for capital purposes. The cost of borrowing for Local Authorities has increased significantly. The current strategy is to borrow short-term and wait for long-term rates to reduce.

·         Members queried how the differences between cash limits and non-cash limits worked, whether the non-cash limit budgets were ring-fenced and how much discretion the treasury had over those budget heads to cover deficiencies in the year.

·         In response it was reported that non-cash limits were made up of the less controllable elements of the Council’s spending such as the waste disposal levy, transport levy and debt management costs. Where there were unallocated contingency budgets there was an element of flexibility.

·         It was reported that explanatory papers would be put to the Committee during the course of the municipal year on topics such as the Collection Fund.

·         Members noted the budgetary challenges referred to in the report, including pressures on housing, education, especially those with special educational needs, the young and looked after residents as well as that on health and social care.

·         The Council was doing what it could to assist hard-pressed residents, noting that the Borough has many areas of deprivation. It was reported that the balance between protecting front-line services and delivering a council tax that people can afford to pay had become more difficult over the years.

·         Members queried the figures contained in the report relating to reserves.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and the Corporate Director of Corporate and Support Services Director of Strategy.

The report provides a comprehensive summary of progress against portfolio priorities, performance indicators and budgets during 2022/23, but with a specific focus on the fourth quarter (January to March 2023)

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

1)    Consider the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Report.

2)    Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2022/23.

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

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

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

Officer contact: Alan Lawson at alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a comprehensive summary of progress against portfolio priorities, performance indicators and budgets during 2022/23, but with a specific focus on the fourth quarter (January to March 2023).

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Member queried the capital finance outlook and update, in particular whether the budgetary provision for the Dialstone facility had been rolled over from the last financial year. Members asked, in the event of a permanent closure of the Dialstone facility, what would happen to the capital finance designated for that site. In response, it was stated that capital finance updates provided an assurance that the budget remained in order to provide a sustainable facility in that area, although it was acknowledged that finding a sustainable solution was a challenge.

·         In relation to social value reporting, members queried how bids were awarded using the social value score. In response it was reported that when asking for tender, the social value portal was used and bidding companies were required to submit details of the social value offered. Approximately 20 to 25 per cent of a contract was awarded against social value which afforded the Council the opportunity to get more for every pound spent.

·         Members queried the target for the payment of council invoices which stood at 85 per cent paid within 30 days. It was reported that where a discrepancy arose, the council operated a policy of not paying until an order was in place.

·         It was reported that a further staff satisfaction survey would take place in order to set a benchmark measure for staff satisfaction.

·         Members queried the reserve level and asked whether it was justified, prudent and sustainable. In response, it was stated that reserves played an important part of the financial role of the Council, allowing it to invest, improve its technology and develop its workforce. The reserve also gave the Council a degree of control and an ability to manage risk. The overall allocation and holding of reserves was set out in the reserve policy, of which a key aspect was not to use it to cover ongoing expenditure, only for specific reasons and investments.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Corporate and Support Services.

This report presents the draft 2023/24 Agreement for the Finance and Resource Portfolio for consideration and comment by the Committee.

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

Officer contact: Alan Lawson at alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which set out the draft 2023/24 Agreement for the Finance and Resource Portfolio for consideration and comment by the Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Members commented that the economic uncertainty referred to within the report would lead to a continual reduction of the Council’s budget and subsequent difficulties for all.

·         Members referred to the £10,000 allocation of ward funding. It was reported that the money was within the budget but not visible within the portfolio. Similar to other discretionary funding, it would be dealt with by Area Committees.

·         It was reported that there was no previous data relating to social value commitments as this was a new target.

·         In relation to other targets within the report, members noted that they had remained static and commented that they would expected a minor increase to those targets.

·         It was reported that there was an expectation that certain targets, for example, those relating to the collection of council tax and business rates, were likely to become more difficult to achieve in 2023 - 2024 because of the cost of living crisis. The aim had been to set realistic and achievable targets.

·         Members requested further information on the coming challenges related to the cost of living crisis.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.  

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The purpose of this report is to provide information on the strategic proposal to expand the current STAR Shared Procurement service (“STAR”) from four partner councils to six partner councils and to outline the rationale for STAR’s growth strategy, provide details of proposed commercial arrangements, governance arrangements and implementation strategies.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Michael Cullen on 0161 474 4631 or by email on michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing information on the strategic proposal to expand the current STAR Shared Procurement service (“STAR”) from four partner councils to six partner councils and to outline the rationale for STAR’s growth strategy, provide details of proposed commercial arrangements, governance arrangements and implementation strategies.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Members welcomed the report, particularly in relation to economies of scale for procurement.

·         The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources assured the committee that she would attend all STAR meetings and ensure that Stockport priorities would be taken into account.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report details the recommendations of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) following the receipt of a report detailing the recommendations of the Greater Manchester Independent Remuneration Panel in relation to payments to members of the GMCA Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report and recommend that it proceeds through the council’s governance process on the basis of the following recommendations (with any amendments or considerations they wish to raise):-

1)    That it be noted that:-

·       the GMCA has received and considered a report of its Independent Remuneration Panel on 16 December 2022 detailing a proposed schedule of allowances for members of the GMCA Overview and Scrutiny Committee as detailed in paragraph 2.2 of this report.

·       the GMCA noted and accepted the recommendations of the GM IRP.

·       the GMCA does not currently have the legislative power to pay allowances directly to the GMCA Overview and Scrutiny Committee members pending the passage of the levelling up bill through parliament.

·       the GMCA has requested that the GM Districts consider paying the proposed allowances to their appointees on the GMCA Overview and Scrutiny Committee in the interim, subject to reimbursement from the GMCA.

·       the GMCA has recommended that the payment of allowances be backdated to 24 June 2022 when the new scrutiny arrangements were put in place.

2)    That approval therefore be given to the adoption and incorporation of the proposed schedule of allowances within Stockport’s Members’ Allowances Scheme.

3)    That approval be given to the backdating of the payment of any such allowances to 24 June 2022 when the new scrutiny arrangements were put in place.

4)    That paragraph 4(4) of the Members’ Allowances Scheme be amended to permit the payment of two SRAs to a member of the GMCA Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 4631 or by email on vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the recommendations of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) following the receipt of a report detailing the recommendations of the Greater Manchester Independent Remuneration Panel in relation to payments to members of the GMCA Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the following be endorsed for approval:

• the adoption and incorporation of the proposed schedule of allowances within Stockport’s Members’ Allowances Scheme;
• the backdating of the payment of any such allowances to 24 June 2022 when the new scrutiny arrangements were put in place; and
• the amendment of the Members’ Allowances Scheme to permit the payment of two Special Responsibility Allowances to a member of the GMCA Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This report is in response to the motion made at the Council meeting on 30 March 2023 which to:

1)    utilise all existing channels and means of communication to supplement the publicity campaign by the Electoral Commission to make more voters aware of the need to show photo ID at polling stations in the May 2023 local elections and beyond; and

2)    bring a report to the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee, on the cost and impact this unnecessary legislation has had on Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended note the report.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 4631 or by email on vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) in response to the motion made at the Council meeting on 30 March 2023 which was to:

1) utilise all existing channels and means of communication to supplement the publicity campaign by the Electoral Commission to make more voters aware of the need to show photo ID at polling stations in the May 2023 local elections and beyond; and

2) bring a report to the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee, on the cost and impact this unnecessary legislation had on Stockport.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Officers were thanked for producing such a detailed report and members commented that the Electoral Office and its staff had done an impressive job in relation to the challenges presented by voter ID and boundary changes.

·         It was noted that the depth of the report included areas which could not be quantified such as those people who might have been put off voting altogether due to the voter ID regulations.

·         It was intended that the report would combine with others in a joint response to Government on the impact of these measures.

·         Members expressed their deep concern about the voter ID policy, in particular the way it had been introduced. There was anecdotal evidence of a voter having been turned away for having incorrect ID.

·         Members expressed concern that the agenda for this policy had been to purposely disenfranchise voters.

·         At this stage, the effect of the policy on turnout was unknown and further research was required.

·         There had been a financial impact upon the Council in terms of providing ID to voters.

·         Members queried why the Council had expected 4,000 applications for voter ID but had received only 478. In response, it was stated that the granularity of data had not yet been obtained and it was not known what had put people off from applying for ID, however it was the government who had come up with the figure of 4,000 and it was felt that Stockport had carried out an effective campaign relating to voter ID and it had expected a lot of applications.

·         Further research was intended to take place on the impact upon individual wards to determine whether some had been more affected than others.

·         The ambition of the Council was to ensure as much engagement as possible and fewer disenfranchised voters.

·         Members queried the impact of boundary changes upon voter turnout; at present data on that subject was limited but it was intended that the matter be explored further.

·         Members queried the future provision of postal voting, and it was stated that the promotion of postal voting was a decision for Cabinet.

·         Members commented that the system of counting votes the day after polling had worked well.

RESOLVED  -  That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

This report updates member of the Communities and Housing and CRMG Scrutiny Committees on the progress to increase the resilience of the council’s key public realm services through its wholly owned company Totally Local Company.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to provide comment on the proposed changes to the TLC governance arrangements and management structure prior to submission to Cabinet for approval.

Officer contact: Emma Stubbs at emma.stubbs@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating members of the Communities and Transport and CRMG Scrutiny Committees on the progress to increase the resilience of the council’s key public realm services through its wholly owned company, Totally Local Company (TLC).

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         It was intended that quarterly monitoring reports of TLC would be considered by the committee.

·         Members requested background papers relating to the organisational structure and work of the TLC.

·         In terms of the structure going forward, it was intended that TLC board would consist of the two existing executive directors. The four non-executive directors on the TLC board would be replaced by four Council directors. This arrangement would allow the Council to have a greater influence over the company in the future.

·         It was not intended for individual terms and conditions to be scrutinised by the Scrutiny Committee, but company business plans would be.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Development & Regeneration.

This report updates members on the progress being made on the delivery of the new Marple Active Communities Hub and on the status of the existing Marple Swimming Pool and the next steps for that asset.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note and comment on the report.

Officer contact: Luke Green at luke.green@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Development & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated members on the progress being made on the delivery of the new Marple Active Communities Hub, and on the status of the existing Marple Swimming Pool and the next steps for that asset.

It was stated that the project had been fully costed to account for inflation, and that risk contingencies had been built into the project.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To seek suggestions for Scrutiny Review topics for inclusion in the 2023/2024 scrutiny work programme.

A representative of the Assistant Director - Legal & Democratic Governance (Monitoring Officer) invited the Scrutiny Committee to choose a Scrutiny Review topic for inclusion in the 2023/24 scrutiny work programme.

The following comments were made/ issued raised:

·         A review of Life Leisure was suggested as a scrutiny review topic;

·         A review of bus service with a focus on covid recovery and carbon neutrality was also suggested as a scrutiny review topic;

RESOLVED – (1) That Councillor Carole McCann be nominated to Chair the proposed scrutiny review panel with authority being delegated to the Assistant Director - Legal & Democratic Governance (Monitoring Officer) in consultation with the Chair, to appoint other such members to the Panel as necessary.

(2) That one of the following topics for the scrutiny review panel for the 2023/24 Scrutiny Work Programme be determined by Members via email:

·         A review of Life Leisure;

·         A review of bus services.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance).

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: Jacqueline Kramer on 0161 474 2978 or email:

jacqueline.kramer@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director - Legal & Democratic Governance (Monitoring Officer) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and any Forward Plan items.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Assistant Director - Legal & Democratic Governance (Monitoring Officer) be recommended to programme the following item into the Scrutiny Committee’s work programme for the 2023/24 Municipal Year:

·         Explanatory papers on topics such as the Collection Fund;

·         A further report related to the impact of Voter ID, in particular its effect on individual wards;

·         Quarterly monitoring reports of the Totally Local Company.