Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2013

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 30 July 2013 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.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interest

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider reports of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to consider and comment on the first update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report for the Corporate, Customer and Community Portfolio, along with the Corporate Performance and Resource Report and the Leader’s Report.  These were approved by the Executive in August, and incorporate a number of changes to the Council’s Performance and Resource Management Framework for 2013/14, including the introduction of the Leader’s Report, providing an early update on the Council’s progress in delivering its priority outcomes and spending plans.    

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

a)    Consider the first update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report, Corporate Performance and Resource Report and Leader’s Report

b)   Review the progress against priorities, performance and budgets for 2013/14;

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

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

Officer contactPeter Owston, Assistant Head of Performance (CSS),  peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk (474 3274)

Susan Wood, Strategic Accountant (CSS/OCE) susan.wood@stockport.go.uk (218 1032)

The Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider and comment on the first update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report for the Corporate, Customer and Community Portfolio, along with the Corporate Performance and Resource Report and the Leader’s Report.  These had been approved by the Executive on 13 August 2013, and incorporate a number of changes to the Council’s Performance and Resource Management Framework for 2013/14, including the introduction of the Leader’s Report, providing an early update on the Council’s progress in delivering its priority outcomes and spending plans.   

The Corporate, Customer and Community Services Portfolio First Quarterly Update Report 2013/14 (copies of which had been circulated) was submitted providing an update on progress in delivering the Council's Priority Outcomes and budget in the first quarter of 2013/14 in relation to the Corporate, Customer and Community Services Portfolio.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Corporate, Customer and Community Services (Councillor Mark Weldon) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Further information was provided in relation to the difficulties in collecting business rates from empty properties.

·         Although there had been a 50% increase in enquiries, details of the number of additional ‘fosters’ was requested following the campaign to promote fostering.

·         An update was provided in relation to the development of a new community building at Blackstone Fields.

·         The Scrutiny Committee was assured that where evidence has been provided Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claims were processed within 48 hours. Applications for discretionary funds could take around three weeks to be processed but urgent cases were given priority.  It was further stated that there was not currently a backlog in relation to Council Tax Support applications.

·         Further information was requested in relation to what actions are being taken to increase the repudiation rate in relation to Public Liability Claims.

·         Further information was provided in relation to the improvements proposed to the Council website as part of the ‘Channel Shift’ programme which included additional transitional services being provided as well as making it more ‘user friendly’.

·         In relation to the time taken to respond to enquiries made to the Contact Centre and the need for an explanation to be provided to residents regarding the ‘priority system’ being adopted, an update was requested.

·         It was confirmed that following the appointment of Carillion/ CBRE to manage the Council’s property portfolio, it was not proposed to reduce Councillors involvement in decisions taken in relation to the disposal of property/ land.

·         There was a need to provide all councillors with details of the new Corporate and Support Services (CSS) Senior Management Structure as well as updates in relation to the CSS redesign/ review as the process evolves.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for People be requested to provide members of this Scrutiny Committee with details of the number of additional ‘fosters’ following the campaign to promote fostering.

(3) That the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services be requested to provide members of this Scrutiny Committee with details of what actions are being taken to increase the repudiation rate in relation to Public Liability Claims.

(4) That the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services be requested to provide an update on action being taken by the Contact Centre to manage increased demand.

(5) That the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services be requested to provide all councillors with details of the new CSS Senior Management Structure and submit regular reports to this Scrutiny Committee in relation to the CSS redesign/ review as the process evolves.

The Corporate Performance and Resources First Quarterly Update Report 2013/14 (copies of which had been circulated) was submitted providing an update on progress in delivering the Council's Priority Outcomes and budget in the first quarter of 2013/14.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Corporate, Customer and Community Services (Councillor Mark Weldon) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Within the half year report it would be helpful to indicate the ‘approved budget’ as well as the ‘revised budget’ when illustrating the Forecast Outturn.

·         It was noted that the investment returns were expected to reduce significantly and that this would be built into future forecasts.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted her first ‘Leaders Report’ (copies of which had been circulated) that provided a strategic overview of Council activity as well as an update on AGMA and Combined Authority activity, and a copy of the report of the recent LGA Peer Review.

The Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Policy, Reform & Finance (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was suggested that the ‘Leaders’ report be circulated to all members of scrutiny committees following consideration by the Executive in addition to being submitted to this Scrutiny Committee.

·         In relation to the Corporate Peer Challenge, Councillor Derbyshire reported that she accepted the recommendations in relation to the need for all senior managers to ‘step up’ and embrace the change programme. She reported that a detailed Action Plan in response to the recommendations was being prepared.

·         Councillor Derbyshire reported that she would welcome a follow up visit by the Peer Challenge Team.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services

The report sets out the outcome of the public consultation of the review of library opening hours.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note and comment on the findings of the consultations. The views of the Committee will be conveyed to the Executive at the meeting on the 1 October 2013.

Officer contact Janet Wood on telephone number Tel: 0161-474-4443 or alternatively email janet.wood@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the outcome of the public consultation of the review of library opening hours.

It was reported that the Executive would consider the report at its meeting on 1 October 2013.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Corporate, Customer and Community Services (Councillor Mark Weldon) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         There was no clear justification for identifying some results as ‘marginal’ and others as ‘agreeing with the proposals’ within the report in relation to the results of the consultation.

·         Within the table of results, the number of respondents should be identified as well as by percentage.

·         Councillor Weldon confirmed that no decisions had been taken by the Executive in relation to library opening hours and that the results of the consultation and the views of this Scrutiny Committee would inform that decision.

·         There was a need to retain some evening opening hours beyond 6.00pm to enable residents who work to access their local library.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services be requested to provide members of this Scrutiny Committee with a revised table of results showing the number of respondents identified for each library as well as by percentage.

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

The report considers the impact of that scheme to date and in light of operational experience proposes minor amendments to the scheme for the year 2014/15.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer contact, Alison Blount, Head of Revenues & Benefits, telephone number 0161 474 5107, email Alison.blount@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) considering the impact of that scheme to date and in light of operational experience proposing minor amendments to the scheme for the year 2014/15.

It was reported that the Executive would consider the report at its meeting on 1 October 2013 prior to consideration by the Council Meeting on 17 October 2013.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Corporate, Customer and Community Services (Councillor Mark Weldon) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         There had not been any real difficulties collecting the 50% discount premium

·         The Scrutiny Committee welcomed no change to the discount scheme for empty properties despite complaints in relation to the 50% premium applied when a property has been empty for two years.

·         The limited number of applications made to the discretionary fund was noted.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to agree that:

(1) Stockport’s empty property discount scheme be maintained for 2014/15 with discounts for classes B, C and D applied as shown at 2.4 and classes E and F awarded discounts in line with which ever class B, C or D would otherwise apply but be exempt from the application of the premium.

(2) Where a property had been exempt from Council Tax immediately prior to the start date of an empty property discount, that the date for the furniture being removed from the property be assumed to be the date the furniture was actually removed from the property or the date the exemption ended, whichever is the later.

(3) Beneficial Changes are brought in line with Housing Benefit Regulations, with beneficial changes implemented from either

·         the Monday following the date of change, if notified within a calendar month of the change occurring, unless good cause is shown when it will be applied from the Monday following the date the change occurred subject to an overall maximum of 13 months

or

·         the Monday following the date the change was reported if later than a calendar month from the date the change occurred. System limitations have required this way of working, which has been to the customers benefit.

(4) The original policy intention be reinstated and non-dependant deductions of zero, £5.00 or £10.00 per week be applied in line with paragraph 3.9 of the report.    

(5) The calculation of notional income from Self-employed Earners be reduced by notional tax and national insurance contributions.

(6) All Council Tax Support calculation figures stated in the Stockport Scheme be uprated in-line with up ratings applied to the national pensioner scheme and Housing Benefit regulations where appropriate with the exception of non-dependant deductions which would remain at zero, £5.00 and £10.00 per week as appropriate.

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 future meetings and Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Alexander Ganotis reported that the Welfare Reform Scrutiny Review Panel had met on 28 August 2013 and agreed the following objectives for the review:

(i)         Overarching aim of the review: To ensure the Council was prepared to respond effectively to the trends beginning to emerge from the implementation of the welfare reforms;

(ii)        Pre-requisites for the effective implementation of the welfare reform;

(iii)       The cumulative impact on the welfare reforms on Stockport residents; and

(vi)       The Council and partners’ response to the impact of welfare reform, with particular reference to employment and skills and housing support.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.