Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 19 July 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.

The following declarations were made:

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 for Corporate and Support Services

The report details proposals for the conduct of the proposed scrutiny review in respect of ‘how the public contact the Council’ which had been suggested by the Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 19 July 2011 as a potential topic for review.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the pre-scoping report.

Officer contact Adrian Moores, Head of Customer Services on 0161 474 5405 or Adrian.moores@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) containing proposals for the conduct of the proposed scrutiny review in respect of ‘how the public contact the Council’ which had been suggested by the Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 19 July 2011 as a potential topic for review.

RESOLVED – That the pre-scoping report be approved.

To consider a report of the Partnership & Policy Manager (To follow)

To note the resume of the meeting held on 12 September 2011.

Officer contact: Steve Skelton, Policy & Partnership Manager Tel 474 3174; email steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

The Scrutiny Committee considered the résumé (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Stockport Partnership Board held on 12 September 2011.

RESOLVED – That the résumé be noted.

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

The report provides an update on activity in July and August and some early feedback on some of the key performance indicators that have been agreed.

The  Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the progress being made and request a further report is provided back to Corporate Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee early in the new financial year on progress against the action plan and the targets set for the performance indicators.

Officer contact Andrew Pollard – Head of Financial Support Services on 0161 474 4018 or andrew.pollard@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the implementation of the recommendations and some early feedback on some of the key performance indicators that had been agreed following the Insurance Services Scrutiny Review.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report and progress being made be noted

(2) That a further report be submitted to this Scrutiny Committee on 24 January 2012 on progress against the action plan and the targets set for the performance indicators and that this Scrutiny Committee would wish to see comparative data and trends, where available, in relation to previous years and for other AGMA authorities included in the report.

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

At its meeting on 5 September, the Executive considered the following reports:-

(a)       A report from the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services entitled ‘Medium Term Financial Plan - Financial Landscape and Forecasts 2012/13 to 2014/15’, and

(b)       A report from the Executive Councillor, Finance entitled ‘ Medium Term Financial Plan – Executive Proposals’

The Executive agreed that each scrutiny committee should receive a copy of the reports and have the opportunity to hear from and question the relevant Executive Councillors and Corporate Directors regarding the contents of the reports.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment as appropriate on the financial challenge facing the Council and, in particular, the proposals from the Executive which relate to those matters within the Scrutiny Committee’s remit.  Comments from all scrutiny committees will be reported to and considered by the Executive.

Officer contact: Steve Houston on 474 4000, or email: steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Scrutiny Committee to consider and comment upon the financial prospects facing the Council and the Executive's proposals for reducing expenditure which were appropriate to the Committee's remit.  The Scrutiny Committee was asked to comment on two reports which had been considered by the Executive at its meeting on 5 September 2011, namely, a) Medium Term Financial Plan - Financial Landscape and Forecasts 2012/13 to 2014/15 and b) Medium Term Financial Plan - Executive proposals.

The following comments were made/issues raised and were responded to at the meeting by the Executive Councillor (Finance) and the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services:-

·         The removal of the £1m provision for priority funding initiatives.

·         The appropriateness of the reduction in the grant paid to the Stockport Sports Trust in the year that the UK will hold the Olympics and whether the reduction implied the closure of the Peel Moat Centre?

·         Why the efficiency measures proposed had not been made in previous years.

·         Whether the definition ‘support those in greatest need’ would remain as at present.

·         Further details of the improvement and efficiency measures with regards to AGMA in relation to Corporate and Support Services.

·         Whether the assumptions made in the report included the recent price increases?

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on the revenue budget position in the first quarter of 2011/12.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Christine Buxton on 474 4124 or email: christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the revenue budget position in the first quarter of 2011/12. There was an overall forecasted cash limit surplus of £0.967m and a balanced position forecasted for non-cash limit budgets

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The anticipated saving of £43,000 by the transfer of the administration of the transport service from Solutions of SK to the Council.

·         The benefits of the Single Property Budget.

·         The reduction in income from the town centre car parks and from planning applications.

·         The pressure on the Leisure and Regeneration Portfolio’s as a result of delays in staff leaving as part of the 2011/12 budget saving process.

·         The increased charges following the change in supplier for the distribution of electricity around the network for street lighting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update with regard to the progress in achieving the outputs and outcomes of the capital programme in the first quarter of 2010/11 and details amendments to the profile of the programme and the notification of additional funding.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Christine Buxton on 474 4124 or email: christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update with regard to the progress in achieving the outputs and outcomes of the capital programme in the first quarter of 2010/11, amendments to the profile of the programme and the notification of additional funding. The 2011/12 Programme amounted to £67.162m and expenditure as at 30 June 2011 was £7.418m.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The need to make schools aware that Stockport Homes were an approved installer of Solar Photovoltaic Panels and the opportunity for schools to join the existing programme.

·         An update in relation to the proposed start at Hopes Carr, Plot 1 within quarter two.

·         Details of the Corporate Funding category.

·         An update in relation to the Offerton Precinct Scheme.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be requested to provide members of the Scrutiny Committee with:-

(i)            an update in relation to the proposed start at Hopes Carr, Plot 1 within the quarter two report

(ii)          details of the Corporate Funding category within the quarter two report

(iii)         an update in relation to the Offerton Precinct Scheme.

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

The report provides a detailed overview of performance which relates to the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee.  The information provided is taken from the Council’s First Quarter Corporate Performance Report and specific detail and information in relation to the Council’s ‘A Safe and Strong Stockport’, ‘A Thriving Stockport’ and ‘A Green Stockport’ Priorities.  This is supported by relevant performance indicator (PI) information, as part of which comparisons have been made with 2010/11 performance.

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: Paul James, Business Services Manager on 474 5430 or email: paul.james@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of the key areas of activity, risks and progress during the first quarter of the year in delivering the outcomes within the Customer Focus and Finance Portfolios reflecting the structure of the Council Plan, Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The steps being taken by the Council to manage sickness absence.

·         The reduction in income generated from heritage and leisure attractions.

·         The impact of extending business rate liability to empty properties

·         In response to a query, the Corporate Director outlined the new approach to performance and resource reporting by portfolio which was being implemented from the next quarter.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report considers the operation and effectiveness of the Council's Treasury Management function for 2010/11. 

The Council’s Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices were last approved on 25 February 2010.  A number of amendments have recently been incorporated into the documents which reflect changes to the new Council officer structure during 2010/11, however as there have been no fundamental revisions, the Policy Statement and Practices have not been included with the report due to their length and complexity but are available on request.   

The Executive at its meeting on 8 August, recommend that the Council Meeting:

i.          Approve the actual 2010/11 prudential and treasury indicators in this report;

ii.         Note the annual treasury management report for 2010/11;

iii.        Note the presentational changes to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices to reflect the new Council structure.

Officer contact: Lorna Salvage, 0161 474 4026, lorna.salvage@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider the Annual Report for 2010/11 on the Council’s Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices which reflected changes to the new Council officer structure during 2010/11.

The Scrutiny Committee were advised of a minor amendment to the table at paragraph 4.8 of the report altering the figure of Actual Net Borrowing at 31 March 2011 from £425,795 to £391,417.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Council Meeting be recommended to:-

(i)            approve the actual 2010/11 prudential and treasury indicators in this report;

(ii)          note the Annual Treasury Management Report 2010/11, and

(iii)         note the presentational changes to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices to reflect the new Council structure.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services and his officers be congratulated on the management of the Council’s Treasury Management arrangements over the last 12 months.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Legal & Democratic Services)

The Council’s Code of Practice for carrying out surveillance under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) specifies that quarterly reports will be taken to this Scrutiny Committee to demonstrate to elected members that the Council is complying with its own Code of Practice when using RIPA. This report covers the third quarter of the financial year 2010/11.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note this report.

Officer contact: Claire Naven – Data Protection and Freedom of Information Officer; telephone number 0161 474 4048; email claire.naven@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) reminding the Scrutiny Committee that the Council’s Code of Practice for carrying out surveillance under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) specified that quarterly reports would be taken to this Scrutiny Committee to demonstrate to elected members that the Council was complying with its own Code of Practice when using RIPA. The report covered the third quarter of the financial year 2010/11.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted

(2) That the Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services) be requested to clarify why the report covers the third quarter of the financial year for 2010/11 not the first quarter of the financial year 2011/12.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.               

The report sets out planned agenda items for the next two 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, Tel: 474 3204, email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out planned agenda items for the Committee’s next meeting, Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee and progress with resolutions made by the Scrutiny Committee at previous meetings.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.