Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 6 March 2012 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 whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of agenda items 8 (Covent Garden Village Acquisitions – Financial Position) which contain information “not for publication by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED - That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest,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 Agenda Item 8 –‘Covent Garden Village acquisitions – Financial Position.

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

The report provides details of the process, content and subsequent action planning for the 2012 Employee Survey.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note the report.

Officer contact: Greg McNair, Head of Human Resources, telephone number 0161 474 3110, greg.mcnair@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy, Policy, Partnerships & Transformation) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details of the process, content and subsequent action planning for the 2012 Employee Survey.

The following comments were made:

·         Consideration should be given as to whether specific questions regarding employees health be included in future surveys.

·         Whether the question relating to ‘pay and conditions’ should be separated.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted and a further report be submitted to this Scrutiny Committee in the autumn summarising the results of the Survey.

(2) That the Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy, Policy, Partnerships & Transformation) be requested to provide information to members of this Scrutiny Committee in relation to the various employee consultations carried out by schools and if practicable, the percentage who carry out some form of employee survey.

(3) That the Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy, Policy, Partnerships & Transformation) be requested to provide information to members of this Scrutiny Committee in relation to the staff consultations carried out by Stockport Homes, Life Leisure, SK Solutions, Independent Solutions SK and NPS Stockport.

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

The report provides information about the work of the Stockport based Local Housing Allowance Transition team (LHATT). The report was requested earlier in the year by the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report and support the on-going work of the team.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing information about the work of the Stockport based Local Housing Allowance Transition Team (LHATT). The report had been requested earlier in the year by the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted and this Scrutiny Committee support the on-going work of the team.

(2) That the number of Referrals relating to Stockport residents be provided to members of this Scrutiny Committee broken down by ward.

To consider a joint report of the Head of Property, (Corporate and Support Services) and Sustainability Manager, (Place Development)

Stockport Council signed up to be part of the Local Authority Carbon Management Programme in 2005 and was successful in being chosen to participate in the first full implementation year of the programme. The overall goals of the Plan are:

(i)         To build on our previous success to establish a low carbon culture and embed low carbon practices into the Council’s strategic objectives and values.

(ii)        To become a leader in carbon management in the local community working with our employees, community and local stakeholders to meet and where possible exceed Government targets

The Committee is invited to comment on the Carbon Management Plan 2012-2015.

Officer contacts: Murray CARR, Head of Property, telephone number 0161 474 3649, email murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk and Darren Pegram, Sustainability Manager, telephone number 0161 474 3171, email darren.pegram@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Head of Property, Corporate and Support Services and Sustainability Manager, Place Development was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) informing the Scrutiny Committee that Stockport Council had signed up to be part of the Local Authority Carbon Management Programme in 2005 and was successful in being chosen to participate in the first full implementation year of the programme. The overall goals of the Plan were:

(i)           To build on the Council’s previous success to establish a low carbon culture and embed low carbon practices into the Council’s strategic objectives and values.

(ii)          To become a leader in carbon management in the local community working with employees, community and local stakeholders to meet and where possible exceed Government targets

The Executive Councillor for Sustainable Futures (Councillor Stuart Bodsworth) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

RESOLVED – That the Carbon Management Plan 2012-2015 be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Service Director (Place Development) and the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services

The report seeks the Executive’s approval to acquire properties within the “Covent Garden Village” area. The report will be considered by the Executive on 19 June 2012.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the following recommendations to the Executive:

(i)         approve the purchases of the properties within Covent Garden as identified, and on the terms set out in the Confidential Appendix.

(ii)        approve the submission of the application for GM Growing Places Funding on the terms stated in this report.

Officer contact Ian Harrison, Regeneration Manager, telephone number 0161 474 4550, email ian.harrison@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Service Director (Place Development) and the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) seeking the Scrutiny Committee’s comments regarding the acquisition of  properties within the “Covent Garden Village” area to further the vision for the area, which was the creation of a residential led scheme of mixed tenure but with the focus on increasing more economically active households that would support existing businesses and facilitate new business investment within the local area, and Stockport town centre. It was proposed that the acquisition was funded utilising the Council’s prudential borrowing facility.

The Executive Councillor for Governance and Corporate Services (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

The Executive at its meeting on 19 June 2012 was recommended to approve;

(i)             the purchases of the properties within Covent Garden as identified, and on the terms set out in the Confidential Appendix to the report;

(ii)          the submission of the application for GM Growing Places Funding on the terms stated in the report.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Service Director (Place Development) be requested to arrange a meeting with the ward councillors to discuss the details of the proposed scheme.

(3) That the Service Director (Place Development) be requested to confirm the interim maintenance requirements for the former Crowther Mill site and provide this information to members of this Scrutiny Committee.

To consider a joint report of the Service Director Place Development and Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services.

The report provides an update on the progress of this scheme and to seek the Executive’s approval to vary the current Development Agreement made between the Council and THI Riverside Limited (with GB Buildings as the guarantor) for the comprehensive redevelopment of 3 parcels of land in Offerton.  The report will be considered by the Executive on 19 June 2012.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the following recommendations to the Executive:

The Executive is recommended to agree the way forward as set out at in the Preferred Option referred to above with authority to negotiate the required amendments to the Development Agreement delegated to the Service Director, Place Development and Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Executive Portfolio holders Governance & Corporate Services and Economic Development & Regeneration.

Officer contact: Paul Lawrence on telephone number 0161 474 1940 or alternatively email mike.halsall@stockport.gov.uk.

A joint report of the Service Director (Place Development) and Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Scrutiny Committee on the progress of this scheme and seeking the Scrutiny Committee’s views to vary the current Development Agreement made between the Council and THI Riverside Limited (with GB Buildings as the guarantor) for the comprehensive redevelopment of three parcels of land in Offerton. The report detailed the following options:

·         Option 1 – Enforcement of the current Development Agreement

·         Option 2 – Extension of time

·         Option 3 – Waiving of the condition for a third end user.

The Executive Councillor for Governance and Corporate Services (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

The Executive at its meeting on 19 June 2012 was recommended to agree Option 2 referred to above with authority to negotiate the required amendments to the Development Agreement delegated to the Service Director, (Place Development) and Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Executive Councillors Governance and Corporate Services and Economic Development and Regeneration.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and this Scrutiny Committee would support Option 2 as detailed in the report.

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

The report invites the Scrutiny Committee to comment on the sale of a Council owned building at Dawlish Avenue Brinnington to the Equity Housing Group. The report will be considered by the Executive on 19 June.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the following recommendations to the Executive:

The Executive is requested to confirm whether it is willing to approve the disposal of this property to the Equity Housing Group at the undervalue indicated and if so to instruct the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services to complete the transaction.

Officer contact Ian Keyte NPS Stockport Ltd, telephone number 495 6093, email ian.keyte@nps.co.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to comment on the sale of a Council owned building at Dawlish Avenue, Brinnington to the Equity Housing Group.

The building was formerly used as a children’s home but was closed and declared surplus during 2008. The Central Stockport Area Committee subsequently endorsed its disposal and the Equity Housing Group sought to acquire the property and in 2010 obtained planning permission for the development of 6 self-contained flats plus a staff flat.

The purchase price for the building was agreed with Equity in 2009 at £75,000. Equity Housing Group had now come back to the Council to explain that due to a halving of grant funding on this project they are now only able to offer £28,000 to acquire the property.

The Council Solicitor provided a confidential update in relation to the financial details of the scheme.

The Executive Councillor for Governance and Corporate Services (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

The Executive at its meeting on 19 June 2012 was recommended to confirm whether it is willing to approve the disposal of this property to the Equity Housing Group at the undervalue indicated and if so to instruct the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services to complete the transaction.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the additional information provided by the Council Solicitor should be provided to the Executive prior to a decision being made.

To consider a report of the Scrutiny Review Panel.

The report provides the Scrutiny Committee with the opportunity to comment on the scrutiny review into “How the Public Contact the Council” conducted during the 2011-2012 municipal year prior to its submission to the Executive.

Councillor Daniel Hawthorne, Lead Councillor for the Review will present the report.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Aarty Seera, Democratic Services, telephone number 0161 474 3210, email aarty.seera@stockport.gov.uk

The Lead Member of the Scrutiny Review Panel (Councillor Daniel Hawthorne) submitted the final report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the findings of the Scrutiny Review on ‘How the Public Contact the Council’.

The following comments were made:-

·         The report should include a recommendation in relation to the need to improve the existing Council website.

·         The references in the report to the need to review the existing provision at the Local Centre in Cheadle Hulme should not be seen as an opportunity to close this facility.

·         Scanners should be made available at all Local Centres to assist in processing Housing Benefit/ Council Tax applications.

·         Paragraph 8.3 of the report should include reference to the Local Centre in Bramhall together with the opening times of all the Local Centres.

RESOLVED – That the final report and recommendations of the Scrutiny Review Panel - ‘How the Public Contact the Council’ (including those detailed above) be referred to the Executive for consideration.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Communications & External Relation).

The report sets out progress to date on the recommendations made by the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee and agreed by the Executive in July 2011. Initial progress was reported back to this Scrutiny Committee in November 2011 the Scrutiny Committee requested a further update in June 2012.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider and comment upon the progress made.

Officer contact Ian Ratcliffe/Janine Watson telephone number 0161 474 3059 or 0161 474 3060 or by e-mail on ian.ratcliffe@stockport.gov.uk or janine.watson@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Chief Executive (Communications and External Relations) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the implementation of the recommendations made by this Scrutiny Committee and agreed by the Executive in July 2011 following the Council-wide Communications Scrutiny Review. Initial progress had been reported back to this Scrutiny Committee in November 2011 when the Scrutiny Committee had requested a further update in June 2012.

RESOLVED – That the progress being made be noted.

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer.

The Localism Act 2011 makes fundamental changes to the system of regulation of standards of conduct for elected members and co-opted members of the Council.  In order to ensure that the Council has compliant arrangements in place for the statutory deadline of the 1 July 2012, the Council has already approved interim arrangements.   This report attempts to detail the final arrangements, subject to the passing of the relevant Statutory Instrument. The report will be considered by the Executive on 19 June 2012.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the following recommendations to the Executive/ Council Meeting:

(i)         That the Council adopts the recommended code of conduct for Members as set out at Appendix 1 of the report;

(ii)        That the Council adopts the recommended local arrangements to handle complaints about breach of the Code of Conduct for Members of both Stockport Council and the Town Councils as set out in   Appendix 2;

(iii)       That Council receives a further report and recommendations on parts 2 and 3 of the Code of Conduct, once the statutory detail has been published;

Officer contact: Barry Khan on telephone number 0161 474 3202 or alternatively email barry.khan@stockport.gov.uk

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Scrutiny Committee on The Localism Act 2011 and the New Code of Conduct for Members including the arrangements for dealing with complaints. The Act made fundamental changes to the system of regulation of standards of conduct for elected members and co-opted members of the Council.  In order to ensure that the Council had compliant arrangements in place for the statutory deadline of the 1 July 2012, the Council had already approved interim arrangements.   The report provided details of the final arrangements, subject to the passing of the relevant Statutory Instrument.

The Scrutiny Committee was invited to comment on the following recommendations to the Executive on 19 June and the Council Meeting on 5 July 2012:

(i)            That the Council adopts the recommended code of conduct for Members as set out at Appendix 1 of the report;

(ii)          That the Council adopts the recommended local arrangements to handle complaints about breach of the Code of Conduct for Members of both Stockport Council and the Town Councils as set out in   Appendix 2 of the report;

(iii)         That the Council Meeting receives a further report and recommendations on parts 2 and 3 of the Code of Conduct, once the statutory detail has been published.

RESOLVED - (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That in relation to paragraph 2.7 of the recommended Code of Conduct (Personal Judgement), it was unrealistic that “whipping” would not continue to take place at some meetings.

(3) That in relation to paragraph 3.1 of the recommended Code of Conduct (Training), it should not be mandatory for each Member to attend annual training on the Code of Conduct/ ethical standards.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.               

The report sets out planned agenda items for the next meeting 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 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.