Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2011.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 13 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.

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 Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services.

At its meeting on 5 September 2011, the Executive considered the following reports:

(a)   A report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services entitled ' Medium Term Financial Plan - Financial Landscape and Forecasts 2012/13 to 2014/15; and

(b)   A report of the Executive Councillor, Finance entitled ' Medium Term Financial Plan - Executive Proposals'

It was recommended 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  Executive Councillor (Children and Young People) and the Corporate Director, 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. In the absence of the Executive Councillor, the former Executive Councillor (Children and Young People) Councillor Mark Weldon attended the meeting and answered questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·        The impact of increasing the price of school meals by 10p per day in line with AGMA average levels.

·        The Committee expressed appreciation for the commissioning strategy for Looked after Children which aimed to reduce the number of children who required statutory intervention and to promote the development of local provisions such as local fostering alternatives and intensive family support.

·        Members of the Committee expressed the opinion that they wished to monitor the proposals contained in the report and for update reports to be submitted to future meetings.

·        Members also commented that the wished to monitor the working relationship between the Council and the various agencies to ensure that resources were being used to their fullest effect.

·        The Commissioning arrangements with partners including health, voluntary and independent organisations.

·        The consequences of an independent sector company failing to deliver the service outcomes agreed with the Council.

·        The risk of isolating services when streamlining family services and the challenges of how to involve young people in the Borough when community schools could be changing to Academies.

·        What mechanisms were in place to monitor the level of service provided by staff at primary and secondary schools?

·        The difference between an Ofsted Children’s Centre and a designated centre.

·        The impact on social workers and front line staff in respect of the proposals and streamlining of services. 

·        A member raised concern that the match funding contribution towards the Schools Harnessing Technology Grant had been beneficial last year and questioned what would happen to the grant in the future.

·        The definition of a local fostering alternative.

·        The Scrutiny Committee requested regular updates in respect to the impact, progress and delivery of savings on Services to People.

·        Clarification on special services such as baby massage - would parents in one area of the borough be able to use another service in a different area?

RESOLVED - That the comments of the Scrutiny Committee be referred to the Executive for consideration.

The Corporate Director for People will provide an update at the meeting as previously requested by the Scrutiny Committee.

The Corporate Director for People reported on possible topics for the Committee to scrutinise and suggested that in view of the major transformation of Family Support Services that would be the most suitable issue for review.

RESOLVED - That Family Support Services be chosen as the Scrutiny Review topic and the following Councillors be nominated to participate:-

Councillor Ann Smith (Chair)

Councillor Kevin Dowling

Councillor Colin Foster

Councillor Wendy Orrell

Councillor Paul Porgess

Councillor Lisa Walker

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Services for People.

The report provides an overview of progress against priorities identified within the Children's Trust Strategic Plan 2011-14.

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

Officer Contact: Michael Henry on 474 3830 or email: michael.henry@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of progress against priorities identified within the Children's Trust Strategic Plan 2011-14.

The following issues were discussed/comments made:-

• The recently held Young Carers Scrutiny Review.
• The provision of pre-school education in North Reddish.
• An increase in the number of referrals to social care.
• The establishment of a Local Authority group to address the levels of exclusions from secondary schools.
• The role of the Pupil Referral Unit and the managed transfer policy.
• The purpose of Operation Windermere and the establishment of the Sexual Exploitation Forum. The links between the Council and Greater Manchester Police in dealing with issues of sexual exploitation and missing children.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted and representatives of group established to address levels of exclusions from secondary schools be invited to make a presentation at a future meeting.

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

The report was considered by the Executive at its meeting on 8 August 2011 providing an update on progress in achieving the outputs and outcomes of the capital programme in the first quarter of 2011/12 and to seek approval for amendments to the profile of the programme and the notification of additional funding.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report.

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

A joint report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Corporate Director for People and the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services was submitted providing an update on progress in achieving the outputs and outcomes of the capital programme in the first quarter of 2011/12.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

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

The report was considered by the Executive at its meeting on 8 August 2011 providing an update on the 2011/12 revenue budget position  as at 30 June 2011.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report.

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

A joint report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Corporate Director for People and the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services was submitted providing an update on the 2011/12 revenue budget position as at 30 June 2011.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Services for People.

The report provides details in respect to the Executive response to the Scrutiny Review.

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

Officer Contact: Dominic Tumelty on 474 6756 or email: dominic.tumelty@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update in respect to the Executive response to the Young Carers Scrutiny Review.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

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: Steve Fox on 0161 474 3206 or email: stephen.fox@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out planned items for the Scrutiny Committee's next meeting and Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

As agreed at the last meeting a short DVD presentation will be shown in relation to the Award Scheme Development and Accreditation: Police Academy 2011.

The Scrutiny Committee received a DVD presentation in relation to the "Award Scheme Development and Accreditation programme: Police Academy 2011."

The following comments were made/issues made:-

• The scheme had been running since 2008 and had made a positive impact in terms of outcomes for those children who participated.
• Feedback from parents had been particularly positive.
• The October 2011 programme would be delivered in Adswood and in the Spring of 2012 in Brinnington with a view to extending to other priority areas.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted and the thanks of the Scrutiny Committee be extended to all those involved in the project for their excellent work.