Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 July 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 29 July 2015 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters within the powers and duties of the Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.  (Questions must be submitted prior to the commencement of the meeting on the card provided.  These are available at the meeting. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

No public questions were submitted.

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of agenda item 6 which contains information “not for publication by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of the any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public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would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ agenda items 6 (i) to 6(vi) below.

To consider reports of the Managing Director and Finance Director, Solutions SK Ltd. (To Follow)

The Committee are invited to consider and comment on the reports.

Officer Contact: Stephen Morris by email: stephen.morris@solutionssk.co.uk

To consider a report of the Finance Director, Solutions SK.

The Managing Director, Solutions SK LTD, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the finance and performance report at 30 September 2015.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The business continued to trade positively for the six months to 30 September 2015. The business remained on track to deliver its budget.

·         A summary was provided by business area incorporating Recycling & Refuse, Streets & Greenspace, Highways, Street Lighting, Arboriculture, Facilities Management, Security & Operational Support, VOMM and BIO.

·         The new School Meals Team had changed the menu on offer and there were a number of benefits associated with changing the food supplier. It was hope in the future that some of the school who had looked elsewhere for a provider would return to Solutions SK.

·         Discussions remained ongoing with the Council’s Venue Management Team in respect to the operation of the Stopford House Restaurant.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Finance Director, Solutions SK.

The Managing Director, Solutions SK Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update in respect to the Member’s Voluntary Liquidation of ISSK Limited.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Managing Director, Solutions SK Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the tender process for the appointment of the external auditors. The report explained that seven audit firms from the Manchester/Stockport area had been invited to tender and it was expected that a final decision would be made by 30 November 2016. Internal audit services would continue to be provided by Stockport Council and would not be affected by the tender.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Managing Director, Solutions SK Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) explaining that the Solutions SK Board had agreed to undertake a tender exercise to replace the existing supplier of SAP B1 software better suited to the current needs of the business.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Managing Director, Solutions SK.

The Managing Director, Solutions SK Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary overview on company business. The main issues covered in the report included the FBE contract, the resolution of the SAP/B1 system, the development of new business and engagement with the workforce.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The company was currently recruiting to three key posts.

·         Efforts made by the company to improve performance in communicating key messages both internally and externally.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Managing Director, Solutions SK.

The Managing Director, Solutions SK Ltd, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update in respect to issues relating to the FBE AD Plant Contract.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.