Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 26 January 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 26 January 2017 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.

No urgent decisions were reported.

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it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of agenda items 6,7,8 and 9 which contain information “not for publication by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of the any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public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 agenda items 6,7,8 and 9 (see minutes 6,7,8 and 9 below)

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

The report provides a summary of finance and performance issues by business area, a statement of financial position and information on debtors and cash.

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

Officer Contact: Stephen Morris by email: stephen.morris@stockport.gov.uk

The Finance Director, Solutions SK Ltd, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Committee with information in respect to performance by business area including Environmental Services, Civil & Electrical Engineering, School Meals & Building Cleaning and a number of other services. The report also detailed a statement of financial position, debtors and cash.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The “Profit & Loss Account” will in future be known as “The Consolidated Income Statement” and the Balance Sheet will be known as the “Statement of Financial Position.”

·         In total, business traded positively for the eleven months to 28 February 2017 which was a good result after eleven months of the year in challenging trading conditions.

·         Winter Maintenance had performed better than expected thanks to the mild winter weather which had also reduced the costs of gritting.

·         Councillors noted that Highways Reactive had produced a better than expected result thanks to more efficient use of resources and lower volumes of jobs logged in the system.

·         School Meals’ performance was on target and the Business Manager continued to develop leads with schools in Cheshire East, Tameside and Manchester in an effort to increase future revenue.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out information relating to the 2017-2018 budget.

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

Officer Contact: Stephen Morris by email: stephen.morris@stockport.gov.uk

The Finance Director, Solutions SK Ltd, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Committee with information in respect to the proposed 2017/2018 budget and on the budget setting process.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

Councillors noted that 2017/2018 would see a level of capital budgeting which had no previously been used by the Company.

Discussions remained ongoing in respect to Venue Catering.

Business success was heavily dependent on the performance of the Highways and Street Lighting Capital cost centres.

Councillors welcomed the work undertaken to enhance the profitability of the security operation and that the FBE contract dispute had been concluded. They commended the Managing Director and officers involved in bringing that conflict to a successful conclusion.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the proposed 2017/2018 budget be endorsed and approved in so far as the Committee is concerned.

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

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

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

The Managing Director, Solution SK Ltd, made a presentation in respect to work undertaken by the organisation to ensure that all drivers were fit and able to drive. All drivers had to have a medical before they were employed and had to have a test every 5 years after the age of 45 and one per year after the age of 65. The company were keen to recruit new drivers from within the organisation and offered to pay for medical and provide bespoke training for bin wagon driving skills. In addition, the Managing Director explained the work undertaken in respect to drug and alcohol testing including a comprehensive support and rehabilitation programme. He confirmed that all staff selected randomly for a drug and alcohol test had passed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that the Managing Director, Solutions SK Ltd be thanked for his informative presentation.

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

The report provides information in respect to future business development.

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

Officer Contact: Stephen Morris by email: stephen.morris@stockport.gov.uk

The Managing Director, Solutions SK Ltd, attended the meeting and provided an update in respect to developments across a wide range of business area.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

Councillors commended officers on the excellent work undertaken in respect to the School Meals Services and in particular to the promotional work at seminars with schools. The Committee noted that preliminary investigations were being carried out in respect to the introduction of parent pay for the school meals service.

The Committee welcomed efforts made in respect to Security given the high level of competition in the market.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.