Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 29 March 2018 were submitted for approval as a correct.

A report of the Monitoring Officer was also submitted (copies of which were circulated) in relation to the previous Committee resolution requesting clarification on the process followed for changing the name of the Company. Councillor Hunter expressed concern about the accuracy of the report, in particular that it gave the impression that the matter of the company name change had been raised with the Committee, whereas the matter had arisen only because of his insistence that an explanation be given as to the role of the then Chair and his understanding of his actions.

The Chair undertook to raise these concerns with the Monitoring Officer.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair, subject to the removal of the word ‘Area’ from the second line of Minute 4 ‘Public Question Time’.

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 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 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whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of agenda items which contains information “not for publication by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) relating to the financial or business affairs of the any particular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 and 8.

To consider a report of the Finance Director, TLC

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

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

The Finance Director, TLC Ltd, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Committee with the Year End Accounts for 2017/18 that had also received an unqualified report from the Company’s external auditors.

Councillors welcomed the improved set of financial figures for the company and congratulated TLC Management and Board.

Councillors highlighted the need to ensure TLC was able to maximise the opportunities to undertake work from the Council, particularly in relation to the delivery of the Highway Improvement Programme.

The Committee also discussed the impact of pension liabilities on the underlying position of the Company.

RESOLVED – That the finalised Accounts for 2017/18 be adopted.

To consider a report of the Finance Director, TLC

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

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

The Finance Director, TLC Ltd, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update to the Committee on the current financial situation for the period up to the end of June 2018.

The Finance Director highlighted an overall strong financial position.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Councillors discussed the cost pressures on food that may impact on the performance of the school meals service.

·         Councillors discussed cost pressures on refuse and recycling services.

·         The impact of the Living Wage on the underlying profitability of cleaning and the target market for TLC.

·         Collection of payments and outstanding invoices was discussed and the positive performance in this respect given the relatively small team.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Finance Director, TLC, be requested to include year-end projections in future finance updates in so far as was possible.

To consider updates from the Managing Director, TLC

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

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

The Managing Director, TLC Ltd, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Committee on the key issues and activity of the Company and future projects for growth.

The update included:-

·         Proposals for a fleet replacement programme. Councillors discussed the financing options for the proposals and the need to take account of air quality.

·         Investing in the Security Centre. Councillors discussed the opportunities for collaboration with other companies and agencies on security related activity.

Councillors emphasised the need for greater collaboration and coordination between local partners to maximise opportunities and efficiencies in the delivery of services.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make arrangements for an extraordinary meeting of the Committee to discuss further with representatives of TLC and the Borough Treasurer the proposals in relation to a Fleet Replacement programme.

(3) That the Managing Director, TLC Ltd be requested to submit further information in relation to the Security Centre investment to the next meeting.

(4) That Chief Executive and Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be encouraged to work with TLC and other associated bodies and partners to explore opportunities for collaboration.