Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 14 October 2013 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 report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since  the last meeting of the Committee.

No urgent decisions were reported.

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of agenda items  6 to 11 which contains information “not for publication by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of the any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public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would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ agenda items 6,7,8,9,10,and 11 (see Minute 6 to 11 below)

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair of the Area Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area 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 cards provided. These are available the meeting and at local libraries and information centres.  You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

No public questions were submitted.

To consider a report of the Financial Director, Solutions SK Ltd. (To Follow)

The Committee is requested to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Barry Jennings – barry.jennings@solutionssk.co.uk

Barry Jennings, Financial Director (Solutions SK) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on quarter three and the year end forecast. The report explained that the company was on target to deliver the original budget as well as delivering cost savings to the Council across Refuse and Recycling, Streetcare, Parks, Highways and Street lighting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Financial Director, Solutions SK Ltd. (To Follow)

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

Officer Contact: Barry Jennings – barry.jennings@stockport.gov.uk

The Chair reported that this item had been dealt with during consideration of the previous item.

To consider a report of the Financial Director, Solutions SK Ltd. (To Follow)

The Committee is requested to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Barry Jennings – barry.jennings@solutionssk.co.uk

Barry Jennings, Financial Director (Solutions SK) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Committee to comment on the proposed 2014/2015 budget The report summarised income and expenditure, identified risks and opportunities and provided an overview of progress against performance targets which support the company’s corporate strategy.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Committee is requested to consider and comment on the report.

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

Stephen Morris, Managing Director (Solutions SK) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the School Meals Service offer by Solutions SK. He also circulated a leaflet which had been sent to schools which detailed all the services provided to schools by Solutions SK. Councillors discussed the SLA arrangements in respect to the School Meals Service and the impact that free school meals for under 7’s was likely to have.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Committee is requested to consider and comment on the report.

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

Stephen Morris, Managing Director (Solutions SK) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a strategic update on the company business plan which included commentary on the current position & business analysis, key objectives and immediate future aims.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Council Solicitor. (To Follow)

The Committee is requested to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Barry Khan on Tel: 474 3202 or email: barry.khan@stockport.gov.uk

Barry Khan, Council Solicitor, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the implications of requesting Solutions SK to implement a ‘Living Wage’ for their staff.

Councillors discussed the implications that the implementation of the Living Wage may have on the company Recovery Plan.

RESOLVED – That the Solutions SK Board be informed that the Contributors Committee supports the proposal that the company implements a Living Wage for their staff and in supporting that proposal the Committee acknowledges that there will be implications for the implementation of the Recovery Plan.

To consider the following dates for future meetings:

Wednesday 30 April 2014 at 10.00am

Wednesday 30 July 2014 at 10.00am

Wednesday 29 October 2014 at 10.00am

Officer Contact: Stephen Fox on Tel: 474 3206 or email:stephen.fox@stockport.gov.uk

RESOLVED – That meetings of the Contributors Committee be held on the following dates:-

Wednesday 20 April 2014 at 10.00am

Wednesday 30 July 2014 at 10.00am

Wednesday 29 October 2014 at 10.00am