Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 14 January 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it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of agenda items 6 and 7 which contains information “not for publication by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of the any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public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would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ agenda item 6 ‘Finance and Performance Report’ and item 7 ‘Managing Director’s Report.’

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

The report provides an overview against targets which support the company strategy.

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

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

The Finance Director, Solutions SK Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview against targets which support the company strategy.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Since the last meeting, the company has undertaken a re-forecast of the full year results to 31 March 2015. The business continues to trade positively and broadly in line with the forecast.

·         Reduction in debtors (both external and internal) has improved. Communication between Solutions SK and Council staff has improved at all levels and this had contributed to the speedy resolution of many outstanding items.

·         During December there had been a further draw down from the Council facility to fund the purchase of the next tranche of vehicles which included 3 road sweepers and 4 Highways vehicles. The vehicle purchase had been added to the fixed asset list.

·         The ISSK statutory accounts for the year to March 2014 had been finalised and filed at Companies House.

·         The internal budget process for the Company had commenced.

·         The costs of winter maintenance in view of the mild conditions. There had been an underspend this year as in the previous financial year – the Council would benefit from this budget not being fully spent.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on issues relating to company business including:-

1.    An update on the four business streams:

·         Refuse and Recycling

·         Civil & Electrical Engineering

·         Schools and FM

·         Umbrella Business

2.    AD Plant – Fairfield Bio Energy Contract

3.    Operational Need of Agency Labour

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

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

The Managing Director, Solutions SK ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on issues relating to company business including an update on each business stream, the Fairfield Bio Energy contract and operational need of agency labour.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Plans were in place to strengthen the Senior Management Team with the focus on customer engagement and relationships and business & performance management.

·         The company was moving further towards digital technologies for both internal reporting and for reporting to clients.

·         The strategy for dealing with the umbrella businesses was advanced. The Board intended to conclude its strategy, business plan and budget for 2014/2015 by the end of March.

·         Problems with food supply through Brakes had eased somewhat but there were a number of issues which remained of concern.

·         The improvements in highways reactive productivity was welcomed and school meals continued to improve in terms of quality of food and of service.

·         In respect to reactive maintenance, crews were provided with tablets so they could take before and after pictures of work carried out. This assisted greatly in respect to quality control of work undertaken.

·         The Managing Director undertook to keep the Committee appraissed of issues relating to the Fairfield Bio Energy contract.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.