Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 12 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 a report of the Director of Corporate Services, Stockport Homes Ltd.

The report explains proposed changes to the Stockport Homes Articles of Association.

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

Officer Contact: Jeremy Beatty on Tel: 474 2850 or email: jeremy.beatty@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Corporate Services, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining a number of proposed changes to the Articles of Association which would bring the Articles into line with current legislative requirements, ensure the highest level of compliance with regulatory requirements and strengthen Stockport Homes’ contribution to delivering the Council’s priorities.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         There was a difference of views amongst the Committee whereby a number of Councillors supported the proposals detailed in the report whilst others expressed concern particularly in relation to the selection of Tenant Board Members rather than their election and in relation to the principle of payment for Board members.

·         A number of Councillors welcomed the proposal to pay members of the Board in light of the stance undertaken by many other public sector bodies who already offered some form of remuneration. It was suggested that should the proposal ultimately be approved – the Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd be requested, in so far as possible, to utilise the offer of remuneration to ensure that representation on the Board be as diverse as possible.

·         One Councillor questioned the appropriateness of preventing an elected member of the Council or an employee of Stockport Council or Stockport Homes from receiving remuneration if appointed to the Board. Others questioned whether it was appropriate for Stockport Council or Stockport Homes employees to be eligible to sit on the Board and that this could result in conflicts of interest.

·         Legal costs incurred in respect to the proposals to change the Articles of Association.

·         Councillors requested a copy to be circulated of the document which sets out the requirements for being a Board Member.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration be requested to ensure that the comments of the Committee are referred to the Adult Care Services and Housing Scrutiny Committee and the Executive for their consideration.