Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 February 2016.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 22 February 2016 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 of the Committee 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 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.

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 Technical and Commercial Services, Stockport Homes Ltd.

The report outlines the Stockport Homes’ Development Strategy

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

Officer Contact: Steve Leonard on Tel: 218 1014 or email: steve.leonard@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Technical and Commercial Services, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing for information the Development Strategy 2015-2020 which had been approved by the Stockport Homes’ Board in March 2016.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Committee welcomed the fact that since the implementation of the first Development Strategy in 2009, Stockport Homes had successfully built, acquired or was in the process of constructing 464 properties.

·         The strategy took into account the impact of the 2015 budget which introduced a one percent reduction in rents for the next 4 years and outlined Stockport Homes’ response to the new challenges.

·         The strategy also gave consideration to the implications for welfare reform and potential problems associated with building bigger properties.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Finance, Stockport Homes Ltd.

The report presents for consideration the 2016/2017 budget.

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

Officer Contact: Suzanne.whelan@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Finance, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the budget for 2016/2017.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The budget outlined how the company will protect continued service delivery to customers by maximising its innovation, business diversification, having a value for money strategy, contributing to efficiencies across the borough whilst financially planning for the future.

·         A balanced Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget was achieved through efficiencies in both the Stockport Homes Management fee and the Capital Programme.

·         The Committee noted that the Carecall and Concierge Service became a combined team from April 2015 with all staff working across both service areas – this has led to many benefits including more flexible and efficient working arrangements.

·         The Committee welcomed the efficiencies achieved within the Caretaking Services through the review of working practices – savings had been passed on to customers.

·         Anti-social behaviour services continue to be a priority for customers – efficiencies were being reinvested with the recruitment of an additional officer to maintain high quality services delivery.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Finance, Stockport Homes Ltd.

The report provides a summary of the Stockport Homes Corporate Risk Register and HRA Risk Register for 2016-2017.

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

Officer Contact: Samantha Donigan on Tel: 474 2139 or email: samantha.donigan@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Finance, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of the Stockport Homes Corporate Risk Register and HRA Risk Register for 2016-2017.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Committee noted that the registers for 2016-2017 had been amended considerably to reflect the operating environment following the announcements in the summer budget 2015 which included a 1% rent reduction for four years from 2016-2017.

·         The registers remained live documents which could be amended as risks change or emerge.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Corporate Services, Stockport Homes.

The report provides an update on performance against targets and the actions in the Service Improvement Plan.

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

Officer Contact: Katalin Szavai on Tel: 474 3764 or email: katalin.szavai@ stockporthomes.org

The Director of Corporate Services, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on performance against targets and actions in the Service Improvement Plan.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Seven of the twelve corporate performance indicators were on target and rated as ‘green’, four fell short of the target and were rated as ‘amber’, only one indicator was rated as ‘red’ – this related to the percentage of ‘ skills for life’ participants going into volunteering, further education or employment three months after the completion of their courses.

·         The Committee noted that on the whole progress against the service improvement plan was excellent with most actions remaining on target.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Finance Director, Stockport Homes Ltd.

The report provides an update to the Stockport Homes Member Committee of Stockport Homes’ financial performance between April 2015 and Feb 2016.

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

Officer Contact: Suzanne Whelan on 474 4410 or email: Suzanne.whelan@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Finance, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on financial performance between April 2015 and February 2016.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The February Management Accounts were reporting that Stockport Homes would deliver within budget for the 2015/2016 financial year. Stockport Homes had set its budget for 2016/2017 and efficiencies would be earmarked in conjunction with aspirations as set out in the Delivery Plan.

·         Work was currently being undertaken to review the Capital Programme over the next 5 years in light of the 1 percent rent reductions taking effect from 1 April 2016.

·         The Stockport Homes borrowing portfolio comprises prudential borrowing on fixed rates from Stockport Council for the refinancing of new build and the new Head Office. The total debt outstanding as at 29 February 2016 was £15.006 million against a net fixed asset value for properties of £18.401 million.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.