Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 July 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the minutes held on 8 July 2019 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.

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.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

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 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 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 Neighbourhoods and Support.

The report updates Members on Foundations Stockport and the progress made to date.

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

Officer contact:  Anne-Marie Heil Tel: 0161 474 3720 Email: anne-marie.heil@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Support submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on Foundations Stockport.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Councillors welcomed the report and commented that it was great to see some of the projects starting to happen.  The sheer breadth of the work and the cross Authority liaison was particularly impressive.

·         In answer to questions about rough sleeping, Councillors were advised that Stockport Homes Group were working with the Wellspring and developing links with other organisations day by day.

·         Members were pleased to note that there was going to be an awareness day for veterans.

·         A short discussion took place relating to diversity and inclusion and what progress was being made in these areas.

·         The Chair emphasised Stockport Homes Group’s social media presence and that this had become a vitally important initiative.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Support.

The report provides Members with an update on activities for Your Local Pantry.

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

Officer contact:  Rebecca Sweeton Tel: 0161 218 1368 Email: Rebecca.sweeton@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Support submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on Your Local Pantry as at September 2019.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Committee acknowledged that this was a much needed initiative and that it was helping to address the issue of school holiday hunger also.

·         The issue of period poverty is an area that Members would be very keen to support.

·         In response to a question regarding the relationship with foodbanks, Members were advised that there was no question of conflict.  Stockport Homes Group had worked hard to link in with relevant charities to ensure the best outcomes for service users.

·         There are now a number of Local Pantry’s across Greater Manchester and many of these are following the Stockport model.

·         Members raised the issue of Brexit and whether strategic planning was taking place for the possibility of a no deal exit from the European Union.  Stockport Homes Group assured Members that their suppliers were working continually on food supplies and that no particular issues were envisaged.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

The report provides Members with an update on performance against indicators and measures and on progress in implementing the Service Improvement Plan (SIP) for 2019/20.

The Committee are invited to note and comment on the performance and improvement actions outlined in the report and to raise any issues of concern about the explanations presented where targets or objectives have not been met.

Officer contact: Patrick Arnold Tel 0161 474 4513 Email: Patrick.arnold@stockporthomes.org

The Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Members with an update on performance against indicators and measures and on progress in implementing the Service Improvement Plan (SIP) for 2019/20.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Committee were pleased to note that considerable work had been done on Universal Credit and that this would be the subject of the next Member briefing.

·         In answer to a question on mutual exchanges, Members were advised that this topic would be covered at the next meeting of the Member Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Resources.

The report provides Members with an update of SHG’s financial performance to August 2019.

The Committee are invited to note and comment on the report and the latest financial results.

Officer contact: John Kennedy Tel 0161 474 2868 Email: john.kennedy@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Resources, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Members with an update of SHG’s financial performance to August 2019.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

The report updates Members on issues not included in other reports but which are likely to be of interest.

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

The Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided information which may be of strategic interest to the Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Committee paid tribute to all the work that had been done on Universal Credit and noted that there was a really positive story on debts.

·         Members of the Committee noted that there had been a 100 per cent increase in families using the family kitchen and that keeping up with demand was a constant challenge.  Overall, however this was felt to be a very positive and much-needed scheme.

·         A project worker has been employed to deal with the issue of ethical lettings and negotiations in this area were ongoing.

·         A short discussion took place relating to the child home safety initiative and how it could best be promoted.

·         The Committee thanked officers for the helpful and informative reports.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.