Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – That Councillor Peter Burns be elected Chair of the Committee for the duration of the meeting.

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2014.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) or the meeting held on 14 January 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Shiela Bailey emphasised that she would like a discussion at a future meeting of the Committee in respect to the Memorandum and Articles of Association with particular regard to members of the Local Authority also being members of the Stockport Homes Board.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Personal Interest

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 Director of Corporate Services, Stockport Homes Ltd.

The report provides an update on the positive action that Stockport Homes has taken to increase access to and the numbers of affordable housing.

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

Officer Contact: Geoff Binns on Tel 474 3712 or email: geoff.binns@stockporthomes.org

A representative of the Chief Executive, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Committee with an update on the action taken by Stockport Homes to increase the access to and numbers of affordable housing.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Officers were commended on their efforts to promote downsizing to tenants in spite of many tenants not wanting to downsize. Councillors discussed the impact of welfare reform changes and the types of property in which people wanted to reside.

·         The removal of minimum age restrictions.

·         Councillors requested further information in relation to section 2.6 of the report and in particular work being undertaken to explore alternative funding arrangements to bring empty homes in the private sector back into use.

·         Councillors requested further information in respect to car parking arrangements at the Hopes Carr and Covent Garden sites in the Town Centre.

·         Councillors requested further information in respect to what percentage of new builds are for rental compared to shared equity and the most up to date information on Right to Buy.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Chief Executive, Stockport Homes be requested to respond with the information requested by Councillors.

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

The report provides an overview of financial management at Stockport Homes and presents the latest financial information.

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

Officer Contact: Carmel Chambers on Tel 474 2840 or email: carmel.chambers@stockporthomes.org

A representative of the Chief Executive, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of financial management at Stockport Homes and presenting the most up to date financial information.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors noted that the capital investment programme and HRA new build development programme were progressing well but that identifying land remained a top priority.

·         Councillors requested a breakdown of the 517 employees in post in respect to whether they were part time or full time as well as a breakdown by gender.

·         An explanation in respect to water income and expenditure was provided.

·         The role of internal and external audit as the company expands and diversifies.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on performance to the end of February 2014.

The Committee are recommended to:

-       Notes the performance update outlined in this report and the more detailed quarterly report, attached as an appendix.

-       Raise any issues of concern about the explanations presented.

Officer Contact: Rob Lloyd on Tel 474 3279 or email: rob.lloyd@stockporthomes.org

A representative of the Chief Executive Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on corporate performance to the end of February 2014.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Total number of days lost due to sickness absence remained an issue and a number of strategies were in place to improve performance. A more detailed report on this issue would be submitted to a future meeting.

·         The impact of internal transfers on void costs. Void costs remained a major challenge for the organisation especially given the sensitivity of the under occupation charge.

·         Mutual transfers continued to alleviate the pressure on the voids process.

·         The majority of actions in the Service Improvement Plan had been completed on time in the third quarter.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report presents Stockport Homes’ Risk Management Strategy for 2014-2017.

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

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

A representative of the Chief Executive, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting for consideration Stockport Homes’ Risk Management Strategy for 2014-2017. A detailed explanation was provided in relation to how the organisation aimed to ensure that risk management is an integral part of new business opportunity management.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update in respect to the structure of Stockport Homes.

The Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Lisa Musson on Tel: 474 3820 or email: lisa.musson@stockporthomes.org

A representative of the Chief Executive, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the current organisational structure of Stockport Homes which included contact details for key officers.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that it be circulated to all Councillors for information.