Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14 April 2014.

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

No declarations of interest were made.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and Executive Councillors on any matters within the powers and duties of the Executive, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.  (Questions must be submitted no later than 30 minutes 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 Corporate Services, Stockport Homes.

The report outlines the activities of the Customer Scrutiny Panel and how that Panel contributes to Stockport Homes meeting its co-regulatory responsibilities.

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

Officer Contact: Jill Holt on Tel: 474 3511 or email: jill.holt@stockporthomes.org

A representative of the Director of Corporate Services, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the activities of the Customer Scrutiny Panel (CSP) and how that Panel contributed to Stockport Homes meeting its regulatory responsibilities.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on the key achievement of customer involvement and community engagement work throughout 2013/2014.

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

Officer Contact: Samantha Hill on Tel: 474 2862 or email: Samantha.hill@stockporthomes.org

A representative of the Director of Corporate Services, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the key achievements of customer involvement and community engagement work during 2013/2014 as well as detailing an impact assessment.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors commended the report and sought a more detailed explanation as to how the programme was delivered in schools.

·         There were 4263 incidents of individuals participating in activities in 2013/14, which was an increase of 700 on the previous year.

·         A targeted community development approach has brought new neighbourhood based multi-agency partnerships in the Reddish and Cheadle Heath areas.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

To consider a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Support, Stockport Homes.

The report provides an update on the delivery of Stockport Homes’ Greenspace Strategy for 2013-2016.

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

Officer Contact: Jane Allen on Tel: 474 3876 or email: jane.allen@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Support submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the delivery of Stockport Homes’ Greenspace Strategy for 2013-16 and presenting for comment the 2014-2015 action plan for information.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Stockport Homes continues to raise its greenspace profile through a number of forums, including the NW Neighbourhoods Green Network, Green Flag (Keep Britain Tidy) and the NW Play Network.

·         The Action Plan for 2014 -2015 builds on the achievements 3.1 to date, to support the delivery of Stockport Homes’ strategic aims.

·         Consultation has taken place with staff, customers and key partners to identify on going and new actions from 2014-15 action plan to ensure that Stockport Homes’ greenspace strategy supports Stockport Homes’ wider strategic objectives.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

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

The report outlines the Health and Safety performance, activity and initiatives undertaken during 2013/2014 and planned activity for 2014/2015.

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

Officer Contact: Neil Smith on Tel: 474 2872 or email: neil.smith@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Corporate Services, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) informing the Committee on health and safety performance, activity and initiatives undertaken in 2013/2014 and on planned activities for 2014/2015.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors sought an explanation for the rise in number of employees.

·         Costs associated with the removal of asbestos and Stockport Homes’ long term vision for the removal of all asbestos containing materials from properties.

·         The rational for not pursuing OHSAS 18001 in occupational health and safety until the move to the new headquarters.

·         An explanation was sought for rise in number of recorded accidents per number of employees in 2012/2013.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides and update on the housing fraud initiative for 2013-2014 and quarter one of 2014-2015.

The Committee are 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 Director of Finance, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the housing fraud initiative for 2013-2014 and quarter one 2014-2015.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The possibility of creating a whistle blowing policy for tenants.

·         The table in 4.2 of the report was helpful – councillors suggested further details in relation to outcomes would be of interest.

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 indicators and measures and the Service Improvement Plan (SIP) for the first quarter of 2014/2015.

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

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

A representative of the Director of Corporate Services, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on performance against indicators and measures and the Service Improvement Plan (SIP) for the first quarter of 2014/2015.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors requested further information in relation to the ‘Bid for Afghan project’ as detailed on page 130 of the agenda.

·         Councillors discussed the percentage of Anti Social Behaviour complainants that were satisfied with the outcome of their case.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report presents for consideration the latest financial performance at Stockport Homes.

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

Officer Contact: Suzanne Frier on Tel: 474 4410 or email: Suzanne.frier@stockporthomes.org

A representative of the Director of Finance, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting for comment the latest financial performance for Stockport Homes.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.                                                                                   (To Follow)

Officer Contact: Marion Gordon on Tel: 474 4350 or email: marion.gordon@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting for comment the options appraisal for the future management of Council owned housing in the borough. The report documented the outcomes of the customer consultation and assessment process.

Councillors expressed disappointment at the level of response given the efforts that had been made during the consultation. The Chair thanked officers for an excellent piece of work.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Committee is requested to note and approve the followings dates for future meetings:

·         12 January 2015 at 2pm

·         13 April 2015 at 2pm

·         13 July 2015 at 2pm

·         12 October 2015 at 2pm

RESOLVED – (1) That the next meeting of the Committee be held on 12 January 2015 at 2pm.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to liaise with the Chief Executive Stockport Homes Ltd to agree a programme of meetings for 2015.