Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 9 July 2018 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.

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 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 Resource, Stockport Homes Ltd.

The report provides an update on the impact that Welfare reform has had on customers to date.

The Committee are invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Christian Hartley on Tel: 474 2824 or email: christian.hartley@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Resources, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the impact that welfare reform has had on customers.

The following comments were made/issues made:-

·         The Committee noted that Stockport JCP would begin to accept claims on the unrestricted ‘Full Digital’ service on 21st November 2018.

·         Claimants who remain on existing benefits or tax credits would be gradually migrated over to UC between July 2019 and 2023. Once full migration was complete, approximately 5,500 Stockport Homes’ tenants would be claiming UC.

·         The Committee noted that the average arrears of £352 on UC accounts was less than the ALMO average of £514.00 – Councillors commended officers on the excellent work undertaken to keep this such a low figure.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on the performance and key achievements of the ASB service and related services.

The Committee is invited to comment on the report.

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

The Director for Neighbourhoods, Access and Support submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update in respect to the performance and key achievements of the Anti-Social Behaviour Service and related services.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors requested that the draft revised strategy be circulated at the earliest opportunity.

·         It was suggested that football clubs throughout the surrounding areas be approached with a view to supporting the ambition of preventing Anti-Social Behaviour through sport.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on progress in partnership working on health.

The Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Anne-Marie Heil on Tel: 474 3720 or email: anne-marie.heil@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Support, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update in respect to partnership working with health.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Committee welcomed the developments in respect to the face to face counselling service and the self help mental wellbeing support.

·         It was suggested that the Care Call service be expanded and further investment be encouraged to support older and vulnerable people.

·         Extensive links had been developed with health services locally, leading to rapid response of referrals of homeless patients in hospital and support for patient discharge plans. Concerns were expressed in resepct to the homelessness in the borough and the wider region.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on the work of the organisation in supporting customers into employment, training and volunteering.

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

Officer Contact: Anne-Marie Heil on Tel: 474 3720 or email: anne.marie.heil@stockporthomes.org

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Support, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the work of the organisation in supporting customers into employment, training and volunteering.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         During October 2018 SHG would deliver a Customer Roadshow that directly targeted customers that will be moved to UC.

·         The Committee welcomed efforts made in relation to social media which had proved particularly successful for sharing opportunities with customers. It also highlighted the opportunities available to Stockport residents with a reach of over 7,000, contributing both socially and economically towards the wider ‘Investing in Stockport’ change programme. It was noted that traditional approaches for engaging customers in the process remained.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd.

The report provides a year end update on performance against indicators and measures and or progress in implementing the Service Improvement Plan for 2018/2019.

The Committee are invited to comment on the report.

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

The Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on performance against indicators and measures and progress in implementing the Service Improvement Plan (SIP) for 2018/2019.

The Committee welcomed the set of positive performance indicators.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on financial performance to September 2018.

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

Officer Contact: John Kennedy on Tel: 474 2868 or email: john.kennedy@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Resources, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) proving an update in financial performance to April 2018.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive, Stockport Homes Ltd.

The report provides information on issues which may be of strategic interest to the Committee.

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

A representative of the Chief Executive, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on issues which may be of interest to members which were not included in the other reports.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

Further information was requested in respect to the number of women employed in construction and associated trades.

Councillors noted that Stockport Homes was updating its Customer Access Strategy to enhance the approach to how customers can access services in the future. There had been several consultation events with customers.

The Committee congratulated the Customer Scrutiny Panel which had achieved re-accreditation status receiving a maximum of 30 out of 30 in the critical assessment factors. Stockport Homes’ Customer Scrutiny Panel was the only group to have achieved 30 out of 30 in the assessment.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Proposed dates for future meetings will be presented to the Committee for consideration and approval.

RESOLVED – That the Deputy Chief Executive be requested to make arrangements for meetings on the following dates:-

·         18 February 2019 at 2.00pm

·         8 July 2019 at 2.00pm

·         14 October 2019 at 2.00pm