Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 July 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 11 July 2011 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.

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 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 and at local libraries and information centres. You may also submit your question by email to democratic.services@stockport.gov.uk).

Members of the public were invited to submit questions to the Chair on any matters within the powers and duties of the Executive, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

Four questions were asked.

(i) The first question sought clarification on the criteria used in determining whether a school crossing patrol was needed where two sites were very similar, as was the case with crossings at Norbury Hall, Hazel Grove and Church Lane, Marple.

The Executive Councillor (Transportation) replied that in the example quoted by the questioner, the speed surveys carried out revealed significantly higher average speeds and more adverse visibility splays at Church Lane and as such this site met the criteria for a school crossing patrol whereas the other site did not.

(ii) The second question related to the reasons for the Executive not yet having allocated the Priority Initiative Fund.

The Executive Councillor (Finance) replied that due to the challenging financial circumstances facing the Council it had been felt more prudent not to allocate the fund to support new projects as had been done in past years, but to consider using the fund to respond to particular pressures on specific services as they may arise during the year. It was anticipated that the Fund would be allocated before March 2012.

(iii) The third question related to the expenditure of £19,717 by the Children & Young People’s Directorate on the use of hotels for training and other events and whether this was an appropriate use of resources in the current economic climate.

The Leader of the Council undertook to provide a written response.

(iv) The fourth question asked whether there had been a loss of income from Town Centre car parks as a result of changes to the level of charges for parking permits which may have been discouraging customers from purchasing them.

The Executive Councillor (Transportation) clarified that the Town Centre car parks did not make a loss although income was lower than projected due to reduced footfall within the Town Centre (although this downward trend was reversing) and so fewer day tickets had been purchased. The Council had also been successful at encouraging alternative modes of travel for visitors to the Town Centre, which were up by 6% which would mean a corresponding reduction in car parking income.

The Leader of the Council further replied that the Council was working hard to improve the vitality of the Town Centre, such as attracting Primark, which would increase footfall.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Finance)

The report seeks to inform the Executive on the operation and effectiveness of the Council's Treasury Management function for 2010/11. 

The Council’s Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices were last approved on 25 February 2010.  A number of amendments have recently been incorporated into the documents which reflect changes to the new Council officer structure during 2010/11, however as there have been no fundamental revisions, the Policy Statement and Practices have not been included with the report due to their length and complexity but are available on request.   

The Executive is asked to recommend that the Council Meeting:

        i.      Approve the actual 2010/11 prudential and treasury indicators in this report;

      ii.      Note the annual treasury management report for 2010/11;

    iii.      Note the presentational changes to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices to reflect the new Council structure.

Officer contact: Lorna Salvage, 0161 474 4026, lorna.salvage@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the Annual Report for 2010/11 on the Council’s Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices.

The Executive Councillor (Finance) advised the Executive Meeting of a minor amendment to the table at paragraph 4.8 of the report altering the figure of Actual Net Borrowing at 31 March 2011 from £425,795 to £391,417.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to:-

(i)                 approve the actual 2010/11 prudential and treasury indicators in this report;

(ii)               note the Annual Treasury Management Report 2010/11, and

(iii)             note the presentational changes to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices to reflect the new Council structure.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Customer Focus)

The report summarises key areas of activity, risks and progress in delivering the Council’s priorities and outcomes during the First Quarter of 2011/12.

The report provides a narrative summary of key projects and activities which support delivery of priority outcomes, and includes an update on the risks identified within the fourth quarter report. This sets the scene for a more objective and quantative analysis of performance to assess the impact of these activities within future reports. 

The Executive is asked to:-

a)         Comment on the structure and content of the report;

b)        Review progress against delivering Council Plan priorities and portfolio outcomes alongside the budget forecasts contained in the Financial Monitoring Report;

c)         Identify key areas for further investigation and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any existing or forecast performance issues or risks.

Officer contact: Andrew Stewart, 0161 474 3243, andrea.stewart@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Customer Focus) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Executive Meeting with a summary of progress in delivering the Council’s priorities and outcomes during the first quarter of 2011/12.

RESOLVED – That the report and performance in the first quarter against the Council’s priorities be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Finance)

The report provides an update on the 2011/12 revenue budget position as at 30 June 2011. At the end of the first quarter there is a forecast cash limit surplus of £0.967m. Each Portfolio’s forecast position is described more fully in section three of the report. In the main, this position is largely due to vacancy management and efficiencies within Services for Young People and a surplus within the Supporting People Programme offset by a deficit on the car parking service within the Transportation Portfolio.

Non-cash limits currently forecast a balanced position.  Further details are contained in section four of the report.

Most remaining Portfolios are currently reporting a break-even position for the year although there are some underlying pressures within the Adults and Health Portfolio which it is considered can be contained in the short term through the use of Earmarked Reserves.

The Executive is recommended to:

·                approve the virements and budget adjustments set out in Appendix Two of the report.

·                note the forecast cash limit and non-cash limit outturn positions for 2011/12;

·                agree the approach to managing cash and non-cash limit surpluses and deficits set out in this report; and

·                approve the proposed contributions to/from earmarked reserves as described in section 8 of this report.

Officer contact: Andy Moran, 0161 474 4086, andrew.moran@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the first quarter 2011/12 revenue budget position as at 30 June 2011. There was an overall forecasted cash limit surplus of £0.967m and a balanced position forecasted for non-cash limit budgets.

RESOLVED – That

(i)                 the virements and budget adjustments detailed in Appendix Two of the report be approved;

(ii)               the forecast cash limit and non cash limit outturn positions for 2011/12 be noted;

(iii)             the approach to managing cash and non-cash limit surpluses and deficits set out in the report be noted, and

(iv)             the proposed contributions to/from earmarked reserves as described in Section 8 of the report be approved.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Finance)

The report provides an update on expenditure incurred and progress made on projects in the first quarter of 2011/12 and to seek approval for amendments to the capital programme.

The programme approved by Executive on 13 June 2011 has been amended to include new projects which have attracted additional resources and changes in project profiling.

The current programme for 2011/12 is £67.162m and expenditure, including accruals for goods received or work performed, as at 30 June 2011 was £7.418m.

The 2011/12 capital programme is considerably lower than it has been in recent years due to changes and reductions in capital funding settlements.  However, there have been some major additions to the programme during quarter one, most significantly the Solar Photovoltaic Panels Scheme, and the programme has been increased by a total of £15.437m in additional funding.

The Executive is asked to

·         Approve the changes to the capital programme shown in Appendix One.

·         Approve the resourcing of the capital programme set out in Appendix Two.

·         Note the progress on capital schemes as set out in Appendix Three.

Officer contact: Christine Buxton, 0161 474 4124, christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the first quarter position on the 2011/12 Capital Programme. The 2011/12 Programme amounted to £67.162m and expenditure as at 30 June 2011 was £7.418m.

RESOLVED – That

(i)                 the changes to the capital programme as set out in Appendix One of the report be approved;

(ii)               the resourcing of the capital programme as detailed in Appendix Two of the report be approved, and

(iii)             progress on capital schemes as set out in Appendix Three of the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Finance)

The report details the operation and effectiveness of the Council's Treasury Management function for quarter one 2011/12.

The Treasury Management Policy Statement, approved by Council on 24 February 2011 outlines that reporting on Treasury Management will be undertaken quarterly and as such the Council is embracing Best Practice in accordance with CIPFA's revised Code of Practice. 

A ‘key highlights’ summary for quarter one is provided at the front of the comprehensive report.

The Executive is asked to note the content of the report.

Officer contact: Lorna Salvage, 0161 474 4026, lorna.salvage@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the operation and effectiveness of the Council’s Treasury Management function in the first quarter of 2011/12.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Customer Focus)

The report provides an overview of complaints received in the first quarter of 2011/12, which covers the following complaints procedures:

·         Corporate Complaints.

·         Adult Social Care Complaints.

·         Children’s Social Care Complaints.

·         Stockport Homes’ complaints

·         Local Government Ombudsman complaints.

The report also outlines lessons learnt as a result of complaints.

The Executive is asked to:

a)                 Review performance information contained in this report, and

b)                 Comment on the performance measures reported and suggest any additional information thatmight be collected in future.

Officer contact: Anwar Majothi, 0161 474-3182, anwar.majothi@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Customer Focus) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider an overview of complaints received in the first quarter of 2011/12 and outlining the lessons learnt from these.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The report invites the Executive Meeting to consider an appointment to the Board of Business Regulation Solutions, part of the Manchester Solutions Group.

The Executive is asked to appoint Mr Ian O’Donnell as the Council’s representative on the Board of Business Regulation Solutions.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to make an appointment to the Board of Business Regulation Solutions.

RESOLVED – That Ian O’Donnell, Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards, be appointed as the Council’s representative on the Board of Business Regulation Solutions.