Agenda item

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The First Update Portfolio Performance and Resources Report (PPRR) for the Communities & Housing, Environment & Regeneration and Education Portfolios provides an early update on progress on delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects during the first quarter (April to June) of 2016/17.. It includes forecast performance data (where this is available) and projected financial data for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

 The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

·         Consider the first quarter Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;

·         Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2016/17;

·         Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues;

·         Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Executive alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report;

·         Identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services.

 Officer Contacts: Joe Conmee/Kora Yohannon on 0161 474 5396/4032 or email: joseph.conmee@stockport.gov.uk/kora.yohannon@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the First Update Portfolio Performance and Resources Report (PPRR) for the Communities & Housing, Environment & Regeneration and Education Portfolios. The report provided an early update on progress on delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects during the first quarter (April to June) of 2016/17. It included forecast performance data (where this was available) and projected financial data for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Housing) (Councillor Sheila Bailey) and Executive Councillor (Economy and Regeneration) (Councillor Kate Butler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

Communities and Housing Portfolio

·         The Scrutiny Committee welcomed the initial steps to review the performance indicators and felt that there should be more target and trend analysis.

·         The Scrutiny Committee welcomed the review of the Council’s earmarked reserves and balances, and the imminent report. A Member expressed concern that the report had been delayed from its scheduled completion date and requested an update on when it would be completed.

·         The budget proposals would not be presented to the Scrutiny Committee at such an early stage as in previous years in order to ensure that the options presented were the definitive proposals.

·         The projected deficit in the budget for the portfolio was largely due to the loss of car parking income particularly arising from the closure of the car park at Bridgefield Street as a result of the Redrock development. There had been a contribution from the core budget to try and offset this and efforts would be made over the next few months to reduce the deficit. There had also been a shortfall in the income received for Pest Control and Licensing as the demand for these services had not been as great as originally projected.

·         Support was given to the continued implementation of the Leisure Strategy and investment in building infrastructure of the Council’s leisure facilities

·         With regard to the Portfolio Savings Programme, a Member queried why the risk rating for Leisure Facilities was shown as green when an extra budget had been assigned to the area.

·         The health suite at Grand Central had been closed in order to enable improvements to be made to the quality of the environment and the works would be carried out as soon as was practicable.

·         The decision to discontinue the Council’s involvement in proposals for a shared highways service were as a result of the limited number of other local authorities in Greater Manchester who were still involved in the discussions meaning that the financial efficiencies would not be forthcoming. A Member encouraged greater shared working with neighbouring local authorities such as Cheshire East Council.

·         The lines of communication and areas of responsibility would be examined in the Public Realm and Enforcement teams with a view to streamlining the system for councillors and residents who reported issues.

Economy and Regeneration Portfolio

·         A Member enquired which cycling schemes were being delivered under the Cycle City Ambition Grants 1 and 2.

·         With regard to the SEMMMS A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road, a Member contended that the package of mitigation measures for High Lane did not reflect the views of residents expressed during the consultation period.

·         The Scrutiny Committee expressed appreciation that the work on the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road was more or less on schedule.

·         Representatives of the Portas Pilot Board would be invited to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee to outline what they had achieved and their legacy to the town centre.

·         Members expressed concern at the length of time taken to effect a Compulsory Purchase Order on the derelict site at 33 Swann Lane, Cheadle Hulme known locally as ‘The Coach House’. Concern was expressed at the security of the site which had been subject to vandalism, fly tipping and anti-social behaviour in the past. Ward Members requested that a report be submitted to the Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee as a matter of urgency. The Scrutiny Committee was advised that a review of how the Council dealt with its compulsory purchase powers was being undertaken and a request was made that this report be submitted to all area committees.

·         Stockport Market did not exist in a vacuum and the footfall was dependent on other businesses in the markets area.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That representatives of the Portas Pilot Board be invited to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee to outline what they had achieved and their legacy to the town centre.

(3) That a report on the derelict site at 33 Swann Lane, Cheadle Hulme be submitted to the next meeting of the Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee.