Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services).

The report provides the priorities articulated within the Portfolio Agreements, which form the basis for regular in-year reporting with the Agreements being aligned with new Cabinet Portfolio Responsibilities agreed at Annual Council in May. Work has since been undertaken to review and update portfolio priorities in conjunction with the new Cabinet.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to review, comment on and note the report.

Officer contacts:

Peter Owston, Strategy and Performance Manager peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk

Stephen Pate, CSS Manager (Specialist) Finance

stephen.pate@stockport.gov.uk 

The Corporate Director (Corporate & Support Services) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the priorities articulated within the Portfolio Agreements, which form the basis for regular in-year reporting with the Agreements being aligned with new Cabinet Portfolio Responsibilities agreed at Annual Council in May. Work has since been undertaken to review and update portfolio priorities in conjunction with the new Cabinet.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·       Members enquired about the ‘average time taken in calendar days to process Housing Benefit new claims and change events’ and the increase in the target for 2022/23 and how sickness levels were being managed. In response, it was stated that it was a very complex issue and the increase in the target for 2022/23 was in line with other Councils and it was a specialist area that needed the appropriate recruitment and new staff to be trained.

·       It was noted that around 15,000 households across the borough were experiencing some level of food and/or fuel poverty.

·       Clarification was sought regarding the ‘Council awarded funding’ to recruit the Energy Advisor to help households with accessing energy support and the expectations.

·       It was stated that the figures were not available and that a written response will be provided to the Committee.

·       It was commented that the turnover rates in Public Health were high with the ending of Covid testing and vaccination activity which meant that a number of temporary contracts came to an end.

·       Members enquired about the scales where the turnover was occurring for 2021/22. In response, it was stated that the turnover rates reflected in the figures was for all the posts.

·       It was noted that the outputs for the engagement survey and ‘Engaging Managers’ was 78% and concern was expressed relating to the impact of people speaking up. It was noted that a report with more details relating to the engagement survey would be submitted to a future meeting.

·       Clarification was sought regarding people not being confident to speak up and what was being done to address this. It was reported that it was not across the whole authority, but a detailed action plan was being collated that would include further details for heads of service to work with their teams going forward.

·       Members enquired about the volume of unsecured personal loans and reducing the levels. It was noted that support has been put in place to support the vulnerable residents through the Citizens Advice Bureau, Credit Unions and other activities.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a written response be provided to the Committee relating to the  ‘Council Awarded Funding’ figures and the Energy Advisor role and the  expectations for this role.