Issue - meetings

To consider a joint presentation of the Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer), the Assistant Director, Legal & Democratic Governance, the CSS Strategic Head of Service, Finance and the CSS Head of Service, Internal Audit, Risk & Insurance.

The report provides details relating to the review of local government financial and governance sustainability.

The Panel is requested to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Michael Cullen, email: michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer), the Assistant Director, Legal & Democratic Governance, the CSS Strategic Head of Service, Finance and the CSS Head of Service, Internal Audit, Risk & Insurance submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details relating to the review of local government financial and governance sustainability.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·       Members enquired about the continual professional development (CPD) and training for officers and members and the requirements. In response, it was noted that as members of CIPFA, the CPD must be done and would be included in the personal, development & review (PDR) process for both Senior Officers and junior staff. It was stated that the evidence needed to be documented with responses to the PDRs, but more importantly for Stockport to look at the examples shared and lessons learnt.

·       It was commented that Stockport wants people to be the best they can be, rather than getting away with anything as seen from the examples at other authorities.

·       Members commended the management at Stockport and the processes and systems in place to avoid and prevent similar things occurring at other authorities.

·       It was noted that in other authorities where the examples were shown that there was a clear failure in Governance and it was important that elected members were also competent in their functions with a knowledge of what to do to scrutinise and ask the relevant questions.

·       Members thanked the officer team for the ongoing CRMG training that was provided annually, but noted that it was crucial to include in induction courses for new members, regular refresher training for members which would provide confidence and consistency in the approach for decision making and scrutiny.

·       It was commented that it was not just about being the best we could be, but also having successful robust succession planning which was demonstrable through the process. This could include being part of the requirements for the professional bodies, doing an annual quality and improvement plan and re-aligning services with finance colleagues.

·       It was noted that Stockport had strength in its financial management and there was a clear focus on its finances and internal audit processes.

Members thanked the officer team for the presentation and for the concerns and issues highlighted and welcomed the approach through the review.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Education.

The report provides details relating to the Growth in free school meals in Stockport.

The Panel is requested to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Tim Bowman, email: tim.bowman@tameside.gov.uk

The Director of Education submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details relating to the Growth in Free School Meals in Stockport.

Growth in Free School Meals – Headlines

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·       Pupils are eligible for free school meals where parents are in receipt of certain benefits or are in receipt of Universal Credit and have a household income of less than £7,400 a year.

·       43,683 pupils in Stockport schools of whom 8,344 were eligible for free school meals.

·       Stockport primary pupils eligible for free school meals has increased over the last five years from 2,904 to 4,648.

·       Stockport Secondary pupils eligible for free school meals has increased over the last years from 1,529 to 3, 050.

·       Clarification was sought on the number of claimants that were on the transitional protection. In response, it was stated that the information was not available, but will be researched and provided to the Panel in due course.

·       The Panel enquired about the difference in entitlement and taking of free school meals and whether there was any other details. In response, it was noted that the details of why there was a difference would be presented to the next review session.

Primary School pupils data

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·       There has been an increase in primary pupils in Stockport eligible for free school meals (FSM) from 2017 to 2022.

·       Stockport was ranked 9^th out of 10 in the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCS) Local Authority’s measure for pupils known to be eligible for FSM.

·       In 2017/18 2,659 Primary pupils were entitled to and taking a FSM, this has risen +949 over the last 5 years.

·       Clarification was sought regarding the FSMs and KS1 and if there was  any evidence of the take up of those entitled to FSMs on Universal Credit and if there were any difficulties. In response, it was stated that the details were not available, but that a response would be provided at the next session.

Free School Meals by Ward Setting

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·       At a local authority level, the percentages of FSM claimants did not dramatically change until the initial period of the pandemic, at a Ward level, the changes were more significant.

·       The data relates to schools that are contained within the Wards, rather than the Wards in which individual pupils reside.

·       In 2014, less than half (43%) of Stockport's 21 Wards had FSM claimant levels of at least 10%. As of 2022, 81% of Stockport's Wards have FSM claimant levels of at least 10%.

·       Every Stockport Ward has been affected by the growth in FSM claimants.

·       Members enquired about the disparity between the school and the residencies across the wards relating to FSMs. This information would be provided to the Panel at the next session.

Wider Context

·       As of October 2022, there were 21,091 people in receipt of Universal Credit in Stockport, which was comparable to its nearest neighbours.

·       Across the Stockport, Cheadle and Hazel Grove constituencies there were 10,614 households (rather than individuals) receiving children-related support through Universal Credit or legacy benefits in August 2022.

·       It was commented that regarding Universal Credit and Legacy Benefits the data needed to be scrutinised properly as there were two wards within the borough with high numbers of pupils on FSMs and there was an assumption that the numbers would be higher for those on Universal Credit.

Members thanked the officer team for the presentation and for the data and concerns highlighted.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.