Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance)

This report aims to do two things in particular. First, it provides comments on the progress of the 2013/14-2014/15 savings programme and makes some further proposals in relation to the items deferred at the July meeting. Second, it gives the Executive an opportunity to reflect on the forecasts for 2015/16-2016/17 and to outline the response it believes represents the way forward for the Council in the face of such a challenging set of figures.

The Executive is recommended to:

(i)        Note the results of the consultation on library opening hours and agree the new schedule of opening hours included in Appendix A to be effective from 2 January 2014;

(ii)       Note the consultations and agree to the replacement of the mobile library which currently operates in Adswood/Bridgehall with a fixed facility in Bridgehall Community Centre (see paragraph 2.10 of the report)

(iii)      Agree that the appropriate consultations should be undertaken on the savings proposals in relation to the Integrated Prevention Service (see paragraphs 2.11 to 2.19 of the report) and the assisted transport provision element of the Disability Review (see paragraphs 2.25 to 2.28 of the report)

(iv)     Note the positions regarding the Play Development Team proposal (see paragraphs  2.20 to 2.22 of the report) and the Corporate and Support Services Review and Redesign project (see paragraphs 2.29 to 2.32 of the report)

(v)       Agree to the establishment of an ‘Investing in Stockport’ programme of reform and growth which includes and addresses the issues identified and discussed in section 4 of the report.

Officer contact: Steve Houston, 0161 474 4001, steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider proposals for further savings deferred from the July Meeting and also provided an update on progress in delivering the 2013/14-2014/15 savings programme. The report also set out a response to the financial challenges facing the Council in 2015-17.

Executive Councillors highlighted challenges facing services within their portfolios and activities being undertaken to address these.

RESOLVED – That

(i)            the consultation results on library opening hours be noted and the new schedule of opening hours be agreed with effective from 2 January 2014, as set out at Appendix A of the report;

(ii)          the consultation in relation to the mobile library in Adswood/ Bridgehall be noted and its replacement with a fixed facility in Bridgehall Community Centre be approved, as detailed at paragraph 2.10 of the report;

(iii)         the appropriate consultation be agreed to be undertaken on the savings proposals relating to Integrated Prevention Services, as detailed at paragraphs 2.11 to 2.19 of the report, and the assisted transport provision element of the Disability Review, as detailed at  paragraphs 2.25 to 2.32 of the report;

(iv)         the position in relation to the Play Development Team proposal, as set out at paragraphs 2.20 to 2.22 of the report and the Corporate and Support Services Review and Redesign project, as detailed at paragraphs 2.29 to 2.32 of the report, be noted; and

(v)          the establishment of an ‘Investing in Stockport’ Programme of reform and growth which included and addressed the issues identified and discussed in Section 4 of the report be agreed.