Issue - meetings

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

The report provides a detailed overview of performance which relates to this Scrutiny Committee. The information is provided in the form of the mid-year Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports for the Economic Development & Regeneration and Communities & Sustainability Portfolios. These provide an update on progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, budgets and capital programmes during 2013/14, and include performance and financial projections for the year.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·       Consider the mid-year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;

·       Review the progress against priorities, performance and budgets for 2013/14;

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

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

Officer contacts: Gill Lawton/Michael Cullen on 0161 474 3686/4631 or e mail: gill.lawton@stockport.gov.uk/michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a detailed overview of performance which related to this Scrutiny Committee. The information was provided in the form of the mid-year Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports for the Communities & Sustainability and Economic Development & Regeneration Portfolios. These provided an update on progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, budgets and capital programmes during 2013/14, and included performance and financial projections for the year.

The Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) (Councillor Stuart Bodsworth) and Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider reports of the Executive Councillors Children & Young People and Lifelong Learning & Achievement Portfolio holders.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Michael Henry on Tel: 474 3830 or email: michael.henry@stockport.gov.uk

a) Children and Young People

The Executive Councillor (Children and Young People) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the portfolio and performance resource report for the second quarter 2013/2014.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Council had been part of a successful cluster bid with Cheshire East, Wirral and Trafford Council’s to take part in the New Belongings Scheme.

·         The new Ofsted Framework for the inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, looked after children and care leavers came into effect in November 2013.

·         Councillors discussed the measures put in place to address the findings from the Ofsted inspections of the Bredbury and Marple Group of Children’s Centres.

·         Councillors noted the significant increase in the number of children subject to a domestic abuse referral during the first six months of the year and this was most likely attributable to an improved recognition of domestic abuse and better pathways for dealing with domestic abuse.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

b) Lifelong Learning and Achievement

The Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning and Achievement) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the portfolio and performance resource report for the second quarter 2013/2014.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors noted that Stockport’s educational performance against all attainment measures in 2013 was higher than the national average.

·         The Council had secured funding from the Skills Funding Agency to open an Apprenticeship Store.

·         The rate of permanent exclusions in Stockport’s Secondary Schools increased further in 2012/2013 – the Scrutiny Review Panel would continue to meet in the New Year and would report back to the Scrutiny Committee in due course.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider reports of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to consider and comment on the Portfolio Performance and Resource Report for the Corporate, Customer and Community Portfolio, along with the Corporate Performance and Resource Report and the Leader’s Report.  These were approved by the Executive in August, and incorporate a number of changes to the Council’s Performance and Resource Management Framework for 2013/14, including the Leader’s Report, providing an early update on the Council’s progress in delivering its priority outcomes and spending plans.

The reports were considered by the Executive at its meeting on 12 November 2013.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

a)    Consider the first update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report, Corporate Performance and Resource Report and Leader’s Report

b)   Review the progress against priorities, performance and budgets for 2013/14;

c)    Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues.

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

Officer contactPeter Owston, Assistant Head of Performance (CSS), peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk (474 3274)

Susan Wood, Strategic Accountant (CSS/OCE) susan.wood@stockport.go.uk (218 1032)

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider and comment on the Portfolio Performance and Resource Report for the Corporate, Customer and Community Portfolio, along with the Corporate Performance and Resource Report and the Leader’s Report.  These were approved by the Executive in November 2013, and incorporated a number of changes to the Council’s Performance and Resource Management Framework for 2013/14, including the Leader’s Report, providing an early update on the Council’s progress in delivering its priority outcomes and spending plans.

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with an update on progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budgeting at mid-year of 2013/14.

It was reported that the Executive at its meeting on 12 November 2013 had approved the recommendations in the report.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Corporate, Customer and Community Services (Councillor Mark Weldon) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was noted that the increase in sickness absence was as a result of changes to the recording of data through the new payroll system which provided more reliable information.

·         Executive Councillors determined the targets against which Council Plan measures were judged, and these were set out in the annual Portfolio Performance and Resources Agreements, which were agreed by the Council Meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted the Corporate, Customer and Community Services Portfolio Second Quarterly Update Report 2013/14 (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress in delivering the Council's Priority Outcomes and budget in the second quarter of 2013/14 in relation to the Corporate, Customer and Community Services Portfolio.

It was reported that the Executive at its meeting on 12 November 2013 had approved the recommendations in the report.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Corporate, Customer and Community Services (Councillor Mark Weldon) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

It was reported that future reports would include the number of court summons issued by the Council in relation to Council Tax.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The report details the mid-year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRR) for the Adult Care Services, and Communities and Sustainability Portfolios. These provide an update on progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, budgets and capital programmes during 2013/14, and include performance and financial projections for the year.  The reports also include a progress report and risk assessment of the portfolio savings programmes for the first time. 

The reports are based on the Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements for 2013/14 which were considered by the Committee on 3 July 2013. The Committee is asked to review the housing elements of the Communities and Sustainability Portfolio Report, with the remainder of this being considered separately by the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to

(1) Consider the mid-year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports.

(2) Review the progress against priorities, performance, budgets and savings targets for 2013/14.

(3) Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues.

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

Officer contact: Mike Harradine/Simon Finch  on 474 4680/ 4019 or email: mike.harradine@stockport.gov.uk / simon.finch@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Adult Social Care) and the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a detailed overview of performance which related to the Adult Care Services and Housing Scrutiny Committee.

Information was provided in the form of Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports for each of the Portfolios having functions within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee namely, Adult Care Services and the housing element of the Communities and Sustainability portfolio.

The Executive Councillors for Communities and Sustainability (Councillor Stuart Bodsworth) and Adult Care Services (Councillor Keith Holloway) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

Adult Care Services

·         Arrangements had been put in place to respond to winter pressures using earmarked funding from the Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group.

·         There remained progress to be made with regard to achieving targets associated with the reablement service, with a particular focus on improving those figures around contact time.  It was stated that although contact time was an important indicator, there were other demands on the service and broader areas of work that needed to be undertaken for which there was insufficient capacity within the independent sector.

·         It was noted that feedback would be sought from general practitioners and service users on the experience of the implementation of the enhanced rapid response service to develop services to prevent avoidable admissions.  It was stated that a further reported would be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee providing a summary of the responses to the feedback received.

·         A discussion took place around the monitoring of those patients with low

level psychosis that were no longer care coordinated, with particular regard to the arrangements that had been put in place for those patients to support them within the community and including those mechanisms to provide additional ‘fast-tracked’ support.

·         It was noted that the Council had been awarded a capital grant of £755,217 by the Department of Health from the ‘Dementia Friendly Environments National Pilot Programme’ and that the Council was in the process of receiving bids from the independent sector towards the use of this funding.

·         It was commented that the ‘overall satisfaction rate’ of service users was 66.8% and categorised as a good performance; however it stated that it was important that further work be done to identify why a third of users were therefore ‘dissatisfied’.   In response, it was reported that a further report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee providing a more detailed breakdown of the satisfaction levels of service users.

·         The impact of the ‘Adults Residential and Homecare Price Freeze’ was discussed in the light of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services budget survey which indicated that up to 50% of providers were facing financial difficulties.  In response, it was stated that the Council remained an outlier in comparison to other authorities in terms of the price for residential care and that on balance, and in the light of the available evidence, it was considered that the £12.60 price point was reasonable.

·         Work was being undertaken to monitor the projected deficit in the budget for the Adult Care Services portfolio.

Communities and Sustainability (Housing)

·         The demand for major adaptations had recently risen to levels seen prior to 2011 and those adaptations assessed as being a low priority are currently being held.  Concern was expressed that notwithstanding any low priority assessment attached to a request for an adaptation, it was important to note that a need had still been identified.  In response it was stated that the numbers of adaptations being held were low.

·         It was requested that details of the number of affordable housing units planned for development within the Borough be circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee.

·         All of those areas identified as a high priority for alleygating had now been completed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The mid-year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Health and Wellbeing Portfolio is presented for consideration by the Committee. This provides an update on progress in delivering the portfolio priorities and budgets during 2013/14, and includes performance and financial projections for the year.

Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         consider the mid-year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;  

·         review the progress against priorities, performance and budgets for 2013/14;

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

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

Officer contact: Mike Harradine/ Simon Finch, 0161 474 4680/ 4019, mike.harradine@stockport.gov  / simon.finch@stockport.gov.uk

A report of the Corporate Director for People was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the delivery of portfolio priorities, budgets and capital programmes for the Health & Wellbeing Portfolio at mid-year in 2013/14.

The Executive Councillor (Health & Wellbeing) (Councillor John Pantall) gave a brief overview of issues relating to his portfolio.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to arrange for an item on a future agenda on Co-production of mental health services/ Nesta Project and its links with the personal health budgets.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services)

This item consists of two mid-year reports. The first of these is the Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR), which provides an overview of progress towards delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during 2013/14, based on the Council Plan 2013/15 and the Medium Term Financial Plan 2013/17. It is supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs), which are circulated as background papers to this report, and will be considered in detail at the next cycle of Scrutiny Committees.

The mid-year report provides a more comprehensive picture, and includes performance and budget forecasts for the full year. It also includes a progress report and risk assessment of the portfolio savings programmes. 

Virements are proposed from the non-cash limits to Portfolio budgets to cover the 1% pay award and adjustments for inflation, whilst budgets have been re-assigned to the Corporate, Customer and Community Portfolio as part of the CSS redesign. Budget pressures remain in a number of areas, with deficits forecast in Adult Care Services, Economic Development & Regeneration and Children & Young People. These are partially offset by surpluses in 3 Portfolios.  

The second report is the Leader’s Report, which outlines progress on the Council’s strategic priorities, and highlights some of the significant challenges that continue to be faced.

The Executive is asked to:

a)        Review progress against delivering Council Plan priorities, portfolio outcomes and capital schemes alongside budget out-turns contained within the report;

b)        Approve the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.3;

c)        Note the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast positions for 2013/14 as set out in sections 2.3 and 2.6;

d)        Note the review and risk assessment of the budget savings programme set out in section 2.4 and Appendix 5;

e)        Note the Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account forecast positions as set out in sections 2.7 and 2.8;

f)          Approve the contributions to/from earmarked reserves and balances as set out in section 2.9 and note the resulting reserves and balances positions;

g)        Note the latest position for the 2013/14 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1;

h)        Approve the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.5;

i)          Approve the resourcing of the Capital Programme as set out in section 3.4;

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

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

Officer contact: Christine Buxton/ Peter Owston, 0161 474 4124/ 3274, christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk / peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Executive Meeting with an update on progressing in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budgeting at mid-year of 2013/14.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted her second ‘Leader’s Report’ (copies of which had been circulated) providing a strategic overview of Council activity as well as highlighting significant AGMA and Combined Authority activity.

RESOLVED – That

·         the Corporate Performance and Resources Report Mid-Year 2013/14 and Mid-Year Report of the Leader of the Council (2013/14) be noted;

·         the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.3 of the report be approved;

·         the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast positions for 2013/14 as set out in sections 2.3 and 2.6 of the report be noted;

·         the review and risk assessment of the budget savings programme set out in section 2.4 and Appendix 5 of the report be noted;

·         the Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account forecast positions as set out in sections 2.7 and 2.8 of the report be noted;

·         the contributions to/from earmarked reserves and balances as set out in section 2.9 of the report be approved and the resulting reserves and balances positions be noted;

·         the latest position for the 2013/14 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1 of the report be noted;

·         the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.5 of the report be approved, and

·         the resourcing of the Capital Programme as set out in section 3.4 be approved.