Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support services.

This item consists of three Annual Reports for 2013/14 presented for consideration by the Committee. These build on the information reported in-year, providing an update and summary of progress in achieving key strategic, corporate and portfolio objectives during the year.

The Annual Leader’s Report highlights a number of the Council’s significant achievements over the last 12 months, along with providing an update on plans for 2014/15 and beyond. These include progress on Investing in Stockport and key decisions at GM level. 

The Annual Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) which provides an overview of progress in 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 which are published as background papers to this report. 

The Annual Reports provide a summary of key activity during the year, including any updates for the fourth quarter, along with performance and budget out-turns for the full year.

The Executive at its meeting on 17 June 2014 considered the Leader’s Report and CPRR and agreed that:

(1) the progress against delivering Council Plan priorities, portfolio outcomes and capital schemes alongside budget and performance outturns contained within the report be noted.

(2) the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.2 of the report be approved.

(3) the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for 2013/14 as set out in sections 2.3 and 2.6 of the report be noted and the carry forward arrangements for cash limit surpluses set out in paragraph 2.5.1 and the recommended use of non-cash limit surpluses set out in paragraph 2.6.6 of the report be approved.

(4) the review of the budget savings programme set out in section 2.4 of the report be noted.

(5) the approach to providing Minimum and Voluntary Revenue Provision as set out in paragraph 2.6.2 of the report be noted

(6) the approach to financing redundancy costs set out in paragraph 2.6.5 of the report be approved

(7) the Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account outturn positions as set out in sections 2.7 and 2.8 of the report be noted

(8) the contributions to/from earmarked reserves and balances as set out in section 2.9 of the report be noted and the resulting final reserves and balances positions including the creation of a £6.329m ‘Investing in Stockport’ reserve and a £2.885m ‘Highways Investment’ reserve as set out in paragraph 2.9.4 of the report be approved.

(9) the final position for the 2013/14 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1 of the report be noted.

(10) the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.7 of the report be approved.

(11) the resourcing of the Capital Programme as set out in section 3.4 of the report be approved.

(12) the delegation arrangements for any late adjustments included in the Statement of Accounts, as set out in sections 2.11 and 3.6 of the report be approved.

Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         Consider the Annual Leader’s Report, Corporate Performance and Resource Report and 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: Christine Buxton, Peter Owston, 0161 474 4124 /                  0161 474 3274, Christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk / peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted three Annual Reports for 2013/14 (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update and summary of progress in achieving key strategic, corporate and portfolio objectives during the year.

The Annual Leader’s Report highlighted a number of the Council’s significant achievements over the last 12 months, along with providing an update on plans for 2014/15 and beyond. These included progress on Investing in Stockport and key decisions at Greater Manchester level. 

The Annual Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provided an overview of progress in 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 was supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports which had been published as background papers to the report. 

The Annual Reports provided a summary of key activity during the year, including any updates for the fourth quarter, along with performance and budget out-turns for the full year.

It was reported that the report had been considered by the Executive at its meeting on 17 June 2014.and agreed the recommendations in the reports.

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

The following comments/ issues were made:

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted that further information in relation to the Investing in Stockport Programme would be submitted to Scrutiny Committees over the summer.

·         It was noted that the report referred to “reduced capacity coupled with increased demand in some services was beginning to impact on performance” and requested that these be identified in future reports.

·         The Scrutiny Committee asked whether it was possible to identify costs to Council Tax payers of the recent issues in North Reddish.

·         The Scrutiny Committee requested further information on sickness absence including a breakdown and trends.

·         The Scrutiny Committee requested further information on the Payment By Results pilot scheme including the level of performance agreed, how targets are set and payments made.

·         The Scrutiny Committee requested further information in relation to the increase in waiting times for debt advice, including trends, volume of demand and average waiting times.

·         The Scrutiny Committee requested information on Contact Centre call volumes, aborted calls, staffing levels and average waiting times. It was suggested that an initial response be circulated outlining the data available and this information is reported as background to the Q1 report. It was suggested that there was a need to make it much easier to contact the council online and that an education programme should be put in place.

·         The Scrutiny Committee asked for clarification regarding which section was merging with the Community Safety Unit 

RESOLVED – (1) That the Annual Leader’s Report, Corporate Performance and Resource Report and Portfolio Performance and Resource Report be noted.

(2) That the progress against priorities, performance and budgets for 2013/14 be noted.

(3) That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be requested  to submit a report to this Scrutiny Committee on sickness absence including a breakdown and trends to accompany the mid-year Portfolio Report.

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Director for Services to People and the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRR) for the Adult Care Services, and Communities and Sustainability Portfolios are presented for consideration by the Committee. These provide a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, budgets and capital programmes during 2013/14, and include out-turn performance and financial data for the Portfolio. The reports also include a progress report and updated risk assessment of the portfolio savings programmes. 

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

a)    Consider the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports,  

b)   Review the progress against priorities, performance, budgets and savings targets 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 contact: Gaynor Alexander on 474 3186 or email: gaynor.alexander@stockport.gov.uk or Joe Conmee on 474 5396 or email: joseph.conmee@stockport.gov.uk

Representatives of the Corporate Director for Services to People and the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports for the Adult Care Services, and Communities and Sustainability Portfolios.  The report provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, budgets and capital programmes during 2013/14, and included out-turn performance and financial data for the Portfolio. The report also included a progress report and updated risk assessment of the portfolio savings programmes.

The Executive Councillor (Adult Care Services) and (Economic Development and Regeneration) attended the meeting to answer Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

Adult Care Services

·        The Council was reviewing its contracts with the NHS to ensure that they provided an appropriate focus on the promotion of public health and prevention as a means of reducing demand on services..

·        It was noted that the Right to Control Project had been terminated and details of the impact of this was requested.

·        It was requested that details of the impact of the forthcoming Care and Support Bill be circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee.

Economic Development & Regeneration (Housing)

·        An update was provided on progress with regard to the process for maximising the land available for housing development in Stockport with 87 sits having now been identified.  It was further commented that there was a review taking place of that land which had previously been identified for employment uses.

·        The uptake of the revised right to buy offer had not been as high as originally projected.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides an update on progress in delivering the portfolio priorities and budget for the Health & Wellbeing Portfolio during 2013/14.

Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         Consider the Annual 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, 0161 474 4680 or Simon Finch, 0161 474 4019

A representative of the Corporate Director (Services to People) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting for consideration the annual Portfolio Performance and Resource report (PPRR) for the Health and Wellbeing portfolio. The report provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities and budgets during 2013/2014, including out turn performance and financial data for the portfolio and in addition a progress report and updated risk assessment of the portfolio savings programme.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Clarification and further information was sought in respect to the Better Care Fund.

·         The flu vaccination programme and the fact that a number of GP’s had reduced the number of vaccines ordered.

·         Councillors noted that performance in relation to unplanned hospitalisation for asthma, diabetes and epilepsy in under 19’s per 100,000 people had made improvements but not to the extent that had been hoped and it was agreed that representatives of the Foundation Trust be invited to a future meeting to report on this issue.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) and Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance)

This item consists of two reports. The first of these is the Annual Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) which provides an overview of progress in 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 which are published as background papers to this report.  These will be considered in detail at the next cycle of Scrutiny Committees, along with draft Portfolio Agreements for 2014/15.

The Annual Report provides a summary of key activity during the year, including any updates for the fourth quarter, along with performance and budget out-turns for the full year.

The Annual Leader’s Report highlights a number of the Council’s significant achievements over the last 12 months, along with providing an update on plans for 2014/15 and beyond. These include progress on Investing in Stockport and key decisions at GM level. 

The Executive is asked to;

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

b)        Approve the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.2;

c)        Note the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for 2013/14 as set out in sections 2.3 and 2.6 and approve the carry forward arrangements for cash limit surpluses set out in paragraph 2.5.1 and the recommended use of non-cash limit surpluses set out in paragraph 2.6.6;

d)        Note the review of the budget savings programme set out in section 2.4;

e)        Approve the approach to providing Minimum and Voluntary Revenue Provision set out in paragraph 2.6.2;

f)          Approve the approach to financing redundancy costs set out in paragraph 2.6.5;

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

h)        Approve the contributions to/from earmarked reserves and balances as set out in section 2.9 and note the resulting final reserves and balances positions including the creation of a £6.329m ‘Investing in Stockport’ reserve and a £2.885m ‘Highways Investment’ reserve as set out in paragraph 2.9.4;

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

j)          Approve the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.7;

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

l)          Approve the delegation arrangements for any late adjustments included in the Statement of Accounts, as set out in sections 2.11 and 3.6;

m)       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 /                  0161 474 3274, Christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk / peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) and the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) was submitted (copies of which had been circulated). The Annual Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provided an overview of progress in 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 was supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports which would be considered in detail at the next cycle of Scrutiny Committees, along with draft Portfolio Agreements for 2014/15.

The Annual Report provided a summary of key activity during the year, including any updates for the fourth quarter, along with performance and budget out-turns for the full year.

The Annual Leader’s Report highlighted a number of the Council’s significant achievements over the last 12 months, along with providing an update on plans for 2014/15 and beyond. These included progress on Investing in Stockport and key decisions at Greater Manchester level.

RESOLVED – (1) That the progress against delivering Council Plan priorities, portfolio outcomes and capital schemes alongside budget and performance outturns contained within the report be noted.

(2) That the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.2 of the report be approved.

(3) That the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for 2013/14 as set out in sections 2.3 and 2.6 of the report be noted and the carry forward arrangements for cash limit surpluses set out in paragraph 2.5.1 and the recommended use of non-cash limit surpluses set out in paragraph 2.6.6 of the report be approved.

(4) That the review of the budget savings programme set out in section 2.4 of the report be noted.

(5) That the approach to providing Minimum and Voluntary Revenue Provision as set out in paragraph 2.6.2 of the report be noted

(6) That the approach to financing redundancy costs set out in paragraph 2.6.5 of the report be approved

(7) That the  Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account outturn positions as set out in sections 2.7 and 2.8 of the report be noted

(8)That the contributions to/from earmarked reserves and balances as set out in section 2.9 of the report be noted and the resulting final reserves and balances positions including the creation of a £6.329m ‘Investing in Stockport’ reserve and a £2.885m ‘Highways Investment’ reserve as set out in paragraph 2.9.4 of the report be approved.

(9) That the final position for the 2013/14 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1 of the report be noted.

(10) That the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.7 of the report be approved.

(11) The resourcing of the Capital Programme as set out in section 3.4 of the report be approved.

(12) The delegation arrangements for any late adjustments included in the Statement of Accounts, as set out in sections 2.11 and 3.6 of the report be approved.