Issue - meetings

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

The report outlines the proposed changes to the Council’s Performance and Resources Framework for 2014/15. The Framework will continue to underpin the delivery of the Council Plan and Medium Term Financial Plan.

These proposals will form the basis for quarterly Portfolio and Corporate reporting during 2014/15. The reports will assess progress against key objectives, priorities and outcomes, enabling Scrutiny Committees to hold the Executive to account and for the Executive to identify current and future risks to delivery. The seven draft Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements (PPRAs) for 2014/15 have been considered by Scrutiny Committees and the final versions are included as background papers.

The report also contains details of changes to budgets as a result of the transfer of some portfolio responsibilities.

The Executive is recommended to approve:-

·         The seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements for 2014/15 as set out in paragraph 2.4 of the report; and

·         The 2014/15 revenue budget, capital programme and earmarked reserves totals as shown in Section 3 of the report on the new portfolio basis.

Officer Contacts: Peter Owston/Andy Moran on 0161 474 3274/4086 or email: peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk/andy.moran@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) was submitted outlining the proposed changes to the Council’s Performance and Resources Framework for 2014/15. The Framework would continue to underpin the delivery of the Council Plan and Medium Term Financial Plan.

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) reported that the proposals would form the basis for quarterly Portfolio and Corporate reporting during 2014/15 which would assess progress against key objectives, priorities and outcomes, enabling Scrutiny Committees to hold the Executive to account and for the Executive to identify current and future risks to delivery.

The seven draft Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements (PPRAs) for 2014/15 had been considered by Scrutiny Committees and the final versions were included as background papers. The report also contained details of changes to budgets as a result of the transfer of some portfolio responsibilities.

RESOLVED – (1) That the seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements for 2014/15 as set out in paragraph 2.4 of the report be approved.

(2) That the 2014/15 revenue budget, capital programme and earmarked reserves totals as shown in Section 3 of the report on the new portfolio basis be approved.

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

The Council Meeting on 27 February 2014 approved the 2014/15 Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Medium Term Financial Plan. On 3 April, following consideration by the CRMG Scrutiny Committee and Executive, it also approved a refreshed version of the 2013/15 Council Plan, setting out priority outcomes and objectives that will shape the Council’s activities.  These high-level documents outline the Council’s key priorities, objectives and spending plans, providing the basis for performance and resource monitoring over the next 12 months.

Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements have been drafted for the Communities & Sustainability and Economic Development & Regeneration Portfolios which are within the remit of this Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to consider and comment on the draft Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements.

Officer contact: Joe Conmee/Michael Cullen on 0161 474 5396/4361 or email: joseph.conmee@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) outlining the Communities and Sustainability and Economic Development and Regeneration Portfolio Agreements for 2014/2015. The agreements outlined the functions within the control of the Portfolios, the revenue budget, capital programme, key objectives, projects and measures and risks which would form the basis of the quarterly portfolio reports.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Committee debated the £205,000 carried forward on the delegated budgets for Areas Committees and the decision to allocate £10,750 to each Ward irrespective of need or the condition of the highways.

·         The aim of the Highways Investment Programme to improve the % of Category 3 modelled condition (widespread damage to the road surface) categories to 10% for carriageways and footways, thereby mitigating the revenue pressures on the reactive maintenance and insurance budgets was raised.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That in the light of the extent of the surplus on the Area Committees’ budgets, the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) be requested to review the decision to allocate £10.750 to each Ward irrespective of need or the condition of the highways and that the review include input from a wide group of Councillors.

(3) That the Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Sustainability) be requested to respond in writing to Members of the Scrutiny Committee on his comment that the town centre still faces challenges.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The Council Meeting on 27 February 2014 approved the 2014/15 Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Medium Term Financial Plan. On 3 April, following consideration by the CRMG Scrutiny Committee and Executive, it also approved a refreshed version of the 2013/15 Council Plan, setting out priority outcomes and objectives that will shape the Council’s activities.  These high-level documents outline the Council’s key priorities, objectives and spending plans, providing the basis for performance and resource monitoring over the next 12 months.

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

Officer contact: Peter Owston, 0161 474 3274, peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director, Services to People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the approved 2014/2015 Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Medium Term Financial Plan. The documents highlight the Council’s key priorities, objectives and spending plans, providing the basis for performance and resource monitoring over the next 12 months.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.