Issue - meetings

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted the Leader’s Mid-Year Report (copies of which had been circulated) highlighting a number of the Council’s significant achievements over the last quarter, along with providing an update on key decisions at the Greater Manchester level.

It was reported that the report had been considered by the Executive at its meeting on 11 November 2014.

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

It was commented that the Leader’s report was considered to be lighter on detail on this occasion and could have said more on the progress of the Investing in Stockport Programme on issues that are specific to this Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted the Mid-Year Corporate Performance and Resource Report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an overview of progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the second quarter of 2014/15, 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 this report.

It was reported that the report had been considered by the Executive at its meeting on 11 November 2014.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Council needed to make provision for the potential costs which would need to be met by the Council and Schools following the recent Employment Tribunal decision in relation to payment for holidays for employees on part time and zero contract hours.

·         This Scrutiny Committee would wish to receive regular reports in relation to the implementation of Universal Credit in Stockport.

·         The Scrutiny Committee considered the impact of the additional capacity being provided to support the Contact Centre and the impact of the new home page on the Council’s website in promoting the use of inline information and transactions.

·         It was noted that it was anticipated that the funding in relation to the Better Care Fund would be received within the current financial year.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

This item consists of four reports.

·         The Leader’s Mid-Year Report highlights a number of the Council’s significant achievements over the last quarter, along with providing an update on key decisions at GM level.

·         The Mid-Year Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides an overview of progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the second quarter of 2014/15, 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 Portfolio Performance and Resources - Mid-Year Report 2014/15 for the Corporate, Customer and Community Services Portfolio which falls within the remit of the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee.

·         The Sickness absence update highlights sickness absence performance and issues across the Council at the half year point of 2014/15 (1 April to 30 September 2014) and provides an update on the activity undertaken to manage and reduce sickness absence across the Council including the provision of mandatory training and regular management information.  

The Executive at its meeting on 11 November 2014:

·         Noted progress against delivering Council Plan priorities, portfolio outcomes and capital schemes alongside budget and performance outturns contained within the report.

·         Approved the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.4 of the report.

·         Noted the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for 2014/15 as set out in sections 2.3 and 2.6of the report.

·         Noted the update on the budget savings programme set out in section 2.4 of the report.

·         Noted the Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account forecast outturn positions as set out in sections 2.7 and 2.8 of the report.

·         Approved the contributions to/from earmarked reserves and balances as set out in section 2.9 of the report.

·         Noted the forecast position for the 2014/15 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1of the report.

·         Approved the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.4 of the report.

·         Approved the proposal that the prudential borrowing initially allocated to St Elisabeth’s be reallocated to St Thomas’ CE Primary (£3.62m in 2015/16) and the remaining £0.29m (2015/16) to Greave Primary School, as set out in 3.2.6.of the report.

Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         Consider the First Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report.

·         Review the progress against priorities, performance, budgets and savings targets for 2014/15.

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

·         Note the half year out turn of 5.27 days per FTE and note the projected out turn of 10.54 days per FTE which is outside the agreed corporate parameters of 9 to 10 days.

·         Note progress to date relating to clearer and more consistent polices and guidance notes, management information, occupational health provision, training and one-off initiatives such as the flue vaccination scheme and participation in Wellbeing at Work week.

·         Note the future planned activity relating to wellbeing at work including the establishment of a Wellbeing Management Steering Group, pilot activity relating to the Workplace Wellbeing Charter and the establishment of a new team with a particular focus on wellbeing in the workplace. 

Officer contact: Christine Buxton/ Peter Owston/ Sue Williams, 0161-474-4124/ 3274/ 2175 Christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk / peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk /

sue.williams@stockport.gov.uk

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

This item consists of two reports. The Mid-Year Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides an overview of progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the second quarter of 2014/15, 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 published ahead of the Executive meeting and considered in detail at the next cycle of Scrutiny Committees.

The Leader’s Report highlights a number of the Council’s significant achievements over the last quarter, along with providing an update on 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 2.2.4;

c)    Note the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for 2014/15 as set out in sections 2.3 and 2.6;

d)   Note the update on the budget savings programme set out in section 2.4;

e)    Note the Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account forecast outturn 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;

g)   Note the forecast position for the 2014/15 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1;

h)   Approve the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.4;

i)     Approve the proposal that the prudential borrowing initially allocated to St Elisabeth’s be reallocated to St Thomas’ CE Primary (£3.62m in 2015/16) and the remaining £0.29m (2015/16) to Greave Primary School, as set out in 3.2.6 and;

j)     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 with an update on progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the second quarter of 2014/15.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted her ‘Leader’s Report’ for the same quarter (copies of which had been circulated) highlighting a number of the Council’s significant achievements and significant AGMA and Combined Authority activity. The Leader highlighted the significance of the development of a Greater Manchester Spatial Strategy, and the recent announcement of a devolution proposal for Greater Manchester.

RESOLVED – That

·         progress against delivering Council Plan priorities, portfolio outcomes and capital schemes alongside budget and performance outturns contained within the report be noted;

·         the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.4 of the report be approved;

·         the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for 2014/15 as set out in sections 2.3 and 2.6 of the report be noted;

·         the update on the budget savings programme set out in section 2.4 of the report be noted;

·         the Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account forecast outturn 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;

·         the forecast position for the 2014/15 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1 of the report be noted;

·         the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.4 of the report be approved;

·         the proposal that the prudential borrowing initially allocated to St Elisabeth’s School be reallocated to St Thomas’ CE Primary School (£3.62m in 2015/16) and the remaining £0.29m (2015/16) to Greave Primary School, as set out in 3.2.6 of the report be approved.