Issue - meetings

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

The Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRR) for the Communities & Sustainability and Economic Development & Regeneration Portfolios are presented for consideration by the Committee. These provide a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, budgets and capital programmes during the second quarter of 2014/15, and include full-year forecast performance and financial data for each 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 Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports,  

b)   Review the progress against priorities, performance, budgets and savings targets for 2014/15;

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 contacts 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) detailing the Mid-Year Update Performance and Resource Reports for the Communities and Sustainability, and Economic Development and Regeneration Portfolios. The report provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, budgets and capital programmes during the second quarter of 2014/15, and included full-year forecast performance and financial data for each Portfolio. The report also included a progress report and updated risk assessment of the portfolio savings programmes.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) (Councillor Martin Candler) and the Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Patrick McAuley) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

Communities and Sustainability Portfolio

·         The playground refurbishment at Clarendon Road Park had mainly been carried out by the Friends of Parks Group, with some assistance from Area Flexibility Funding granted by the Stepping Hill Area Committee.

·         Whether it was better for the Council if residents undertook home composting or put their garden waste in the green bin provided by the Council.

·         The delay in generating extra revenue from the implementation of the pay on foot system at Merseyway Car Park. The Corporate Director confirmed that a full appraisal would be carried out after it had been in operation for twelve months.

·         The operational problems experienced in using the equipment to cut grass as a result of waterlogged conditions.

·         The project which Trading Standards Officers had been involved with to tackle mass marketing scams.

·         The procurement of new vehicles by Solutions SK to address the increase in the percentage of relevant land and highways assessed with deposits of litter that fell below an acceptable level.

·         Why the comparative analysis for performance indicators between C&S.08 and C&S 15 only included certain performance indicators within this range.

·         Progress on the feasibility design for an improved junction at Bramhall Lane/Garners Lane, Stockport.

·         Appreciation was expressed for the work carried out at Dumvilles Brow in Stockport town centre and information was requested when the work on the Coopers Brow retaining wall and steps would commence.

·         Following consultation it had become apparent that the proposed £24,000 saving in Consumer Advice would not be realised. An additional budget had therefore been allocated to the Public Protection Service which offset most of the Consumer Advice saving requirement.

Economic Development and Regeneration Portfolio

·         Progress on the Employment Premium pilot and the use of work clubs as a mechanism for improving people’s employability.

·         The increase in the square footage of office, retail and industrial space let or sold to new occupiers  (ED&R09).

·         Concern was expressed that occupancy continued to decline on the outdoor market due to difficulties in finding new traders who wished to operate on a regular basis. However, the specialist and niche markets in the outdoor and covered markets continued to be very popular.

·         The Stockport Employment Land Review was expected to be completed in the next few weeks.

·         The ‘Working Well’ scheme (follow on support delivered by Ingeous for individuals leaving the Department for Work and Pensions Work Programme) now had thirty four clients from Stockport on programmes to the end of September. However, referral numbers from Job Centre Plus had fallen off and this issue was being addressed directly with it.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That Members of the Scrutiny Committee be provided with information on whether it was better for the Council if residents undertook home composting or put their garden waste in the green bin provided by the Council.