Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration)

The Delivery Plan sets out what Stockport Homes will deliver during the period 2015-2016; how it and the Council will work together and how tenants, the Council and other stakeholders can measure the success of Stockport Homes in achieving its objectives. The document is an appendix to the Management Agreement between Stockport Homes and the Council and sets all the outputs of Stockport Homes, the key performance requirement of the services and includes the performance standards expected. The objectives and targets detailed within the Delivery Plan are directly in line with the Council’s Housing Strategy and aims to contribute towards the Council’s wider strategic priorities. The Delivery Plan also details the financial, staffing and governance resources required to enable Stockport Homes to deliver the services with skill, care and diligence.

The Delivery Plan is reviewed and revised annually, in partnership with the Council and the Stockport Homes Board.  It ensures that there is continuous improvement in the services to tenants and the delivery of decent, modern homes that meet the needs and aspirations of the communities in Stockport.

The Executive is recommended to approve the Stockport Homes Delivery Plan 2015-2016.

Officer contact: Paul Lawrence, 0161-474-4515, paul.lawrence@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report of the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the Stockport Homes Delivery Plan that set out what the organisation would deliver during the period 2015-2016; how it and the Council would work together and how tenants, the Council and other stakeholders could measure the success of Stockport Homes in achieving its objectives. The report also provided details of Stockport Homes’ performance during 2014-2015.

The Leader of the Council highlighted that there were a number of instances in the document of interim performance data being included as the final data that would not be available until after the end of the financial year. It was therefore recommended that the final decision on the Delivery Plan be delegated until after the year end.

RESOLVED – That the Stockport Homes Delivery Plan 2015-2016 be approved in principal but the final decision be delegated to the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration, in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) once all performance data was available.

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

The report sets out the strategic direction for the next twelve months and explains how Stockport Homes will contribute to the wider objectives of Stockport Council. 

This plan has been developed during a period of significant change.  During 2014 the Council considered its options for the future management of its housing stock and decided to extend our contract.  This has provided Stockport Homs with the scope for longer term planning but means that 2015/16 will be a year of change, with a new Management Agreement and the recruitment of a new Board.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to consider and comment on the Stockport Homes Delivery Plan 2014-15 and note the report.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax on 474 4319 or email: andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the strategic direction for the next twelve months and explaining how

Stockport Homes would contribute to the wider objectives of Stockport Council.

The Plan had been developed during a period of significant change.  During 2014 the Council had given consideration to the options for the future management of its housing stock and had given approval to a further management agreement being offered to Stockport Homes which had provided the scope for longer term planning but which had meant that 2015/16 would be a year of change.

The Executive Councillor for Economic Development & Regeneration (Councillor Patrick McAuley) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was anticipated that following the award of a new management agreement to Stockport Homes, future Delivery Plans would be produced on the basis of three years rather than annual plans which had been the pattern in the past.

·         It was noted that the Delivery Plan suggested that Stockport Homes was considering the establishment of a charitable subsidiary.  In response, it was stated that this was an avenue that was being considered as a means of taking advantage of tax advantages available to charities and which would form part of ongoing discussions with the Council over the next 12 months.

·         The 30% reduction in strategic housing resources for 2015/16 was highlighted and the impact this would have on the homelessness and housing options services was queried.  In response, it was stated that the Council and Stockport Homes were working to attract external funding to mitigate against the budget reduction and realigning some services so as to ensure that there would be no impact on the delivery of front line services.

·         It was requested that a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee with regard to installation of solar photovoltaic panels and biomass boilers which would include details of those works that had already been completed; those planned to be undertaken in the future; the projected benefits for tenants; and how ‘income’ from these works had been able to be reinvested in the housing stock in the light of the ongoing subsidy being paid against fuel costs.

·         With regard to Carecall and Concierge services a detailed breakdown of the figures relating to the ongoing deficit reduction in these service areas was requested.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to submit a report to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee with regard to installation of solar photovoltaic panels and biomass boilers which would include details of those works that had already been completed; those planned to be undertaken in the future; the projected benefits for tenants; and how ‘income’ from these works had been able to be reinvested in the housing stock in the light of the ongoing subsidy being paid against fuel costs.