Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This item relates to the First Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Reform & Governance and Communities & Housing Portfolios. These provide an early update on progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects during the first quarter (April to June) of 2016/17. They include forecast performance data (where this is available) and projected financial data for the Portfolio, along with an update on portfolio savings programmes. 

The Reports are based on the 2016/17 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements (PPRAs). These were considered by the Committee on 5 July 2016 and approved by the Executive on 19 July 2016.

In addition to the Reform and Governance Portfolio Report, the Committee is asked to review the Neighbourhoods and Community Safety elements of the Communities and Housing Portfolio Report, with the remainder of this being considered separately by the Adult Care Services & Housing and Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committees. Whilst other information within the portfolio may provide useful context, questions relating to this information should be addressed to the appropriate Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         Consider the First Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;  

·         Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2016/17;

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

·         Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Executive alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report;

·         Identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services.

Officer contact for accessing background papers and discussing the report; - Peter Owston, Policy, Performance and Reform (CSS), peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk (474 3274) and Susan Wood, Head of Management Accounting susan.wood@stockport.go.uk (218 1032)

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Portfolio Performance and Resources Report for the Reform & Governance and Communities & Housing Portfolios providing an update on key activity during the first quarter of 2017, with a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priority outcomes through the Council’s investment programmes.  It also included forecast performance data and projected financial data for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Alex Ganotis) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

Reform & Governance

·         It was commented that a resident had complained to their local councillor following the difficulties they had encountered when trying to amend their direct debit details for the payment of Council Tax online.  It was stated that the online transaction had to be aborted part way through the process when it became clear that the resident did not have all of the information required to complete the transaction electronically.  In response it was stated that as part of the work being undertaken to redesign the Council’s website, a list of pre-requisites will be displayed prior to the user starting to complete an online form.

·         In response to a concern about the limited range of transactions that could be completed online, it was stated that work was being undertaken to broaden these as part of the website redesign.

·         It was stated that the Council was working with a small team from KPMG to grow future income streams by developing some of the marketing that would be needed to fully exploit the traded services provided by the Council which may in the future also include services such as health and safety and DBS checks.

·         Further information was requested in relation to the business and community partnership being developed between the Stockport Economic Alliance, Manchester Airport Group (MAG), Marketing Stockport and the  Council.

·         It was stated that the Executive Councillor for Reform & Governance had previously reported that a review of the library service would be undertaken and the detail of the timetable for that review was requested.

·         It was requested that a report be brought to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee detailing the current level of business rates appeals within Stockport.

·         Works were progressing on schedule for the construction of a replacement clubhouse at the Woodbank Athletics Stadium.

Communities & Housing (Neighbourhoods and Community Safety)

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the significant variations in the level of crime in different parts of the Borough.  In response it was stated that the police targeted their resources in response to this data.

·         It was commented that the introduction from Executive Councillor which normally formed part of the report had been omitted on this occasion.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.