Issue - meetings

o consider a joint report of the Corporate Director for People and the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report presents for consideration the mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRR) for the Adult Social Care and Communities & Housing Portfolios.  These provide a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects during the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September) of 2016/17. It includes forecast performance data (where this is available) and projected financial data for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes. 

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

Officer contact: Karen Kime/ Emma Bowe  on 0161 474 3574, 0161 218 1026 or email: karen.kime@stockport.gov.uk  / emma.bowe@stockport.gov.uk

Representatives of the Corporate Directors for People and Place Management & Regeneration submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports for the Adult Social Care and Communities & Housing Portfolios providing a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects during the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September) of 2016/17.  The report also included forecast performance data (where this is available) and projected financial data for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes.

The Executive Councillors for Adult Social Care (Councillor Wendy Wild)  and Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) also attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

Adult Social Care

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the increase in the deficit across the portfolio over the past three months from £300k to £1.190m which had arisen as a result of an increase in both demand and costs.  It was requested that an update be provided to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee outside of the normal Portfolio Performance and Resources reporting regimen.

·         The use of reserves to address the deficit would be a last resort.

·         The review and refresh the Stockport Adult Autism Strategy was welcomed.

·         The potential for a greater use of volunteers in the provision and support of mental health services should be explored.

·         While there had not been any instances of home care providers refusing to take in business from the Council work was taking place to increase the number of home care providers operating within the Borough to improve resilience within the marketplace.  This would also include work to address some of the identified issues around recruitment and retention of staff.

·         The Council offered support to carers which included respite care, carers’ assessments and small personal budgets.

Communities & Housing

·         With regard to the creation of the a new housing delivery company, it was commented that the Council had a number of wholly owned companies or was engaged in ventures which delivered infrastructure works such as Repair 1st on behalf of Stockport Homes, Solutions SK and the Council’s relationship with B4Box.  It was suggested that there was consequently an opportunity for a more joined-up approach in the development of new affordable homes. 

·         It was commented that regulations associated with the government’s proposed ‘Pay to Stay’ policy had not yet been issued, however, it was anticipated that there would be significant administrative costs associated with the policy.  It was further commented that any additional income derived from the policy would be retained by the Treasury.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for People be requested to submit a report to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee providing an update on the budgetary position for the Adult Social Care Portfolio and the measures taken to address the deficit within this portfolio area.