Issue - meetings

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

The Final Update Portfolio Performance and Resources Report for the Communities & Housing and Economy & Regeneration Portfolios are presented for consideration by the Scrutiny Committee. These provide a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the mid-year report, with a particular focus on the third quarter (October to December) 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 programme.

 The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

·         consider the Final 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 Contacts: Alan Lawson/Kora Yohannan on 0161 474 5397/4032 or email: peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk/kora.yohannan@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Final Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports for the Communities & Housing and Economy & Regeneration Portfolios and providing a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects during the mid-year report, with a particular focus on the third quarter (October to December) of 2016/17. The report also included forecast performance data (where this was available) and projected financial data for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolios savings programmes.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Housing) (Councillor Sheila Bailey) and the Executive Councillor (Economy and Regeneration) (Councillor Kate Butler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

Communities and Housing

·         A Member raised the issue of illuminated bollards on pedestrian refuges and requested that they were all lit for the safety of pedestrians.

·         In response to a Member’s question, the Executive Councillor agreed to look into why old street nameplates were not fully removed when new nameplates were erected. It was clarified that the removal of old street light poles was the responsibility of United Utilities.

·         A Member enquired what the tolerance range was for the performance indicators.

·         The transition monies committed to projects at a number of parks and greenspaces was commended.

·         A report on the three year investment plan for the leisure estate (excluding Grand Central) would be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.

·         A Member requested information on the reduction in ‘trips and slips’ claims against the Council since the introduction of the Highways Investment Programme.

·         With regard to Performance Indicator C&H 06 (% relevant land and highways with acceptable levels of deposits of detritus), a Member expressed concern that the second survey of the financial year had not met the target.

·         A Member welcomed the Street Lighting Planned Programme and the ‘one network’ approach incorporating maintenance of Public Rights of Way and Parks lighting. He requested that Ward Members were consulted before the final Street Lighting Planned Programme was compiled.

Economy and Regeneration

·         The £133,500 funding from Greater Manchester to tackle youth unemployment would comprise intermediate labour market schemes to provide pre-employment training and extra grants to incentivise employers to support employees.

·         With regard to Risk E &R 01 – Unemployment Rate - Increased unemployment rates (particularly youth unemployment) as a result of the prevailing economic conditions, a Member welcomed the reduction in the youth claimant count from 0.9% in November 2015 to 0.5% 5 in November 2016.

 RESOLVED – That the report be noted.