Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive. 

The Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report for the Reform and Governance Portfolio is presented for consideration by the Committee. This provides a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects in the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September). It includes forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·         Consider the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;  

·         Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2017/18;

·         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 Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report;

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

Officer contact: Peter Owston on 0161 474 3274 or email: peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk or Susan Wood on 0161 218 1032 or email: susan.wood@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) in relation to the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report for the Reform and Governance Portfolio providing a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects in the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September). It included forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) attended the meeting to present the report and answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted that in respect of Q2 performance statistics in relation to the percentage of requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), the reported figure of 62.5% of responses by deadline was wrong and the actual performance for Q2 was 68%.

·         Members congratulated the ‘Digital by Design’ team on winning the “Granicus Digital Achievement Award”.

·         In respect of Q2 performance statistics in relation to Contact Centre contacts received digitally, it was noted that remained fairly static and members requested a breakdown of contacts made by telephone and digitally as well as details of initiatives to improve contacts received digitally.

·         The development of proposals in relation to the use of Chadkirk Chapel (including proposed consultation with the Friends of Chadkirk Chapel and Estate) were welcomed.

·         It was suggested that an indication of where a caller was in the queue when they telephoned the Contact Centre would be helpful.

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted that the membership and governance arrangements for the Work and Skills Commission would be announced shortly.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a report be submitted to the next meeting of this Scrutiny Committee outlining what steps were being taken to meet the Council’s target of 90% compliance with statutory deadlines for responding to FOI requests including a breakdown of requests including where possible those which are legally exempt or where substantial information has been requested which that cannot be provided within 20 days.

(3) That a report be submitted to the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on 28 January setting out those efficiencies achieved to date under the ‘Digital by Design’ programme together with a breakdown of contacts made by telephone and digitally as well as details of initiatives to improve contacts received digitally.

(4) That the Deputy Chief Executive be requested to write to all Councillors providing an update in relation to the problems experienced with the telephony system including when the failing hardware would be replaced.

(5) That the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance be requested to write to members of this Scrutiny Committee providing details of the use of counsel and work being placed with private practices and the costs incurred by the Council.