Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This item covers two reports as follows:

•      Final Update Corporate Performance and Resources Report (CPRR) 2017/18

•      Final Update Leader’s Report 2017/18

The Final Update Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides a summary of progress in delivering the Council’s priority outcomes, revenue budget and capital programme during the third quarter of 2017/18 (October to December 2017) and also includes a Treasury Management update.

The Leader’s Final Update Report reflects on progress in delivering local priorities and how next year’s budget proposals and new Council Plan aim to address the future challenges faced by the Council.

These reports were considered and approved by Cabinet on 6 February.  

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·           Consider the Final Update Reports;  

·           Review the progress against delivering corporate objectives, 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;

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

Officer contact: Michael Cullen / Steve Skelton, 0161 474 4631 / 3174, michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk / steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

Representatives of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted the final Corporate Performance and Resources Report (CPRR) and Leader’s Report for 2017/18 (copies of which had been circulated).

The CPPR provided an update on progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the third quarter of 2017/18, including providing a Treasury Management update.

Updates were included on delivery of policy priorities, alongside Reform Projects. The report also included third quarter forecasts of budget and performance data, along with an update on the Corporate Risk Register. The report was supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports which were considered in the most recent Scrutiny cycle.

The Leader’s Final Update Report reflected on progress in delivering local priorities and how next year’s budget proposals and new Council Plan aimed to address the future challenges faced by the Council.

These reports had been considered and approved by the Cabinet on 6 February.  

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Alex Ganotis) attended the meeting to present the report and to answer councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Further information was requested in relation to the development of shared services. In response it was stated that there was a particular project between the Council and the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust exploring the long held ambition to share back-office services and that there had been positive progress, with further detail being provided to the Scrutiny Committee when available. It was also commented that work was also taking with bodies associated and exploring inter-directorate working.

·         Further information was requested in relation to how the proposed GM Green Summit would feed back into work in Stockport. In response it was stated that the Summit had agreed to set a target date for the City-Region to become carbon-neutral, although the details were currently embargoed. Partners were working to understand what the likely policy decisions would need to be decarbonise transport, housing, electricity as well as to make the most of natural capital. It was not proposed to mandate councils to take these actions but to begin discussions with them and businesses about how deliver change.

·         Clarification was sought on whether the additional capital spend on the Aurora development affected the affordability of the scheme. In response it was stated that the original decision included this expenditure and therefore would not impact on the scheme’s viability.

·         Concerns were raised about children’s mental health given the growing pressures on young people. In response it was stated that early intervention was a central principal of the Stockport Family approach and that while it was impossible to guarantee no young person in Stockport would suffer mental distress but every effort was being made to work with schools to identify those young people in need of extra support.

·         Clarity was sought on the causes of rough sleeping. In response it was stated that this was a complex issue, but that the Council worked closely with housing partners to ensure appropriate support was available.

RESOLVED – (1) That the reports be noted.

(2) That the Leader of the Council be requested to provide a written response to members of the Scrutiny Committee clarifying the proposed completion of the Bredbury Curve development.

(3) That the Borough Treasurer be requested to provide a written response to members of the Scrutiny Committee on the implications of re-phasing of grant funding for the Stockport Interchange bridge.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution.

The Final Update Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides an update on progress in delivering the Council’s priority outcomes and budget since the mid-year report, with a particular focus on the third quarter (October to December).

Updates are included on delivery of policy priorities and the growth and reform programme. The report also includes forecast budget and performance data where this is available, along with an update on the Corporate Risk Register. It is supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports which were considered by the most recent Scrutiny cycle.

The Leader’s Final Update Report reflects on achievements, key issues, events and changes since the Mid-Year Report, and looks ahead to plans and priorities for 2018. 

Cabinet is asked to:

·         Review progress against delivering Council priorities and capital schemes alongside budget and performance forecasts contained within the report;

·         Note the key policy drivers identified and progress in managing corporate risks set out in section 2;

·         Approve the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 3.2.3;

·         Note the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for 2017/18 as set out in section 3.3 and 3.6;

·         Note the position on the 2017/18 budget savings programme set out in section 3.4;

·         Note the Dedicated Schools Grant and Housing Revenue Account outturn positions as set out in sections 3.7 and 3.8;

·         Approve the appropriations to/from reserves and balances as set out in section 3.9 and note the resulting reserves and balances position;

·         Note the forecast position for the 2017/18 Capital Programme as set out in section 4.1;

·         Note the re-phasing of capital schemes during the quarter as set out in 4.1.5;

·         Approve the proposals for resourcing and additional resources required for the Capital Programme as set out in 4.3;

·         Note the Treasury Management review and activity during the third quarter as set out in section 5: and

·         Identify key areas for further investigation and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any existing or forecast issues or risks.

Officer contact: Jonathan Davies / Peter Owston, 0161 218 1025 / 474 3274

peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk / jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Cabinet with a report on the delivery of the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget since the mid-year update, with particular focus on the third quarter of 2017/18 (October to December).

The Leader of the Council emphasised the commitment of the Cabinet to strive continue to provide high quality services despite the challenging financial circumstances. In particular he highlighted the following issues:-

·         the success of the Redrock and Stockport Exchange developments;

·         unprecedented demand on children’s and adult social services;

·         ongoing efforts to provide affordable homes;

·         responding to challenges arising from the collapse of Carillion;

·         recent establishment of the Work and Skills Commission to support the Cabinet’s inclusive growth agenda;

·         record investment through the Capital Programme to support both regeneration and reform initiatives.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Corporate Performance and Resources – Final Update Reports 2017/18:-

·         progress against delivering Council priorities and capital schemes and budget and performance forecasts be noted;

·         the key policy drivers identified and progress in managing corporate risks set out in section 2 be noted;

·         the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 3.2.3 be approved;

·         the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for 2017/18 as set out in section 3.3 and 3.6 be noted;

·         the position on the 2017/18 budget savings programme set out in section 3.4 be noted;

·         the Dedicated Schools Grant and Housing Revenue Account outturn positions as set out in sections 3.7 and 3.8 be noted;

·         the appropriations to/from reserves and balances as set out in section 3.9 be approved and the resulting reserves and balances position be noted;

·         the forecast position for the 2017/18 Capital Programme as set out in section 4.1 be noted;

·         the re-phasing of capital schemes during the quarter as set out in 4.1.5 be noted;

·         the proposals for resourcing and additional resources required for the Capital Programme as set out in 4.3 be approved; and

·         the Treasury Management review and activity during the third quarter as set out in section 5 be noted.