Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This item covers two reports as follows;

·           First Update Corporate Performance and Resources Report (CPRR) 2018/19

·           First Update Leader’s Report 2018/19

The First Update Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides an update on progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the first quarter of 2018/19 (April to June). It is the first report to be based on the 2018/19 Council Plan and Budget, and also reflects Cabinet priorities set out in recently-published Portfolio Agreements.

Updates are included on delivery of policy priorities, alongside Reform Projects. The report also includes early forecasts of budget and performance data where this is available, along with an update on the refreshed 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 First Update Report reflects on recent national and local events, along with key areas of progress during the first quarter.

These reports were considered and approved by Cabinet on 14 August.  

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         Consider the First Update Reports;  

·         Review the progress against delivering corporate objectives, key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2018/19;

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

Representatives of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted two reports (copies of which had been circulated) covering:

·         Corporate Performance and Resources Report (CPRR) Quarter 1 of 2018/19

·         Leader’s Report Quarter 1 of 2018/19

The Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provided an overview of progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the first quarter of 2018/19. It was based on the agreed Council Plan for 2018/19 and the Medium Term Financial Plan 2017-20, and also reflected Cabinet Portfolios and priorities.  Updates were included on delivery of policy priorities, alongside Growth and Reform Project updates. The report also included out-turn budget and performance data along with an update on the Corporate Risk Register. It was supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports which had been considered during the last Scrutiny cycle.

The Leader’s Annual Report reflected on recent national and local events, together with key areas of progress during the first quarter.

These reports had been considered and approved by the Cabinet on 14 August 2018. 

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

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·                Clarification was sought on the budgeting for the Business Rates Retention Pilot. In response it was stated that as a matter of prudence the Council budgeted for a 50% retention for a number of reasons including: the volatility of the tax base and the impact of successful valuation appeals; 50% was the basis of the ‘no-detriment’ level set by the Treasury as part of the pilot agreement. Any surplus in addition to the 50% was shared across Greater Manchester to minimise the impact of volatility and was used locally to support investment activity. It was further commented that the technical consultation on the Local Government Finance Settlement indicated that the 100% pilot would continue into 2019/20 although the introduction of the Fairer Funding proposals was likely to change the base assumptions underlying the calculations.

·                It was commented that as part of the planned investment in Merseyway there needed to be consideration of opportunities to introduce housing. In response it was stated that further proposals on this subject were likely to come forward in the coming months.

·                Comment was made that the ‘Aim to Maximise/ Minimise’ targets should be replaced by numerical targets wherever possible.

·                Reducing waste collection by encouraging home compositing, and efforts to increase recycling rates for high rise accommodation were also discussed. It was commented that the Greater Manchester waste contract procurement was testing whether more could be done to sort waste post collection to remove more recyclable matter.

·                Concerns were raised that despite ‘positive’ performance relating to the percentage of contact centre telephone calls answered, approximately 20% went unanswered. In response councillors were referred to the answer given by the Leader of the Council to a public question at the Cabinet Meeting on 14 August 2018.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to provide committee members with details of initiatives to improve recycling rates in high-rise properties.

(3) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to circulate details of the Cabinet public question relating to Contact Centre performance.

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

The First Update Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides an overview of progress in delivering the Council’s priority outcomes and budget during the first quarter of 2018/19.

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 First Update Report reflects on achievements, key issues, events and changes since the Annual Report.

Both reports are due to be considered by the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee at its next meeting on 18 September 2018.

The Cabinet is asked to:

(a)   Review progress against delivering Council priorities and capital schemes alongside budget and performance outturns contained within the report;

(b)   Note the key policy drivers identified and progress in managing corporate risks set out in section 2.

(c)   Approve the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 3.2.3;

(d)   Note the Cash Limit and Non-Cash Limit forecast positions for 2018/19 as set out in sections 3.3 and 3.6;

(e)   Note the position on the 2018/19 budget savings programme set out in section 3.4;

(f)     Note the Dedicated Schools Grant and Housing Revenue Account forecast positions, as set out in Sections 3.7 and 3.8;

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

(h)   Note the forecast position for the 2018/19 Capital Programme as set out in section 4.1;

(i)     Note the changes to the capital programme and re-phasing of schemes during the quarter as set out in 4.1.5;

(j)     Approve the proposals for resourcing and additional resources required for the Capital Programme as set out in 4.3:

(k)   Approve the 2018/19 prudential indicators as set out in section 4.4.

(l)     Note the Treasury Management review and activity during the first quarter as set out in section 5; and

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

Officer Contacts: Peter Owston on 0161 474 3274 or email: peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk, or Jonathan Davies on 0161 218 1025 or email: 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 an overview of progress in delivering the Council’s priority outcomes and budget during the first quarter of 2018/19.

The Leader of the Council emphasised the challenging financial context and the need to address the £47m funding gap over the next three years, and the commitment of the Cabinet to protecting front line services and address the increasing demand on services.

The Leader also highlighted the continued investment in Stockport, including that to help reduce demand and protect the most vulnerable, and drew particular attention to:-

·         The launch of the Stockport Local Fund

·         Ongoing work to implement the Stockport Together new models of care and responding to the CQC Local Review

·         Securing of funding for Stockport Interchange and other key regeneration projects

·         Development of a Clean Air Business Case for Greater Manchester

·         Reassessment of the demographic assumptions underpinning the GMSF

·         The ‘Start Well’ project and the ‘Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities’ initiative had begun as part of Stockport Family that would focus on prevention

·         The Red Bag Scheme to assist with discharge of those admitted to hospital from a care homes

·         The ‘Good’ Ofsted rating for the Broadfields Children’s Home following its first inspection. Congratulations were extended to staff for their success.

·         122 new homes had been completed, with work beginning on the former Tatton Cinema site

·         Stockport Homes were retrofitting sprinklers to all its tower blocks

·         Additional resources had been identified for pothole repairs.

·         The consultation on the revised SEMMM Strategy had concluded and the Strategy was likely to have increased emphasis on non-car transport.

·         GMCA had approved investment in the former Royal Mail sorting office in the Town Centre.

·         The Light Cinema and the Redrock development had massively exceeded expectations, with a new outlet opening recently.

The Leader referred to the Government announcement of £20b of additional funding for the NHS but expressed disappointment that this did not include any additional Public Health resources, and the concern regarding likely delay in further proposals for the long term funding of adult social care.

In relation to Northern Rail and the problems experienced with the Summer timetable, the Leader reported that he had lobbied extensively, including writing a letter in conjunction with Group Leaders, and had met with senior officials at Northern Rail to make clear the need to deliver significant improvements on the current timetable. The Leader emphasised the need for the Department of Transport to ensure that local services did not bear the brunt of delays in Network Rail infrastructure work and greater coordination was needed between Network Rail and operators. The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration added that Northern Rail had committed to regular meetings with the Council to ensure they were kept abreast of developments affecting Stockport.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration also reported that an announcement would be made in the near future about the Chair of the Work and Skills Partnership who would lead the work to implement the aims of the Commission convened earlier in the year.

The Cabinet Member further reported that footfall in the Town Centre was increasing, with 100% occupancy in the covered market and the market management operators now in place who would now be able to deliver on improvements.

RESOLVED – That in relation of the Corporate Performance and Resources First Update Reports 2018/19:-

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

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

·         the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 3.2.3 of the report be noted;

·         the Cash Limit and Non-Cash Limit forecast positions for 2018/19 as set out in sections 3.3 and 3.6 of the report be noted;

·         the position on the 2018/19  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5