Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance.

Building on the medium term strategy presented at the October Cabinet meeting, this report provides the latest update on the proposals for 2019/20, the budget choices for consideration and information on further engagement that has occurred since October Cabinet. As well as an update, this report also brings forward an initial series of final proposals for consideration at this meeting.

Cabinet is recommended to:

·         Note the update on the Medium Term Strategy and to return with further detail on the remaining proposals for 2019/20 at the February Cabinet meeting;

·         To approve for implementation the final proposals appended to this report, namely:

-       2. Value for Money Procurement

-       6. Support and Governance – HR and OD and Communications

-       8. Modernising Citizen Journeys

-       9. Balancing the Cost of Services

Officer contact: Holly Rae, 0161 474 3014, holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider a report providing the latest update on the Cabinet’s budget proposals and choices for 2019/20, including information on further engagement that has occurred since the Cabinet meeting in October. As well as an update, the report also included an initial series of final proposals for consideration.

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance confirmed that in light of feedback received a revision to the specification of the bin collection calendar had been proposed to retain its distribution.

The Leader of the Council emphasised that the proposals set out in these business cases sought to reform services or maximise returns on investment to minimise the impact on front-line services. This was a continuation of the Cabinet’s agreed approach to meeting the Council’s financial challenges.

Cabinet Members welcomed the emphasis on ensuring fairness in the Balancing the Cost of Services proposal to ensure commercial operators were not being subsidised by the general tax payer when using Council services and bringing these in line with other local authorities. Emphasis was given to the need for ongoing monitoring of the impact of the changes to ensure they were not leading to unforeseen negative consequences, and to ensure that the Council was not profiting from the services.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Medium Term Financial Plan Cabinet Response, Medium Term Strategy and budget choices for 2019/20:

·         the update on the Medium Term Strategy and the intention to submit further detail on the remaining proposals for 2019/20 to the 5 February 2019 Cabinet meeting be noted;

·         approval be given to the implementation of the following final proposals appended to the report:

-       2. Value for Money Procurement

-       6. Support and Governance – HR and OD and Communications

-       8. Modernising Citizen Journeys

-       9. Balancing the Cost of Services

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration

The Cabinet have been preparing its medium term strategy in response to its medium term financial plan. The latest update was presented in October. This frames the choices the Council will make about its budget both next year and in future years aligned to five key themes:

·         Getting more out of our spending;

·         Improving citizen experience;

·         Making sure we have the right property in the right places;

·         Sharing services with other organisations;

·         Enabling an organisation fit for the future.

This latest update is presented to scrutiny for consideration and is comprised of the suite of Cabinet papers presented to the meeting held on 2 October 2018 and additional updates and information about how the Council is progressing its plans.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to:-

·         comment upon the strategic direction of travel outlined in the overall report and across the five themes; and

·         comment on the report and the proposals presented within the report relevant to the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

Officer Contact: Holly Rae on 0161 474 3014 or email: holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking the views of the Scrutiny Committee in respect of the strategic direction of travel outlined in the overall report and across the five themes, and requesting comments specifically on the proposals presented in the report relevant to the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The first two themes ‘Getting more out of our spending’ and ‘Improving citizen experience’ could be diametrically opposed to each other in that it could be more expensive to provide a better customer experience.

·         The contracts offered to charities had been continually cut by the Council. Staff turnover was therefore high in the charitable sector  which affected the quality of the service provided. It was essential that the Council commissioned the best services from the best provider.

·         Some of the issues raised, such as developing the Digital by Design work and reductions in the Stockport Local Assistance Scheme, would affect the most vulnerable people in society. Councillors assisted residents, on a number of occasions, reporting issues through the Council’s website.

·         A Member felt that the Council’s procurement policies should not by seen as a means of passing on Government cuts in public expenditure.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Cabinet Members for Children & Families and for Education.

The Cabinet have been preparing its medium term strategy in response to its medium term financial plan. The latest update was presented in October. This frames the choices the Council will make about its budget both next year and in future years aligned to five key themes:

•           Getting the most out of our spending

•           Improving Customer Experience

•           Making sure we have the right property in the right places

•           Sharing Services with other organisations

•           An organisation fit for the future.

This latest update is presented to scrutiny for consideration and is comprised of the suite of October Cabinet papers (appendix 2) and additional updates and information about how we are progressing our plans.

Specific proposals which will be delivered from 2019 and within the remit of this scrutiny meeting is:

•           Balancing the cost of services- proposal update- Appendix 3

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to:

•        Comment upon the strategic direction of travel outlined in the overall report and across the five themes; and

•        Comment on the report and the proposals presented within the report relevant to the remit of this committee

Officer contact: Holly Rae, 0161 474 3014, holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Members for Children & Families and Education submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to comment on the overall report and the five themes contained within it and on the detailed proposals relevant to the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Committee identified Special Educational Need Home to School Transport as an area that required further consideration in the context of savings proposals.

·         The Committee were keen to hear further details in respect to proposals for early years.

·         Concern was expressed in respect to the proposals relating to the reduction of Area Committee budgets relating to highways and discretionary spending at an Area Committee level.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance.

The Cabinet have been preparing its medium term strategy in response to its medium term financial plan. The latest update was presented in October. This frames the choices the Council will make about its budget both next year and in future years aligned to five key themes:

·         Getting more out of our spending;

·         Improving citizen experience;

·         Making sure we have the right property in the right places;

·         Sharing services with other organisations;

·         Enabling an organisation fit for the future.

This latest update is presented to scrutiny for consideration and is comprised of:

·           An overview report summarising the strategy and budget choices;

·           Appendix for each theme which outlines the strategic direction and ambition for each theme as well as a suite of proposals for 2019/20.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to:-

·         comment upon the strategic direction of travel outlined in the overall report and across the five themes; and

·         comment on the report and the proposals presented within the report relevant to the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

Officer contact: Holly Rae, 0161 474 3014, holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking the views of the Scrutiny Committee in respect to the strategic direction of travel outlined in the overall report and across the five themes and to comment specifically on the proposals presented in the report relevant to the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Reference was made to questions at the recent Council Meeting in relation to changes to Area Committee delegations and to references in in the report to a cross-party working group to discuss the proposals. It was stated that it would be helpful for the group to consider a wider review of the business programme, but stressed that such a group should be given proposals from the Cabinet to consider rather than for them to co-design proposals for change. Concern was expressed about any loss of powers and responsibilities by area committees.

·         In relation to the proposals around Communications it was queried why so much of the current workload related to GMCA functions. In response it was clarified that each local authority would provide support to its leader and their GMCA portfolio area although there was scope for the GMCA to take on more of the cost of this activity.

·         A number of councillors expressed concern about proposals to cease publication and distribution of the waste and recycling collection timetable for residents as they felt this was a false economy and would lead to an increase in problems with presentation of bins for collection.

·         It was commented that the proposals were conservative on income but ‘bullish’ in relation to expenditure and it was queried whether an increase in Council Tax was necessary, given that Stockport had the highest rate of Council Tax in Greater Manchester. In response it was stated that caution on income was prudent given its unpredictability. While a balanced budget could be proposed this year without a Council Tax increase it would require larger increases in future years or increase the overall savings requirement in the future. It was not the belief of the Cabinet that the funding gap could be adequately bridged without an increase. Stockport’s Council Tax rates was reflective of it historic underfunding and the Council continued to be one of the lowest spending authorities in Greater Manchester.

·         It was commented that while increasing Council Tax would impact the poorest most acutely, this should be seen in the context of increasing demand on services that were hidden from most residents and there was a need to protect the most vulnerable in our community.

·         Clarification was sought on the meaning of financial self-sufficiency in the context of the Council. In response it was stated that by 2020 the Revenue Support Grant from the Government to the Council would no longer be provided (previously having been one third of Council resources) so that the Council’s spending power would be from Council Tax, retained Business Rates and other locally generated income. It was hoped that the next Comprehensive Spending Review would make provision for a long term solution to local government financing.

·         Further information was sought on proposals for the Council’s companies, TLC and Stockport Homes, and comment was made that these bodies were often performing better than the Council in particular areas. In response it was stated that it was important to review contractual arrangements with these organisations to ensure they were aligned with other Council priorities and areas of activity in order to avoid having to make reductions in service quality in the future. Caution was advised about direct comparisons with these organisations and there were factors affect performance that were unique to each organisation.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Cabinet Members for Adult Social Care and for Health.

The Cabinet have been preparing its medium term strategy in response to its medium term financial plan. The latest update was presented in October. This frames the choices the Council will make about its budget both next year and in future years aligned to five key themes:

·           Getting the most out of our spending

·           Improving Customer Experience

·           Making sure we have the right property in the right places

·           Sharing Services with other organisations

·           An organisation fit for the future.

This latest update is presented to scrutiny for consideration and is comprised of:

·           An overview report summarising the strategy and budget choices;

·           Appendix for each theme which outlines the strategic direction and ambition for each theme as well as a suite of proposals for 2019/20.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to:-

·           comment upon the strategic direction of travel outlined in the overall report and across the five themes; and

·           comment on the report and the proposals presented within the report relevant to the remit of the Scrutiny Committee

Officer contact: Holly Rae, 0161 474 3014, holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Members for Adult Social Care and for Health submitted a report of the Cabinet (copies of which had been circulated) seeking the views of the Scrutiny Committee in respect to the strategic direction of travel outlined in the overall report and across the five themes and to comment specifically on the proposals presented in the report relevant to the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·           The introduction of the five broad themes for the budget was welcomed.

·           Concerns were expressed about the proposals in respect of the Stockport Local Assistance Scheme. It was commented that the approach in Stockport had been innovative and targeted support where it was needed. Assurance was sought that vulnerable residents would continue to have access to financial support between presenting to services and receiving benefits. In response it was stated that the total projected saving would be £486,000 and that as part of the strategic commissioning proposals work had begun on a review of support and possible alternative funding streams. Commitment was given to providing further detail on the proposals to the next meeting. Members welcomed efforts to mitigate the impact of these changes be restated their concern about the significant impact removal of the scheme could have on the wellbeing of residents and ultimately lead to greater costs elsewhere in the Council.

·           Concerned were expressed that reducing Local Transport provision would impact on respite options for carers. Others commented that previous attempts to reduce budgets in this area had proven unsuccessful. It was commented that in so far as was possible, transport provision should move away from bespoke solutions to group or communal options as this had a social benefit for the users. Greater priority needed to be given to transport training.

·           Reservations were expressed that increasing the offer of online facilities was hampered by the limitations of the Council’s current website and comment was made that allowance needed to be made for people who were not able to use digital communications. Other members stressed the importance of facilitating those who could and wanted to access services digitally.

·           In relation to reduced investments in the public realm, it was commented that reductions in service levels must not lead to public health problems and greater costs, such as increased flooding because of less gulley cleansing. Enabling community groups to maintain or develop public open spaces should also be encouraged.

·           Concern was expressed about the scope for using procurement to build community wealth given the role of STAR and the Council’s current contract procedure rules.

·           The appropriateness of reducing spend in schools by £1.1m in view of the increasing birth rates and demand on school places was questioned.

·           Concern was expressed that ‘services at a premium’ would lead to a second class service for those who could not pay.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.