Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution; and Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance

This report is the latest update on the Cabinet’s medium term strategy and the first phase of its programme including a suite of proposals for 2019/20.

Over the course of the year the Cabinet have been progressing its medium term strategy. This strategy frames the choices the Council will need to make over the coming years. As the strategy has progressed the Cabinet have introduced the first phase of its programme through a suite of proposals – initially introduced in October 2018.

Since this point the Cabinet have worked closely with residents, partners, members and colleagues throughout the council to develop the proposals. In December, four proposals were presented for consideration and approval while consultation exercises and further development of remaining proposals was undertaken.

Within this report the Cabinet outline the current financial context, provide an update on the medium term strategy, the approach taken to seeking and understanding views from local people, and, presenting the remaining proposals for the first phase of our medium term programme for consideration and approval.

The Cabinet is asked to:

(i)     Discuss and note the Cabinet’s position in relation to the MTFP and Budget (section.2)

(ii)    Discuss the progress outlined within this report and note the considerations outlined in relation to consultation, equality implications and workforce implications (sections 3 and 4).

(iii)  Consider and approve for implementation the updated proposals appended (Appendices 2-9) to this report, namely:

·           Proposal.1 - Children’s and Education (Appendix.2)

·           Proposal.4 – Community Safety Services (Appendix.4)

·           Proposal.6 - Support and Governance (Corporate Governance; ASC Support Functions; Library Management Efficiencies) (Appendix 6)

·           Proposal.10 - Asset rationalisation of current buildings and former operational buildings (Appendix.9)

·           Proposal.11 - Additional income from operational buildings (Appendix.9)

·           Proposal.12 - Exit rented accommodation and changes to other leased accommodation commitments (Appendix.9)

·           Proposal.13 - Review and disposal of operational and non-operational land and other assets (Appendix.9)

(iv)  Note the following commitments and approve for implementation the updated proposals:

(a)   Proposal.3 - Support Funds Coordination (Appendix.3)

·      Consider the consultation responses and updated proposal and approve this for implementation;

·      Note the commitment to undertake a broad review and engagement exercise of support and crisis funding during 2019/20 and to return to Cabinet with a proposed model;

(b)   Proposal.5 - Stockport Local Transport (Appendix.5)

·      Consider the consultation responses and updated proposals and approve these for implementation;

(c)   Proposal.7 – Public Realm (Appendix 7)

·      Consider the consultation responses and updated proposal for implementation.

·      Note the commitment to progress ongoing engagement with key stakeholders.

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

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider an update on its medium term strategy and the first phase of its programme, including a suite of proposals for 2019/20.

The Leader of the Council emphasised the increasingly difficult budget setting challenges, but highlighted the extensive public consultation undertaken on the proposals set out in the report and the positive response of the Cabinet to the feedback. The Leader stressed that the prudence of taking a two-year approach to the budget that would allow for thorough engagement with the public and stakeholders to ensure that proposals could be refined and any negative effects properly mitigated.

The Leader of the Council stressed that the Council was now facing extremely difficult decisions due to the pressure on resources, but commended the Cabinet and officers in developing proposals that minimised the impact of reductions on front line services. He acknowledged that there would be an impact on staffing within the Council and stressed the key role unions played in minimising that impact.

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance stressed the importance of the Cabinet’s previous decisions on the approach to the budget that provided a clear framework to develop proposals and engage with stakeholders.

The Leader referred to the three elements of the Cabinet’s budget, namely the robust assessment of the Council’s finances, reforming services, and utilisation of Council Tax. Specifically in relation to the last element the Leader stressed that while it was important to protect services for residents, it was also important to protect residents from increases in regressive taxation. He stated that because the Council had been forced to increase Council Tax for a number of years, the Cabinet was proposing an increase in Council Tax of only 2.75% (below the level assumed by the government) in order to strike a better balance for residents, despite this meaning foregoing future income.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration stressed the importance of the Cabinet’s investment in the Town Centre as a means to deliver jobs and prosperity that would ultimately benefit the whole of the borough.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Cabinet’s Medium Term Financial Strategy – 2019/20 programme:-

·                the Cabinet’s position in relation to the MTFP and Budget as set out at Section 2 of the report be noted

·                progress outlined within this report and the considerations outlined in relation to consultation, equality implications and workforce implications as set out in Sections 3 and 4 be noted;

·                approval be given to the implementation of the updated proposals appended to the report as:

·         Proposal.1 - Children’s and Education (Appendix.2)

·         Proposal.4 – Community Safety Services (Appendix.4)

·         Proposal.6 - Support and Governance (Corporate Governance; ASC Support Functions; Library Management Efficiencies) (Appendix 6)

·         Proposal.10 - Asset rationalisation of current buildings and former operational buildings (Appendix.9)

·         Proposal.11 - Additional income from operational buildings (Appendix.9)

·         Proposal.12 - Exit rented accommodation and changes to other leased accommodation commitments (Appendix.9)

·         Proposal.13 - Review and disposal of operational and non-operational land and other assets (Appendix.9)

·                in light of consultation responses, approval be given to the following updated proposals, and additional commitments made:

·         Proposal.3 - Support Funds Coordination (Appendix.3)

o     undertake a broad review and engagement exercise of support and crisis funding during 2019/20 and to resubmit to the Cabinet with a proposed model;

·         Proposal.5 - Stockport Local Transport (Appendix.5)

·         Proposal.7 – Public Realm (Appendix 7)

o    commit to ongoing engagement with key stakeholders