Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The Third Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Reform and Governance Portfolio is presented for consideration by the Committee. This report is shorter, and more data-driven, providing highlights and exceptions reflecting progress in delivering the portfolio priorities and budgets since the Mid-Year Report. It includes forecast performance and financial data for the Portfolio, where new data is available, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The new format for the reports has been developed following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance and Scrutiny Committee Chairs. This is linked to proposals contained within the Support and Governance MTFP work stream (presented to Cabinet on 18 December) which include a reduction in capacity for the Policy, Performance and Reform function.  The intention is that this lighter touch report format for Quarter 3 will provide officers with the time to prioritise development of a future, less resource intensive, approach to Performance and Resources reporting and management whilst ensuring that it can continue to provide the level of oversight required for effective scrutiny and decision making.

With a reduced level of detail being provided within the reports, councillors are asked where possible to direct any questions or requests for further information in advance of the meeting via Democratic Services to enable the timely provision of additional information.

Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         Consider the Third Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;  

·         Comment on the new approach and format of the report as outlined above;

·         Review the progress against delivering 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;

·         Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report; and

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

Officer contact: Peter Owston / Susan Wood, 0161 474 3274 / 218 1032,

peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk / susan.wood@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance submitted the third quarter Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of progress in delivering the Reform and Governance portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects up to and including the third quarter. The report included forecast performance and financial data (where this was available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         The revised format of the report was praised for being more accessible and the focus on exception reporting reduced its repetitiveness.

·         Comment was made that the report recommendations asked the scrutiny committee to identify corrective action, although this was more appropriately an executive function.

·         Further information was sought on staff retention at Contact Centre. In response it was stated that many of the staff often found jobs elsewhere within the Council. It was also commented that due to the challenging nature of the work, staff would often seek to move on in a relatively short space of time.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.