Issue - meetings

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

This report provides the first six monthly update on the Greater Manchester Strategy (GMS) Implementation Plan and performance dashboard.

Cabinet is asked to;

·         note and agree the updated GMS Implementation Plan and Performance Dashboard;

·         consider overall progress towards the achievement of the GMS 2020 ambitions and targets, including the specific actions and updates relating to Stockport; and

·         agree the updated process for future iterations of the Implementation Plan and Performance Update is reflected in future Corporate and Portfolio Reports.  

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) providing the Cabinet with the first six monthly update on performance against the Greater Manchester Strategy (GMS) Implementation plan.

The Leader of the Council emphasised the interconnectedness of the GMS and the Council’s own performance framework and how, wherever possible, the two had been synchronised.

Cabinet members suggested that data from this report could helpfully be reported to scrutiny committees other that Corporate, Resource Management & Governance.

Cabinet members also discussed performance in relation to dental health and the benefits of the Greater Manchester Health & Social Care Partnership having greater control over this; ongoing work to reduce smoking in pregnancy; greater research and action to reduce harm from drinking during pregnancy.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Greater Manchester Strategy Implementation Plan and Performance Dashboard first update:-

·         the updated Plan and Dashboard be noted and approved

·         overall progress towards the achievement of the Strategy 2020 ambitions and targets, including the specific actions and updates relating to Stockport be noted;

·         the updated process for future iterations of the Implementation Plan and Performance Update being reflected in future Corporate and Portfolio Reports be agreed; and

·         that further consideration be given appropriate mechanisms for sharing relevant data with scrutiny committees.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This report provides the first six monthly update on the Greater Manchester Strategy (GMS) Implementation Plan and performance dashboard.

Scrutiny Committee is asked to review and comment on the GMS Implementation Plan and Performance Dashboard update.

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) providing an update performance against the Greater Manchester Strategy, Implementation Plan and performance dashboard six months after its adoption.

Councillors welcomed the report and the comparative data.

The following additional comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Concerns were expressed about the worsening performance in relation to school readiness. In response it was stated that the Council was providing extra resources to strengthen Stockport Family and to give greater emphasis to early intervention. The Brinnington Pilot scheme had provided evidence of the value of targeted early interventions.

·         Although there was commentary in relation to under performance against targets, there was little explanation of what actions were being taken. In response it was stated that there were often other partners involved who would be taking actions to address these issues. Wherever possible there was an attempt to disaggregate the data in the report to share with other scrutiny committees.

·         Making sustainable improvements in levels of smoking in pregnancy and tooth decay in young people appeared to be intractable and the targets unachievable. In response the challenges in these areas was acknowledged, but it was commented that reducing the target to make it achievable was not the correct approach.

·         Further information was sought on efforts to address rough sleeping and housing supply. In response it was stated that the Council, through Viaduct Housing, was making great efforts to provide more affordable and social housing, although this was not always in keeping with demand. It was hoped that the GMSF and Local Plan processes would assist in these efforts. It was further commented that the GM Mayor had recently stated that his election pledge to eliminate rough sleeping was not possible to achieve but that every effort would be made to reduce it as far as possible.

·         Clarification was sought on whether there was a formula to determine when a home was affordable. In response it was stated that the government provided formula suggested 80% of prevailing value was affordable, but that this was an issue that would need to be addressed as part of the development of the Local Plan. The aspiration in the GM Housing Plan was to build 50,000 genuinely affordable houses.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.