Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive.

The update will build on the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) Update report presented to the Cabinet meeting in October to ensure the MTFP forecasts and assumptions continue to be robust and based on the latest information. This will include an update on the financial impact of announcements made since October including:

·         The ongoing national and local response to the COVID19 pandemic; and

·         The Government’s 2020 Spending Review.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Michael Cullen on 0161 474 4631 or email: michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive. (copies of which had been circulated) building on the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) Update report presented to the Cabinet meeting in October to ensure the MTFP forecasts and assumptions continued to be robust and based on the latest information.

The report included an update on the financial impact of announcements made since October including the ongoing national and local response to the COVID19 pandemic; and the Government’s 2020 Spending Review.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Commissioning, Resources & Governance (Councillor Tom McGee) and the Cabinet Members for Inclusive Communities (Councillor Amanda Peers) and Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was commented that the accompanying report was circulated relatively late due to matters outside of the Council’s control and members were encouraged to feedback any further comments they might have on the report directly to officers once the meeting had concluded.

·         The detail in report around the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was welcomed.

·         It was requested that any further reports should include an analysis of the impact of Brexit and any planning undertaken so far.

·         It was commented that proposals to reduce the budget provision for the consultation team may have a negative impact on the Council’s ability to effectively engage with local communities.  In response it was stated that the report did not make any proposal to reduce capacity in this area.

·         Concern was raised in relation to the potential for an increase in Council Tax of up to 4.99% in addition to any increase in the Greater Manchester Mayoral and policing precepts which would constitute a significant burden on local residents.

·         The savings identified in the Sustainable Stockport portfolio were to be met through vacancy management and income generation from commercial waste collections.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.