Issue - meetings

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

The report provides a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the final update report, with a focus on the fourth quarter of the year (January to March). It includes out-turn performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with updates on the portfolio savings programme

NOTE: The updated Portfolio Performance Dashboards referenced in the report may not be available until Saturday, 5 June 2021.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·         Consider the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;

·         Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2017/18;

·         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;

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

Sustainable Stockport

Alan Lawson, Strategy and Performance Manager at alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk (474 5397) or Lisa Joy, CSS Manager (Specialist) Finance at lisa.joy@stockport.gov.uk (474 4044)

Inclusive Neighbourhoods

Gaynor Ward, Strategy and Performance Manager at gaynor.ward@stockport.gov.uk (474 3186) or Stephen Pate, CSS Manager (Specialist) Finance at stephen.pate@stockport.gov.uk 218 1086)

The Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the final update report, with a focus on the fourth quarter of the year (January to March).  The report included out-turn performance and financial data (where this was available) for the Portfolio, along with updates on the portfolio savings programme.

The Cabinet Members for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) and Inclusive Communities (Councillor Amanda Peers) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

Inclusive Communities Portfolio

·         The council was working with Sector 3 to deliver some of the work with the various mutual aid groups working in the borough.

·         It was noted that there was an ongoing initiative to encourage residents to ‘shop local’ but more needed to be to encourage this over and above the existing banners that had been erected in certain locations.

·         Work was taking place with third sector organisations to co-design the community champions programme.  It was stated that once funding had been rolled form the government, members should see further activity in this area.

·         There remained concern in relation to the implementation of iOPS by Greater Manchester Police and the availability and robustness of the data obtained as a result.

Sustainable Stockport Portfolio

·         During the coronavirus pandemic, a decision had been taken that officers should not routinely inspect fly-tipping to obtain evidence to protect the safety of staff.  However, in certain instances, this work was now taking place.

·         The rapid response of council staff to reports of fly-tipping was welcomed.

·         The Council continued to pursue prospections of those responsible for fly-tipping.

·         The Council had an excellent record on working with those who were sleeping rough and to facilitate alternative accommodation.  However, there were a number of people who refuse assistance, but outreach workers would continue to offer support.

·         There remained a number of unfilled vacancies in the waste collection service which was having a detrimental impact on the service.  It was stated that further information would be provided to councillors on this issue.

·         It was noted that the number of people visiting the natural environment had risen significantly which demonstrated the value of such spaces to residents.  However, concern was expressed that it had recently been confirmed that Chadkirk Chapel would remain closed to the public until at least January.  In response, it was stated that further details in relation to the circumstances at this specific location would sent to members separately.

·         Work was taking place to improve the resilience at TLC to reduce the likelihood of a recurrence of the issues that had been experienced with the green waste collection service.

·         It was noted that cleansing assessments were not currently being undertaken due to the diversion of staff to respond to the ongoing impact of the pandemic which made it impossible to measure whether the trajectory was going in the right direction.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.