Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Director (Place) & 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

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 2020/21;

·         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.

Officer Contacts: Alan Lawson on 0161 474 5397 or email: alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk; or Lisa Joy on 0161 474 4044 or email: lisa.joy@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) and 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 Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         There were currently ten performance indicators where no target had been set making it difficult for the Scrutiny Committee to examine the indicators.

·         A report on the Local Plan would be submitted to this Scrutiny Committee and to meet the timeframe for the plan this was likely to be at an extraordinary meeting of the Scrutiny Committee next month.

·         A Member highlighted performance indicator 3.3 regarding the Youth Employment Hub. The actual number of clients supported through the Youth Employment and Career Pathway Hub was 15 in 2020/21. The was because the impact of the initiative had been severely curtailed by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic meaning that only virtual provision could be offered at the start of the year, with take-up limited. Members requested more information on this performance indicator.

·         Reference was made to the planned inspection and repair of the borough’s bridges and retaining walls. A representative of the Corporate Director outlined the levels of inspections involved.

·         The drainage for Poynton Relief Road had been designed to meet potential flooding problems. The Cabinet Member agreed to update the Scrutiny Committee on progress with the construction of the road.

·         A Member enquired whether the new crossing on Gillbent Road, Cheadle Hulme had been cost effective with regard to an increase in the number of users. This monitoring of the works was scheduled to be carried out in the autumn and a response to the question could be made after that.

·         In the Capital Finance Update and Outlook, the programme in 2022/23 had dropped to zero expenditure.  The Corporate Director clarified that this was a rolling programme. When the cycle of inspections had been completed and it was known how much funding was available in 2022/23, the programme would be updated.

·         Narrative such as ‘improving social infrastructure around the borough’ should be kept to a minimum.

·         With regard to performance indicator E &R 1.7 regarding the percentage of occupied retail, commercial and business premises within the borough’s district centres, there was a disparity between the district centres and it was hoped that measures could be put in place to reduce this.

·         Reference was made to the approximate £92m of support for businesses to respond to the immediate Covid-19 crisis and prepare for economic restructuring. The Council’s Economic Recovery Fund Additional Restrictions Grants were now live and further ongoing financial support for businesses to restart and rebuild their trading was in place.

·         A discussion took place on the Markets and Underbanks, the changing face of the area, the investment that had taken place and how the area would differ from how it looked in the past.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.