Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Annual Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides a summary of progress in delivering the Council’s priority outcomes and budget in the second half of the financial year, with a particular focus on the fourth quarter of 2021/22 (January – March 2022) and up to May where possible.

The report reflects the 2021/22 Council Plan, MTFP and Portfolio priorities. It includes an executive summary of the seven cabinet portfolios and performance analysis, along with the out-turn position on revenue and capital, and a focus on highlights and exceptions during the year.

The Cabinet is asked to:-

·         Review progress against delivering council priorities and capital schemes alongside budget and performance outturns contained within the report.

·         Note the key achievements against Portfolio Priorities (Exec Summary) and analysis of corporate performance for 2021/22 (section 2).

·         Note the Cash Limit and Non-Cash Limit outturn positions for 2021/22 as set out in section 3.3 and 3.6.

·         Note the update to the Council’s positive investments as set out in section 3.4

·         Note the update on the Council’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) investments plan set out in section 3.5.

·         Note the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account and Collection Fund outturn positions as set out in sections 3.7, 3.8, and 3.9.

·         Note the appropriations to/from reserves and balances as set out in section 3.10 and note the resulting reserves and balances position as at 31 March 2022.

·         Note the position for the 2021/22 Capital Programme as set out in section 4.1.

·         Note the adjustments and re-phasing of capital schemes during the quarter as set out in section 4.3.

·         Approve the resourcing of the capital programme as set out in section 4.3.

·         Approve the 2021/22 prudential indicators as set out in section 4.4, and

·         Identify key areas for further investigation and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any existing or outturn issues or risks.

Officer Contact: Peter Owston on 0151 474 3274 or email: peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk; or Jonathan Davies on 0161 218 1025 or email jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Mark Hunter) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the delivery of the Council’s priority outcomes and budget since mid-year, with a particular focus on the fourth and final quarter.

Councillor Hunter noted that the report highlighted that the Council remained on a sound financial footing and he commended the leadership of senior officers of the Council and the dedication of Council staff.

RESOLVED – That it be agreed to:-

·         Note the key achievements against Portfolio Priorities (Exec Summary) and analysis of corporate performance for 2021/22 (section 2).

·         Note the Cash Limit and Non-Cash Limit outturn positions for 2021/22 as set out in section 3.3 and 3.6.

·         Note the update to the Council’s positive investments as set out in section 3.4

·         Note the update on the Council’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) investments plan set out in section 3.5.

·         Note the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account and Collection Fund outturn positions as set out in sections 3.7, 3.8, and 3.9.

·         Note the appropriations to/from reserves and balances as set out in section 3.10 and note the resulting reserves and balances position as at 31 March 2022.

·         Note the position for the 2021/22 Capital Programme as set out in section 4.1.

·         Note the adjustments and re-phasing of capital schemes during the quarter as set out in section 4.3.

·         Approve the resourcing of the capital programme as set out in section 4.3; and

·         Approve the 2021/22 prudential indicators as set out in section 4.4.

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

The report provides a summary of progress in delivering the Council’s priority outcomes and budget in the second half of the financial year, with a particular focus on the fourth quarter of 2021/22 (January – March 2022) and up to May where possible.

The report also reflects the 2021/22 Council Plan, MTFP and Portfolio priorities. It includes an executive summary and performance analysis, along with the out-turn position on revenue and capital, and a focus on highlights and exceptions during the year.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·       Consider the Annual Report;  

·       Review the progress against delivering corporate objectives, key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2021/22; and

·       Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues.

Officer contact:

Holly Rae, Head of Strategy and Design (CSS), holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk  (474 3014)

Jonathan Davies, Strategic Head of Service – Finance (Deputy S151), jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk  (218 1025)

The Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of progress in delivering the Council’s priority outcomes and budget in the second half of the financial year, with a particular focus on the fourth quarter of 2021/22 (January – March 2022) and up to May where possible. It also reflected on the 2021/22 Council Plan, MTFP and Portfolio priorities and includes an executive summary and performance analysis, along with the out-turn position on revenue and capital, and a focus on highlights and exceptions during the year.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·       Members welcomed the report and stated that the Council were in a good place.

·       Clarification was sought relating to the significant amount in the Council ‘reserves’. In response, it was noted that the reserves were a critical part of the financial resilience and robustness of the Council, which has been reduced on recent years.

·       Members enquired about the service provision and resilience and how it related to the sickness absence levels. In response, it was stated that some of it was covid related, however, a lot of work has gone into mental health and wellbeing for staff including a recent employee survey, the first in ten years.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.