Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 April 2021.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 14 April 2021 were approved a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interests were declared-

Personal Interests

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

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

This item will provide the committee with an update on the key achievements of partnership working and across partner organisations against Safer Stockport Partnership’s (SSP) priorities during 2020/21. This is based around the strategic priorities determined in the 2018-21 SSP Plan and priority areas for action in the associated delivery plan, refreshed in October 2019.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

(1)  Consider the SSP Annual Update 2020/21 presentation;

(2)  Note progress made relating to delivery against the priority themes of the SSP Plan;

(3)  Provide any comments or reflections on the issues covered in the presentation.

Officer contact: Katy Forde on 07527 387232 or email: katy.forde@stockport.gov.uk

Mark Glynn (Director of Place Management) and Superintendent Marcus Noden (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting and made a presentation providing an update on the key achievements of partnership working and across partner organisations against Safer Stockport Partnership’s (SSP) priorities during 2020/21. This was based around the strategic priorities determined in the 2018-21 SSP Plan and priority areas for action in the associated delivery plan, refreshed in October 2019.

The Cabinet Member for Inclusive Neighbourhoods (Amanda Peers) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was stated that there was now a high level of confidence in the data that was being recorded and the performance data subsequently presented to the committee by Greater Manchester Police.

·         Restorative justice programmes had been developed in a piecemeal fashion across Greater Manchester in the past with varying degrees of success.  It was stated that the hope was that this would be rolled out in a standardised fashion in the future.

·         There had been a concern that during the lockdown measures imposed as part of the response to the coronavirus pandemic that there would be a consequent underreporting of hidden crimes and domestic abuse.  Following the lifting of restrictions there had been an increase in reports being made and safeguarding activity then being undertaken.

·         A significant amount of work had taken place to build up intelligence structures around anti-social behaviour to try and prevent the rapid escalation of issues in the borough.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the use of off-road motorcycles and the impact that this can have on communities.  It was further stated that there was an issue of underreporting as residents were still having issues getting through to an operator on the non-emergency 101 telephone number.  It was further stated that while Greater Manchester Police did have officers trained in the use of off-road motorcycles and the pursuit of offenders and associated enforcement activity, these officers were part of the GM-wide safer roads unit and as such demand on time and resources was very high.

·         Residents were encouraged to use the online facility on Greater Manchester Police’s website for the reporting of non-emergency incidents.

·         The Council had provided funding for additional youth outreach workers.

·         It was important that the police continued to communicate with elected members on their activities and local successes as this information could then be cascaded to residents.

·         There has been a very high level of compliance amongst local businesses with the covid restrictions and as a consequence there had not been a significant level of enforcement activity.

·         It was suggested that it would be useful to provide dedicated training for elected members around Prevent programme and the Channel Panel.

RESOLVED – (1) That Mark Glynn and Superintendent Marcus Noden be thanked for their attendance and presentation.

(2) That the thanks of the Scrutiny Committee be extended to Greater Manchester Police and those council officers involved in community safety activities.

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.

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

Policy priorities for 2021/22 were set out within the Council Plan, which was adopted at the Budget Council Meeting in February. This incorporates the shared outcomes from the Borough Plan alongside specific priorities of the Cabinet.

These priorities, re-shaped to take account of One Stockport and Building Back Better (building on Covid19), are articulated within the Portfolio Agreements, which form the basis for regular in-year reporting. Portfolio and Corporate Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs and CPRRs) will assess progress against key objectives, priorities, outcomes and budgets, enabling Scrutiny Committees to hold the Cabinet to account and for the Cabinet to identify current and future risks to delivery.

This report presents the draft 2021/22 Agreements for the Sustainable Stockport and Inclusive Neighbourhoods Portfolios for consideration and comment by the Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to review and comment on the draft Portfolio Agreements.

Officer contact: Alan Lawson, Strategy and Performance Manager at alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk (474 5397) or Gaynor Ward, Strategy and Performance Manager at gaynor.ward@stockport.gov.uk (474 3186)   or Kora Yohannan (Specialist Strategic Financial Adviser) kora.yohannan@stockport.gov.uk 474 4032)

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the draft 2020/21 agreements for the Sustainable Stockport and Inclusive Neighbourhoods portfolios for consideration by the Scrutiny Committee.

The agreements articulated the policy priorities for 2021/22 that were set out within the adopted Council Plan, incorporating the shared outcomes from the Borough Plan alongside specific priorities of the Cabinet.  These priorities, re-shaped to take account of One Stockport and Building Back Better (building on Covid19), are articulated within the Portfolio Agreements, which form the basis for regular in-year reporting.

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

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

Sustainable Stockport

·         It was stated that it would be useful to include the previous years’ target within future such reports to more fully understand the standards against which performance was being measured.

·         Members expressed their continued support for the Stockport CAN strategy and the pressure to expedite the implementation of its aims and objectives.

·         The targets associated with the implementation of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone would be reported through the portfolio performance and resources reports.

·         It was suggested that any reduction in carbon emissions from within the civic complex as a result of an increase in staff working from home may be offset by a consequent increase in carbon usage at residential properties.

Inclusive Neighbourhoods

·         Further clarity was needed on what was meant by reducing inequalities and whether this related to economic or health inequalities or both.

·         Large section of society did not have the same access to opportunities as others.

·         Work was taking place to make the Council more inclusive as an organisation and how employees were supported and the availability of progression routes.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive

The report provides an outline of the specification and contractual arrangements for Stockport Active Community Interest Company (CIC), which has been established to operate Council leisure centres and deliver active communities programmes which help the most inactive people in Stockport to become physically active.  Following finalisation of the transfer agreement with Stockport Sports Trust, the CIC will use the Life Leisure trading name.

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

Officer contact: Paul Richards on 0161-474-2940 or email: paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an outline of the specification and contractual arrangements for Stockport Active Community Interest Company (CIC), which has been established to operate Council leisure centres and deliver active communities programmes which help the most inactive people in Stockport to become physically active.  It was noted that following finalisation of the transfer agreement with Stockport Sports Trust, the CIC would use the Life Leisure trading name.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

Members welcomed the report and the approach that was being taken with regard to the establishment of the Stockport Active Community Interest Company and confirmed that it remained right and appropriate that the scrutiny committee continued to be appraised of ongoing developments.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted,

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance).

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to give consideration to possible topics for further consideration during the 2020/21 municipal year. Suggestions will be considered and subject to a further decision at the next meeting in July 2020 when the Scrutiny Committee will be invited to make a formal recommendation to the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee as part of the Scrutiny Work Programme.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the information in the report and put forward any agenda items for future meetings of the Committee.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email: damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and any relevant Forward Plan items.

Concern was expressed that the Scrutiny Committee had not yet received the final report of the ‘Scrutiny Review Panel - The Council's Policy for Active Streets, School Streets and Play Streets’ and that had represented a missed opportunity as the recommendations made by the Panel could otherwise have been taken advantage of by residents during the Summer.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.