Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 May 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 24 May 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

No declarations of interest were made.

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Director for People and Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services. (To Follow)

The report presents details of proposals for a Prudential Borrowing loan application from Pownall Green Primary School.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Peter Hughes on Tel: 474 3947 or email: peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People and Corporate & Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting for comment proposals for a prudential borrowing loan application from Pownall Green Primary School.

RESOLVED – That the proposal for a prudential borrowing loan application from Pownall Green Primary School be approved in so far as the Area Committee is concerned.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Services for People.

The report explains that in September 2017 there will be the introduction of an extended entitlement to childcare for qualifying families of three and four year olds. The current universal entitlement is for up to 15 hours early education and childcare per week (570 hours per year) and will be doubled to up to 30 hours per week (1140 hours per year). This can be taken at a variety of early years registered providers; nursery school and classes, independent schools, private nurseries, pre-schools, childminders and out of school clubs. This report will inform members about Stockport readiness for implementation.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Glenda Brocklehurst on Tel : 07891949412 or email: glenda.brocklehurst@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) explaining that from September 2017  there would be the introduction of an extended entitlement to childcare for qualifying families for three of four year olds.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

Councillors enquired precisely what was covered in the 30 hours free provision and how well resourced different areas of the borough were. It was noted that provision was very much related to demand and not necessarily focused on areas of deprivation.

The differing responses from schools - Some schools were unsure or reluctant to commit to extended places at this time. Some had alternative

childcare provision on site and are able to offer shared care with their preschool/nursery or breakfast /after school club. Some schools had invited local childminders to the school to begin partnerships and the offer of shared care.

Funding had been a concern across all sectors. Stockport offered a good rate when compared to other neighbouring authorities in the North West.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Education.

The report sets out the Cabinet response to the Children & Young People’s Scrutiny Committee report on Improving Mental Health in Schools.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Donna Sager on or email: donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Education and a representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Cabinet’s response to the scrutiny review on improving mental health in schools.

Councillors welcomed the positive response to all the suggested recommendations and asked that an update be provided to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee in respect to the implementation of the recommendations.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Cabinet response be endorsed.

To consider a joint report of the Interim Chief Executive and Corporate Director for Services to People.

The purpose of this report is to:

·         Provide background information regarding the requirement to procure a single supplier case management and finance solution for Adult Social Care and Children’s Services

·         Provide an overview of the work to date including the approach to developing a functional specification and engagement with suppliers

·         Highlight the resource required to support the purchase and implementation of a single supplier solution

·         Set out the recommended level of investment required to procure a new case management system and the proposed funding arrangements.

·         Highlight the benefits that will be realised through the purchase and implementation of a replacement system, and outline how these benefits will be maximised as a result of the level of investment recommended.

Recommendation

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on the content of the report, in particular the proposed acquisition of the software. The Scrutiny Committee is also asked to note the recommended value of the investment and also the proposed funding arrangements.

Officer contact: Jenny Rollinson on Tel: 218 1064 or email jenny.rollinson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the proposed procurement of a single supplier case management and finance solution for both adult social care and children’s services.

The following comments were made/issues raised:_

·         The timescale for the phased implementation of the new system.

·         Councillors welcomed the fact that the workforce would be engaged in the product design and procurement process.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Reform and Governance.

The report provides an update on investment in building new digital capabilities in order to support our growth and public service reform ambitions. This report now sets out the broad scope of a second phase of the Digital by Design programme that will meet these expectations.  In doing so the proposed work will lead to a range of improvements to how services are supported and delivered, and will reform working practices to facilitate recurrent annual reductions in revenue spending of £1.5m in Corporate and Support Services and a further £0.6m in Children’s Services.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Steve Skelton on Tel: 474 3174 or email: steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Cabinet Member for Reform and Governance (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on investment in building new digital capabilities in order to support our growth and public service reform ambitions and setting out the broad scope of a second phase of the Digital by Design programme that will meet these expectations.  In doing so the proposed work will lead to a range of improvements to how services are supported and delivered, and will reform working practices to facilitate recurrent annual reductions in revenue spending of £1.5m in Corporate and Support Services and a further £0.6m in Children’s Services.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors asked for assurance that blind and visually impaired people who struggle to access council website due to software problems would be given additional support – it was agreed that officers would meet with representatives of the disability forum to give this concern further consideration.

·         Councillors welcomed the replacement of the Common Assessment Forms for collecting important data for early help assessment and saw the new way of working as a positive step and much more user friendly

·         Councillors welcomed the work being undertaken and recognised the opportunities it creates for the future. They asked that regular updates on the project be brought to future meetings.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and officers thanked for their presentation.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report outlines a suggested process for the selection of Scrutiny Review topics for 2017/2018.

The Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee is invited to consider and comment on the report prior to it being circulated to the July cycle of Scrutiny Committees.

Officer Contact: Craig Ainsworth on Tel: 474 3204 or email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Scrutiny Committee to give consideration to the selection of a Scrutiny Review Topic to be carried out during the 2017/2018 municipal year.

RESOLVED – That consideration of this item be deferred to the next meeting to allow Councillors to give full consideration to the selection of the Scrutiny Review topic selection for 2017/2018

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Stephen Fox on Tel: 474 3206 or email: stephen.fox@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and any Forward Plan items within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.