Agenda

Councillors who require a substitute to be appointed should inform Democratic Services by 4.00pm on Friday 22November 2024 (Councillors who wish to arrange their own substitute should inform Democratic Services of their substitute prior to the commencement of the meeting).

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2024.

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

To consider call-in items (if any).

To consider a report of the Executive Director People & Integration.

The report provides details based on the 2024/25 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement (PPRA), which was considered by the Committee on 12 June 2024 and approved by Cabinet on 25 June 2024 and the Mid-Year Report focuses on delivery of the portfolio priorities from April to September 2024. It includes forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

a)    Consider the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report; 

b)    Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2024/25;

c)    Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues;

d)    Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report; and

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

Officer contact: Gaynor Ward, Strategy and Performance Manager

gaynor.ward@stockport.gov.uk  

Gill Dixon, CSS Manager (Specialist) Finance – Children’s Social Care

gill.dixon@stockport.gov.uk  

Peter Hughes, CSS Manager (Specialist) Finance – Education & Schools

peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk   

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education.

The report outlines the strategic approach in responding to the medium-term financial plan and also outlines the budget proposals being considered by the Cabinet to address financial and demand challenges, enable longer term transformation, and ensure the delivery of shared strategic partnership ambitions.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on the report and the proposals presented within the report relevant to the remit of this committee.

Officer contact: Gill Lawton | gill.lawton@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Director for People and Neighbourhoods.

The report provides a refresh of our Children’s sufficiency strategy 2020-2023 setting out our refreshed sufficiency needs and approach to ensuring that we have sufficient homes for our children and young people in care for the period 2024 until 2027.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to review and comment upon the refreshed Children in Care Sufficiency Strategy.

Officer contact: Jeanette Warburton | jeanette.warburton@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a joint report of the Safeguarding Partnership Manager and the Independent Chair of the Safeguarding Board.

The report sets out what safeguarding partners have done between April 2023 and March 2024.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Eleanor Hirst | eleanor.hirst@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Director of Education, Works & Skills.

The report provides details relating to the annual report of the Stockport Virtual School and includes the priorities of both the Stockport Virtual School and the Virtual School Headteacher which had been informed by a variety of statutory and non-statutory guidance.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Amanda Aylward | Amanda.aylward@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Director for People and Neighbourhoods.

The report provides a refreshed version of the previous strategy launched in 2021 and contributes to the delivery of the Children and Young People Plan 2024 -2027 which identifies seven Big Ambitions.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Katie Cooper | katie.cooper@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Director for People and Neighbourhoods.

The report highlights the progress and impact of Family Hubs in Stockport during their first 12 months and identifies key achievements and areas for development to support their growth.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: LJ Woodward by email at lj.woodward@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance.

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

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: Charles Yankiah | 0161 474 3206 | Charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk