Agenda and minutes

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

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

No declarations were made.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2023 as correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2023 were agreed as correct record.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report considers the condition of the social housing stock, the routes by which residents of social housing can seek help in addressing problems, and detail on how providers respond to issues raised by residents.

The Scrutiny Review Panel is requested to:

a)    consider and note the report;

b)   consider whether further investigation/information should be requested, and

c)    consider recommendations that could arise from the review.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax | andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided detail on the condition of the social housing stock, the routes by which residents of social housing could seek help in addressing problems, and how providers respond to issues raised by residents.

Mark Glynn (Director of Place Management, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC)) and Andy Kippax (Strategic Housing Lead, SMBC) attended the meeting to respond to questions from members.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         It was asked whether the council’s Member Committee actively sought information from officers or whether Stockport Homes Group (SHG) set the agenda for committee meetings.

·         It was noted that the Member Committee was established to act as a Scrutiny Committee for how SHG performed and carried out its duties. It was suggested that one of the recommendations from the panel could focus on increasing direction of reports from members at Member Committee meetings.

·         It was suggested that the role and responsibilities of the Member Committee could be reviewed, including their role in interrogating lines of accountability for SHG.

·         It was requested that a table be drawn up demonstrating how each social housing provider was accountable to the residents of Stockport. Further, that information on other Greater Manchester social housing providers be sought to support a comparison exercise.

·         Members felt that it would be useful to hear directly from residents on their lived experience with their social housing providers.

·         Members were advised that information as to whether local authorities reported on social housing provider performance could be sought from the Local Government Association.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.