Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the extraordinary meeting held on 19 June 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and Executive Councillors on any matters within the powers and duties of the Executive, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.  (Questions must be submitted no later than 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the meeting on the card provided.  These are available at the meeting and at local libraries and information centres. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

The public were invited to put questions to the Executive on any matters within its powers and duties, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

One question had been received prior to the meeting from a questioner who was not present at the meeting and in accordance with the procedure for asking questions it was stated that a written response would be provided.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Councillors (Sustainable Future) and (Governance & Support Services)

The Carbon Management Plan commits the Council to actively seek ways in which to improve energy efficiency, integrate low carbon asset design and explore options for integrating renewable energy within its own operations, while also seeking to influence others within our borough.  It defines the steps that we will take to significantly reduce our carbon emissions by at least 15% by 2015 (from 2010).

The Executive is asked to approve the Carbon Management Plan 2012-2015.

Officer contact: Darren Pegram, 0161 474 3171, Darren.pegram@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Meeting has approved the Carbon Management Plan for 2012-15 that commits the Council to improve energy efficiency, integrate low carbon asset design and explore options for renewable energy and to influence others within the borough.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Health & Wellbeing)

The Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy is a requirement of the Health & Social Care Act 2012 to be developed jointly between the Council and NHS, involving other Stakeholders. The Stockport Strategy  emphasises six key themes:

·        Early intervention with Children and Families

·        Healthy Weight and Physical Activity

·        Mental wellbeing

·        Alcohol

·        Prevention and Maximising intervention

·        Healthy Ageing and Quality of Life

The focus is based on the importance of intervening early to support people to remain independent and healthy. The Strategy provides a template for meeting the challenges of delivery for a range of bodies  - statutory, voluntary and community  as well as other organisations outside Health and Social Care. The Strategy was developed following extensive local consultation with Stakeholders and the public.

The Executive is recommended to:

1.    approve the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, subject to the incorporation of minor modifications arising from the Executive consideration  and  the meeting of the Clinical Commissioning group on 11 July;

2.    delegate approval of any minor modifications to the Corporate Director for People in conjunction with the Executive Councillor (Health & Wellbeing), and

3.    agree that an easy read version of the Strategy be prepared for dissemination so that the interest and engagement of local people can be continued.

Officer contact: Sarah Newsam, 07891 949204, sarah.newsam@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Health & Wellbeing) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the draft Joint Health & Wellbeing Strategy that had been developed in conjunction with partners in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. The Strategy had six key themes, with a focus on the importance of intervening early to support people to remain independent and healthy. The Strategy had been subject to extensive consultation with the public and stakeholders.

RESOLVED – That

(i)            the Joint Health & Wellbeing Strategy be approved, subject to the incorporation of minor modifications suggested by the Executive and arising from the meeting of the Clinical Commissioning Group on 11 July 2012;

(ii)          approval of any minor modifications be delegated to the Corporate Director for People in conjunction with the Executive Councillor (Health & Wellbeing), and

(iii)         an ‘easy read’ version of the Strategy be prepared for dissemination so that the interest and engagement of local people could be continued.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration)

The Supplementary Planning Document has been developed to provide guidance and assistance to developers and end users of developments, outlining how the Council intends to work with and support employers to maximise local employment and skills benefits from new developments, and therefore to support implementation of policy AED5 in the Core Strategy.

The Executive is recommended to formally adopt the new Supplementary Planning Document, to support implementation of Core Strategy Policy AED5.

Officer contact: Nick Hill, 0161 474 3736, nick.hill@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the adoption of a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for Local Employment and Training Benefits. The SPD would provide guidance and assistance to developers and end-users about how the Council could support them to maximise local employment and skills benefits from new developments; and would support the implementation of policy AED5 of the Core Strategy.

RESOLVED – That the Supplementary Planning Document ‘Local Employment & Training Benefits’ be approved to support the implementation of Core Strategy Policy AED5.

To consider a report of Executive Councillors (Policy, Reform & Finance) and (Governance & Corporate Services)

The report reflects the corporate position in delivering the Council’s priorities, revenue budget and capital programme during 2011/12, and highlights progress on implementing key strategic projects and managing corporate risks.

This Corporate Report and the individual Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports (PPRRs) which support it reflect the Portfolio Responsibilities for 2011/12, which have subsequently been refreshed. Where significant activity or decisions have been made since the end of the last financial year, these have been included to ensure that the report remains timely. These will also be reported within the first update for 2012/13.  

The PPRRs can be accessed via the Council’s website at http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=10267 and will be considered during the next round of Scrutiny Committees.

The Executive is asked to;

a)    Review progress against delivering Council Plan priorities, portfolio outcomes and capital schemes alongside budget forecasts contained within the report.

b)   Approve the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2 of the report

c)    Note the cash limit and non-cash limit outturn positions for 2011/12 as set out in section 2.3 of the report;

d)   Agree the approach to managing cash and non-cash limit surpluses set out in this report including the recommendation to return cash limit surpluses to portfolio holders in 2012/13 set out at paragraph 2.3.2;

e)    Approve the proposed contributions to/from earmarked reserves and general fund balances described in sections 2.5 and 2.6 of the report and illustrated at section 2.9 of the report.

f)     Approve the repayment of the 2010/11 volume discount to SSK as set out at section 2.10 of the report which has the effect of reducing the overall non-cash limit surplus to £1.777m;

g)   Approve the creation of a £5m earmarked reserve in relation to SSK’s estimated losses for 2011/12 and appropriate costs associated with addressing the Company’s financial position as set out at section 2.10 of the report.  The reserve will be created by earmarking the non-cash limit surplus of £1.777m and by transferring £3.223m from the corporate Medium Term Financial Strategy Reserve.

h)   Note the outturn for the 2011/12 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1 of the report

i)     Approve the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in paragraph 3.1.7

j)     Approve the resourcing of the Capital Programme as set out in section 3.4

k)    Note the 2011/12 Prudential Indicators as set out in Appendix 5

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

Officer contact: Andrea Stewart/  Christine Buxton, 474 3243/ 4124, andrea.j.stewart@stockport.gov.uk / Christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) and the Executive Councillor (Governance & Corporate Services) was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the corporate position at the end of 2011/12 in delivering the Council’s priorities, revenue budget and capital programme during the year.

Executive councillors highlighted key performance and budget issues within the former executive portfolios and commended officers across the Council for their efforts to ensure good performance and budget surpluses amid difficult economic circumstances.

RESOLVED – That

(i)            the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2 of the report be approved;

(ii)          the cash limit and non-cash limit outturn positions for 2011/12 as set out in section 2.3 of the report be noted;

(iii)         the approach to managing cash and non-cash limit surpluses set out in the report including the recommendation to return cash limit surpluses to portfolio holders in 2012/13 set out at paragraph 2.3.2 of the report be agreed;

(iv)         the proposed contributions to/from earmarked reserves and general fund balances described in sections 2.5 and 2.6 of the report and illustrated at section 2.9 of the report be approved;

(v)          the repayment of the 2010/11 volume discount to SSK as set out at section 2.10 of the report which has the effect of reducing the overall non-cash limit surplus to £1.777m be approved;

(vi)         the creation of a £5m earmarked reserve (created by earmarking the non-cash limit surplus of £1.777m and by transferring £3.223m from the corporate Medium Term Financial Strategy Reserve) in relation to SSK’s estimated losses for 2011/12 and appropriate costs associated with addressing the Company’s financial position as set out at section 2.10 of the report be approved;

(vii)        the outturn for the 2011/12 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1 of the report be noted;

(viii)      the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in paragraph 3.1.7 of the report be approved;

(ix)         the resourcing of the Capital Programme as set out in section 3.4 of the report be approved; and

(x)          the 2011/12 Prudential Indicators as set out in Appendix 5 be noted.

To consider a joint report of Executive Councillors (Policy, Reform & Finance)  and (Governance & Corporate Services)

The new Executive portfolio roles and responsibilities were reported to the Council Meeting on 22 May 2012. The 2012/13 Council Plan and Budget, approved at the Council Meeting of 23 February 2012, therefore need to be amended to reflect the changes to Portfolio responsibilities.

The reconfigured Council Plan is attached. Also attached are schedules showing how the approved revenue and capital budgets have been realigned

These documents re-state the Council’s agreed priorities and resources for 2012/13. They are underpinned by individual Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements (PPRAs) which can be accessed via Council’s website at http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=10277 . These will be considered by the relevant Scrutiny Committees at their next meetings later this month.

The Executive is asked to:

a)     note and agree the refreshed Council Plan for 2012/13, and

b)     note and agree the re-aligned Budget for 2012/13 

Officer contact: Steve Skelton/ Peter Owston/  Andy Moran, 474 3174/ 3274/ 4086, steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk / peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk/ andy.moran@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) and the Executive Councillor (Governance & Corporate Services) was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider an updated Council Plan and Budget for 2012/13 that had been realigned following changes to the executive portfolios. The changes proposed were only to the organisation of the information, not to any of the policies, priorities or budget allocations previously agreed by the Council Meeting.

The Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor (Governance & Corporate Services) commended officers for their hard work in preparing these documents.

RESOLVED – That the restated Council Plan and realigned budget for 2012/13 be approved.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Governance & Support Services)

This report is also presented to CLT each quarter and CRMG Scrutiny Committee every 6 months.

The report provides an overview of complaints received in 2011/12 and compares it to complaints received in the previous year. The report covers the following complaints procedures:

• Corporate Complaints.
• Adult Social Care Complaints.
• Children’s Social Care Complaints.
• Stockport Homes’ complaints
• Local Government Ombudsman complaints.

The report also outlines lessons learnt as a result of complaints.

The Executive is recommended to:

a)            Review performance information contained in this report, and

b)           Comment on the performance measures reported and suggest any additional information thatmight be collected in future.

Officer contact: Anwar Majothi, 0161 474 3182, anwar.majothi@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Governance & Corporate Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Executive Meeting with an overview of complaints received for the fourth quarter of 2011/12, comparisons with previous quarters and with the previous year, and lessons learnt from these complaints.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

 To consider a report of the Adults & Communities Scrutiny Committee.

The development of a more open market of service providers and devolution of responsibility for the management of funding t service users reduces Council control over the commissioning and delivery of care. Though this introduces a greater level of choice and flexibility for service users, the less regulated system presents risks relating to Safeguarding.

The Adults & Communities Scrutiny Committee appointed a Scrutiny Review Panel to focus specifically on the implications of personalised budgets and self-directed support on issues relating to Safeguarding.

The Panel’s report identified a number of recommendations which the Scrutiny Committee feels could enhance the Safeguards already in place.

The Executive is invited to receive and agree that a response be prepared for submission to a future meeting.

Officer contact: Gaynor Alexander, 0161 474 3186, Gaynor.alexander@stockport.gov.uk

The Chair of the Adults & Communities Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to present the final report of the Safeguarding and Personalisation in Adult Social Care Scrutiny Review (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director for People be requested to prepare a response to the Safeguarding and Personalisation in Adult Social Care Scrutiny Review for consideration by the Executive Meeting.

(2) That gratitude be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the Safeguarding and Personalisation in Adult Social Care Scrutiny Review Panel and others involved in the review.

To consider a report of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee.

The Review evaluated the Council’s Family Support Services and provided an opportunity to look in detail into the ways that Children’s Services provide help and support to Children and Families in Stockport. The Review has also allowed a strategic look at service delivery and at changes that, due to the current financial climate and the need to reduce the Council’s budget, will be made to these services.

The Executive is recommended to:

a)    approve the Report of the Scrutiny Review Panel into Streamlining Family Support Services;

b)   agree the recommendations made by the Scrutiny Review Panel, contained within the report;

c)    agree to a further report after a year, to present an evaluation on the progress of the impact and implementation of the recommendations.

Officer contact: Viki Packman, 0161 474 5709, viki.packman@stockport.gov.uk

The Chair of the Children & Young People’s Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Linda Holt) attended the meeting to present the final report of the Streamlining Family Support Services Scrutiny Review (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director for People be requested to prepare a response to the Streamlining Family Support Services Scrutiny Review for consideration by the Executive Meeting.

(2) That gratitude be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the Streamlining Family Support Services Scrutiny Review Panel and others involved in the review.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Governance & Corporate Services)

The report consider a proposal to grant a short term lease at an undervalue to Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) in respect of Council owned premises known as 18 / 19 Market Place, Stockport, to support the development of creative workspace within Stockport Town Centre for recent graduates. The objective is to provide a supportive environment in

which art graduates are able to develop their creative and business skills through self employment. 

The Executive is requested to approve the letting of 18/ 19 Market Place, Stockport to Manchester Metropolitan University at the undervalue as outlined in the report and to delegate to the Corporate Director of Corporate and Support Services to complete an appropriate lease.

Officer contact: Murray Carr, 0161 474 3649, murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Governance & Corporate Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a proposal to grant a short term lease of Council owned premises known as 18/19 Market Place, Stockport at an undervalue to further the Council’s aims of regenerating the Market Place.

RESOLVED – That the letting of 18/19 Market Place, Stockport to Manchester Metropolitan University at the undervalue as indicated in paragraph 2.4 of the report be approved and the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be authorised to complete an appropriate lease.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Executive Meeting is invited to nominate Councillor Patrick McAuley to replace Councillor Kevin Hogg on the Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust Board of Governors.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform and Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to agree to the nomination of Councillor Patrick McAuley to the Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust Council of Members (3 year term) in place of Councillor Kevin Hogg.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Patrick McAuley be nominated as the Council’s representative on the Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust Council of Members (3 year term).

To consider a report of the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee.

The Review considered the different methods that the public use to contact the Council, volumes of enquiry and the reasons why. The Review explored what improvements could be made to the way in which a service request is generated through the Council’s website via transactional on-line forms and the service provided through the network of 11 Local Centres.

The Executive is recommended to receive the report and request that a Response be prepared within the 8 week period.

Officer contact: Adrian Moores, 474 5405, Adrian.moores@stockport.gov.uk

The Lead Councillor (Councillor Daniel Hawthorne) presented the final report of the Scrutiny Review ‘How the public contact the Council’ (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be requested to prepare a response to the Scrutiny Review ‘How the public contact the Council’ for consideration by the Executive Meeting.

(2) That gratitude be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the ‘How the public contact the Council’ Scrutiny Review Panel and others involved in the review.