Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 11 June 2013 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.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

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)

Members of 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.

Four questions were asked in relation to the Executive Savings Proposals (see Minute 15 below).

(i) The first question sought clarification from the Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) in relation to comments he had made at a recent scrutiny committee meeting, and asked for further detail of the financial savings expected from each of the elements relating to parks and open spaces.

The Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) clarified that his comments at the scrutiny committee were suggesting that recent Freedom of Information requests about the savings proposals could not be answered because information was not held nor could it be quantified in the manner suggested, but could be quantified as part of a larger grouping of activities as had been done in the report. He reiterated this in response to the further part of the question.

(ii) The second question asked whether analysis had been completed to demonstrate that reduced in-house provision of family information services would be better value for money than commissioning these services from an external provider.

The Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) replied that no such analysis had been done as the service itself was being remodelled to encourage greater self-service through the Council website. It was also stated that dedicated staff based at Stockport Direct would also be available to assist those users who did not have access to the internet.

(iii) The third question asked whether the risks had been assessed of families ‘slipping through the net’ as a result of the proposed changes to family information services, namely the shift to self-service through the internet.

The Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) replied that an Equality Impact Assessment had been completed for the proposals, and that a clear steer had been provided to officers to ensure that the web-based information was as accessible and user-friendly as possible.

(iv) The fourth question asked whether all the positive comments made by parents and practioners about Family Info Link as part the public consultation on the savings proposals had been considered.

The Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) replied that she had personally had sight of all the responses to the consultation in relation to family information services.

Eight further questions had been submitted by members of the public who were not present at the meeting. It was stated that, in accordance with the Code of Practice, written responses would be provided.

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of the following agenda items which contains information “not for publication by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and to consider any representations received to the notice of the intention to consider exempt information at this meeting:-

At the time of publication no representations have been received.

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of the any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ appendices to the following items, should the content of these appendices need to discussed:-

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Adult Care Services)

The attached report sets out the proposed  responses of the Executive to the recommendations contained in the final report of the Scrutiny Review ‘Loneliness and Social Isolation’ which was received by the Executive on 11 June 2013.

The Executive Meeting is invited to agree to the responses to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review as detailed in the report.

Officer contact: Vince Fraga, 0161 474 4401, vince.fraga@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Adult Social Care) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulate) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a draft response to recommendations made by the Adults & Communities Scrutiny Committee as part of its Review ‘Loneliness and Social Isolation’.

RESOLVED – (1) That the response to the ‘Loneliness and Social Isolation’ Scrutiny Review be approved.

(2) That the Executive’s gratitude and appreciation be recorded for the work undertaken by members of the scrutiny review panel and the supporting staff involved in conducting the review.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer and Community Services)

(Note: this item includes information ‘not for publication’ contained within its appendix that has been circulated to executive councillors only)

The report sets out the results of a review of the current arrangements for property services and consideration of the proposed future delivery to meet the Council’s corporate priorities, including the outcome of the procurement review.

The Executive is asked to:

·         delegate to the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services to enter into the strategic partnership and make any other ancillary decisions and legal agreements with organisation ‘A’ as identified in the Confidential Appendix attached to the report

·         delegate to the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services authority to enter into the new strategic partnership that meets the Council’s priorities, allow best value and wider change to be delivered from the property assets.

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

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the results of a review of the current arrangements for the delivery of the Council’s property services, and proposals for the future delivery to meet the Council’s corporate priorities. The report also set out the outcome of the procurement review.

(Note: this item included information ‘not for publication’ contained within its appendix that had been circulated to executive councillors only)

RESOLVED - That

·         the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be authorised to enter into the strategic partnership for the delivery of property services and make any other ancillary decisions and legal agreements with organisation ‘A’ as identified in the Confidential Appendix attached to the report

·         the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be authorised to enter into the new strategic partnership that meets the Council’s priorities, allows best value and wider change to be delivered from the property assets.

To consider a report of Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer and Community Services)

The report seeks authority to proceed with the disposal of the former Rosehill Primary School, Marple for proposed residential development following the marketing of the site to prospective bidders. The disposal of the site will be subject to the grant of the required planning permission.

The Executive is recommended to approve the disposal of the site to the highest bidder identified as Offer 1 for residential development, as outlined in the report and set out in the Exempt Appendix.

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

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the disposal of the former Rosehill Primary School, Marple (also known as the Dale Primary School) for residential development. The site had been marketed to prospective bidders and the details were contained in the exempt appendix. The disposal of the site would be subject to the granting of the required planning permission.

(Note: this report contained information that was ‘not for publication’ in its appendix that had been circulated to executive councillors only)

RESOLVED – That the disposal for residential development of the site of the former Rosehill Primary School, Walton Drive, Marple to the highest bidder identified as Offer 1 be approved,  as outlined in the report and set out in the exempt appendix.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer and Community Services)

The report sets out proposed updates to the Asset Management Plan (AMP) capital programme for 2012/13 and 2013/14 and the funding arrangements to support the programme. Since the previous programme was approved a number of priority works projects have been brought forward for approval and inclusion in the 2013/14 AMP capital programme. Funding for the additional works will be provided in accordance with the approval provided by Executive.  The AMP capital programme is used to carry out upgrade and improvements to core operational buildings within the Council’s corporate estate.

The Executive is asked to approve as follows:

·         The updated Asset Management Plan Capital programme as set out in the report;

·         The use of unsupported borrowing as set out in the report;

·         The allocation of surplus non-ringfenced capital receipts to support funding and future AMP requirements on the basis that where achieved and approved, the unsupported borrowing is reduced accordingly and replaced by the capital receipts; and

·         Delegation to the Corporate Director of Corporate and Support Services to manage the capital and revenue property programme to meet the AMP capital programme.

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

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to approve an updated Asset Management Plan (AMP) capital programme for 2012/13 and 2013/14 and the funding arrangements to support the programme. Since the previous programme was approved a number of priority works projects had been brought forward for approval and inclusion in the 2013/14 AMP capital programme. Funding for the additional works would be provided in accordance with the approval provided by Executive. 

RESOLVED – That approval be given to:-

·         the updated Asset Management Plan Capital programme;

·         the use of unsupported borrowing as set out in the report;

·         the allocation of surplus non-ringfenced capital receipts to support funding and future AMP requirements on the basis that where achieved and approved, the unsupported borrowing be reduced accordingly and replaced by the capital receipts; and

·         the delegation to the Corporate Director of Corporate and Support Services the authority to manage the capital and revenue property programme to meet the AMP capital programme.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer and Community Services)

The report contains the proposed response to the recommendations of the Corporate Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee’s review into how the Council can best prepare for the introduction of Universal Credit when the programme is rolled out to all authorities.

Universal Credit was formally announced in the Welfare Reform Act 2012.

A proposed response to each of the recommendations together with timescales for completion of the various actions in contained in the report. A number of these actions have already been – or are in the process of being – implemented.

The Executive is recommended to agree the proposed response.

Officer contact: Alison Blount, 0161 474 5107, Alison.blount@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a draft response to recommendations made by the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee as part of its Review ‘Preparing for the introduction of the Universal Credit Regime’.

RESOLVED – (1) That the response to the ‘Preparing for the introduction of the Universal Credit Regime’ Scrutiny Review be approved.

(2) That the Executive’s gratitude and appreciation be recorded for the work undertaken by members of the scrutiny review panel and the supporting staff involved in conducting the review.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services)

(Note: this report contains information that is ‘not for publication’ contained in its appendix that has been circulated to executive councillors only)

Hygarth House has been declared surplus following its vacation by Council services. Offers have been received from two parties and it is proposed to proceed with the party identified as B in the exempt appendix attached to this report.  The property has been marketed for a considerate period of time and the offer submitted is considered acceptable in the light of the current market conditions.

The Executive is requested to approve the sale of the building for the proposed uses specified in the report and to delegate any adjustment in the purchase price to the Corporate Director Corporate and Support Services. 

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

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a proposal to dispose of Hygarth House, which had been declared surplus following its vacation by Council services. Offers have been received from two parties and it was proposed to proceed with the party identified as B in the exempt appendix.  The property has been marketed for a considerate period of time and the offer submitted was considered acceptable in the light of the current market conditions.

(Note: the report contained information that was ‘not for publication’ in its appendix that had been circulated to executive councillors only)

RESOLVED – (1) That, in accordance with best consideration obligations, approval be given to the sale of Hygarth House, Wellington Road, Stockport to the bidder referred to as Party B in the exempt appendix, for mixed residential/ retail uses.

(2) That, in the event that the preferred bidder fails to complete the purchase of the building the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) be authorised to secure a sale to another party in order to obtain the best possible capital receipt.

(3) That, should investigations reveal matters which justify a reduction in the purchase price of the building, that any subsequent negotiations be delegated to the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services).

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability)

The report sets out the detail of a proposed policy to supports those Council tenants who are of working age and are facing hardship due to the under-occupation shortfalls.  The HRA budget for 2013/14 allows for £600,000 investment to support tenants through the transitional impact of Welfare Reform. Initiatives to the value of £274,000 have already been identified and agreed via the Stockport Homes Delivery plan.  The £600,000 includes £200,000 which has been set aside as a hardship fund to support tenants adversely affected by welfare reforms.

That the Executive approve the Non-Eviction Policy for under-occupation hardship cases.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax, 0161 474 4319, andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to approve a policy to support those Council tenants who were of working age and were facing hardship due to changes to the housing benefit criteria, in particular the under-occupation shortfalls.  The HRA budget for 2013/14 allowed for £600,000 investment to support tenants through the transitional impact of Welfare Reform. Initiatives to the value of £274,000 had already been identified and agreed via the Stockport Homes Delivery plan.

RESOLVED – That the Non-Eviction Policy for under-occupation hardship cases be approved.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainable)

The report provides details of a proposal from Stockport Homes (SHL) to take advantage of an Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme which runs for the next two years.  This will involve bringing forward expenditure plans monies from years 6-10 of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan to complete fund £7m of works over the next two years and will provide for insulation and over-cladding works to non-traditional and hard to treat properties.

The Executive is recommended to approve ECO Funding for the HRA 2013 – 2015 Capital Programme.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax, 0161 474 4319, andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider proposals to access the Energy Company Obligation Funding scheme which would involve bringing forward expenditure planned for years 6-10 of the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan to complete £7m of works over the next two years to provide for insulation and over-cladding works to non-traditional and hard-to-treat properties.

RESOLVED – That the use of Energy Company Obligation Funding for the HRA 2013 – 2015 Capital Programme be approved.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People)

The Scrutiny Review examined the issues for the Council of having a large number of Private Children’s Homes in the Borough and covered key areas such as the impact on resources associated with the educational needs of the young people, planning implications, impact on the community and offending issues, and the risks associated with a large number of children who go missing who may be at risk of sexual exploitation. The Review made 20 recommendations which when implemented will, for instance, improve communication between the Homes and our schools enable the market to be managed more effectively and monitor take up of safeguarding training for staff employed by the Homes.

The report attached sets out the proposed response of the Executive to the recommendations contained in that final report.

That the Executive notes this report and approves the response to the 20 recommendations contained within it.

Officer contact: George Gilmour, 0161 474 5656, George.gilmour@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulate) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a draft response to recommendations made by the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee as part of its Review ‘The Council’s relationship with privately run Children’s Homes’.

RESOLVED – (1) That the response to the ‘The Council’s relationship with privately run Children’s Homes’ Scrutiny Review be approved.

(2) That the Executive’s gratitude and appreciation be recorded for the work undertaken by members of the scrutiny review panel and the supporting staff involved in conducting the review.

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

The report provides an update on the Greater Manchester prioritisation process for major transport schemes and the Stockport schemes included within that process.

The Executive is requested to note the report.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, 0161 474 4351, sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Executive Meeting on the Greater Manchester prioritisation process for major transport schemes, and the Stockport schemes included within that process.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance)

In a report to the Council Meeting on 5 March 2013 the Executive finalised its budget proposals for 2013/14, which had been agreed at its own meeting on 18 February 2013. In response to the medium term financial forecasts prepared by the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services, the Executive has developed an approach to meeting the very significant financial challenges which face the Council over the next few years. This includes a process, timescale, a set of guiding principles and, in particular, a package of proposals to reduce forecast spending levels for 2013/14 and 2014/15.

Agreed by the Council Meeting, the Executive’s budget proposals included a series of budget reductions which amount to £11.984m over the next two years, including £4.473m to be delivered in 2013/14. Taken alongside the budget reductions and savings that were agreed by the Executive in December 2012 (£9.894m in 2013/14, £15.564m by 2014/15) this brings the total savings identified for delivery in 2013/14 and 2014/15 to £27.548m, of which £14.367m is to be achieved in 2013/14.

The report focuses on the measures put forward in the March report. The propositions have been subject to consultation during the last three months, including with scrutiny committees, and this report includes the results of those consultations. Final proposals are now presented for approval. The report then considers the resulting position in relation to the MTFP to 2014/15 and outlines the further work to be undertaken to update the Council’s financial plans.

The Executive is recommended to:

·         note the results of the various consultation exercises undertaken in relation to the savings proposals put forward in February and agree the changes that are proposed in response to the consultation;

·         agree the savings proposals for implementation as set out in the report and listed in Appendix Two;

·         ask the Chief Executive and Corporate / Service Directors, in consultation with the relevant Executive Councillors, to implement the delivery of those proposals; and

·         continue with the steps necessary to agree an updated Medium Term Financial Plan to 2014/15

Officer contact: Steve Houston, 0161 474 4000, steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the results of consultation exercises undertaken on a range of proposals for budget savings for 2013/14, following the agreement of the budget proposals by the Council Meeting on 5 March 2013. Some of the proposals in the report had been revised in light of the consultation responses and the Executive were now being invited to agree the final savings proposals.

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) highlighted the high volume of responses received to the consultation process and paid tribute to the work of officers in undertaking these consultation and thanked the public who had responded.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) reported that further petitions had been received since publication of the report in relation to the proposals for the parks service. She stated that there were many services provided by the Council to vulnerable people, many of which were unseen, and that given the scale of the challenge facing the Council’s finances that it was right that all services be considered as part of the Council’s transformation programme.

RESOLVED - That

•           the results of the various consultation exercises undertaken in relation to the savings proposals put forward in February 2013 be noted and the changes that are proposed in response to the consultation as detailed in the report be agreed;

•           the savings proposals for implementation as set out in the report and listed in Appendix Two, and the addendum to the report be agreed;

•           the Chief Executive and Corporate / Service Directors, in consultation with the relevant Executive Councillors, be requested to implement the delivery of those proposals; and

•           the steps necessary to agree an updated Medium Term Financial Plan to 2014/15 continue to be taken.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer and Community Services)

The report outlines a proposed Fleet Replacement Strategy and seeks approval for the provision of a rolling annuity loan arrangement to Solutions SK (SSK) to facilitate and support implementation of the strategy. The move to a direct procurement of vehicles programme has mutual financial benefits for both the Council and Solutions SK.

The Executive is recommended to

·         support the Fleet Replacement Strategy; and

·         approves the provision of a rolling annuity loan facility to SSK

Officer contact: Christine Buxton, 0161 474 4124, christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer and Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a proposed Fleet Replacement Strategy and a proposal to provide a rolling annuity loan arrangement to Solutions SK (SSK) to facilitate and support implementation of the strategy.

RESOLVED – That Fleet Replacement Strategy and the provision of a rolling annuity loan facility to SSK be approved.

To consider a report of the Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee.

The scrutiny review examined the challenges facing Stockport’s working-age population, the support services available to jobseekers, and how effectively those services are targeted to identified need across the Borough, at a time of increased concerns over issues such as youth unemployment, long-term unemployment, and rates of job-creation.  In this challenging context the role of the Council and other public sector agencies is of critical importance in ensuring that we achieve the best possible outcomes for our residents. 

The review acknowledges a number of strengths in the current range of support services available to Stockport’s residents; but it also highlights areas where services and resources could be better used in order to bring about greater benefit both to residents and to the local economy as a whole.

The Executive is invited to receive the report and request that a response to the recommendations contained within it be prepared for consideration at a future meeting.

Officer contact: Joseph Conmee, 0161 474 5396, joseph.conmee@stockport.gov.uk

The Lead Councillor (Councillor David White) of the Scrutiny Review “Skills and Employment” attended the meeting to present the final report of the Review (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to prepare a response to the “Skills and Employment” Scrutiny Review and the recommendations contained therein for consideration by the Executive Meeting.

(2) That the gratitude of the Executive be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the “Skills and Employment” Scrutiny Review Panel and others involved in the review.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) and Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer and Community Services)

The report outlines the proposed changes to the Council’s Performance and Resources Framework for 2013/14. The Framework will continue to underpin the delivery of the Council Plan and Medium Term Financial Plan.

These proposals will form the basis for quarterly Portfolio and Corporate reporting during 2013/14. The reports will assess progress against key objectives, priorities and outcomes, enabling Scrutiny Committees to hold the Executive to account and for the Executive to identify current and future risks to delivery. The seven draft Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements (PPRAs) for 2013/14 have been considered by Scrutiny Committees and the final versions are included as background papers available at http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=14405

The report also contains details of how budgets are being realigned to reflect the new portfolio arrangements and the significant restructuring in relation to corporate and support services.

The Executive is invited to approve:

·         the 2013/14 revenue budget, capital programme and earmarked reserves totals as shown in this report on the new portfolio basis;

·         thevirements to the Revenue Budget set out at Appendix Two.

·         proposals for a new ‘Leader’s Report’ as outlined in section 2.2; and 

·         the 2013/14 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements

Officer contact: Peter Owston/ Andrew Moran, 0161 474 3274/ 4086, Andrew.moran@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) and Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to agree changes to the Council’s Performance and Resources Framework for 2013/14 that would underpin the delivery of the Council Plan and Medium Term Financial Plan. Changes had also been proposed following the realignment of the Executive Portfolios and the agreement in June of the Council Plan 2013/15.

RESOLVED – That

•           the 2013/14 revenue budget, capital programme and earmarked reserves totals as shown in this report on the new portfolio basis be approved;

•           the virements to the Revenue Budget set out at Appendix Two be approved;

•           proposals for a new ‘Leader’s Report’ as outlined in section 2.2 be approved; and 

•           the 2013/14 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements be approved.