Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 30 September 2014 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.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Executive.

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. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

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

One question was submitted by a member of the public who was not present at the meeting. The Chair confirmed that in accordance with the Code of Practice a written response would be provided.

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

This report sets out the progress of the Stockport Property Alliance (formally the Stockport Strategic Property Partnership) and provides a summary of the SPA Business Plan, including its focus on the delivery of significant property savings to the Council.   The report also outlines the achievements of the SPA and Carillion Stockport Property Service, since its formation in February 2014.  One of the key strategic objectives of the SPA is to prepare the Stockport Asset Management Plan and this is also included with the report for agreement by the Executive.

The Executive is asked to note the contents of the report and approve the Strategic Asset Management Plan.

Officer contact: Murray Carr, 0161 474 3019, 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 progress with the development of the Stockport Property Alliance (SPA) (formally the Stockport Strategic Property Partnership). The report provided a summary of the SPA Business Plan and of achievements of the SPA and Carillion Stockport Property Service since its formation in February 2014.  One of the key strategic objectives of the SPA was to prepare the Stockport Asset Management Plan and this is was included with the report for agreement by the Executive.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Strategic Asset Management Plan be approved.

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

Stockport Homes was established as an Arm’s Length Management Organisation (ALMO) in 2005 to manage the housing stock owned by Stockport Council.  This was a ten year agreement which is due to come to an end in October 2015. Although the ALMO has delivered its objectives and demonstrated excellence and value for money, now that the current agreement is due to end it is good practice for the Council to carry out a full review of the management arrangements for the Council Housing stock to determine the best option for the future.  

This is the third of three report presented to the Executive in relation to the options appraisal of the future management of Council owned housing in the Borough. The process methodology and project plan were approved at the Council Executive meeting on the 17th of December 2013 and a further report discounting the options to sell the stock to another organisation and outlining customer consultation proposals and an assessment process was approved on the 15 July 2014. This report documents the outcomes of the customer consultation and assessment process and makes the recommendation that the Council renews its management agreement.

The Executive is recommended to:-

·         to note the content of the report;

·         approve the outcome of the customer consultation and assessment process, and that a further management agreement should be offered to Stockport Homes.

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

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the outcome of the options appraisal for the future management of the Council’s housing stock. The Executive previously approved the process methodology and project plan on the 17 December 2013 and further refined the options on 15 July 2014. This report set out the outcomes of the customer consultation and assessment process. The recommendation to the Executive, based on the assessment process, was to enter a further management agreement with Stockport Homes Ltd.

The Executive Councillor emphasised that although the recommendation was for a further management agreement with Stockport Homes, the detail of this agreement would be subject to a further review to ensure it best met the needs of the borough.

RESOLVED – That the outcome of the Housing Options Appraisal customer consultation and assessment process be noted and the approval be given to offering a further management agreement to Stockport Homes Ltd for the management of the Council’s housing stock.

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

The Council has previously adopted Core Strategy policy and subsequently a Supplementary Planning Document setting out how it will seek to achieve local economic benefits through Planning Conditions and Planning Obligations (S.106 agreements), in cases where significant new additional job opportunities are created. This report sets out how this can now be underpinned by benchmark guidance for construction works, and significantly broadened to also address economic benefits through the Council’s role as a developer and procurer of construction services through the adoption of the principles of the National Skills Academy for Construction. This guidance provides a level of certainty to developers and construction businesses as to what employment and training outcomes are expected from different types and value levels of developments.

That Executive is invited to endorse the proposal for the Council to adopt the National Skills Academy for Construction guidance, by an application for accredited status in order to support achievement of local employment and skills benefits from major development / construction projects.

Officer contact: Nick Hill, Tel: 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 to consider a proposal to adopt of the principles of the National Skills Academy for Construction through benchmark guidance for construction works, and significantly broadened this through the Council’s role as a developer and procurer of construction services.

RESOLVED - That the proposal for the adoption of the National Skills Academy for Construction guidance be approved, by an application for accredited status in order to support achievement of local employment and skills benefits from major development / construction projects.

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

This item consists of two reports. The Mid-Year Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides an overview of progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the second quarter of 2014/15, based on the Council Plan 2013/15 and the Medium Term Financial Plan 2013/17. It is supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports which are published as background papers to this report.  These will be published ahead of the Executive meeting and considered in detail at the next cycle of Scrutiny Committees.

The Leader’s Report highlights a number of the Council’s significant achievements over the last quarter, along with providing an update on key decisions at GM level. 

The Executive is asked to:

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

b)   Approve the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.4;

c)    Note the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for 2014/15 as set out in sections 2.3 and 2.6;

d)   Note the update on the budget savings programme set out in section 2.4;

e)    Note the Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account forecast outturn positions as set out in sections 2.7 and 2.8;

f)     Approve the contributions to/from earmarked reserves and balances as set out in section 2.9;

g)   Note the forecast position for the 2014/15 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1;

h)   Approve the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.4;

i)     Approve the proposal that the prudential borrowing initially allocated to St Elisabeth’s be reallocated to St Thomas’ CE Primary (£3.62m in 2015/16) and the remaining £0.29m (2015/16) to Greave Primary School, as set out in 3.2.6 and;

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

Officer contact: Christine Buxton/ Peter Owston, 0161-474-4124/ 3274, Christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk / peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Executive with an update on progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the second quarter of 2014/15.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted her ‘Leader’s Report’ for the same quarter (copies of which had been circulated) highlighting a number of the Council’s significant achievements and significant AGMA and Combined Authority activity. The Leader highlighted the significance of the development of a Greater Manchester Spatial Strategy, and the recent announcement of a devolution proposal for Greater Manchester.

RESOLVED – That

·         progress against delivering Council Plan priorities, portfolio outcomes and capital schemes alongside budget and performance outturns contained within the report be noted;

·         the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.4 of the report be approved;

·         the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for 2014/15 as set out in sections 2.3 and 2.6 of the report be noted;

·         the update on the budget savings programme set out in section 2.4 of the report be noted;

·         the Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account forecast outturn positions as set out in sections 2.7 and 2.8 of the report be noted;

·         the contributions to/from earmarked reserves and balances as set out in section 2.9 of the report be approved;

·         the forecast position for the 2014/15 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1 of the report be noted;

·         the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.4 of the report be approved;

·         the proposal that the prudential borrowing initially allocated to St Elisabeth’s School be reallocated to St Thomas’ CE Primary School (£3.62m in 2015/16) and the remaining £0.29m (2015/16) to Greave Primary School, as set out in 3.2.6 of the report be approved.

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

This report provides the Executive with a mid-year review of the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2014/15 approved by Council on 27 February 2014 and has been prepared in accordance with the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management in the Public Services.

The report provides an economic update for the first six months of 2014/15 and details how this impacts upon the interest rate predictions and outlook provided in the initial strategy.  An overview is provided of more recent forecasts and developments in the financial markets and how these are affecting the Council’s investment portfolio and borrowing strategies for the current financial year.   A review is provided of the Council’s capital expenditure prudential indicators and compliance with Treasury and Prudential Limits for 2014/15.

There are no key changes required to the Treasury Management and Capital strategies for 2014/15, which continue to be relevant and effective.

The Executive is asked to recommend that the Council Meeting receive this report in line with best practice guidelines and

·         note the report and the treasury activity in the first half of the financial year, and

·         approve changes to the council’s credit methodology whereby counterparties will no longer be able to gain a slightly higher credit score from additional viability, financial strength and support ratings.

Officer contact: Lorna Soufian, 0161 474 4026, lorna.soufian@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Executive with a mid-year review of the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2014/15 agreed by the Council Meeting, providing an economic update on the first six months of the year and the impact of this on interest rate predictions and outlook provided in the initial strategy.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to receive the Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy Mid-Year Review Report 2014/15 in line with best practice guidelines, note the report and the treasury activity in the first half of the financial year, and approve changes to the Council’s credit methodology whereby counterparties will no longer be able to gain a slightly higher credit score from additional viability, financial strength and support ratings.

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

The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of complaints, as at the 2^nd quarter (July - September) 2014/15.

This report is structured as follows:

·         Performance overview

·         Overview of Stage 1 & Stage 2 Corporate Complaints

·         Overview of statutory Adults Social Care Complaints

·         Overview of statutory Children’s Social Care Complaints

·         Overview of complaints about Stockport Homes

·         Overview of complaints referred to the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO)

·         Lessons learnt as a result of complaints

The Executive is asked to:

·         Review performance information contained in this report, and

·         Comment on the performance measures reported and suggest any additional information that might be collected in future.

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

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Executive with an overview of complaints received in the second quarter of 2014/15 and outlining any lessons learnt as a result.

RESOLVED – That performance in relation to complaints received in the second quarter of 2014/15 be noted.

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

The report sets out the recommendations of the Constitution Working Party and Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee in relation to changes required to the Constitution in relation to:-

·         Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014 – Publication of Officer Decisions

·         Audit Committee Terms of Reference

The Executive is invited to:

·         comment on the proposed changes to the Constitution as detailed in the report and its appendices;

·         recommend the Council Meeting to consider the comments/ recommendations made by the Constitution Working Party, the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee and the Executive, and adopt the proposed amendments as detailed in the report and its appendices.

Officer contact: Craig Ainsworth, 0161 474 3201, craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) (Chair of Constitution Working Party) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the recommendations of the Constitution Working Party and the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee  on changes required to the Constitution related to the ‘Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulation 2014’ and the publication of officer decisions, and the Audit Committee Terms of Reference.

Executive councillors emphasised the need to keep the arrangements for the publication of decisions under review in light of increasing collaborative working and decision-making with other local authorities, NHS and other agencies.

RESOLVED - That the Council Meeting be recommended to consider the comments/recommendations made by the Constitution Working Party, the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee and the Executive, and adopt the proposed amendments to the Constitution as detailed in the report and its appendices.

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

The Executive is invited to nominate Councillor Geoff Abell as one of the Council’s representatives on the Trans-Pennine Trail Members’ Group.

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

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider a nomination of a Council representative to the Trans-Pennine Trail Members’ Group

RESOLVED – That the nomination of Councillor Geoff Abell as one of the Council’s representatives on the Trans-Pennine Trail Members’ Group be approved.

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

The Executive is invited to note the decisions of the Joint AGMA Executive/ GMCA Board and the GMCA Board meetings held on 26 September 2014.

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

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out decisions taken by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and AGMA Executive Board Joint Meeting and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority meeting held on 26 September 2014.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.