Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 April 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 21 April 2015 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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)

No public questions were submitted.

To consider a report of Adult Care Services & Housing Scrutiny Committee.

The report sets out the findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Review – Stockport Homes Private Rented Service.

The Adult Care Services & Housing Scrutiny Committee has previously considered the issue of accessibility to housing on a number of occasions and has been informed of the key and growing role that the private rented sector has to play.  One of the concerns that the Scrutiny Committee has had has been in relation to the effective management of private rented accommodation through lettings agencies.

In 2012, Stockport Homes established its own social lettings agency.  Social lettings agencies were conceived to be the very best in lettings agencies, but with a remit to produce sustainable, affordable tenancies.  This Scrutiny Review analyses the success of the Stockport Homes Lettings Services and makes a number of recommendations seeking to improve and enhance the valuable contribution it has made to the housing market in the Borough.

The Executive is invited to receive the report and request that the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration in conjunction with the Chief Executive of Stockport Homes co-ordinate the preparation of a response the recommendations of the Review.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton, 0161 474 3207, damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

The Lead Councillor (Councillor Stuart Bodsworth) of the Scrutiny Review “Stockport Homes Private Rented Service” attended the meeting to present the final report of the Review (copies of which had been circulated) and to answer questions from executive councillors.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to prepare a response to the “Stockport Homes Private Rented Service” Scrutiny Review final report and the recommendations contained therein for consideration by the Executive at a future meeting.

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

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

The report sets out a proposed initial response to the Scrutiny Review ‘Understanding the Accessibility of Digital Services in Stockport’ undertaken jointly by the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance and  Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committees. At the Executive meeting on 21 April the Leader Councillor of the Review attended to present the final report. The intention is for more detailed proposals on developing a Strategic Plan for the Digital Design Programme to be consulted upon in due course, so this report is an initial response to the recommendations of the Review.

The Executive is asked to agree the initial response to the Joint Scrutiny Panel’s Review on understanding the accessibility of digital services in Stockport.

Officer contact: Steve Skelton/ Paul James, 0161 474 3174 / 5430, steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk / paul.james@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider a draft response to the recommendations made by the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance and Environment & Economy Scrutiny committees as part of their Review “Understanding the Accessibility of Digital Services in Stockport”.

The Executive Councillor highlighted that the work of the Review would feed into the ongoing ‘Digital by Design’ project and therefore a fuller response to the Review would be provided in due course.

RESOLVED – (1) That the response to the “Understanding the Accessibility of Digital Services in Stockport” Scrutiny Review Final Report be approved.

(2) That the Executive’s gratitude and appreciation be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel and others involved.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Supporting Children)

The report sets out the proposed response to the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee’s review ‘Integrated Prevention Services’. At the Executive meeting on 21 April the Leader Councillor of the Review attended to present the final report.

The Executive is recommended to agree the response to the recommendations arising from the scrutiny review as set out in the report.

Officer contact: Viki Packman / Deborah Woodcock, 0161 474 5753 / 6789, viki.packman@stockport.gov.uk / Deborah.woodcock@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Children) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider a draft response to the recommendations made by the Children & Young People’s Scrutiny Committee as part of its Review “Integrated Prevention Services – Developing Partnership Working” Scrutiny Review.

RESOLVED – (1) That the response to the “Integrated Prevention Services – Developing Partnership Working” Scrutiny Review Final Report be approved.

(2) That the Executive’s gratitude and appreciation be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel and others involved.

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

The Greater Manchester and Cheshire East Business Rates Pool has been invited to pilot a new scheme for the full retention of business rates growth commencing 1 April 2015.  This builds on the existing pooling arrangements and should enable additional income to be retained for the purposes of the pool without impacting on the financial position of each district participating in the pool.

The purpose of this report is to:

•           remind the Executive of the existing district and GM pooling arrangements;

•           provide an outline of the proposed ‘full retention of growth’ scheme; and

•           make recommendations with regard to the new scheme’s endorsement and continued development.

The Executive is recommended to:

·                Endorse and agree the Business Rates retention scheme as set out in the report of 27 March 2015 to the AGMA Executive and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (attached at Appendix One);

·                Delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Executive Councillor, Support and Governance to work with the GMCA Treasurer and other district Treasurers to finalise the detailed arrangements for the introduction and operation of the scheme;

·                Request a further report from the GMCA detailing how any additional revenues generated will support the promotion of Greater Manchester’s growth and reform strategies.

Officer contact: Andy Moran, Tel: 0161 474 4086, Andrew.moran@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider a proposal for the Council to enter the Greater Manchester and Cheshire East Business Rates Pool, a pilot scheme that would allow participating local authorities to retain within the pool the entirety of any growth in business rates revenue. Without the pooling arrangement any growth in revenue would be retained by the Treasury. The proposed pilot built on the existing pooling arrangements but it was intended that the additional income could be retained within the pool without impacting on the financial position of each local authority participating in the pool.

RESOLVED – That:-

·         the Business Rates retention scheme as set out in the report to the AGMA Executive and Greater Manchester Combined Authority of 27 March 2015 (attached at Appendix One of the report) be endorsed and agreed;

·         the Corporate Director for  Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) be authorised to work with the GMCA Treasurer and other district Treasurers to finalise the detailed arrangements for the introduction and operation of the scheme;

·         a further report be requested from the GMCA detailing how any additional revenues generated would support the promotion of Greater Manchester’s growth and reform strategies.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance)

This item consists of three reports. The Annual Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides an update on progress towards delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budgets during the fourth quarter, and an overview of 2014/15. It is supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports which have been considered in detail by the recent cycle of Scrutiny Committees.

The Leader’s Report highlights some of the key strategic issues and significant achievements over the last quarter and reflects on the last 12 months. This includes updates on the latest developments on the Investing in Stockport programme and Greater Manchester Devolution.

The third report outlines the reconfiguration of Executive Portfolio responsibilities, alongside a number of proposed changes to the Council’s Performance and Resources Framework for 2015/16 to reflect the new approach to Investing in Stockport (IIS).  The report also contains details of changes to budget responsibilities to reflect the new outcome-based Executive Portfolios.  

(1) The Executive is recommended to endorse:

·         The realignment of the 2015/16 revenue budget, capital programme and earmarked reserves totals as shown in this report on the new portfolio basis; and

·         The proposed process for developing the Performance and Resource Framework for 2015/16.

(2) For the Annual CPRR, the Executive is asked to:

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

·         Approve the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.3;

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

·         Note the position on the 2013/14 and 2014/15 budget savings programme set out in section 2.4;

·         Approve the approach to financing redundancy costs set out in paragraph 2.6.3;

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

·         Approve the contributions to/from earmarked reserves and balances as set out in section 2.9 and note the resulting final reserves and balances position of £91.96m;

·         Delegate the approval of changes to the outturn, reserves and/or balances position that may arise from the audit of the statement of accounts (see section 2.11) to the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services, in conjunction with the Executive Councillor for Support and Governance;

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

·         Approve the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.7;

·         Approve the proposals for resourcing the Capital Programme as set out in 3.3.4 and 3.3.5, and;

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

Officer contact: Peter Owston/ Andy Moran, 0161 474 3274 / 4086, peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk / andrew.moran@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Executive with an Annual Report on the delivery of the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during 2014/15. The report provided a summary of key activity during the year as well as performance and budget outturns for the full year.

The second element of the report was the Annual Leader’s Report that highlighted key strategic issues and significant achievements during the fourth quarter and reflected on the year as a whole, including developments on the Investing in Stockport programme and Greater Manchester Devolution.

The third element of the report outlined the reconfiguration of Executive Portfolio responsibilities, alongside a number of proposed changes to the Council’s Performance and Resources Framework for 2015/16 to reflect the new approach to Investing in Stockport.

RESOLVED – (1) That in relation to the Performance and Resource Management Framework 2015/16 the following be endorsed:-

·         the realignment of the 2015/16 revenue budget, capital programme and earmarked reserves totals as shown in the report on the new portfolio basis, and

·         the proposed process for developing the Performance and Resource Framework for 2015/16

(2) That in relation to the Corporate Performance and Resources Annual Report 2014/15:-

·         thevirements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.3 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 be noted;

·         the position on the 2013/14 and 2014/15 budget savings programme set out in section 2.4 be noted;

·         the approach to financing redundancy costs set out in paragraph 2.6.3 be approved;

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

·         the contributions to/from earmarked reserves and balances as set out in section 2.9 be approved and the resulting final reserves and balances position of £91.96m be noted;

·         the approval of changes to the outturn, reserves and/or balances position that may arise from the audit of the statement of accounts (see section 2.11) be delegated to the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services, in conjunction with the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance);

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

·         the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.7 be approved; and

·         the proposals for resourcing the Capital Programme as set out in 3.3.4 and 3.3.5 be approved.

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

The report provides an overview of complaints, as at the 4^th quarter (January - March) 2014/15. The report also compares performance in 2014/15 with the previous year. The report contains a overview Stage 1 & Stage 2 Corporate Complaints, Adults Social Care Complaints, statutory Children’s Social Care Complaints, complaints about Stockport Homes, an overview of complaints referred to the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) and lessons learnt as a result of complaints

Executive is asked to:

a)     review performance information contained in this report, and

b)     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 (Support & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Executive with an overview of complaints received in the fourth quarter of 2014/15 and outlining any lessons learnt as a consequence.

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

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

The report sets out a number of proposed changes to the Constitution with regard to the Contract Procedure Rules (Appendix A) and the Scheme of Delegation – Officers and Executive (Appendix B).

The StaR Joint Committee has considered a set of rules which harmonise the procedures to be followed by Stockport, Rochdale and Trafford Councils before entering into contracts (the Contract Procedure Rules). using the shared procurement service (StaR). The rules preserve Stockport Council’s previous resolution on the award of contracts to companies that have been involved in blacklisting. If the changes to the Contract Procedure Rules are approved, changes to the Council’s Scheme of Delegation will be required to ensure that the authority to award contracts is clear.

The proposals have been considered by the Constitution Working Party and the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee and their comments have been included in the report.

The Executive is invited to:-

(a)  comment on the proposed changes to the Constitution as set out in Appendices A and B of the report;

(b)  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 3204, craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider proposed changes to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules (PR6 of the Constitution) arising from the work of the Stockport, Trafford and Rochdale (STaR) joint procurement arrangement and sought to synchronise the procurement rules for each of the authorities. The rules retained Stockport Council’s previous resolution on the award of contracts to companies that had been involved in blacklisting. Resultant changes to the Officer scheme of Delegation (Part 3 of the Constitution) were also proposed.

The proposals had been subject to consultation with the Constitution Working Party and the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee and their comments were included within the report.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended adopt the proposed amendments to the Scheme of Delegation (Part 3) and Contract Procedure Rules (PR6) contained within the Constitution as detailed in the report and its appendices.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Executive is recommended to:-

·         approve the appointment or nomination for appointment of Council representatives to outside and associated bodies for 2015/16, as set out in the attached Schedule;

·         ratify the nominations and appointments made by the Annual Council Meeting on 26 May 2015 in respect of those bodies detailed in final section of the attached schedule; and

·         authorise the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant party group leader, to finalise the schedule of appointments and nominations prior to the next Executive Meeting on 21 July 2015.

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

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider nominations of representatives of the Council to sit on outside and associated bodies.

An addendum to the report was also submitted (copies of which had been circulated) containing revisions to the schedule of nominations arising since the publication of the report.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the appointment or nomination for appointment of Council representatives to outside and associated bodies for 2015/16,

·         the proposals set out in the schedule and addendum to the report be approved;

·         the nominations and appointments made by the Annual Council Meeting on 26 May 2015 in respect of those bodies detailed in final section of the schedule be ratified;

·         the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant party group leader, be authorised to finalise the schedule of appointments and nominations prior to the next Executive Meeting on 21 July 2015.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Executive is invited to note the decisions of the Joint AGMA Executive/ GMCA Board and the GMCA Board meetings held on 24 April and 29 May 2015, and the decisions of the Greater Manchester Health & Wellbeing Interim Board held on 22 May 2015.

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

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out decisions taken by the Joint Meeting Greater Manchester Combined Authority & AGMA Executive Board and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority meetings held on 24 April and 29 May 2015, and the Health & Wellbeing Interim Board on 22 May 2015.

The Leader of the Council highlighted significant decisions in relation to the Low Carbon Hub, Housing Investment Fund and the Key Roads Network.

The Executive Councillor (Independence & Wellbeing) highlighted the positive developments of the Ageing Hub agreed by the Health & Wellbeing Interim Board.

RESOLVED – That the report noted.

On:-

(a)  Matters (if any) referred to the Executive Meeting

(b)  Any called-in Executive Decisions

There were none to consider.