Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 12 September 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy).

The report sets out the proposed process for developing the 2012-13 Council Plan which is focused around four key priorities aimed at creating a borough that is:

·         Safe and Strong - a place that promotes respect for all its citizens by all its citizens

·         Thriving - building on a strong and sustainable economy and high levels of educational attainment and skills

·         Green - leading the way in creating a sustainable future for our environment and our economy

·         Healthy - increasing choice, control, independence and the adoption of healthy lifestyles as well as excellent services that offer value for money.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

(1) Note the process and timetable for developing the 2010-13 Council Plan as set out in the report.

(2) Review the 2011-12 Council Plan and put forward suggestions for priorities for 2012-13.

Officer contact: Steve Skelton on 474 3174 or email: steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the proposed process for developing the 2012-13 Council Plan which would be focussed around four key priorities aimed at creating a borough that was ‘Safe and Strong’; ‘Thriving’; ‘Green’ and ‘Healthy’.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Achieving the broad strategic aims within the Council Plan may potentially become more difficult as a result of the transition from the receipt of specific ring-fenced grant funding to a general budget allocation on which there would be competing pressures.

·         It was encouraging to note the number of achievements made from the 2010/11 Council Plan.

·         It would have assisted the Scrutiny Committee’s consideration of proposals for the Council Plan for 2012/13 if the report had identified those areas where there had been difficulties with the 2010/11 Plan.

·         The current difficulties with respect to housing, and in particular the problems that young people have securing homes needed to be high on the Council’s list of priorities.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

During the last cycle of meetings each scrutiny committee was given the opportunity to examine the savings proposals put forward by the Executive at its meeting on 5 September, together with the report from the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services on the financial landscape and forecasts for the period 2012/13 to 2014/15. Furthermore, a seminar was held for all members on 7 September, at which the basis and make-up of the financial forecasts were outlined.

The Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee considered the comments made by the Scrutiny Committees at its meeting on 4 October 2011 and determined that each Committee’s comments be summarised and referred back to members of the Committee at the earliest opportunity, together with a note of some cross cutting themes identified by the Co-ordination Committee. Members are asked to make any further comments on the financial position and the Executive’s savings proposals at the November round of Scrutiny Committees.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to make any further comments at this stage in relation to the savings proposals prior to consideration by the Executive at the meeting on 16 December 2011.

Officer contact: Craig Ainsworth on 474 3204 or email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) summarising the comments made by the Scrutiny Committee at its last meeting on the savings proposals put forward by the Executive together with the report from the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services on the financial landscape and forecasts.  The report also included a note of some cross cutting themes identified by the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee was given the opportunity to make any further comments on the financial position and the Executive’s savings proposals prior to consideration by the Executive at its meeting on 16 December 2011.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place.

The Empty Property Strategy outlines the current situation with regard to empty properties within the borough and lists the key measures which the Council will use to reduce the number of empty properties.

By delivering the strategy the Council aims to identify and reduce the number of long term empty properties in the Borough. This will:

·         Improve the local environmental quality by improving the visual amenity.

·         Assist in reducing anti-social behaviour and crime.

·         Increase available housing stock .

·         Help owners of empty properties to benefit through rental income or capital.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to consider and comment on the Empty Property Strategy.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax on 474 4319 or email: andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the current situation with regard to empty properties within the borough and listing the key measures which the Council would use to reduce the number of empty properties. In delivering the strategy the Council aimed to identify and reduce the number of long term empty properties in the Borough. It was stated that this would have the effect of improving the local environmental quality by improving visual amenity; assist in reducing anti-social behaviour and crime; increase available housing stock; and help owners of empty properties to benefit through rental income or capital.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Questions were raised with regard to the deterrents for property owners in leaving a property unoccupied.  In response it was stated that there were very few long-term vacant properties in Stockport, but that the ultimate deterrent was the use of compulsory purchase orders.

·         Members enquired about the possibility of bringing vacant commercial premises back into use as residential properties.

·         Clarification was given in relation to the definition of a vacant property, and in particular that a property was classified as being ‘empty’ even if Council Tax was being paid for it.

·         The government had recently announced that £100 million in funding would be made available to bring empty homes back into use, and the Council was working with its partners in Greater Manchester to develop a bid.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the number of vacant properties in the Borough, however it was stated that a 3% vacancy rate was needed for a healthy housing market.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Adult Social Care).

This report shares the findings from a recent review of carers’ services undertaken by the Carers Partnership Board, and sets out proposals for the future commissioning of adults carers services in 2012/13.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to consider and comment on the proposals for the future commissioning of adults carers services in 2012/13.

Officer contact: Julie Farley on 07875 990110 or email: julie.farley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Adult Social Care) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the findings from a recent review of carers’ services undertaken by the Carers Partnership Board, and sets out proposals for the future commissioning of adults carers services in 2012/13.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Consideration could be given to assisting those carers looking after relatives with similar conditions to network and develop support groups.

·         Significant work was required to engage with carers and it was questioned what more the Council could do to reach out to those people who were not currently involved in any of the services offered by the Council to reduce problems associated with isolation and loneliness.

·         The development of a two strand approach based around the creation of a carers centre partnership and the recommissioning of specialist carers services was welcomed.

·         It was encouraging to note that carers services, although co-located within a central hue, would be delivered through a number of venues across the Borough as it was important to ensure that such services remained accessible.

·         It was noted that the commissioning process would be open to both existing providers and new entrants.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the fact that the Carers Grant was no longer ring-fenced to carers activities and was now considered as part of the Council’s wider local settlement which meant that there needed to be a robust business case and vocal champions for the services provided to carers.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

To note the résumé of the meeting held on 8 September 2011.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali Tel: 474 3201; e-mail: jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

The Scrutiny Committee considered a résumé (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Adult Education, Skills and Employability Partnership held on 8 September 2011.

RESOLVED – (1) That the résumé of the meeting of the Adult Education, Skills and Employability Partnership held on 8 September 2011 be noted.

(2) That the Service Director (Communities) be requested to submit a report to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee in relation to the impact of planned changes to housing benefit payments.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.                                                        

The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the information in the report and put forward any agenda items for future meetings of the Committee.

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

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the planned items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.