Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2013.

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.

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

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

Disclosable Pecuniary Interest

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of the following agenda items:-

Agenda Item 8 - ‘Development of Creative Industries & Specialist Retail in Stockport Market Place - Strategic Property Acquisition” which contains information ‘not for publication’ in the Appendices by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as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).

Agenda Item 12 - ‘Brinnington Regeneration Plan’ which contains information ‘not for publication’ in Appendices A and B by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’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).

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 by virtue of Category 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended) 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would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ appendices to Agenda Item 8 - ‘Development of Creative Industries & Specialist Retail in Stockport Market Place - Strategic Property Acquisition’ and Agenda Item 12 - ‘Brinnington Regeneration Plan’.

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

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of the Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 26 November 2012 at which further details of the case-finding pilot undertaken in Brinnington was requested.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Terry Dafter on 474 1644 or email: terry.dafter@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Adult Social Care) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of a pilot case finding service undertaken at Brinnington Health Centre from October 2012 which aimed to promote wellbeing and maintain the independence of older people not already receiving services.

It was reported that this item had been placed on the agenda following a request made by the Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 26 November 2012.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was noted that the response rate to those questionnaires sent by participating GP practices to their older patients to identify need was low amongst those males over the age of 75.  Members commented that more needed to be done to improve engagement with this notoriously hard to reach demographic.

·         Consideration needed to be given the potential measures that could be instituted to improve access to the internet amongst older people in the light of the poor access rates identified in the report.

·         Notwithstanding the general move to try and channel shift transactions with the Council to online methods, there was a recognition that there would always be those for whom this would not be the most appropriate method to contact the Council.  It was anticipated that the general move towards an increase in online transactions would increase capacity for those for whom face-to-face and telephone contact was more suitable.

·         The current pilot had relatively low running costs due to contracted organisations absorbing any additional expenditure.  It was noted, however, that this may not be sustainable if the pilot was rolled out across the Borough.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services.         

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to consider the proposals in the report.

Officer contact: Steve Houston on 474 4000 or email: steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Directors (Adult Social Care) and (Place Development) submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services (copies of which had been circulated) informing the Scrutiny Committee that the Executive at its meeting on 18 February 2013 had agreed the second tranche of savings proposals for 2013/14 and 2014/15 for consultation and that each scrutiny committee should have the opportunity to ask questions, review and comment upon the savings propositions which relate to their remit. In addition, scrutiny members were invited to make comments upon the overall approach being taken by the Executive to respond to the very significant financial challenge faced by the Council.

The Executive Councillors for Adult Care Services (Councillor Daniel Hawthorne) and Supporting Communities (Councillor Mark Weldon) attended the meeting and summarised the individual savings proposals in respect of their portfolios as contained in the report.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         A discussion took place in relation to the proposed reduction in the domiciliary care hourly rate with particular regard to the potential for the Council to successfully negotiate such a reduction whilst simultaneously avoiding a challenge by way of judicial review.

·         It was noted that there would be no decommissioning of services during 2013/14 and that the same target had been set for 2014/15, however this was contingent upon further negotiations with service providers which remained ongoing.

·         The Scrutiny Committee requested further information with regard to which contracts the proposed £585,000 efficiency savings from within the ‘Discretionary Third Party Spend’ saving proposal had been identified.

·         It was stated that should residential care providers start to introduce ‘top-up’ fees to supplement the income raised from the Council, then urgent work needed to be undertaken which would include consultation with the Scrutiny Committee to avoid the creation of a ‘two-tier’ system for home care.

·         It was noted that the future status of those buildings which may be identified for transfer to the HRA/ Stockport Homes remained subject to further discussion.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that the comment of the Scrutiny Committee be referred to the Executive for consideration.

To consider a joint report of the Service Director (Adult Social Care) and (Place Development).

The purpose of this report is to provide a detailed overview of performance which relates to the Adults and Communities Scrutiny Committee.

The information is provided in the form of the Quarter 3 2012/13 Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports for each of the Portfolios having functions within the remit of the Adults and Communities Scrutiny Committee namely: Adult Care Services, Health and Wellbeing and Supporting Communities.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

(1)  Review the current levels of performance.

(2)  Highlight key areas of, and responsibility for, taking forward corrective action to address any existing or forecast performance issues.

(3)  Identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services.

Officer contact: Mike Harradine on 474 4680 or email: mike.harradine@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Directors (Adult Social Care) and (Place Development) submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a detailed overview of performance which related to the Adults and Communities Scrutiny Committee.

Information was provided in the form of the Quarter Two 2012/13 Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports for each of the Portfolios having functions within the remit of the Adults and Communities Scrutiny Committee namely: Adult Care Services, Health and Wellbeing and Supporting Communities.

The Executive Councillors for Adult Care Services (Councillor Daniel Hawthorne) and Supporting Communities (Councillor Mark Weldon) attended the meeting to answer Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members stated that the inclusion of the Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports within the regular Performance Reports submitted to this Scrutiny Committee was an unnecessary duplication as it was also submitted more appropriately to the Health Scrutiny Committee.

·         An update was provided on the progress towards the completion of the two bespoke apartment developments which aimed to meet the needs of people with more challenging learning disability needs.  It was stated that it was anticipated that these would be completed within six months.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Service Director (Adult Social Care) be requested to submit a report to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee providing a breakdown of the categories of use by service users of personal budgets for social care services.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services.

On 16 May 2011 the Secretary of State published the Armed Forces Covenant, setting out the moral obligation between the Nation, Government and the Armed Forces and the general principles that should govern their relationship. The Community Covenant was launched as a key element of the Armed Forces Covenant and aims to complement the Armed Forces Covenant at a local level.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment upon and note the report.

Officer contact Gaynor Alexander on 474 3186 or email: gaynor.alexander@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Strategy, Partnerships and Transformation) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposed Community Covenant which aimed to complement the Armed Forces Covenant at a local level and provided a voluntary statement of mutual support between a local civilian community and its local Armed Forces Community.

On 16 March 2011 the Secretary of State published the Armed Forces Covenant, setting out the moral obligation between the Nation, Government and the Armed Forces and the general principles that should govern their relationship. The Community Covenant was launched as a key element of the Armed Forces Covenant.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Development).

The report outlines the proposed strategy for encouraging the development of creative industries and specialist retail in Stockport, focussed primarily on the Market Place, and the anticipated outcomes of the strategy and the importance of the acquisition of property in order to meet its objectives.

This proposal will be considered by the Executive at the meeting on 2 April 2013.

(NOTE: The Appendices contains information ‘Not for Publication’ and have been circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee only).

The Central Stockport Area Committee at its meeting on 28 February 2013 noted the report but due the lateness of the publication of the report, members of the Area Committee would forward any comments to the Service Director (Place Development) for consideration.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note and comment on the contents of the report.

Officer Contact: Nicola Turner/Henrietta Achampong on 0161 218 1635/0161 474 4406 or e mail: nicola.turner@stockport.gov.uk/ henrietta.achampong@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Directors (Adult Social Care) and (Place Development) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the proposed strategy for encouraging the development of creative industries and specialist retail in Stockport, focussed primarily on the Market Place, and the anticipated outcomes of the strategy and the importance of the acquisition of property in order to meet its objectives.

(NOTE: the report included information ‘Not for Publication’ contained within the appendices that had been circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee only. Members of the public were excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the appendices only)

It was reported that the report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 2 April 2013.

The Executive Councillor (Adult Care Services) (Councillor Daniel Hawthorne) attended the meeting to answer Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         A discussion took place in relation to the accessibility of the properties in the Market Place in the light of the anticipated use of the buildings.

·         Comment was made that the use of funding from the Adult Social Care budget should be focussed towards achieving outcomes in the Adult Care Services portfolio and in particular to improve the mental or physical health of Stockport residents and not to regenerate the Market Place.  In response it was stated that officers were satisfied that the use of funding for these purposes would further adult social care objectives notwithstanding any additional regeneration benefits that the proposals may provide.

·         A request was made that further updates be provided to the Scrutiny Committee as the scheme progressed with regard to the outcomes from this investment.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services and Service Director (Place Development).

The report provides an update on the use of the loan facility to develop affordable homes during the period and seeks the extension of the agreement for a further three years.

This proposal will be considered by the Executive at the meeting on 2 April 2013.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Michael Cullen on 474 4631 or email: michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Place Development) submitted a joint report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services and the Service Director (Place Development) (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the use of a loan facility of £15.035m provided to Stockport Homes on 23 November 2009 for a three year period to develop affordable homes during the period and seeking the extension of the agreement for a further three years.

It was reported that the report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 2 April 2013.

The Executive Councillor for Supporting Communities (Councillor Mark Weldon) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services and the Service Director (Place Development).

The report provided details of a proposal to implement a Local Authority Mortgage Scheme (LAMS) in which the Local Authority would provide an indemnity for a portion of the deposit required by banks. The rationale for the scheme was based on wishing to take a pro-active role in supporting the local economy, pump priming the housing market and providing a means for an affordable entry onto the property ladder for first time buyers. The scheme would also have the added benefit of reducing the pressure on the demand for social housing by potentially removing eligible local first time buyers from the housing waiting lists.

This proposal will be considered by the Executive at the meeting on 2 April 2013.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Michael Cullen on 474 4631 or email: michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Place Development) submitted a joint report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services and the Service Director (Place Development) (copies of which had been circulated) providing details of a proposal to implement a Local Authority Mortgage Scheme in which the Local Authority would provide an indemnity for a portion of the deposit required by banks.

The rationale for the scheme was based on wishing to take a proactive role in supporting the local economy, pump priming the housing market and providing a means for an affordable entry onto the property ladder for first time buyers. The scheme would also have the added benefit of reducing the pressure on the demand for social housing by potentially removing eligible local first time buyers from the housing waiting lists.

It was reported that the report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 2 April 2013.

The Executive Councillor for Supporting Communities (Councillor Mark Weldon) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The mortgage guarantee scheme aimed to inject additional activity into the local housing market.

·         It was noted that the scheme would not support the purchase of new build properties.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Service Director (Place Development) and Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services.

The report provides the Scrutiny Committee with an update on progress in the delivery of the Brinnington Regeneration Plan; advises members of the outcome of a recent tendering process to identify a developer partner to take forward new housing development in Brinnington; outlines work on site assembly for the relocation of Castle Hill School in Brinnington to existing and improved accommodation at the former Offerton School site including the demolition of Castle Hill School and the redevelopment of the site for housing purposes; and outlines the proposed community consultation which forms part of these regeneration proposals.

This proposal will be considered by the Executive at the meeting on 2 April 2013.

(NOTE: Appendices A and B contain information ‘Not for Publication’ and have been circulated to Members of the Scrutiny Committee only).

The Central Stockport Area Committee at its meeting on 28 February 2013 noted the report

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note and comment on the contents of the report.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax on 0161 474 4319 or e mail: andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Place Development) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with an update on progress in the delivery of the Brinnington Regeneration Plan; advising members of the outcome of a recent tendering process to identify a developer partner to take forward the new housing development in Brinnington; outlining work on site assembly for the relocation of Castle Hill School in Brinnington to existing and improved accommodation at the former Offerton School site including the demolition of Castle Hill School and the redevelopment of the site for housing purposes; and outlined the proposed community consultation which formed part of these regeneration proposals.

(NOTE: the report included information ‘Not for Publication’ contained within appendices A and B that had been circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee only).

It was report that the report would be considered by the Executive at the meeting on 2 April 2013.

The Executive Councillor for Supporting Communities (Councillor Mark Weldon) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was hoped that the Plan would assist with the creation of a wider variety of housing tenures within the Brinnington area.

·         There would need to be continued scrutiny of the demands being placed on local school places as a result of additional housing development in the area.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to building on land that was designated as playing fields.  It was noted that the quality of the existing playing fields was poor, and that high quality replacement facilities would be provided.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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.

The Chair requested that copies of the final report of the Scrutiny Review Panel with regard to ‘Preparing for the Introduction of the Universal Credit Regime’ which was due to be considered at the 29 April 2013 meeting of the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee be circulated to members for their information.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.