Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 May 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 23 May 2013 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 they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Personal Interest

Councillor                                                     Interest

Wendy Wild                                                  Any items on the agenda relating to                                                                    Age UK as a prospective member.

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

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

The report sets out performance for the final quarter and year end 2012/13 against the performance measures included in the Adult Care Services individual Portfolio Agreement.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Mike Harradine on 0161 474 4680 or email: mike.harradine@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Adult Care Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out performance of the final quarter and year end 2012/2013 against the performance measures included in the Adult Care Services individual Portfolio Agreement.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         An explanation was sought and provided in relation to the work and role of the Stockport One Service.

·         The status of the performance measures relating to (i) proportion of adults in contact with secondary mental health services in paid employment and (ii) the proportion of adults in contact with secondary mental health services living independently with or without help was discussed.

·         Strategies employed to deal with the increased numbers of service users.

·         Reablement and the increasing complexity of people’s needs.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Service Director (Adult Social Care) and Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The Adult Care Services and Communities and Sustainability Portfolio Agreements for 2013/14 are presented in draft form for consideration by the Scrutiny Committee.  They outline the functions within the control of the Portfolios, the revenue budget, capital programme, key objectives, projects, measures and risks which will form the basis of quarterly Portfolio Reports.

(NOTE: The Public Realm / Public Protection / Supporting People / Climate Change responsibilities of this Executive Portfolio fall within the remit of the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee)

The draft has been informed by the new portfolio responsibilities (reported to the Council Meeting on 21 May 2013) and the draft Council Plan considered by this Committee on 22 May and the Executive on 11 June 2013.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider and comment on the draft Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements.

Officer contact: Simon Finch on 474 4019 or email: simon.finch@stockport.gov.uk / Gill Lawton on 474 3686 or email: gill.lawton@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Service Director (Adult Social Care) and Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration was submitted, outlining the Adult Care Services and Communities & Sustainability Portfolio Agreements for 2013/2014. The agreements outlined the functions within the control of the Portfolios, the revenue budget, capital programme, key objectives, projects and measures and risks which would form the basis of the quarterly portfolio reports.

Councillors requested a further update on the outcomes of the Preventing Social Isolation Scrutiny Review.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Councillors (Adult Care Services) and (Communities and Sustainability).

The report sets out the background to the Medium Term Financial Plan that had informed the recent decision on the 2013/14 budget. The report also detailed the proposed savings that fell within the remit of the Adult Social Care and Housing Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to provide any further comment on the proposals which the Executive Councillors (Adult Care Services) and (Communities and Sustainability) would consider prior to the meeting of the Executive on 16 July 2013.

Officer contact: Vincent Fraga on 474 4401 or email: vincent.fraga@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report (copies of which had been circulated)of the Executive Councillors (Adult Care Services) and (Supporting Communities) was submitted summarising the consultation process carried out in relation to the savings proposals agreed for consultation by the Executive on 18 February 2013.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Directors for Corporate and Support Services and Place Management and Regeneration.

The report details proposals for a policy which aimed to support those Council tenants who are of working age and are facing hardship due to the under-occupation shortfalls.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the proposed policy.

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

A joint report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Corporate Directors for Corporate and Support Services and Place Management and Regeneration was submitted detailing proposals for a policy which aimed to support those Council tenants who were of working age and were facing hardship due to under-occupation shortfalls.

The following comments were made/issue raised:-

·         Concern was expressed at the retrospective nature of the policy.

·         Councillors requested that a copy of the definition of ‘reasonableness’ and case examples be circulated.

·         The process for bidding to downsize was explained as was the appeals process.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and an update report be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee in 12 months time.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration. 

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 would involve bringing forward £7m of expenditure plans from years 6-10 of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan, which in turn, would support an additional £10m of ECO funding. This £10m of external funding would be used to pay for 100% of ECO eligible works, including insulation, over-cladding and associated works, to non-traditional and hard to treat properties, with the £7m paying for other supporting and additional works.

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

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing 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.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and proposals endorsed in so far as this Scrutiny Committee is concerned.

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

The report outlines the ‘Making Choices, Having Control’ Programme which was a whole system transformation programme of reviewing and personalising services for people with disabilities across the entire age range, from birth onwards.

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

Officer contact: Terry Dafter on 474 4404 or email: terry.dafter@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Adult Social Care) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the ‘Making Choices, Having Control’ programme which was a whole system transformation programme of reviewing and personalising services for people with disabilities across an entire age range from birth onwards.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and an update report be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee for consideration in six months time.

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

The report details the background the decision not to tender the Mental Health Advocacy Service and provides an update on the current position with regard to advocacy services.

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

Officer contact: Nick Dixon on 0786 699 9540 or email: nick.dixon@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Adult Social Care) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) explaining the decision not to tender the Mental Health Advocacy Service and providing an update on the current position with regard to advocacy services.

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 on 474 3207 or 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 and an item be placed on the agenda for the next Scrutiny Committee providing further details on this year’s planned Scrutiny Review topics.