Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 1 June 2015  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 declarations were made:-

Personal Interests

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of the Agenda Item 5 ‘Greater Manchester Housing Investment Fund’  which contains information “not for publication” by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority).

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of the any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public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would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ report for Agenda Item 5 - ‘GM Housing Investment Fund’.

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

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

This Item has been placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.

The report outlines the details of Executive’s decision to enter into a Deed of Indemnity in relation to the establishment of the Greater Manchester Housing Investment Fund

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the report.

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

The Chief Executive submitted a report of outlining the details of Executive’s decision to enter into a Deed of Indemnity in relation to the establishment of the Greater Manchester Housing Investment Fund.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

With the publication of the 2015/16 Council Plan, the Council agreed to focus delivery of its key priorities and spending plans on promoting sustainable growth and reforming public services in order to contribute to five key outcomes.  In line with this approach, the Plan set out how Executive Portfolio responsibilities would be re-structured to align with these outcomes.

This report presents the draft Supporting Adults and Thriving Economy Portfolio Agreements for consideration and comment by the Committee. For Adult Care Services and Housing Scrutiny Committee, this incorporates the following service areas; Supporting Adults; Young Adults; Learning Disability; Older People; Supporting People; Thriving Economy; and Strategic Housing.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to review and comment on the proposed changes to the performance framework outlined in the report in relation to areas of responsibility set out in the draft Portfolio Agreements.

Officer contacts:

Supporting Adults Portfolio - Karen Kime, Policy, Performance and Reform (Corporate & Support Services) on 474 3574 or karen.kime@stockport.gov.uk  or Simon Finch, Strategic Accountant (Services to People) on 474 4019 or email simon.finch@stockport.gov.uk  

Thriving Economy Portfolio - Joe Conmee, Policy, Performance and Reform (Corporate & Support Services) on 474 5396 or email joespeh.conmee@stockport.gov.uk or Michael Cullen, Strategic Accountant (Services to Place) on 474 4631 or email michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

Representatives of the Corporate Director for Services to People and the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the draft Supporting Adults and Thriving Economy Portfolio Agreements for 2015/2016.  The report detailed the background to the realignment of the Executive Portfolio responsibilities which aimed to correlate with the Council’s agreed focus on the delivery of its key priorities and spending plans for the promotion of sustainable growth and reforming public services.

The report covered the Supporting Adults; Young Adults; Learning Disability; Older People; Supporting People; Thriving Economy; and Strategic Housing service areas.

The Executive Councillors (Supporting Adults) (Councillor Keith Holloway) and (Thriving Economy) (Councillor Patrick McAuley) attended the meeting to answer Members’ questions.

Supporting Adults

·         A discussion took place with regard to the difficulties surrounding the development of true partnership working.  The experience of the Integrated Locality Hub in Marple and Werneth had demonstrated the benefit of such a model and had provided a learning experience which could be utilised in the roll out of Integrated Locality Hubs across the borough.

·         Concern was expressed with regard to the measures proposed for deletion from the 2015/16 Portfolio Performance and Resources report, specifically those relating to the overall satisfaction of carers with social services and carer related quality of life.  In response it was stated that data was only collected only a two yearly basis and as such would not now be updated until 2016/17.  Although informal feedback was collected, there was not sufficient capacity to undertake internal collation of data, although the level and nature of complaints would be closely monitored.

·         It was stated that the £3.110m in earmarked reserves identified for ‘future years commitments’ was largely CCG funding which had been transferred into the pooled budget to ensure that a CCG underspend could be carried forward into the next financial year.

Thriving Economy (Housing)

·         The deletion of the measure relating to the number of additional units of accommodation for older people or vulnerable households was discussed and it was agreed that additional information around the rationale for its deletion would be circulated to members of the scrutiny committee.

·         The deletion of measures relating to the percentage of new and converted dwellings built on previously-developed land; and the percentage of new housing in an accessible location was discussed.  It was stated that the reason for the removal of these measures had been that the data was only collated on an annual basis and that as such they did not change from one quarter to the next.  In response, it was agreed that a report would be submitted to the scrutiny committee on a quarterly basis relating to the promotion and progression of new housing development in the borough.

RESOVLED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The Community Meals Service, currently commissioned from Solutions SK, regenerates supplied frozen meals and delivers them hot to individual people in their own homes. The service aims to support people to maintain their independence and stay well.

This paper outlines proposals to modernise the Council’s approach to community meals provision and ancillary catering services. This would involve officers reviewing the needs of people currently using the service and working with people (and their families/carers) to make more individually tailored meal arrangements as part of the support planning process using personal budgets as appropriate. The Council would continue to provide assistance to people in arranging meals support but not in future act as a commissioner or provider of the service.

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

Officer contact Lois Hale on 07800 618305 or email: lois.hale@stockport.gov.uk

A representatives of the Corporate Director for Services to People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining proposals to modernise the Council’s approach to community meals provision and ancillary catering services.  This would involve officers reviewing the needs of people currently using the service and working with people (and their families/carers) to make more individually tailored meal arrangements as part of the support planning process using personal budgets as appropriate.  The Council would continue to provide assistance to people in arranging meals support but not in future act as a commissioner or provider of the service.

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Adults) (Keith Holloway) attended the meeting to answer Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         There were significant financial losses being incurred in the provision of this service.

·         The consultation on the proposals showed that the service was highly regarded by service users.

·         The default position would not be that service users would be required to use online services to access replacement meal provision.

·         It was not anticipated that service users would be disadvantaged in the provision of meals through the use of alternative providers.

·         Concern was expressed about the potential loss of the ‘added benefits’ of the current provision, including contact with service users, the resultant promotion and reminder for people to take meals and the loss of the personal relationships built up between service users and staff.

·         It was important that once the change to service provision had been made, that there was monitoring to ensure that the vulnerable service users continued to get a meal.

·         It was queried what proportion of service users did not receive any other services other than the provision of a community meal as part of their care package.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the loss of preventative care provided through the community meals services which may result in additional costs for the Council in the future.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the comments of the Scrutiny Committee be forwarded to the Executive for its consideration.

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

During 2014 the Council reviewed the options for the future management of its housing stock and on the 11 of November the Executive agreed that the preferred option was for Stockport Homes, the Council’s Arm’s Length Management Organisation, to continue to deliver the service.

The report outlines the key issues associated with the revision of the Stockport Homes’ Management Agreement, Association of Memorandum and Articles.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note:-

·         The proposals for the principles of the new agreement, Memorandum and Articles of Association

·         Customer consultation and opinions

·         The recommendation that the conclusion of the Management Agreement , Memorandum and Articles of Association, based on the principles outlined within this report, are delegated to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration and the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services.

·         The recommendation that section 27 consent is sought from the Secretary of State.

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

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the key issues associated with the revision of the Management Agreement between Stockport Homes and Stockport Council and seeks approval for the adoption of a new agreement and the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy) (Councillor Patrick McAuley) attended the meeting to answer Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Some members expressed concern with the proposal that elected members who served on the Board of Stockport Homes should not be remunerated.

·         The levels of remuneration proposed in the report reflected practice elsewhere in the country and was intended to reflect the level of workload and responsibility that would be expected of a board member.

RESOLVED – (1) (7 for, 2 against) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be recommended to investigate whether it would be possible to defer submission of that element of the Memorandum and Articles & Management Agreement relating to remuneration for members of the Board of Stockport Homes to allow an Independent Remuneration Panel to make recommendations on the appropriate level of remuneration; and, should that not be possible, then the Executive be recommended to give approval to the proposed level of remuneration as detailed in red in the report.

(2) (6 for, 3 against) That it is the view of this Scrutiny Committee that any Members of the Board of Stockport Homes, who were also councillors, should be remunerated in accordance with the provisions of any such scheme of allowances as is approved in the future for Members of the Board on an equal basis with any other member.

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

On 23 November 2009 the Executive agreed the provision of an aggregate loan facility of £15.035m to Stockport Homes over three years for the provision of affordable homes development.  On 2nd April 2013 the Executive agreed to extend the period of the loan facility for a further three years.

This report provides an update on the use of the loan facility to develop affordable homes during the period and seeks comments on a proposal to increase and extend the agreement for a further five years.

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

Officer contact: Michael Cullen on 0161 474 4631 or email: michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a joint report of the Corporate Directors for Corporate and Support Services and Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) describing how on 23 November 2009 the Executive agreed the provision of an aggregate loan facility of £15.035m to Stockport Homes over three years for the provision of affordable homes development.  On 2nd April 2013 the Executive agreed to extend the period of the loan facility for a further three years.

This report provided an update on the use of the loan facility to develop affordable homes during the period and outlined a proposal to increase and extend the agreement for a further five years.

The Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy) (Councillor Patrick McAuley) attended the meeting to answer Members’ questions.

It was requested that at such a point that further information was available on the implications of the new ‘Right to Acquire’ whereby housing association tenants would gain the right to buy their homes at a discount, a report be submitted to a meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.

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.