Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 2 November 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 interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

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to exclude the public during consideration of Agenda Item 5 – ‘Home Care Property Review’ which contains information ‘not for publication’ in its appendices by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as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).

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ by virtue of Category 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local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 Agenda Item 9 - ‘Elderly Care Home Property Review’.

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

The Chair has requested that this item be placed on the agenda to allow interested parties to make representations to the Scrutiny Committee in relation to the impact of the proposals contained in the Mental Health Services business case (see Agenda Item 6 below).

The Chair reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at her request to allow interested parties to make representations to the Scrutiny Committee in relation to the impact of the proposals contained in the Mental Health Services business case (see Minute 6 below).

Sandy Broadhurst (Secretary of the Stockport Against Mental Health Cuts Group), Nicholl Williams (Community Support Worker, Adult Social Care, Stockport Council) and Joanne Livesey (Senior Support Worker, Adult Social Care, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to address the Scrutiny Committee in relation to their objections to proposed reductions in mental health budgets in Stockport and changes to service delivery models.

The following representations were made:-

·         There had been significant public support against the proposed reductions in mental health budgets and changes to service delivery models which included a petition which had been signed by over 1,100 signatories.

·         It was commented that in response to the campaign, changes had been made to the way in which the proposed £140,000 budgetary reduction would be made which included.

·         The protection of the ‘out of hours’ and Supported Living services was welcomed.

·         It was stated that there would be continued pressures in future years and that ‘Stockport Against Mental Health Cuts’ would continue to strive to ensure that mental health services were protected.

·         Parity of esteem between physical and mental health could not be achieved through reductions in mental health service budgets.

RESOLVED – That Sandy Broadhurst, Nicholl Williams and Joanne Livesey be thanked for their attendance.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader.

At its meeting on 18 August 2015, the Executive presented a report which included a Medium Term Financial Forecast for the period 2016/17 to 2020/21. That report illustrated the level of resources likely to be available in 2016/17 and the resulting budget position. In response to those forecasts the Executive brought forward the set of proposals for 2016/17 with the relevant proposals being considered by scrutiny committees, including the specific detailed business cases, in September 2015.

This report provides an update on each of the proposals relevant to this committee and reflects completed or ongoing consultation with members, stakeholders and the public. Scrutiny members are invited to consider and comment on the following updated proposals appended to this report:-

(1)       Preventative Commissioning Strategy

(2)       Health & Social Care

            (i)         Integration of Health and Social Care

            (ii)        Redesign of the Mental Health and Support Work Services

            (iii)       Remodelling of Stockport Learning Disability Services

(3)       Locality Working

Following scrutiny, proposals will proceed to the Executive on 16 December 2015 where they are presented for consideration and approval.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to review the proposals and consultation findings relevant to this Committee and provide comments.

Officer contact: Andrew Webb or Steve Houston, 0161 474 3808 / 4000

A joint report of the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader of the Council was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on those Investing in Stockport proposals considered by the Scrutiny Committee in September 2015, following completed or ongoing consultation with members, stakeholders and the public. The proposals had been brought forward by the Executive to respond to the financial challenges facing the Council and in response to the forecasts provided by the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services.

The accompanying documents to the report provided further detail on the following Investing In Stockport proposals:-

·         Preventative Commissioning Strategy

·         Health & Social Care (including the integration of health and social care, the redesign of the mental health and support work service, and the remodelling of the Stockport Learning Disability Services)

·         Locality Working

The Deputy Leader of the Council (Support & Governance) and the Executive Councillor (Supporting Adults) attended the meeting to present the revised proposals and to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

Preventative Commissioning Strategy

·         The Targeted Prevention Alliance had been running for the past six months, and a further report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee detailing how the service had been operating over this period with particular regard to collaborative working with the localities.

·         It was noted that the report identified that there remained uncertainty in relation to the future Public Health Grant and that there were other potential reductions which may impact on the delivery of the Stockport Together programme.  In response it there were a number of factors which may influence the settlement for 206/17 including the recent announcement that Council’s would be able to increase Council tax by up to 2% to provide additional ringfenced funding for adult social care.

·         Clarity was requested on the implications for those 23 organisations from which public health support workers had been withdrawn.

Health & Social Care

(i) Integration of Health and Social Care

(a)       Review of current Care Management Budget including procurement

·         Concern was expressed that additional responsibilities had been imposed on the Council following the enactment of the Care Act at the same time that significant budgetary reductions were being made.  The onerous impact of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard assessments in particular was highlighted. 

·         The Care Act had loosened the eligibility criteria for a number of services which was increasing demand and placing increased pressure on budgets.

·         In response to a statement that the Council would be seeking to either reduce the number of people receiving services, or to reduce the provision of services themselves to achieve the required budgetary saving, it was stated that such measures were seen as the last resort and other options were being explored.

·         It was stated that consultation on this aspect of the business case had been problematic as providers had been clear in their view that any reduction in the price paid by the Council may result in work being handed back to the Council.

·         It was difficult to control demand on services in the light of the relaxation of the eligibility criteria under the Care Act.

·         Work was being undertaken to explore the level of savings that could be achieved through an expansion in the use of telecare.

·         In response to a question about the use of reserves to fund services, it was stated that the Council’s approach was to seek efficiencies through the pooling of budgets with the health service rather than exploit finite resources in reserves.  It was nonetheless commented that capital in the form of reserves could employed if the end result was to put in place initiatives that would ultimately produce a balanced budget.

·         It was requested that a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee with regard to the implications of the announcement in the recent Spending Review that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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

The report provides details of an illustrative Housing Revenue Account Budget. The Executive will be meeting on 5 January to recommend to Council an HRA budget for 2016/17, including the level of rent and service charges.  The illustrative budget is based on a number of key assumptions set out in the report regarding income from rent and service charges; expenditure commitments contained within the HRA 30 year Business Plan and Asset Management Strategy and indicative spending requirements to support inflationary pressures and identified investment priorities.

This report takes account of the HRA Rent Strategy 2012 – 2017 which was approved by the Executive on 7 January 2013 and changes by the Department for Communities and Local Government with regard rents for social housing from 2016/17.  

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the report and the illustrative HRA Budget for 2016/17. 

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

A representative of 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) which provided details of an illustrative Housing Revenue Account Budget.  The illustrative budget was based on a number of key assumptions set out in the report regarding income from rent and service charges; expenditure commitments contained within the HRA 30 year Business Plan and Asset Management Strategy and indicative spending requirements to support inflationary pressures and identified investment priorities.

This report took account of the HRA Rent Strategy 2012 – 2017 which was approved by the Executive on 7 January 2013 and changes by the Department for Communities and Local Government with regard rents for social housing from 2016/17. 

The Executive Councillor for Thriving Economy (Councillor Patrick McAuley) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Consultation had taken place with tenants at a Stockport Homes Customer Hub meeting which focussed on the impact of the enforced rent reduction of 1%.  It was stated that feedback from the session demonstrated concern amongst tenants about future investment in the Council’s housing stock and whether there was an opportunity to resist the imposition of the rent reduction.

·         It was queried whether Stockport Homes would be able to maintain all of their properties to the Decent Homes Standard.

·         It would be difficult for Stockport Homes to continue to provide the current range of additional services and support to tenants and the wider community.

·         Additional income was being derived through the installation of solar panels and the collection of water charges as well as year on year savings in the management budget which may help mitigate against some of the impact of the rent reduction.

·         The impact of the proposed sale of higher value Council properties was as yet unknown.

·         The Council had followed the Department for Communities and Local Government’s ‘Guidance on Rents for Social Housing’ in setting the annual rate of increase in rent levels in previous years and Stockport rent levels remained amongst the lowest in Greater Manchester.

·         In response a question in relation to proposals to charge those tenants with an income of over £30,000 a rent at market or near market levels and whether that would mitigate against losses incurred through the 1% overall reduction in rent levels, it was stated that any additional income would be payable to HM Treasury and could not be retained by the Council.

·         It was noted that the report proposed the introduction of service charges for the provision of laundry facilities for which no charge had previously been levied.  In response, it was stated that the existing laundry facilities would be improved and that a tenant who had their own facilities within their property would not be subject to the service charge.

RESOLVED – That the report and the illustrative Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2016/17 be noted.

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

This is a standing item which has been placed on the agenda at the request of the Scrutiny Committee on 21 September 2015 to allow officers to provide an update on any developments with regard to recent announcements from the government relating to social housing.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the likely impact of recent policy announcements including the Housing Bill 2015 and the Comprehensive Spending Review with regard to social housing since the last meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on 2 November 2015.

The Executive Councillor for Thriving Economy (Councillor Patrick McAuley) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report outlines the Draft Full Business Case prepared by the Stockport Property Alliance for potential investment in the care home portfolio operated by Borough Care Limited.

NOTE:  The report contains appendices which are not for publication and have only been circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee.

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

Officer contact: Murray Carr on 0161 474 3019 or email: murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a joint report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services and the Corporate Director for People (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a draft full business case for potential investment in the care home portfolio operated by Borough Care.

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Adults) (Councillor Keith Holloway) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That consideration of this item be deferred until the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee pending the attendance of a representative from Borough Care and additional supporting information from within the Stockport Property Alliance and to allow for a further period of time to fully consider the implications of the proposals.

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 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.