Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2016.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 19 September 2016 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.

o consider a joint report of the Corporate Director for People and the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report presents for consideration the mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRR) for the Adult Social Care and Communities & Housing Portfolios.  These provide a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects during the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September) of 2016/17. It includes forecast performance data (where this is available) and projected financial data for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes. 

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer contact: Karen Kime/ Emma Bowe  on 0161 474 3574, 0161 218 1026 or email: karen.kime@stockport.gov.uk  / emma.bowe@stockport.gov.uk

Representatives of the Corporate Directors for People and Place Management & Regeneration submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports for the Adult Social Care and Communities & Housing Portfolios providing a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects during the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September) of 2016/17.  The report also included forecast performance data (where this is available) and projected financial data for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes.

The Executive Councillors for Adult Social Care (Councillor Wendy Wild)  and Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) also attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

Adult Social Care

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the increase in the deficit across the portfolio over the past three months from £300k to £1.190m which had arisen as a result of an increase in both demand and costs.  It was requested that an update be provided to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee outside of the normal Portfolio Performance and Resources reporting regimen.

·         The use of reserves to address the deficit would be a last resort.

·         The review and refresh the Stockport Adult Autism Strategy was welcomed.

·         The potential for a greater use of volunteers in the provision and support of mental health services should be explored.

·         While there had not been any instances of home care providers refusing to take in business from the Council work was taking place to increase the number of home care providers operating within the Borough to improve resilience within the marketplace.  This would also include work to address some of the identified issues around recruitment and retention of staff.

·         The Council offered support to carers which included respite care, carers’ assessments and small personal budgets.

Communities & Housing

·         With regard to the creation of the a new housing delivery company, it was commented that the Council had a number of wholly owned companies or was engaged in ventures which delivered infrastructure works such as Repair 1st on behalf of Stockport Homes, Solutions SK and the Council’s relationship with B4Box.  It was suggested that there was consequently an opportunity for a more joined-up approach in the development of new affordable homes. 

·         It was commented that regulations associated with the government’s proposed ‘Pay to Stay’ policy had not yet been issued, however, it was anticipated that there would be significant administrative costs associated with the policy.  It was further commented that any additional income derived from the policy would be retained by the Treasury.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for People be requested to submit a report to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee providing an update on the budgetary position for the Adult Social Care Portfolio and the measures taken to address the deficit within this portfolio area.

To consider a joint report of the Interim Provider Director; Director of Services for People (SMBC); Deputy Chief Executive (SFT); Medical Director (Pennine NHS FT); Interim Chief Executive (Viaduct)

The four Providers of Health and Social Care in Stockport have reached a milestone in the Joint commissioner led procurement process to identify the potential organisational form of a Multi-speciality Community Provider (MCP) in Stockport. The purpose of this document is to present the options that have been considered by Providers, including the relevant information required to support members of each partner provider organisation (Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Stockport MBC, Viaduct Health and Pennine NHS Foundation Trust) in identifying a preferred option.

This document provides an overview of the strategic context in the development of a MCP in Stockport and outlines the appraisal undertaken by providers leading to a recommendation of a preferred option for the MCP form.

The Scrutiny Committee be recommended to consider the proposed recommendations to the Council’s Executive:-

(1) It is the recommendation of this options appraisal that the option to form A New Neighbourhood Led Accountable Care Trust should be considered by all providers for approval to progress to a Full Business Case (FBC) including  legal agreements, regulatory and financial due diligence.

(2) It is important to stress that the completion of the FBC is part of the much larger procurement and regulatory process described above, the timescales for completion of which have yet to be confirmed.  Once approved by Provider governance processes, the FBC would therefore also be subject to the final outcome of the Joint Commissioning Procurement process and would require regulatory approval by NHS England and NHS Improvement.

(3) In addition, as outlined in section 4 in relation to support services, it is recommended that Stockport MBC and Stockport NHS FT:

·                Develop a specification for a structured programme that results in an option for an integrated support services;

·                Adopt the design principles and next steps identified in section 4 above to inform this programme;

·                Focus in the first instance upon support services in Stockport Foundation Trust and Stockport MBC;

·                Adopt a public sector led arrangement either through a partnership or public to public transfer in the first instance to enable effective support services to meet critical transformation requirements in the development of the care model; and,

·                Develop a detailed report for consideration by the Stockport Together Board and appropriate organisational governance along with a proposed approach to programme investment, governance, accountability arrangements and requisite third-party support.

Officer contact: Keith Spencer / Holly Rae on 0161 474 3014 or email: keith.spencer@stockport.gov.uk / holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk 

A joint report of the Interim Provider Director, Director of Peoples Services (Stockport Council), Deputy Chief Executive (Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Medical Director (Pennine NHS Foundation Trust ) and the Interim Chief Executive (Viaduct Health) was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) providing the an update on the process for identifying the preferred organisation form for the new Multi-speciality Community Provider (MCP) in Stockport, including an assessment of the options available.

A presentation was also made to the Scrutiny Committee, summarising the background to the development of the MCP and highlighting the key issues to have arisen through the Options Appraisal process.

Keith Spencer (Interim Provider Director), James Sumer (Deputy Chief Executive, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust) and Councillor Wendy Wild (Executive Councillor for Adult Social Care) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the potential weight of bureaucracy associated with the proposed governance arrangements for the ‘Neighbourhood Led Accountable Care Trust’ outlined in the report.  In response it was stated that a Trust was legally required to have a Council of Governors, but that it was correct that the size of the Council needed careful consideration to avoid being so unwieldy as being difficult to engage with. 

·         In response to a question about the timescale for the creation of any new Trust, it was suggested that the earliest possible date would be in September 2017.

·         In relation to the suggestion that the procurement of the MCP would be based on the registered GP list, it was commented that there was a significant minority of people that were no registered with a GP.  In response it was stated that the concept was based on developing services at a the most local level, and was not intended to be exclusive of those residents who were not registered with a GP.

·         It was commented that the provision of local health services did not function properly across local health service boundaries within Greater Manchester, and that this needed to be rectified.

·         The Scrutiny Committee reiterated its view that the delivery of these vital services needed to be done from within the public sector.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution).

In August the Executive outlined how it will address the severe financial challenges faced by Stockport because of central Government cuts and significant local cost pressures, and set out a framework of principles that would shape engagement with residents and businesses In October the Executive received an updated Medium-Term Financial position and, in response, set out business cases for proposed changes to address the spending reduction requirement for 2017/18; a series of working papers explaining initiatives that will shape a future reform programme and address wider challenges over the medium-term, and confirmed an intention to raise Council Tax by 3.99% in 2017/18.

This report affords an opportunity to discuss the Executive’s proposed approach taken to addressing the medium-term, by reference to the published background papers and 2017/18 business cases that fall within the remit of each scrutiny committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report and appendices.

Officer contact: Steve Skelton on 0161 474 3174 or email: steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing how the Executive would address the financial challenges faced by Stockport because of central Government cuts and significant local cost pressures, and setting out a framework of principles that would shape engagement with residents and businesses. 

The report set out business cases for proposed changes to address the spending reduction requirement for 2017/18; a series of working papers explaining initiatives that will shape a future reform programme and address wider challenges over the medium-term, and confirmed an intention to raise Council Tax by 3.99% in 2017/18.

The Executive Councillors for Adult Social Care (Councillor Wendy Wild) and Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

It was requested that a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee in relation to the 14 week intensive ‘joined-up local services’ early adopter approach used in Brinnington.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

All local authorities have a statutory requirement to produce a Housing Strategy.  The Housing Strategy 2016-2021 draws together all the housing issues that we currently face into one comprehensive document in the context of an ageing population, new government policies, a fast changing local housing market and a challenging economic climate. It also outlines the Councils’ long term housing vision and what is required to move forward over the next 5 years. Within this strategy we have set out a number of aims and priorities that will form the focus for delivery over the coming years.

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

Officer contact: Andy Kippax on 0161 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) detailing the proposed Housing Strategy for the period 2016-2021.  The Strategy aimed to draw together all the housing issues that the Borough faced into one comprehensive document in the context of an ageing population, new government policies, a fast changing local housing market and a challenging economic climate. It also outlined the Council’s long term housing vision and what was required to move forward over the next five years. Within the strategy a number of aims and priorities that would form the focus for delivery over the coming years had been set out.

The Executive Councillor for Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

It was requested that copies of the ‘Stockport Housing Vision’ document that was included an appendix to the Housing Strategy report be circulated to all councillors.

RESOVLED – That the report be noted.

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

The outlines the nature and role of the current Housing Allocation Policy, the consultation undertaken while looking at potential changes, then outlines the proposed amendments with the rationale for their introduction.

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

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlines the nature and role of the current Housing Allocation Policy; the consultation undertaken while looking at potential changes; and then outlining proposed amendments and the rationale for their introduction.

The Executive Councillor for Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was suggested that drop-in sessions be provided for members to familiarise themselves with the detail of the Housing Allocation Policy.

·         In response to a question about the accrual of a maximum of 20 points for the number of years an applicant was on the housing waiting list, it was stated that this had been capped to reduce the potential for an applicant with limited housing need outranking another applicant with high housing need simply by virtue of the length of time they had been on the waiting list.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

This report sits alongside the Housing Strategy 2016 -2021. A new preventing Homelessness Strategy 2016 - 2021 has been developed to maximise housing options, increase housing supply, meet the needs of vulnerable residents and respond to the challenges of welfare reform.

The strategy has eight key priorities focusing on preventative and proactive measures to help minimise homelessness.

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

Officer contact: Andy Kippax on 0161 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) detailing a new preventing Homelessness Strategy for the period 2016-2021 which had been developed to maximise housing options, increase housing supply, meet the needs of vulnerable residents and respond to the challenges of welfare reform.

The Executive Councillor for Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

RESOVLED – 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.