Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held 23 May 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 23 May 2017 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.

No declarations were made.

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ appendices to the following agenda item in the event that the content of this appendices needed to be discussed:-

To consider call-in items (if any)

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The purpose of this report is to:

·         Provide background on cyber security and the IT challenges faced

·         Explain the council’s approach to tackle security threats

·         Highlight the approach taken to the recent WannaCry ransomware attack

·         Seek endorsement to engage with members on ways to help them improve their awareness and understanding of cyber security

Recommendation

That the report be noted.

Officer contact, Phil Welch, Interim Head of IT, Tel: 0161 474 5435

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing background information on cyber security and the IT challenges faced; explaining the council’s approach to tackle security threats; highlighting the approach taken to the recent WannaCry ransomware attack and seeking the endorsement to engage with members on ways to help them improve their awareness and understanding of cyber security.

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a quarterly report be submitted to this Scrutiny Committee providing an update in relation to cyber security

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report updates the Scrutiny Committee on the approach Stockport Council is taking with its partners to assist residents and service users to access the services they need through digital means. The report also highlights those groups who are at risk of being digitally excluded because they are unable to take advantage of digital technology and how this is being addressed.

Recommendation

Members are asked to note and comment on the approach we are taking and the progress to date.

Officer contact, Janet Wood, telephone number 0161 474 4443.

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Scrutiny Committee on the approach the Council was taking with its partners to assist residents and service users to access the services they needed through digital means. The report also highlighted those groups who were at risk of being digitally excluded because they were unable to take advantage of digital technology and how this is being addressed.

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

RESOLVED – That the report, the approach being taken and the progress to date be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This report sets out the broad scope of a second phase of the Digital by Design programme that will meet these expectations.  In doing so the proposed work will lead to a range of improvements to how services are supported and delivered, and will reform working practices to facilitate recurrent annual reductions in revenue spending of £1.5m in Corporate and Support Services and a further £0.6m in Children’s Services. 

The report sets out details to inform a future Transformation Reserve Request, which would be aligned to capital and other funds as set out in section five below.   This funding will be provided once detailed Delivery Plans have been agreed at a senior level as set out in Section 4

Recommendation

The Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee is recommended to discuss and comment upon the proposals contained in the report. Members’ comments will be then reported to the Cabinet meeting that receives the proposals for consideration and approval.

Officer contact Geraldine Gerrard, Head of Business Support, Telephone 07800 617 956.

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the broad scope of the second phase of the Digital by Design programme.  The proposed work would lead to a range of improvements to how services were supported and delivered, and would reform working practices to facilitate recurrent annual reductions in revenue spending of £1.5m in Corporate and Support Services and a further £0.6m in Children’s Services. 

The report also set out details that would inform a future Transformation Reserve Request, which would be aligned to capital and other funds as set out in section 5 of the report. This funding would be provided once detailed Delivery Plans had been agreed at a senior level as set out in Section 4 of the report.

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted that the Digital Design Programme formed part of the implementation strategy for not only ‘Stockport Family’ but also ‘Stockport Together’ and the Council was working with the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust on the integration of systems between the various organisations.

·         The Scrutiny Committee welcomed the initiative with the University of Manchester to support four apprenticeships within the Council.

·         The use of case studies within the report was helpful.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the above comments be reported to the Cabinet when it receives the proposals for consideration and approval.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This item covers two reports as follows:

·         Annual Corporate Performance and Resources Report (CPRR) 2016/17

·         Annual Leader’s Report 2016/17

Annual Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides an overview of progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget, with a particular focus on the fourth quarter of 2016/17. It is based on the Council Plan 2016/17 and the Medium Term Financial Plan 2016/19, and also reflects Executive Portfolios and priorities.  Updates are included on delivery of policy priorities, alongside Reform Project updates. The report also includes out-turn budget and performance data where this is available, along with an update on the Corporate Risk Register. It is supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports which were considered by the most recent Scrutiny cycle.

The Leader’s Annual Report reflects on recent changes at a national, local and regional level, along with highlights and achievements over the last 12 months.

These reports were considered and approved by the Cabinet on 13 June.  

Recommendations

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         Consider the Annual Reports;  

·         Review the progress against delivering corporate objectives, key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2016/17;

·         Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues;

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

Officer contacts: Steve Skelton, Head of Policy, Performance and Reform (CSS), steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk (474 3174) and Michael Cullen, Borough Treasurer, michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk (474 4631)

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted two reports (copies of which had been circulated) covering:

·         Annual Corporate Performance and Resources Report (CPRR) 2016/17

·         Annual Leader’s Report 2016/17

The Annual Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provided an overview of progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget, with a particular focus on the fourth quarter of 2016/17. It was based on the Council Plan 2016/17 and the Medium Term Financial Plan 2016/19, and also reflected Cabinet Portfolios and priorities.  Updates were included on delivery of policy priorities, alongside Reform Project updates. The report also included out-turn budget and performance data where this was available, along with an update on the Corporate Risk Register. It was supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports which had been considered during the last Scrutiny cycle.

The Leader’s Annual Report reflected on recent changes at a national, local and regional level, along with highlights and achievements over the last 12 months.

These reports had been considered and approved by the Cabinet on 13 June.  

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Alex Ganotis) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         The Scrutiny Committee discussed the size of the 2016/17 capital programme and the importance of managing the risks of such a significant capital programme.

RESOLVED – That the reports be noted

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The purpose of the report is to provide an update on the Council’s Reserves Policy following the reporting of the Council’s 2016/17 outturn position and the recommended annual review of the Policy.

The Cabinet at its meeting on 13 June noted the contents of this report including the recommended use of the Council’s 2016/17 outturn surplus in line with the CPPR reported elsewhere on this agenda; and approve the proposed 2017/18 Reserves Policy.

Recommendation

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note the report.

Officer contact Jonathan Davies   on Tel: 218 1025 or by email on jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk

The Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the Council’s Reserves Policy following the reporting of the Council’s 2016/17 outturn position and the recommended annual review of the Policy.

The Cabinet at its meeting on 13 June had noted the contents of the report.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Alex Ganotis) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted the recent announcements by the Government in relation to business rate retention but that there was no change to the current pilot within Greater Manchester.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

Stockport Council and Stockport Homes welcome feedback from their customers and have accessible, well-publicised complaints processes in place. An intrinsic part of both organisation’s culture is to actively seek and learn from customer feedback to improve services. The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of complaints, as at the 4th quarter (January - March) 2016/17. The report also compares complaints received in 2016/17 with the previous year’s complaints.

Recommendation

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         Review performance information contained in this report, and

·         Comment on the performance measures reported and suggest any additional information that might be collected in future.

Officer contact Anwar Majothi on 0161 474 3182, or by email on anwar.majothi@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of complaints, as at the 4th quarter (January - March) 2016/17. The report also compared complaints received in 2016/17 with the previous year’s complaints.

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The purpose of this report is to provide an end of year update to the Committee on the position of the Health and Safety function across the Council and School establishment.

This report represents a comprehensive update for the period April 2016 to March 2017. The review of the strategy demonstrates that encouraging progress has been made in managing health & safety within the organisation. Whilst there is still work to be done, particularly with the culture shift that is needed in some areas, it is evident from the key performance indicators that health & safety is higher up the agenda for many of our schools and service areas.

Along with a new 2-year strategy, continuous improvement and the continuing support from senior management health & safety will remain a high priority and the profile will continue to be raised throughout the organisation.

Recommendation

That the report be noted.

Officer contact Sue Williams telephone number 0161 474 2175

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an end of year update to the Scrutiny Committee on the position of the Health and Safety function across the Council and School establishment.

This report represented a comprehensive update for the period April 2016 to March 2017. The review of the strategy had demonstrated that encouraging progress had been made in managing health & safety within the Council. Whilst there was still work to be done, particularly with the culture shift that was needed in some areas, it was evident from the key performance indicators that health & safety was higher up the agenda for many of our schools and service areas.

Along with a new 2-year strategy, continuous improvement and the continuing support from senior management health & safety would remain a high priority and the profile would continue to be raised throughout the Council.

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

Stockport Together partners have been working together and with the public and patients to test and trial new ways of working that improve people’s experience of treatment and care and their outcomes. The results of this initial work were encouraging.

These Outline Business Cases describe how partners can by working together more closely deliver these new models of care and associated benefits to many more people on a permanent basis. It is important that before proposing making these changes permanent that partners hear from a wider group of patients and the public to ensure that their thinking is right and is shaped by public/patient experiences and expectations.

The final approval of these Outline Business Cases is subject to the learning from a period of wider patient and public involvement.  In the meantime funding from the Greater Manchester Health & Social Care Partnership will enable the continuation to of the development and testing of the proposals. Changes won't happen overnight and there will be continual adjustment of ideas as the plans are implemented. This is just one of many stages at which there is a need for patients and the public to be involved if the people of Stockport are to have the best health and care services available so they can live healthier and happier lives.

Recommendation

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the draft Outline Business Cases included in this agenda and make comments as part of the consultation on these proposals.

Officer contact: Andrew Webb, 0161 474 3808

The Corporate Director for People submitted Outline Business Cases (copies of which had been circulated) describing how partners would by working together more closely deliver these new models of care and associated benefits to many more people on a permanent basis. It was important that before proposing making these changes permanent that partners hear from a wider group of patients and the public to ensure that their thinking was right and was shaped by public/patient experiences and expectations.

The Scrutiny Committee considered the Economic Case and the Enabler Outline Support Plan.

Stockport Together partners had been working together and with the public and patients to test and trial new ways of working that improved people’s experience of treatment and care and their outcomes. The results of this initial work had been encouraging.

The final approval of these Outline Business Cases was subject to the learning from a period of wider patient and public involvement.  In the meantime funding from the Greater Manchester Health & Social Care Partnership would enable the continuation to of the development and testing of the proposals. Changes wouldn’t happen overnight and there would be continual adjustment of ideas as the plans are implemented. This was just one of many stages at which there was a need for patients and the public to be involved if the people of Stockport are to have the best health and care services available so they can live healthier and happier lives.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Alex Ganotis) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         There was a need to continually re-evaluate and review the business cases to ensure the changes were working and saving were being realised.

·         The business cases were very detailed and this Scrutiny Committee would welcome reports which concentrated on specific detail rather than overarching reports.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Outline Business Cases and the consultation on these proposals be noted.

(2) That regular reports be submitted to this Scrutiny Committee in relation to the financial & Governance arrangements.

To consider a report of the Interim Chief Executive.

The purpose of this report is to update the Committee on the Year End (1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017) position in terms of sickness absence.

Recommendation

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note the year-end outturn of 10.3 days per FTE, which meets the Council target of 9.5 to 10.5 days and the ongoing activity to improve performance.

Officer contact Sue Williams telephone number 0161 474 2175

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Scrutiny Committee on the Year End (1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017) position in terms of sickness absence.

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         The Scrutiny Committee welcomed the report and the improved position but requested a breakdown in relation to full time and part time employees and by gender.

RESOLVED – That the year-end outturn of 10.3 days per FTE and the ongoing activity to improve performance be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

The Council is required through regulations issued under the Local Government Act 2003 to produce an annual treasury report reviewing treasury management activities and the actual prudential and treasury indicators for 2016/17. This report meets the requirements of both the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management (the Code) and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities (the Prudential Code).

During 2016/17 the minimum reporting requirements were that the full Council should receive the following reports:

·         an annual treasury strategy in advance of the year (Council, 3 March 2016);

·         a mid-year treasury update report (Council, 1 December 2016);

·         an annual report following the year describing the activity compared to the strategy (this report).

In addition, the Cabinet (previously the Executive) has received quarterly treasury management updates as part of the CPRR Reports on 16 August 2016 (First Update Report) and 7 February 2017 (Final Update Report).

The Cabinet is asked to recommend that the Council Meeting:

·         Approve the actual 2016/17 prudential and treasury indicators in this report;

·         Note the annual treasury management report for 2016/17;

·         Note that no fundamental changes have been made during 2016/17 to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices approved at the Council meeting on 16 September 2016.

Recommendation

The Scrutiny Committee are asked to note and comment on the above recommendations to the Cabinet.

Officer contact Lorna Soufian on Tel: 0161 474 4026.

The Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Annual Treasury Report.

The Council was required through regulations issued under the Local Government Act 2003 to produce an annual treasury report reviewing treasury management activities and the actual prudential and treasury indicators for 2016/17. The report met the requirements of both the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management (the Code) and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities (the Prudential Code).

During 2016/17 the minimum reporting requirements were that the Council Meeting should receive the following reports:

·         an annual treasury strategy in advance of the year (Council, 3 March 2016);

·         a mid-year treasury update report (Council, 1 December 2016);

·         an annual report following the year describing the activity compared to the strategy (this report).

In addition, the Cabinet (previously the Executive) had received quarterly treasury management updates as part of the CPRR Reports on 16 August 2016 (First Update Report) and 7 February 2017 (Final Update Report).

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Alex Ganotis) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Other Council’s had purchased properties not as part of a regeneration strategy but as a commercial investment and was this something this Council should explore in a similar way to the Greater Manchester Pension Fund.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to:

·         Approve the actual 2016/17 prudential and treasury indicators in this report;

·         Note the annual treasury management report for 2016/17;

·         Note that no fundamental changes have been made during 2016/17 to the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices approved at the Council meeting on 16 September 2016.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This report analyses the Council tax and Business Rates arrears and considers the approach which is taken to its collection.

The increased involvement of Legal Services has enabled a more robust approach to be taken to challenge activity of charge payers who are seeking to avoid payment.  The debt outstanding at the end of the financial year has steadily reduced over the last few years. 

Some areas of Council Tax debt, particularly Attachment of Benefits and Earnings can take a long time until the debt is paid but legislation prevents alternative action in cases of benefits attachments. In addition the team aim to reflect members wishes in relation to the use of enforcement agents in vulnerable households.

Recommendation

That the report be noted.

Officer contact Alison Blount on telephone number Tel: 0161 474 5107 or alternatively email alison.blount@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) analysing the Council tax and Business Rates arrears and considering the approach which was taken to its collection.

The increased involvement of Legal Services had enabled a more robust approach to be taken to challenge activity of charge payers who were seeking to avoid payment.  The debt outstanding at the end of the financial year had steadily reduced over the last few years. 

Some areas of Council Tax debt, particularly ‘attachment of benefits and earnings’ could take a long time until the debt was paid but legislation prevented alternative action in cases of benefits attachments. In addition the team aimed to reflect members wishes in relation to the use of enforcement agents in vulnerable households.

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted and the Borough Treasurer be requested to submit regular reports to this committee in relation to Council tax and Business Rates arrears.

(2) That the Borough Treasurer be requested to provide the number of establishment posts responsible for pursuing Council tax and Business Rates arrears.

To consider a report of the Head of Legal & Democratic Governance.

The Council’s Code of Practice for carrying out surveillance under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) specifies that quarterly reports will be taken to this Scrutiny Committee to demonstrate to elected members that the Council is complying with its own Code of Practice when using RIPA. This report provides an update in relation to fourth quarter of the 2016-2017 financial year.

Recommendation

That the Scrutiny Committee considers and notes the RIPA monitoring report

Officer contact Rosalind Thorpe on telephone number 0161 474 3080 or alternatively email rosalind.thorpe@stockport.gov.uk

The Head of Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update in relation to fourth quarter of the 2016-2017 financial year.

The Council’s Code of Practice for carrying out surveillance under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) specifies that quarterly reports will be taken to this Scrutiny Committee to demonstrate to elected members that the Council is complying with its own Code of Practice when using RIPA.

The Democratic Services Manager reported that there had been no authorisations during the fourth quarter to use directed surveillance and covert human intelligence sources.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report outlines a suggested process for the selection of Scrutiny Review topics for 2017/2018.

The Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee is invited to consider and comment on the report prior to it being circulated to the July cycle of Scrutiny Committees.

Officer Contact: Craig Ainsworth on Tel: 474 3204 or email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the process for the selection of Scrutiny Review topics by Scrutiny Committees to be carried out during the 2017/18 municipal year.

RESOLVED – That the selection of topics be discussed further at the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.               

The report sets out planned agenda items for future meetings of the Committee and Forward Plan items that fall within its remit.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the information in the report and put forward any agenda items for future meetings.

Officer contact: Craig Ainsworth, Democratic Services Manager, telephone number 474 3204, email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

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.