Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 April 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 4 July 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.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interests

To consider call-in items (if any)

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Interim Chief Executive.

The First Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report for the Reform and Governance Portfolio is presented for consideration by the Committee. This provides a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects in the first quarter of the year (April to June). It includes forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

This is the first report to be based on the 2017/18 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement which was considered by the Committee on 23 May 2017 and approved by Cabinet on 13 June 2017.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

·         Consider the First Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;  

·         Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2017/18;

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

·         Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report;

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

Officer contacts: Peter Owston, Policy, Strategy and Performance Manager peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk (474 3274) Susan Wood, Head of Management Accounting susan.wood@stockport.go.uk (218 1032)

The Interim Chief Executive submitted the first update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report for the Reform and Governance Portfolio (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects in the first quarter of the year (April to June). It included forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

This was the first report to be based on the 2017/18 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement which was considered by the Scrutiny Committee on 23 May 2017 and approved by Cabinet on 13 June 2017

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

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Clarification was sought in relation to the measures being taken to “reduce post-mortem rate”

·         Further details in relation to the three existing care homes which would be returned to the Council as part of the “Borough Care Investment Programme”

·         Members referred to the risk rating for the savings required in Corporate and Support Services (Amber) and noted that the transfer into Business Support from other Portfolios of cash limit, following the decision to transfer all facets of responsibility for the Councils outbound mail to one support area together with the envisaged contribution by working with STaR (£107,000) was crucial towards the savings requirement.

·         Members requested that future reports provide data in relation to the ‘No Purchase Order Policy’ including details of where supplier are not given a Purchase Order number or a supplier not using Purchase Order number/correctly

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That clarification be provided to all members of this Scrutiny Committee in relation to the measures being taken to “reduce post-mortem rate”

(3) That members of this Scrutiny Committee be provided with further details in relation to the three existing care homes which would be returned to the Council as part of the “Borough Care Investment Programme”

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of the Agenda Item 11 ‘Stockport Exchange Phase 3’ as appendices to the report contain 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, 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 a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The report seeks authority to progress with the speculative development of Stockport Exchange Phase 3, utilising prudential borrowing. This decision is being sought in light of the success of Stockport Exchange Phase 2, where there was greater demand than the office building was capable of accommodating and the current letting profile. The report also seeks to commence the demolition works upon Vacant possession of Cineworld, which will provide the required land to construct Stockport Exchange Phase 3 and associated public realm and to progress Stockport Exchange Phase 6 to planning only.

NOTE: This report contains appendices which have been circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee only.

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

Officer contact: George Perrin on 0161-474-4510 or email:  george.perrin@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and Borough Treasurer seeking authority to progress with the speculative development of Stockport Exchange Phase 3, utilising prudential borrowing. This decision was being sought in light of the success of Stockport Exchange Phase 2, where there was greater demand than the office building was capable of accommodating and the current letting profile. The report also sought to commence the demolition works upon Vacant possession of Cineworld, which would provide the required land to construct Stockport Exchange Phase 3 and associated public realm and to progress Stockport Exchange Phase 6 to planning only.

The Scrutiny Committee were asked to comment on the proposal prior to consideration by the Cabinet.

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

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Assurances were sought that proceeding with the proposals would not reduce the Council’s flexibility to borrow in the future for other capital projects and it was confirmed that there was no “limit” and the Borough Treasurer was comfortable with the position.

·         The potential impact of HS2 needed to be considered as part of any town centre regeneration proposals.

·         Phase 6 was essential to potential occupiers of the new office accommodation.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet be recommended to approve the proposals as set out in the report.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance.

This is a draft proposal for Information Advice and Guidance. It is being brought forward earlier than other Growth and Reform proposals because of the dependencies with commissioning.

As part of the ongoing process of Growth and Reform across the Council this business case proposes a course of action to realise £200K savings from the Information Advice and Guidance budget. The changes proposed involve a structural reform of the budget, a partial restructure of the service, and a potential targeted offer of voluntary redundancy. 

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

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

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking the Scrutiny Committees comments on a draft proposal for Information Advice and Guidance which was being brought forward earlier than other Growth and Reform proposals because of the dependencies with commissioning.

As part of the ongoing process of Growth and Reform across the Council this business case proposed a course of action to realise £200K savings from the Information Advice and Guidance budget. The changes proposed involved a structural reform of the budget, a partial restructure of the service, and a potential targeted offer of voluntary redundancy. 

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report details a proposal to proceed with the acquisition, if necessary by compulsory purchase, and subsequent disposal of 1-3 Lower Hillgate, Stockport, SK1 1LQ subject to securing an indemnity agreement from a development partner to enable its redevelopment for residential purposes. 1-3 Lower Hillgate is show edged red and marked “1” on the plan in Appendix 1. This will support the regeneration of the Market Place and Underbanks area.

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

Officer contact: George Perrin on 0161-474-4510 or email: george.perrin@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a proposal to proceed with the acquisition, if necessary by compulsory purchase, and subsequent disposal of 1-3 Lower Hillgate, Stockport, SK1 1LQ subject to securing an indemnity agreement from a development partner to enable its redevelopment for residential purposes. 1-3 Lower Hillgate as edged red and marked “1” on the plan in Appendix 1. This would support the regeneration of the Market Place and Underbanks area.

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

Members of the Scrutiny Committee welcomed the proposals.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Cabinet be recommended to approve the recommendations in the report.

(2) That a further report be submitted to this Scrutiny Committee in six months updating members on the negotiations.

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

The report details a proposal to proceed with the acquisition, if necessary by compulsory purchase, and subsequent disposal of Mansion House Chambers, High Street, Stockport, SK1 1LQ and adjacent land on High Street to enable its redevelopment for residential purposes subject to securing an indemnity agreement from a development partner. Mansion House is show edged orange and marked “1” in appendix 1 and the adjacent land on High Street is edged red and marked “2” on the plan in Appendix 2. This will support the regeneration of the Market Place and Underbanks area and generally and more specifically Russell Morley House.

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

Officer contact: George Perrin on 0161-474-4510 or email: george.perrin@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to proceed with the acquisition, if necessary by compulsory purchase, and subsequent disposal of Mansion House Chambers, High Street, Stockport, SK1 1LQ and adjacent land on High Street to enable its redevelopment for residential purposes subject to securing an indemnity agreement from a development partner. Mansion House as edged orange and marked “1” in appendix 1 and the adjacent land on High Street is edged red and marked “2” on the plan in Appendix 2. This would support the regeneration of the Market Place and Underbanks area and generally and more specifically Russell Morley House.

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

Members of the Scrutiny Committee welcomed the proposals.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Cabinet be recommended to approve the recommendations in the report.

(2) That a further report be submitted to this Scrutiny Committee in six months updating members on the negotiations.

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 Committee is invited to consider and confirm its preferred topic for inclusion in the 2017/2018 Scrutiny Work Programme.

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 – (1) That a Review be undertaken into ‘How Scrutiny in Stockport interacts with Scrutiny at AGMA/ GMCA level’.

(2) That the following members be appointed to the Review Panel:

           Councillor Charles-Jones

Councillor Roy Driver

Councillor John McGahan

Councillor Lisa Smart

Councillor June Somekh (Lead Member)

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.