Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 August 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 1 August 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 Deputy Chief Executive.

The Safer Stockport Partnership (SSP) Annual Report 2016-17 is the first Annual Report produced by the Partnership.  The report aims to tell the story of change for the Partnership in 2016/17; reviews progress against the performance framework used by the Partnership to monitor achievement of its 2016/17 priorities; and looks ahead to the planned work and context informing the development of future Partnership Priorities. 

The report will be accompanied by a presentation which draws on the SSP Annual Report to provide an update on partnership development, provide key achievements and performance headlines in relation to the SSP’s 4 thematic priorities as well as setting out next steps

Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         Consider the SSP Annual Report and accompanying presentation;

·         Note the progress made in relation to delivering against the 4 priority themes of the SSP Plan;

·         Provide any comments or reflections on the issues covered in the Report and presentation.

Officer contact: Katy Forde on 07527387232 or email: Katy.forde@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted the Safer Stockport Partnership (SSP) Annual Report 2016-17 (copies of which had been circulated) which was the first Annual Report produced by the Partnership.

The report set out changes to the Partnership during 2016/17; reviewed progress against the performance framework used by the Partnership to monitor achievement of its 2016/17 priorities; and looked ahead to the planned work and context informing the development of future Partnership Priorities.

The Scrutiny Committee received a presentation which drew on the Safer Stockport Partnership Annual Report including an update on partnership developments, key achievements and performance headlines in relation to the Partnerships four thematic priorities.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Members referred to the difficulties members of the public had experienced in reporting crime via the 101 telephone number and suggested that there was an element of underreporting and therefore the figures with in the report may be higher than shown.

·         It was noted that a new IT system would be introduced in Greater Manchester on 19 March 2018 and this would significantly improve the ability for police officers to access information whilst mobile and address the issues in relation to the 101 telephone number.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report and presentation be noted.

(2) That Superintendent Steve McFarlane be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

(3) That an update on performance of the 101 service be provide to the Scrutiny Committee following the introduction of  the new Police IT system in March 2018

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The purpose of this report is to provide an update to the Corporate, Resource, Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee on the support offered to current and former members of the armed forces, reservists and their families as part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. 

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note the contents of this report and our future plans to support the armed forces community in Stockport.

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

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update to the Scrutiny Committee on the support offered to current and former members of the armed forces, reservists and their families as part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.  The report in particular referred to the support being provided by Corporate and Support Services.

RESOLVED - That the report and future plans to support the armed forces community in Stockport be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This item covers two reports as follows;

·         First Update Corporate Performance and Resources Report (CPRR) 2017/18

·         First Update Leader’s Report 2017/18

The First Update Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides an update on progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the first quarter of 2017/18. It is the first report to be based on the 2017/18 Council Plan and Budget, and also reflects Cabinet priorities set out in recently-published Portfolio Agreements.

Updates are included on delivery of policy priorities, alongside Reform Projects. The report also includes early forecasts of budget and performance data where this is available, along with an update on the refreshed 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 national and local events, along with key areas of progress in delivering the vision for Inclusive Growth during the first quarter.

These reports were considered and approved by Cabinet on 15 August.

Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         Consider the First Update Reports;  

·         Review the progress against delivering corporate objectives, 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;

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

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

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted the first update Corporate Performance and Resources Report (CPRR) 2017/18 and the first update Leader’s Report 2017/18 (copies of which had been circulated).

The First Update Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provided an update on progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the first quarter of 2017/18. It was the first report to be based on the 2017/18 Council Plan and Budget, and also reflected the Cabinet priorities set out in recently-published Portfolio Agreements.

Updates were included on delivery of policy priorities, alongside Reform Projects. The report also included early forecasts of budget and performance data where this was available, along with an update on the refreshed Corporate Risk Register. It was supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports which were being considered by Scrutiny Committees in the current Scrutiny cycle.

The Leader’s Annual Report reflected on recent national and local events, along with key areas of progress in delivering the vision for Inclusive Growth during the first quarter.

It was reported that the reports had been considered and approved by Cabinet on 15 August 2017.

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:

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted the current level of reserves and the use of the Reserves Policy to ensure Reserves were used effectively.

·         It was noted that by April 2018 lettings (including lease renewals) rating of E or higher would require an ‘Energy Performance Certificate’ and a survey had been commissioned to determine which properties would be affected.

RESOLVED – (1) That the reports be noted.

(2) That the Borough Treasurer be requested to circulate a schedule of decisions taken by the Leader of the Council in accordance with the Reserve Policy.

(3) That a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee in respect of the outcome of the survey commissioned to determine which properties requiring an ‘Energy Performance Certificate’ and work required.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Reform and Governance.

The Medium Term Financial Plan update was presented by Cabinet at their meeting of the 15th August and the associated recommendations agreed. It is now being presented to the Scrutiny Committee for comment.

The report is in two parts:

·         MTFP Summer Review

·         Medium Term Financial Plan Cabinet Response: Stockport’s Growth and Reform Programme

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

Officer contact: Holly Rae on 0161 474 3014 or email: holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk or Jonathan Davies on 0161 218 1025 or email jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Reform and Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which was in two parts:

·         Medium Term Financial Plan Summer Review

·         Medium Term Financial Plan Cabinet Response: Stockport’s Growth and Reform Programme

The Medium Term Financial Plan update had been considered by the Cabinet on the 15 August 2017 and the associated recommendations had been agreed. It was now being presented to the Scrutiny Committee for comment.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Alex Ganotis) and 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:

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted the pressure ‘Demand Led Services’ continued to place on services such as Children and Adult Social Care.

·         The potential increase in interest rates was noted particularly in relation to the Capital Programme.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Reform and Governance.

The proposals in this paper, and outlined further within the supporting presentation build out from this working paper and in particular focus upon the opportunity to introduce an investment model which seeks to enable the growth of social movements and resilience within our communities. At the heart of which is a collaborative ethos between the Council and local communities which seeks to shape how we collectively address challenges and priorities within our Borough.

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

Officer contact: Holly Rae on 0161 474 3014 or email: holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Reform and Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) in relation to proposals supporting the recent presentation to this Scrutiny Committee focusing upon the opportunity to introduce an investment model which sought to enable the growth of social movements and resilience within communities.

At the heart of the proposals was a collaborative ethos between the Council and local communities which sought to shape how together the challenges and priorities within our Borough are addressed.

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:

·         In response to a question asking who would be determining applications for funding, Councillor Sedgwick stated that he believed there needed to be a democratic oversight of the decision making process.

·         It was suggested that the estimated resource cost of administering the ‘Stockport Investment Fund’ (£160,000 over two years) was significant.

·         In relation to the monitoring and evaluation of applications and grants awarded, it was suggested that the good practice in relation to the administration of the Brookfield Shires Trust should be shared.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

In July 17 Cabinet considered a report setting out a second phase of the Digital by Design (DbD) programme which was to support identified spending reductions over the medium term. The proposed work will lead to a range of improvements to the way in which 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 (CSS) and a further £0.6m in Children’s Services.

The Cabinet agreed in principal to further investment in the second phase of the Digital by Design programme with the funding provided once detailed Delivery Plans have been agreed at a senior level.  The Cabinet has agreed the basis on which further investments would be made. Utilising existing capabilities and developing new ones, in order to support identified spending reductions over the medium-term.  Specifically, the following assumptions were set out:

·         That the capabilities developed by the current DbD Programme can be applied to new service areas in ways that will lead to performance improvements and cost savings and/or additional income.

·         That a series of business cases will be based on modelled assumptions accepted by both service and digital leads.  

·         The expectation of a cashable return on investment across the programme of at least of £2 for every £1 invested, over a five-year period.

·         That investment in identified service areas would only follow when an income or spending reductions plan is in place and jointly endorsed by the leadership of the service, the digital programme and Finance.  These plans could be prioritised and sequenced to allow for investment in the Phase II programme to be released in tranches.

·         Resourcing a future phase would be best done as an extension and / or continuation of existing DbD posts and processes in order to maximise efficiencies and ensure that the skills and knowledge acquired through the first phase are fully applied. 

This report sets out the delivery plan for phase ll for the Corporate Support Services (CSS) work stream; a separate implementation plan is being prepared for the Stockport Family work stream.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the proposals

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

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the delivery plan for phase ll for the Corporate Support Services (CSS) work stream; a separate implementation plan was being prepared for the Stockport Family work stream.

In July 17 the Cabinet had considered a report setting out a second phase of the Digital by Design (DbD) programme which was to support identified spending reductions over the medium term. The proposed work would lead to a range of improvements to the way in which services are supported and delivered, and would reform working practices to facilitate recurrent annual reductions in revenue spending of £1.5m in Corporate and Support Services (CSS) and a further £0.6m in Children’s Services.

The Cabinet had agreed in principal to further investment in the second phase of the Digital by Design programme with the funding provided once detailed Delivery Plans had been agreed at a senior level.  The Cabinet had also agreed the basis on which further investments would be made. Utilising existing capabilities and developing new ones, in order to support identified spending reductions over the medium-term.  Specifically, the following assumptions were set out:

·         That the capabilities developed by the current DbD Programme can be applied to new service areas in ways that will lead to performance improvements and cost savings and/or additional income.

·         That a series of business cases will be based on modelled assumptions accepted by both service and digital leads.  

·         The expectation of a cashable return on investment across the programme of at least of £2 for every £1 invested, over a five-year period.

·         That investment in identified service areas would only follow when an income or spending reductions plan is in place and jointly endorsed by the leadership of the service, the digital programme and Finance.  These plans could be prioritised and sequenced to allow for investment in the Phase II programme to be released in tranches.

·         Resourcing a future phase would be best done as an extension and / or continuation of existing DbD posts and processes in order to maximise efficiencies and ensure that the skills and knowledge acquired through the first phase are fully applied. 

RESOLVED -  That the report be noted.

To consider a report Corporate Director for People.

The Stockport Together partnership Chief Executives met in early September 2017 to review the findings of the listening exercise carried out throughout the summer and consider advice from the Constitution Institute on the next steps.

An agreement was reached by the Chief Executives to propose to the Council and the CCG (as commissioners) that they should undertake a formal stakeholder consultation during the autumn.

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

Officer contact: Andrew Webb on 0161-474-3808 or email: andrew.webb@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated)

 The Stockport Together partnership Chief Executives had met in early September 2017 to review the findings of the listening exercise carried out throughout the summer and consider advice from the Constitution Institute on the next steps. An agreement had been reached by the Chief Executives to propose to the Council and the Clinical Commissioning Group (as commissioners) that they should undertake a formal stakeholder consultation during the autumn.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report introduces the proposed draft Alliance Provider Agreement (APA) between the provider partners of Stockport Together; namely the Council, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and Viaduct Health.

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 Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) introducing the proposed draft Alliance Provider Agreement (APA) between the provider partners of Stockport Together; namely the Council, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and Viaduct Health.

The Leader of the Council reported that as there had been sufficient time to consult the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee, members of that Scrutiny Committee would be invited to comment on the Alliance Agreement prior to consideration by the Cabinet on 3 October.

RESOLVED – That the draft Alliance Provider Agreement (APA) between the provider partners of Stockport Together; namely the Council, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and Viaduct Health be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer.

At the Budget on 8 March 2017 the Chancellor announced three additional Government measures to provide support to businesses following the Business Rates Revaluation.

·         Supporting Small Businesses – a relief scheme for businesses facing large increases as a result of the loss of small business rate relief or rural rate relief.

·         Business Rates Relief for Pubs – A scheme for one year only to provide a £1k discount to qualifying Pubs

·         Discretionary Fund – A national fund of £300 million over four years from 2017-18 to support those businesses which face the steepest increase in their business rates as a result of revaluation.

Stockport Council already has in place a scheme of locally agreed discretionary Business Rates relief aimed at encouraging new businesses to the Borough and supporting businesses expanding within the borough. There is also in place an agreed scheme for supporting small businesses in town and district centres linked to improvements to their premises, although the funding for this scheme is now exhausted.

The Scrutiny Committee is  asked to comment on the content of the report and the basis of allocation of the reliefs outlined above. 

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

The Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) responding to the announcement by the Chancellor as part of the Budget on 8 March 2017 regarding three additional Government measures to provide support to businesses following the Business Rates Revaluation.

·         Supporting Small Businesses – a relief scheme for businesses facing large increases as a result of the loss of small business rate relief or rural rate relief.

·         Business Rates Relief for Pubs – A scheme for one year only to provide a £1k discount to qualifying Pubs

·         Discretionary Fund – A national fund of £300 million over four years from 2017-18 to support those businesses which face the steepest increase in their business rates as a result of revaluation.

Stockport Council already had in place a scheme of locally agreed discretionary Business Rates relief aimed at encouraging new businesses to the Borough and supporting businesses expanding within the borough. There was also in place an agreed scheme for supporting small businesses in town and district centres linked to improvements to their premises, although the funding for this scheme is now exhausted.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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.