Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 27 February 2018 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.

Disclosable Pecuniary Interest

Personal Interest

RESOLVED – In order to prevent the disclosure of information that was ‘not for publication’, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of the Date Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following agenda item:-

To consider call-in items (if any)

There were no call-ins to consider.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This report sets out AGMA’s proposed protocol to recognise accrued continuous service for employees changing jobs between local government, the Combined Authority or the NHS in Greater Manchester.  The Council is being recommended to adopt the protocol and recognises continuous service for occupational benefits and redundancy purposes for employees who voluntarily change jobs between these organisations, in order to promote a more flexible workforce across sectors working in close partnership arrangements.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the proposal.

Officer contact Andrea Steward/ Janet Wood, 0161 218 1416 / 0161 474 4443, andrea.steward@stockport.gov.uk / janet.wood@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider a proposal for a protocol to recognise accrued continuous service for employees changing jobs between local government, the Combined Authority or the NHS in Greater Manchester. 

It was clarified that the report had been considered by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority at its meeting on 31 March 2018 and that it had been agreed that Pension and Redundancy benefits would not be in scope for the initial 12 month implementation of the proposal, after which time this would be revisited to determine the likely impact.

Councillors were broadly supportive of the proposals for the extension of recognition of continuous service for occupational benefits, although concerns were expressed about the whether extending the protocol to include pension and redundancy benefits would negatively impact the public purse.

In particular, some councillors expressed concerns that staff being made redundant from one organisation that was party to the protocol then taking up a role with another organisation and continuing to accrue benefits. Other councillors expressed support for the principal as providing residents with increased opportunities for employment and protection from redundancy. Assurances were given that all existing restrictions and protections for employers making redundancy payments would be maintained.

Councillors welcomed the suggestion of a 12 month review of the operation of the protocol and suggested this be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider an update from the Democratic Services Manager.

Officer Contact: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager provided the Scrutiny Committee with a summary of the findings of the Review Panel that was examining the relationship between Stockport’s Scrutiny processes and those of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

These findings fell into two broad areas and included the following:-

Membership of and nomination processes to GMCA Scrutiny Committees

·           improving the clarity and transparency of the nomination and appointment process

·           providing continuity of membership

·           linking-members from local scrutiny to the relevant GM scrutiny committee

·           investing in training, particular to develop greater understanding of strategic role of GM

·           gender balance

·           improving the engagement of independents councillors

Communications

·         Improved information to members and officers about what was happening at GMCA

·         and enhanced element of the Leader’s Report to provide greater focus on forward view of GM decisions, particularly where they impact Stockport

·         improved information/ greater detail in the GMCA Forward Plan of Strategic Decisions

The Scrutiny Committee endorsed the broad outline of the review.

RESOLVED – (1) That the update be noted.

(2) That the Chair and Lead Councillor of the Panel be authorised to approve the final report ‘How Scrutiny in Stockport interacts with Scrutiny at AGMA/ GMCA level’, following further consultation with scrutiny members and contributors for the review, for submission to the Cabinet and GMCA at the earliest opportunity.

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: Jonathan Vali, 474 3201, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out planned items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items that fell within its remit.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to review the accuracy and relevance of the entries contained in the report.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report sets out a proposal to dispose of the former Council depot on Booth Street, Edgeley to Stockport Homes to facilitate a delivered residential development by the Viaduct Housing Partnership.

(Note: the report contains information ‘not for publication’ in its appendix that has been circulated to committee members only)

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider and comment on the report, and recommend to the Cabinet that it approve the proposed sale.

Officer contact: Charlotte.Cordingley, 0161 474 4240, charlotte.cordingley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider the sale of land at the former Booth Street Depot, Edgeley to facilitate residential redevelopment.

The report contained information ‘not for publication’ in its appendices that was circulated to committee members only.

It was commented that of the proposed properties detailed in the report only two would be suitable for wheelchair use. It was suggested that designing homes to be as adaptable as possible to the potential needs of future occupants would be more cost effective than retrospectively doing so.

RESOLVED – That the proposed sale of the former Booth Street Depot be supported.

The Deputy Chief Executive to report at the meeting.

Officer contact: Charlotte Cordingley, 0161-474-4240, charlotte.cordingley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive provided a verbal update to the Scrutiny Committee in relation to ongoing contingency planning by the Council following the beginning of liquidation proceedings against Carillion Plc which was part of the Stockport Property Alliance and with whom the Council had a number of contracts for property related services.

RESOLVED – (1) That the update be noted.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make arrangements for a further briefing for members of the Scrutiny Committee on developments with Carillion to take place in advance of the next Committee meeting.

(3) That the Deputy Chief Executive be requested to provide an update to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on further developments.

The Chair referred to this being the last Scrutiny Committee attended by Councillor June Somekh who would be retiring from the Council in May 2018. On behalf of the Scrutiny Committee, the Chair thanked Councillor Somekh for her contribution and service this year and over her time on the Council and wished her well for the future.

The Chair also referred to the impending birth of Councillor Alex Ganotis’ second child. On behalf of the Scrutiny Committee the Chair wished Councillor Ganotis and his wife well.