Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 July 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 3 July 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 which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

Councillor                              Interest

Steve Gribbon                      Agenda Item 6 as a Council representative on the      

                                           TfGM Committee                                         

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 First Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) 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.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·                Consider the First Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;  

·                Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2018/19;

·                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 contact: Peter Owston / Susan Wood; 0161 474 3274 / 218 1032

peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk, /susan.wood@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Reform and Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing for comment the first update portfolio performance and resource report (PPRR) for the Reform and Governance portfolio. The report offered a summary of progress in delivering portfolio priorities and included forecast performance and financial data plus an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Chair confirmed that a report would be submitted to a future meeting in respect to Traded Services.

·         Councillors welcomed the improved response rates to Freedom of Information requests.

·         The Committee noted that there was continued uncertainty around future funding arrangements and that the results of the Summer MTFP Review would be presented to Cabinet in August alongside the initial Growth and Reform proposals for 2019/20.

·         Councillors requested further information in respect to (a) the eight priorities which would be taken forward by the new Work and Skills Board and (b) the use of the risk stratification model.

·         The Committee heard that a new approach to chasing debt early in the recovery process had been trailed and were keen to hear further information. It was agreed that a written response be circulated.

·         The Committee discussed the rationale for the closure of Fred Perry House Reception at 4.30pm on Friday’s and the deployment of resources to meet public demand throughout the course of the week.

·         Councillors noted that the detailed review of external solicitor costs would soon be completed and that the finding would be reported back to the Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council

The purpose of the report is to provide report the outcome of the annual review of the Council’s Reserves Policy following the reporting of the Council’s 2017/18 outturn position.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Jonathan Davies, 0161 218 1025, jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the outcome of the annual review of the Council’s Reserves Policy following the reporting of the Council’s 2017/2018 outturn position.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Committee discussed in detail the rationale and need for the Airport Reserve and the process for the awarding of dividend payments by the Manchester Airport Group to shareholders.

·         Councillors noted that during 2017/18, £13.380m of reserves had been approved to be used to support services and fund revenue and capital projects and that £10.939m of earmarked reserves had been approved to be used to support the Council’s 2018/19 budget. It was further noted that a return of 2:1 to 3:1 was expected from the use of these reserves.

·         The Committee discussed the levels of overspend associated with the Children’s and Adult Services budgets and the associated demand and inflationary pressures associated with those service areas. Councillors were assured by the Borough Treasurer that work was ongoing with Heads of Service to identify ways to manage costs down on a permanent basis.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has sought consent from the 10 Greater Manchester Local Authorities on proposed changes to the composition and Terms of Reference of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, in light of devolution of transportation powers to the Mayor.

The Cabinet and Council Meeting will be invited to agree the following for the changes:

•           Agree the size of TfGMC as 23 members -

•           Each Local Authority to appoint 1 member to TfGMC (Transport and Highways Portfolio Lead) , save for Manchester City Council to appoint 2 members (including Transport and Highways Portfolio Lead)

•           To nominate a further member, to be appointed by GMCA to ensure political balance

•           Note that the remaining 2 appointments are 1 member to be appointed by GMCA and 1 member appointed by the Mayor

•           Agree to amend the Operating Agreement to reflect these changes

•           Note that the Terms of Reference will be reviewed to ensure that they reflect the Mayor’s current transport powers with a further review in 2019/20 to reflect proposed powers.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the report and make comment.

Officer contact: Patrick Arran, 0161 474 3219, patrick.arran@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to comment on proposals from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to proposed changes to the membership and operating agreement for the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.

A number of Councillors expressed concern at the process undertaken for the consultation and at the suggested process for appointing Councillors to sit on the Committee to ensure political balance. It was suggested that the appointment of Councillors from opposition groups should follow a process similar to that adopted for the appointment of Councillors to the GMCA Scrutiny Committees. Furthermore, clarification was sought in respect to the Terms of Reference and future role of the Committee and to whether or not there would be the need for sub-committees.

RESOLVED – (1) That prior to the submission of the report to the September Council Meeting, the Leader of the Council be requested to:-

•           Clarify the Terms of Reference for the Committee and whether it was proposed that there would be sub-committees.

•           Investigate the request that appointments to the Committee by opposition parties follows a similar process to that was adopted for appointments to the GMCA Scrutiny Committees.

(2) That subject to further consideration being given to the appointments process, the Scrutiny Committee would be minded to support the proposal that the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee comprise of 23 members as detailed in the report.

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, 0161 474 3204, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.