Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 01 March 2022.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 01 March 2022 were approved as 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

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following item:

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the exempt information in the ‘not for

publication’ appendix to agenda item 14 ‘Adswood Depot: Proposed Acquisition’

To consider a joint report of the Director of Place Management and Corporate Director (Corporate & Support Services) & Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the final update report, with a focus on the fourth quarter of the year (January to March). It includes out-turn performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with updates on the portfolio savings programme.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·       Consider the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;

·       Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2021/22;

·       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:

Resources, Commissioning & Governance

Peter Owston, Strategy and Performance Manager peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk  (07891 949061)

Citizen Focus & Engagement

Alan Lawson, Strategy and Performance Manager alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk  (07890 563587)

Financial Resources & Monitoring (both Portfolios)

Stephen Pate, CSS Manager (Specialist) Finance stephen.pate@stockport.gov.uk   (218 1086)

The Director of Place Management submitted a joint report of the Director and the Corporate Director (Corporate & Support Services) & Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the final update report, with a focus on the fourth quarter of the year (January to March). It includes out-turn performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with updates on the portfolio savings programme.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

It was commented that the Council were in a good position without any ‘massive’ overspends.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) & Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides a summary of progress in delivering the Council’s priority outcomes and budget in the second half of the financial year, with a particular focus on the fourth quarter of 2021/22 (January – March 2022) and up to May where possible.

The report also reflects the 2021/22 Council Plan, MTFP and Portfolio priorities. It includes an executive summary and performance analysis, along with the out-turn position on revenue and capital, and a focus on highlights and exceptions during the year.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·       Consider the Annual Report;  

·       Review the progress against delivering corporate objectives, key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2021/22; and

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

Officer contact:

Holly Rae, Head of Strategy and Design (CSS), holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk  (474 3014)

Jonathan Davies, Strategic Head of Service – Finance (Deputy S151), jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk  (218 1025)

The Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of progress in delivering the Council’s priority outcomes and budget in the second half of the financial year, with a particular focus on the fourth quarter of 2021/22 (January – March 2022) and up to May where possible. It also reflected on the 2021/22 Council Plan, MTFP and Portfolio priorities and includes an executive summary and performance analysis, along with the out-turn position on revenue and capital, and a focus on highlights and exceptions during the year.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·       Members welcomed the report and stated that the Council were in a good place.

·       Clarification was sought relating to the significant amount in the Council ‘reserves’. In response, it was noted that the reserves were a critical part of the financial resilience and robustness of the Council, which has been reduced on recent years.

·       Members enquired about the service provision and resilience and how it related to the sickness absence levels. In response, it was stated that some of it was covid related, however, a lot of work has gone into mental health and wellbeing for staff including a recent employee survey, the first in ten years.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides an overview of complaints received by the Council and the lessons learnt from complaints during 2021-22. The scope of complaints included in this report covers:

·       Corporate complaints

·       Adult’s social care complaints

·       Children’s social care complaints

·       School’s complaints

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note the progress being taken to improve complaints handling across the Council.

Officer contact: Emma Handby, emma.handby@stockport.gov.uk and Soulla Jones, soulla.jones@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and the

Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of complaints received by the Council and the lessons learnt from complaints during 2021-22.  

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·       It was commented that there was an increase of complaints for 2019/20 – 2021/22 but the approach relating to the centralised team was good news including the replacement for the previous Complaints Manager.

·       Members were happy with the holistic approach and the benefits that were being seen.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer

(Legal and Democratic Governance).

The report provides details relating to the LGA voluntary model code of conduct for members to adopt.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to commend to the Council Meeting that the LGA voluntary model code of conduct for Members be adopted by agreement at a future Council Meeting with authority to be provided to the Monitoring Officer to make the consequential amendments to the Constitution without having to return to a further Council Meeting for such agreement.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates, 0161 474 3219, vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal and Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details relating to the LGA voluntary model code of conduct for

members to adopt.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

It was commented that the report had been previously considered by  Corporate Governance, the Constitutional Working Party and the Standards Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance) Monitoring Officer.

The report provides a composite of all the recommendations made by the Constitution Working Party for amendments to the Constitution arising out of the reports that went to each meeting.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to recommend the proposed amendments to the Constitution as set out at paragraph 3 above to the Council Meeting for approval and implementation by the Monitoring Officer.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates, 0161 474 3219, vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance) Monitoring Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a composite of all the recommendations made by the Constitution Working Party for amendments to the Constitution arising out of the reports that went to each meeting.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

It was commented that the report had also been considered by  Corporate Governance, the Constitutional Working Party and the STAR Board.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Strategy.

The report provides details relating to the background and context information relating to the Integrated Care Systems (ICS), including the opportunities for Stockport, the Greater Manchester ICS Model, Stockport’s transition work and the emerging Stockport integrated health and care model.

The report also provides a further update and describes the opportunities afforded by the new legislation; highlights the progress and recommendations made by the Shadow Locality Board and its constituent working groups; highlights the progress made at Greater Manchester level; and provides an overview of the future direction of Stockport’s Locality arrangements.

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

Officer contact: Laura Mercer, 0161 218 1799, laura.mercer@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Strategy submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details relating to the background and context information relating to the Integrated Care Systems (ICS), including the opportunities for Stockport, the Greater Manchester ICS Model, Stockport’s transition work and the emerging Stockport integrated health and care model. The report also provided a further update and description regarding the opportunities afforded by the new legislation; highlights the progress and recommendations made by the Shadow Locality Board and its constituent working groups; highlights the progress made at Greater Manchester level; and provides an overview of the future direction of Stockport’s Locality  arrangements.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·       The Chair proposed that the Integrated Care System become a standard item on the agenda for each meeting to provide updates to the Committee.

·       Members commented on the governance aspects of the report and that as a Committee not losing site of the opportunity to influence change and improve.

·       It was noted that the aims and policies identified in the report was key to its success including the governance and support that would be needed to develop the system.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Integrated Care System be included on the agenda for each meeting to provide updates and provide information as it develops.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report briefly summarises the review process and presents the third iteration of the Stockport Council Modern Slavery Statement, to cover the period up to 30th June 2023, and seeks committee’s approval to adopt that refreshed statement.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:-

·       Consider the draft updated statement (which accompanies this report), which will run to 30th June 2023; and

·       Subject to any necessary amendments identified by the Scrutiny Committee, recommend that the statement proceed to Cabinet for approval for publication in July 2022.

Officer contact: Alan Lawson, alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) briefly summarising the review process and presenting the third iteration of the Stockport Council Modern Slavery Statement, to cover the period up to 30th June 2023, and seeks committee’s approval to adopt that refreshed statement.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources attending the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive an update on the Joint Scrutiny Review conducted by this Scrutiny Committee and Adults Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee in 2020/21 in addition to a Cabinet Response against these recommendations.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note the update.

Officer contact: Kathryn Rees, 07989208640, kathryn.rees@stockport.gov.uk

The Scrutiny Committee received an update on the Joint Scrutiny Review conducted by this Scrutiny Committee and Adults Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee in 2020/21 in addition to a Cabinet Response against these recommendations.

Members commented that the update was welcomed including the data sharing recommendation.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To seek suggestions for Scrutiny Review topics for inclusion in the 2022/23 scrutiny work programme.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a suggested process for the selection of scrutiny review topics and an explanation as to how the reviews would be supported.

The Committee was invited to choose a topic for their next review.

RESOLVED – (1) That the members of the Scrutiny Committee be invited to submit their topics for the next review to the Democratic Services Officer within one week following the meeting.

(2) That following the suggestions authority be delegated to the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance), in consultation with the Chair, to recommend to Council the next scrutiny review and to appoint members to the Panel as necessary.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal and Democratic Services).

The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

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

Officer contact: Charles Yankiah on 0161 474 3206 or email:

charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and any relevant Forward Plan items.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) be requested to make arrangements for an item to be programmed onto the agenda for future meetings of the Scrutiny Committee in relation to the ‘Integrated Care System’.

Item including information ‘Not for Publication’

To consider a report of the Director of Development & Regeneration.

The report provides an update of the current status of the Council’s two principal operational depot sites and make recommendations to consolidate the majority of operations currently located at Bird Hall Lane depot at the Adswood Depot, subject to the freehold purchase of the Adswood Depot.

(Note: This item includes a ‘not for publication’ appendix that has been circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee only)

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to: -

·       Note the current status of the Adswood and Bird Hall Lane depot sites and provide any comments.

·       Support the proposed purchase of the freehold interest in the Adswood depot site on the terms outlined in Confidential Appendix C.

·       Note the actions being reported to Cabinet.

Officer contact: James Kington on 07815 997564 or by email on james.kington@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Development & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update of the current status of the Council’s two principal operational depot sites and make recommendations to consolidate the majority of operations currently located at Bird Hall Lane depot at the Adswood Depot, subject to the freehold purchase of the Adswood Depot.

Members welcomed the proposals to own the site rather than rent it and were happy with the payback investment over 18 years.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.