Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2012

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 10 September 2012 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 interests were declared:-

Personal Interest

Disclosable Pecuniary Interest

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of the appendix marked confidential which contain information “not for publication” as part of item, 8 (Town Centre Regeneration - Acquisition of Properties on Prince's Street Stockport, Improvement of Merseyway Car Park and Bridgefield Redevelopment) by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ appendix to the following item should the content of this appendix need to be discussed:-

Agenda item, 8 (Town Centre Regeneration - Acquisition of Properties on Princes Street Stockport, Improvement of Merseyway Car Park and Bridgefield Redevelopment) by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

To consider a report of the Partnership & Policy Manager

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the résumé of the meeting of the Stockport Partnership Board held on 22 September 2012

 Officer contact: Steve Skelton, Policy & Partnership Manager Tel 474 3174; email steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

The Scrutiny Committee considered a résumé (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Stockport Partnership Board held on 12 September 2012.

RESOLVED – That the résumé of the meeting of the Stockport Partnership Board held on 12 September 2012 be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services.

 At its meeting on 7 September 2012 the Executive agreed a set of savings proposals for consultation. This was in response to the medium term forecasts and indicative savings requirements contained in the report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services which was presented to the Executive at its meeting on 20 August 2012.

The Executive also agreed that each scrutiny committee should receive a report which includes details of the savings propositions relating to their remit. The chairs of scrutiny committees were consulted on how best to engage members on the Executive’s proposals. In line with their response this report provides scrutiny committee members with an opportunity to review and comment upon both the overall approach being taken by the Executive and the relevant specific savings measures

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment upon both the overall approach being taken by the Executive and the specific savings proposals detailed in the report.

Officer contact: Steve Houston on 474 4000 or email: steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Policy, Reform & Finance (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Executive’s response to the medium term financial forecasts and indicative savings requirements for 2013/14 - 2016/17.  The report also detailed the Executive’s specific savings proposals for 2013/14 that related to the Scrutiny Committee’s remit.

The Leader of the Council referred to a recent update provided to members of all scrutiny committees summarising changes to the financial assumptions of the Medium Term Financial Plan in light of changes announced to the grant regime which resulted in the Council needing to make additional savings. The Leader of the Council emphasised that there remained a number of assumptions within the Plan that could not yet be finalised.

The Executive Councillor (Governance and Corporate Services) also attended the meeting and summarised the individual savings proposals contained in the report relating to his Portfolio.

The following comments were made/ issued raised:-

·         The Committee supported a move to a more corporate and collaborative approach to procurement both within the Council and through a new Strategic Procurement Unit across AGMA, providing the opportunity to acquire and pool a greater degree of procurement expertise and intelligence. Comments were also made regarding the need to eliminate any off contract spending and to and ensure that ‘price ringing’ does not occur. Members are keen to see that the Council is achieving best value through its procurement activities.

·         It was confirmed that there are no services which are excluded from consideration within the BITE Programme, although the Housing Revenue Account and the Dedicated School Grant were outside this process.

·         The Committee noted that in relation to the savings in the Independence and Personalisation thematic cluster within the BITE programme it was expected that the majority of the savings would be in 2014/15.

·         The Committee noted that although any Council Tax increase would need to be applied equally across the Council Tax Bands, the proposed Council Tax Scheme currently being consulted upon offered some protection for properties within bands A and B.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the above comments be referred to the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee and Executive for consideration.

This item has been included on the agenda at the request of Councillor Philip Harding.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

The report provides details of the issues identified following the local elections for all 21 Stockport Wards held on 3 May 2012. This followed a root and branch review of the election planning and delivery processes that existed in Stockport. A further evaluation of the delivery of the election 2012 was held to identify any issues and learning points. The issues identified will be incorporated into any further changes needed for an effective and high delivery of elections in the Borough.

The report also provides information regarding the arrangements for the election for a Police and Crime Commissioner for the Greater Manchester Police Area to be held on 15 November 2012.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer contact Steve Callender telephone number 0161 474 3184 or e-mail steve.callender@stockport.gov.uk

The Democratic Services Manager reported that this item has been included on the agenda at the request of Councillor Philip Harding.

The Assistant Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details of the issues identified following the local elections for all 21 Stockport Wards held on 3 May 2012. This followed a root and branch review of the election planning and delivery processes that existed in Stockport. A further evaluation of the delivery of the election 2012 was held to identify any issues and learning points. The issues identified will be incorporated into any further changes needed for an effective and high delivery of elections in the Borough.

The report also provides information regarding the arrangements for the election for a Police and Crime Commissioner for the Greater Manchester Police Area to be held on 15 November 2012.

The Executive Councillor, Governance and Corporate Services (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted and the changes implemented following the local elections in May 2011 be welcomed.

(2) That the number of telephone calls received by the Election Office Contact Centre on the day of the local elections in May 2012 be circulated to members of this Scrutiny Committee.

To consider a Joint report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services and Service Director, Place Development.

The report sets out the proposed next steps for two major town centre regeneration projects – Bridgefield and the Merseyway car park. These two projects have become partly linked together by a proposal from UK Asset Recovery (UKAR), the holder of the debt on the Merseyway Shopping Centre.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note or comment on the draft Executive report

Officer contact George Perrin on 0161 474 4510 george.perrin@stockport.gov

A Joint report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services and Service Director, (Place Development) was submitted  setting out the proposed next steps for two major town centre regeneration projects – Bridgefield and the Merseyway car park. These two projects had become partly linked together by a proposal from UK Asset Recovery (UKAR), the holder of the debt on the Merseyway Shopping Centre.

The Scrutiny Committee welcomed the report and the following comments were made/ issued raised:-

·         There was a need for the Council to retain a significant element of control within the Town Centre following its regeneration.

·         The committee noted the reasons for the fluctuation in respect of the projected cross rental income and estimated incremental changes in car park income.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

To consider a report of the Corporate Director of Corporate and Support Services.

The report invites the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee to comment upon the recommendation to the Executive on 5 November 2012 that capital funding is allocated for the refurbishment of Mount Tabor to enable the long term location of the Coroner Service.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the recommendation that Mount Tabor is refurbished to enable the long term location of the Coroner Service.

Officer contact Murray Carr on telephone number 0161 474 3649 or alternatively email murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to comment upon the recommendation to the Executive on 5 November 2012 that capital funding is allocated for the refurbishment of Mount Tabor to enable the long term location of the Coroner Service.

The Executive Councillor, Governance and Corporate Services (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director of Corporate and Support Services.

The report invites the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee to comment upon the recommendation to the Executive on 5 November 2012 to approve capital funding and the proposed accommodation option for Vernon Park Museum to accommodate Pure Innovations services (Pure) displaced from Millbrook Centre.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the proposed allocation of funding to enable the capital works to be undertaken to accommodate Pure Innovations service.

Officer contact Murray Carr on telephone number 0161 474 3649 or alternatively email murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to comment upon the recommendation to the Executive on 5 November 2012 to approve capital funding and the proposed accommodation option for Vernon Park Museum to accommodate Pure Innovations Services (Pure) displaced from Millbrook Centre.

The Executive Councillor, Governance and Corporate Services (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That this Scrutiny Committee would wish to see the installation of a lift providing access to all the floors including the basement.

To consider a Joint report of the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer

The report sets out the recommendations of the Constitution Working Party in relation to changes required to the Constitution in relation to:

a)         Review of the pre-election Period (also known as political Purdah)

b)         Executive Meetings and Access to Information Regulations 2012

c)         Obstructions Policy for the Highway – Appeals Process

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the report and the proposed changes to the Constitution as detailed in the report and appendices and to recommend that the Council Meeting adopt the amendments.

Officer contact Craig Ainsworth, Democratic Services Manager on 0161 474 3204, craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer was submitted setting out the recommendations of the Constitution Working Party in relation to changes required to the Constitution in relation to:

a)         Review of the pre-election Period (also known as political Purdah)

b)         Executive Meetings and Access to Information Regulations 2012

c)         Obstructions Policy for the Highway – Appeals Process.

The Executive Councillor, Governance and Corporate Services (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted and the Council Meeting be recommended to agree the proposed changes to the Constitution as detailed in the report and appendices subject to the rewording of the paragraph within Appendix 2 ‘Guidance on Publicity for Council Officers in the Pre-Election Period’ as follows:

“Councillors involved in the election should not be invited to events organised by the Council that will attract significant public or media interest, and which are taking place in the pre-election period as they cannot be held at any other time, unless the Monitoring Officer and/ or the Chief Executive determine otherwise. These requests should be determined on an individual basis”

(2) That the Chief Executive be requested to ensure that officers are aware of the guidance as set out in Appendix 1 and 2 in relation to ‘Purdah’

To consider a report of the Council Solicitor

The Council’s Code of Practice for carrying out surveillance under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) specifies that quarterly reports will be taken to the CRMG Scrutiny Committee to demonstrate to elected members that the Council is complying with its own Code of Practice when using RIPA.

This report covers the second quarter of 2012/13 to bring the reports up-to-date.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note this report.

Officer contact: Simon Oldfield, Data Protection and Freedom of Information Officer on simon.oldfield@stockport.gov.uk or 0161 474 4048.

The Service Director (Legal and Democratic Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) reminding the Scrutiny Committee that the Council’s Code of Practice for carrying out surveillance under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) specified that quarterly reports would be taken to this Scrutiny Committee to demonstrate to elected members that the Council was complying with its own Code of Practice when using RIPA. This report covered the second quarter of 2012/13 to bring the reports up-to-date.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Monitoring Officer be requested to circulate a briefing paper to members of this Scrutiny Committee in relation to the changes to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and how they will affect the Council.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.               

 The report sets out planned agenda items for the next meeting 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 future meetings and Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Democratic Services Manager reported that refresher training on treasury management issues for members of this Scrutiny Committee had been arranged to take place on 3 December 2012 (prior to the next meeting of this Committee) and that further details would be circulated shortly.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.