Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 April 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 29 April 2013 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

There were no items to consider.

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 by virtue of Category 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended) 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:

Item 7 “Sale of site of former Rosehill Primary School, Walton Drive, Marple”, which contains information ‘not for publication’ in the Appendix to the report.

Item 8 ‘Belmont Court Care Home (Boroughcare)” which contains information ‘not for publication’ in the Appendix to the report.

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 by virtue of Category 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended) 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·         The ‘not for publication’ Appendix to Agenda Item 7 – ‘Sale of site of former Rosehill Primary School, Walton Drive, Marple’

·         Agenda Item 8 - ‘Belmont Court Care Home (Boroughcare)’ as the appendix to the report contained information which was ‘not for publication’ and which was discussed throughout the consideration of the item.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Strategy, Partnership and Transformation).

The Council Plan sets the framework of priorities that drive the organisation’s resource allocation. The Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP), including the Executive’s Budget Proposals for 2013/15 and the Capital Programme, continues to provide the resources to deliver those services and exploit those opportunities necessary to deliver a Greener, Safer and Stronger, Thriving, and Healthy Stockport. The enclosed extract from the draft plan relates to the Health & Wellbeing Executive Portfolio that falls within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the draft Council Plan.

Officer contact: Holly Rae, 0161 474 3014, holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Strategy, Partnership and Transformation) submitted the draft Council Plan (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the framework of priorities that drive the organisation’s resource allocation. The Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP), including the Executive’s Budget Proposals for 2013/15 and the Capital Programme, continued to provide the resources to deliver those services and exploit those opportunities necessary to deliver a Greener, Safer and Stronger, Thriving, and Healthy Stockport.

The Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Policy, Reform & Finance (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) and the Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Corporate, Customer and Community Services (Councillor Mark Weldon) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

It was reported that the Executive would consider the report at its meeting on 11 June 2013.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The risks identified in relation to delivering the actions and priorities detailed in the Plan should be circulated to all members of the Scrutiny Committee.

·         In relation to how the priorities would be delivered (Corporate, Customer and Community Services Portfolio), the Council Plan should simply refer to “Responding to the Welfare Reform Agenda” rather than refer to “the introduction of Universal Credit and localised council tax support.”

·         The Scrutiny Committee discussed the appropriateness of some of the language used in the Plan.

RESOLVED – That the draft Council Plan be noted.

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

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to comment upon the proposed Executive report to be submitted to its meeting on 11 June 2013. The report to Executive seeks approval to the updated Asset Management Plan (AMP) capital programme. The Council’s Executive approved the AMP Capital Programme at its meeting on 20 August 2012. The report sets out an updated programme for 2013/14 and the funding arrangements to support the programme.

The Executive is requested to agrees to approve:

·         The updated Asset Management Plan Capital programme as set out in the report.

·         The use of unsupported borrowing as set out in the report that does not have definite funding.

·         The allocation of surplus non-ringfenced capital receipts to support funding and future AMP requirements on the basis that where achieved and approved, the unsupported borrowing is reduced accordingly and replaced by the capital receipts.

·         Delegation to the Corporate Director of Corporate and Support Services to manage the capital and revenue property programme to meet the AMP capital programme.

The Scrutiny is invited to comment on the above recommendations to the Executive.

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

The Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to comment upon the proposed Asset Management Plan (AMP) capital programme. The Executive had approved the AMP Capital Programme at its meeting on 20 August 201 and this report set out an updated programme for 2013/14 and the funding arrangements to support the programme.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Corporate, Customer and Community Services (Councillor Mark Weldon) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

It was reported that the Executive would consider the report at its meeting on 11 June 2013.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Clarification was sought in relation to how the “Budget Slippage” had occurred since the programme was agreed by the Executive in August 2012 and how the “Budget Shortfall” would be funded.

·         Concern was expressed regarding the need to carry out the proposed rear door improvements at Fed Perry House.

·         It was requested that the schedule of potential sites to be disposed of be circulated to members of this Scrutiny Committee for information.

RESOLVED – That subject to the above comments being addressed, the Executive be recommended to approve:

·         The updated Asset Management Plan Capital programme as set out in the report.

·         The use of unsupported borrowing as set out in the report that does not have definite funding.

·         The allocation of surplus non-ringfenced capital receipts to support funding and future AMP requirements on the basis that where achieved and approved, the unsupported borrowing is reduced accordingly and replaced by the capital receipts.

·         Delegating to the Corporate Director of Corporate and Support Services responsibility for manageing the capital and revenue property programme to meet the AMP capital programme.

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

The report invites the Scrutiny Committee to comment upon the proposed Executive report to be submitted to its meeting on 11 June 2013.  Following the marketing of this site authority is sought to proceed with the disposal of the subject land, shown as the hatched area on the plan below, for proposed residential development.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the proposal to proceed with the disposal of the site to the highest bidder identified as Offer 1 as shown in the Confidential Appendix to the report.

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

The Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to comment upon the proposed disposal of the former Rose Hill Primary School site, shown as the hatched area on the plan within the report, for residential development.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Corporate, Customer and Community Services (Councillor Mark Weldon) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

It was reported that the Executive would consider the report at its meeting on 11 June 2013.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         There would be a need to maintain access to the former playing fields/ open space following any development taking place.

·         There would be a future revenue cost of maintaining the former playing fields/ open space.

·         Concern was expressed as to who would benefit from the former playing fields/ open space.

·         There was an opportunity to maximise the number of affordable homes on the site and that the decision as to who the land should be sold to should not be made based on the highest offer for the site alone.

·         It was noted that the proceeds from the disposal from the site would be ringfenced for the Primary Capital Investment Programme.

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted that any sale of the land would be conditional on providing the number of units proposed.

·         There was an opportunity to consider an alternative site assembly.

RESOLVED – That the Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Corporate, Customer and Community Services be requested to reconsider this issue in the light of the above comments prior to consideration by the Executive.

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

The report invites the Scrutiny Committee to comment upon the proposed Executive report to be submitted to its meeting on 11 June 2013 concerning the surrender of the lease of and subsequent disposal of the former Belmont Court Care Home Heaton Norris Stockport.

The Executive is requested to agrees to:

·         The disposal of the Belmont Court site as set out in the Confidential Appendix.

·         Delegate to the Corporate Director of Corporate and Support Services the agreement of the share of proceeds with Boroughcare from the sale of Belmont Court in line with the Executive report of 27 February 2012. 

·         In the event that investigations should reveal matters which justify a reduction in the purchase price of the building or that a further offer in excess of that stated in the Confidential Appendix is received before exchange of contracts any subsequent negotiations are delegated to the Corporate Director Corporate and Support Services to agree.

The Scrutiny is invited to comment on the above recommendations to the Executive.

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

The Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to comment upon the proposed surrender of the lease of and subsequent disposal of the former Belmont Court Care Home Heaton Norris Stockport for the development of a residential adult care facility.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Corporate, Customer and Community Services (Councillor Mark Weldon) attended the meeting to answer member’s questions.

It was reported that the Executive would consider the report at its meeting on 11 June 2013.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed regarding the level of value attributed to the site.

·         Clarification was sought as to whether Stockport Homes had expressed an interest in acquiring the site.

·         Further negotiations should take place with the existing tenant to obtain full ownership of the site.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Executive be recommended not to proceed with the disposal of the Belmont Court site as set out in the Confidential Appendix.

(2) That the Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Corporate, Customer and Community Services be requested to reconsider this issue in the light of the above comments.

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 future meetings and Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.