Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2013

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 3 December 2014 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.

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider the final report of the Scrutiny Review Panel – Impact of Welfare Reform.

The Welfare Reform Act brings about a significant overhaul of the way in which benefits are administered and allocated. The diverse scope of the Act cuts across council portfolios and has implications for a range of council services, partner agencies and residents.

The Adult Care Services and Housing Scrutiny Committee, and Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee agreed to carry out a joint scrutiny review on the impact of Welfare Reform. The decision to carry out a joint scrutiny review was taken in order to enable co-ordinated and holistic consideration of the impact of welfare changes on service providers and residents.

The Review makes a number of recommendations intended to support and further develop the good work already underway.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment upon the draft Final Report prior to its submission to the Executive.

Officer contact: Gaynor Alexander on 474 3186 or email: gaynor.alexander@stockport.gov.uk

Councillor Kate Butler introduced the final report on the draft Scrutiny Review on the impact of Welfare Reform. The aim of the review was to ensure that the Council was prepared to respond effectively to the trends beginning to emerge from the implementation of welfare reforms.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The impact of the reduction in housing benefit and the use of discretionary housing payments based on individual circumstances.

·         The use of discretionary housing payments had mitigated the impact of the number of people going into rent arrears and a great deal of work was being undertaken to ensure that those entitled to payments were accessing them.

·         The operation of foodbanks in the borough and limits placed on the issuing of foodbank vouchers. Councillors reflected on the vital role played by volunteers who ran foodbanks who received no regular funding. Members were keen that the Council continue to support foodbanks where possible.

·         Councillors discussed problems which people may experience with the increasing move to on-line benefits and the alternative ways that people could continue to access benefits.

·         Councillors expressed grave concern at the consequences of sanctions which had arisen from the introduction of the Claimant Commitments. This had led to an increased demand on foodbanks and could potentially force people to resolve to even further desperate measures.

·         It was unanimously agreed that the report was comprehensive and Councillors endorsed all the recommendations contained within it.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the comments of the Scrutiny Committee be referred to the Executive for consideration and that the Executive be informed that the Scrutiny Committee supports the recommendations detailed in the report.

To consider reports of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services.

This item consists of three reports. The first of these is the Leader’s Report, which outlines progress in developing the Investing in Stockport programme across the Council and Stockport Partnership, along with some of the specific projects which will help invest in growth, public service reform and organisational change. It also highlights some of the key decisions at a Greater Manchester level which will have a positive impact on Stockport.

The Second report is the Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR), which provides an overview of progress towards delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during 2013/14, based on the Council Plan 2013/15 and the Medium Term Financial Plan 2013/17. It is supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs), which are circulated as background papers to this report, and will be considered in detail at the next cycle of Scrutiny Committees.

The Third report is Portfolio Performance and Resource Report for Corporate, Customer & Community Services

The reports were considered by the Executive at its meeting on 11 February 2014.

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing for scrutiny the Leader’s Report, the Corporate Performance and Resource Report and the final update portfolio report for the Corporate, Customer and Community Services portfolio.

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Council Plan Measures for 2013/2014 for consideration.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) explaining that the Council continues to make strong progress despite a number of challenges. A number of difficult but necessary reforms were being implemented in a positive and effective manner, often in close partnership with other agencies.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer and Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the final portfolio update report. The report provided a final update on progress in delivering portfolio objectives and budgets to the end of 2013. There had been little change to the revenue cash limit budgets in the last quarter and the portfolio savings programme remained on track. The Executive Councillor had a high level of confidence that the £5.4m of savings for 2013/2014 would be delivered.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors discussed the creation and integration of the new Strategic Property Partnership noting that all staff who wished to be transferred had now done so.

·         The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services provided an update in respect to the Review of Corporate and Support Services and the impact that the review and implementation of the new structure had on performance levels.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

In June 2013 the Executive agreed a Council Plan for the period 2013-15, which would accompany the implementation of a two-year financial plan and savings programme.  In order to support the Executive recommendation to Council on the 2014/15 budget, a ‘light-touch’ refresh has been undertaken to mark the mid-point of the 2013/15 Council Plan.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

a)    Consider and comment on the refreshed Council Plan,

b)   Note the process and timelines as outlined in the report.

Officer contact: Steve Skelton, Head of Policy, Performance and Reform 474 3174 steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Strategy, Partnerships and Transformation) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the refresh at the mid-point of the 2013/2015 Council Plan and requesting the Scrutiny Committee to consider and comment on the report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer.

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

·         Review of delegation of powers for the write-off of Accounts Receivable

·         Review of the Health & Wellbeing Board governance arrangements

·         Inclusion of the Property Transaction process in the Scheme of Delegation

·         Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013

·         Street Trading Consents

·         Strategic Procurement Unit for Stockport, Trafford and Rochdale (STaR)

·         Council Meeting Procedure Rules - Questions by Councillors

·         Changes to the Public Question Time Procedure

·         Reporting and Recording of Meetings of the Council

·         Localism Act: Community Right to Bid

·         New Article to the Constitution for the Solutions SK Contributors Committee, Stockport Homes Member Committee and the Funding Committee

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the various proposed changes to the Constitution as detailed in the report and its appendices.

Officer contact Craig Ainsworth on telephone number Tel: 0161474 3204 or alternatively email craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the recommendations of the Constitution Working Party in relation to changes required to the Constitution in relation to:

·         Review of delegation of powers for the write-off of Accounts Receivable

·         Review of the Health & Wellbeing Board governance arrangements

·         Inclusion of the Property Transaction process in the Scheme of Delegation

·         Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013

·         Street Trading Consents

·         Strategic Procurement Unit for Stockport, Trafford and Rochdale (STaR)

·         Council Meeting Procedure Rules - Questions by Councillors

·         Changes to the Public Question Time Procedure

·         Reporting and Recording of Meetings of the Council

·         Localism Act: Community Right to Bid

·         New Article to the Constitution for the Solutions SK Contributors Committee, Stockport Homes Member Committee and the Funding Committee

RESOLVED – That the Executive be informed that the Scrutiny Committee supports all of the proposed changes to the Constitution as detailed in the report.

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 this Scrutiny Committee to demonstrate that the Council is complying with its own Code of Practice when using RIPA.

This report covers the third quarter of 2013/14 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 Council Solicitor submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update in relation to the third quarter of the 2013-2014 financial year.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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.

A representative of 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 and the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be requested to submit a report to the next meeting providing an update of the review of Corporate and Support Services.