Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 July 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 29 July 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

There were no call in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides an overview of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, an update on progress of implementation of ASB Reforms, the proposed delegation to approve the arrangements for the carrying out an ASB review and associated procedures including determination of victim vulnerability, and the proposed delegation of powers to Stockport Homes.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to:

note:

·         the new powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014,

·         the all Member Briefing on the new powers on Tuesday 7th October 2014 at 6.00pm,

·         the progress of implementation of ASB Reforms,

·         the proposed delegation to approve the arrangements for the carrying out an ASB review and associated procedures including determination of victim vulnerability,

·         the proposed delegation of powers to Stockport Homes.

comment on the level of fines for Fixed Penalty Notices for non-compliance with the requirements of a Community Protection Notice as outlined at paragraph 3.5 of the report.

Officer contact Helen Boyle on Tel: 0161-474-3145 or by email on helen.boyle@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and updating the Scrutiny Committee on the progress of the implementation of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Reforms, the proposed delegation to approve the arrangements for the carrying out of an ASB review and associated procedures including determination of victim vulnerability, and the proposed delegation of powers to Stockport Homes.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         There were other powers available to the Council in addition to the new Criminal Behaviour orders where a person had not been convicted of an offence.

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted the range of persons that would be authorised to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice including a limited number of officers of Stockport Homes

·         ‘Mandatory grounds for possession’ would also apply to Registered Housing Provider (social landlord).

·         Stockport Homes or the Council would be able to issue Fixed Penalty Notices on behalf of other Registered Social Landlords, if agreements were in place between the appropriate organisations.

·         The Scrutiny Committee questioned the rationale of setting the Fixed Penalties offence at £90 and an early payment discount of £30.

·         It was noted that although following a complaint the Council already carried out reviews of the response to that behaviour but under the new ‘Community Trigger’ a partnership response was required.

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted that the implementation of the legislation had not been costed and that no decision had been taken regarding where income generated through Fixed Penalties would be allocated.

RESOLVED – (1) That the following be noted:

·         the new powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014,

·         the All Member Briefing on the new powers to be held on Tuesday 7 October 2014 at 6.00pm,

·         the progress of implementation of ASB Reforms,

·         the proposed delegation to approve the arrangements for the carrying out of an ASB review and associated procedures including determination of victim vulnerability,

(2)  That the Council Meeting be informed that this Scrutiny Committee would support a change to the Scheme of Delegation in the Constitution to delegate to the Corporate Director of Place Management and Regeneration power under section 53 of the Act to designate persons to issue a community protection notice, including fixed penalty notices which would include appropriate officers of Stockport Homes.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The current domestic abuse strategy covers the period 2012-14.  The Draft Domestic Abuse Prevention Strategy for 2015-16 is a new statement of Stockport’s approach to outcomes for adults, families and children and young people who experience domestic abuse.  The strategy sets out the priorities established by the comprehensive ‘Review of Domestic Abuse Services’ carried out in 2013 and is guided by the best available evidence about the long term effectiveness of interventions.

A copy of the draft strategy and action plan is appended to this report. The Strategy forms a framework to steer the work of all key partners in Stockport and provides a policy basis for the consistent commissioning and development of provision and services. 

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the draft strategy and implementation plan for 2015-16.

Officer contact Helen Boyle on Tel: 0161-474-3145 or by email on helen.boyle@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) in relation to the draft Domestic Abuse Prevention Strategy for 2015-16 which was a new statement of Stockport’s approach to outcomes for adults, families and children and young people who experience domestic abuse.  The strategy set out the priorities established by the comprehensive ‘Review of Domestic Abuse Services’ carried out in 2013 and is guided by the best available evidence about the long term effectiveness of interventions.

A copy of the draft strategy and action plan was appended to the report and formed a framework to steer the work of all key partners in Stockport and provided a policy basis for the consistent commissioning and development of provision and services.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The need for all front line officers to be appropriately trained to be able to support victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse they may encounter.

·         The role of Councillor, as community champions, in leading the fight against domestic abuse locally.

·         The Strategy recognised that domestic abuse can affect anyone irrespective of gender, sexuality, age, class, religion or ethnicity.

·         A significant number of incidents of domestic abuse are alcohol related and there was a need to continue to work with mental health, Domestic Abuse and Alcohol Services.

RESOLVED – That the draft Domestic Abuse Prevention Strategy for 2015-16 be noted.

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

The report details the arrangements for the implementation of the Universal Credit in Stockport.

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

Officer contact Alison Blount   on Tel: 0161 474 5107 or by email on alison.blount@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the arrangements for the implementation of the Universal Credit in Stockport. During the pilot phase the Council will be required to carry out:

·         Support for customers claiming on line

·         Personal Budgeting Support (PBS)

·         Processing Local Council Tax Support paper notifications

·         Dealing with the DWP’s housing costs queries

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The need to learn from the pilots across Greater Manchester in relation to new models to support the wider rollout of Universal Credit in future years.

·         The need to support people who are identified as needing Personal Budgeting Support.

·         The requirement of claiming benefit is the “Claimant Commitment” which required people to spend 35 hours per week job searching would put demand on Council IT provision across the Borough especially in libraries.

·         Funding for the Local Assistance Scheme would continue beyond March 2015.

·          Under the “Alternative Payment Arrangement” there was a criteria to determine when the housing element of Universal Credit would be paid directly to the landlord rather than the claimant.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provided the Scrutiny Committee with an update on progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the first quarter of 2014/15.

The Scrutiny Committee also considered the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) report for the same quarter highlighting a number of the Council’s significant achievements and significant AGMA and Combined Authority activity.

The Executive at its meeting on 12 August 2014 agreed that:

·         progress against delivering Council Plan priorities, portfolio outcomes and capital schemes alongside budget and performance forecasts contained within the report be noted;

·         the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.4 of the report be approved;

·         the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for 2014/15 as set out in section 2.3 of the report be noted;

·         the current position on the budget savings programme set out in section 2.4 of the report be noted;

·         the Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account forecast outturn positions as set out in sections 2.7 and 2.8 of the report be noted;

·         the position on earmarked reserves and balances as set out in section 2.9 of the report be noted;

·         the forecast position for the 2014/15 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1 of the report be noted;

·         the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.5 of the report be approved;

·         the resourcing of the Capital Programme as set out in section 3.3 of the report be approved; and

·         the treasury review and activity during the first quarter as set out in section 4 of the report be noted.

Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

(a)       Consider the First Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report, 

(b)       Review the progress against priorities, performance, budgets and savings targets for 2014/15;

(c)       Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues;

(d)       Identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services.

Officer contact: Christine Buxton, Peter Owston, 0161 474 4124 / 0161 474 3274, Christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk / peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with an update on progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the first quarter of 2014/15.

The Scrutiny Committee also considered the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) report for the same quarter highlighting a number of the Council’s significant achievements and significant AGMA and Combined Authority activity.

It was reported that the Executive at its meeting on 12 August 2014 had agreed that:

·         progress against delivering Council Plan priorities, portfolio outcomes and capital schemes alongside budget and performance forecasts contained within the report be noted;

·         the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.4 of the report be approved;

·         the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for 2014/15 as set out in section 2.3 of the report be noted;

·         the current position on the budget savings programme set out in section 2.4 of the report be noted;

·         the Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account forecast outturn positions as set out in sections 2.7 and 2.8 of the report be noted;

·         the position on earmarked reserves and balances as set out in section 2.9 of the report be noted;

·         the forecast position for the 2014/15 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1 of the report be noted;

·         the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.5 of the report be approved;

·         the resourcing of the Capital Programme as set out in section 3.3 of the report be approved; and

·         the treasury review and activity during the first quarter as set out in section 4 of the report be noted

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The collection rate for Council Tax and Business Rates remained high (approx. 96%) and the number of business remained approximately the same as in the previous year.

·         It was noted that Adult Care Services and Primary School capacity had been identified as a demographic pressures on the budget.

·         Whether the strategy to borrow short-term cash from the money market and from other local authorities allowed the Council to meet the Investing in Stockport and regeneration commitments.

·         The Council had a largely ageing staff profile and there was a risk that knowledge and experience would be lost.

·         Additional capacity had been provided across Corporate and Support Services through creating more flexible roles along with a Graduate Scheme and the recruitment of Apprentices.

·         It was noted that there had been a reduction in performance in relation to the payment of invoices within ten days from 85% to 63% although this had now improved and the payment of invoices within 30 days had remained at 95%.

RESOLVED – (1) That the reports be noted.

(2) That a briefing paper be circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee in relation to the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy in relation to borrowing and in particular funding the Investing in Stockport and regeneration commitments.

To consider a report of Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer and Community Services)

At its meeting on 15 July 2014, the Executive received a Medium Term Financial Forecast that indicated a budget reduction requirement of £22.453m for 2015/16, and forecast a cumulative reduction requirement of £39.419m in 2016/17, rising to £64.5m by 2018/19. In response to those forecasts, and in line with its previous deliberations and statements of intent, the Executive agreed the strategic framework for Investing in Stockport (IIS), a single programme of sustainable growth and public service reform in the Borough over the medium term.

At its most recent meeting on 12 August the Executive brought forward a set of proposals informed by the strategic framework and designed to address the budget reduction requirement.  Executive Councillors agreed that there should be a report to all scrutiny committees in the next cycle outlining the proposals relating to each committee’s remit.  Confirmation of which proposals fall within the remit of which Committee is provided at Appendix 1.

The business case working papers (that will be circulated ‘to follow’) that were made available to the Executive Councillors accompany this report have been updated to include additional information in relation to the potential risks and impacts associated with the proposed changes. 

All scrutiny committees are being requested during this cycle of meetings to comment upon the approach being taken by the Executive to address the need to make substantial savings over the next two years, and the specific proposals brought forward for consultation. 

It is recommended, therefore, that the Scrutiny Committee comments upon both the overall approach being taken by the Executive and the specific proposals detailed in the accompanying documents, where they fall within the remit of that Committee.

Officer contact: Steve Houston / Laureen Donnan; 0161 474 4000 / 3180

A joint report of the Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Executive’s proposals to respond to the Medium Term Financial Forecast considered by the Executive in July 2014. At its meeting in August, the Executive endorsed for consultation a set of proposals, in accordance with the Investing in Stockport strategic framework, that sought to respond to the required budget reductions but also to target investment to ensure the best outcomes for residents in the Borough.

The accompanying documents to the report provided further detail on the following Investing in Stockport proposals:-

·         Preventative Commissioning Strategy

·         Integrated Care – Adult Social Care and Health

·         Learning Disability Review

·         Locality Operating Model

·         Information, Advice and Guidance

·         Corporate and Support Services

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

Councillor Roberts reported that the proposals in relation to ‘Pooled Budgets’ were unlikely to make the savings originally identified.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The proposal to make a contribution from general balances of up to £3m to support the Medium Term Financial Plan in 2015/16 and the ability for the Council to pay this back.

·         The reliance of the third sector in relation to ‘Pooled budgets’ and their capacity to deliver services on behalf of the Council.

·         The need for Councillors to be identified as a ‘Stakeholder’ in all of the Investing in Stockport proposals.

·         The Scrutiny Committee welcomed the continuation of the approach adopted in Corporate and Support Services following the implementation of the Corporate and Support Services Review and that a similar approach should be adopted across the Council.

·         There was a need to reduce the reliance on Corporate and Support Services by other parts of the Council in order to achieve the savings identified.

·         The Business Case Working Papers in relation to ‘Locality Operating Model’ and ‘Information, Advice and Guidance’ were at an early stage and more detailed Business Cases would be submitted for consideration by the Scrutiny Committee in due course.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the comments of the Scrutiny Committee be submitted to the Executive for their consideration as part of the feedback on the Investing in Stockport proposals.

(3) That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be requested to submit a report in relation to the operation of the Stockport Trafford and Rochdale (STaR) shared procurement service to the meeting on 2 December 2014.

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

The Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 29 July 2014 requested the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services to submit a report to the September meeting in relation to the Contact Centre’s performance. A report was previously presented to this Scrutiny Committee in December 2013.

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

Officer contact Janet Wood on telephone number Tel: 0161 474 4443 or alternatively email janet.wood@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) in relation to the current position at the Contact Centre.

It was reported that the Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 29 July 2014 had requested the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services to submit a report to this meeting in relation to the Contact Centre’s performance. A report was previously presented to this Scrutiny Committee in December 2013. In addition the Council Meeting on 11 September 2014 had considered this issue.

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

The Scrutiny Committee received a presentation in relation to the proposed redesigned Council website.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The additional staffing would remain in place until an answer rate of approximately 80%, an average wait time of under 2 minutes and a contact time of approximately 5 minutes was being maintained.

·         The statistics in paragraph 3.3.1 in relation to the ‘average waiting time’ did not include ‘abandoned calls’ and was therefore misleading.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report and presentation be noted.

(2) That the ‘average waiting time’ including ‘abandoned calls’ be circulated to members of this Scrutiny Committee.

(3) That further comments from members of this Scrutiny Committee in relation to the proposed redesigned Council website be submitted to the Head of Information and Communication and that Councillors Burns, Butler and Wyatt be involved in its development.

To consider a report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Governance

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.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note this report.

Officer contact: Joy Morton on joy.morton@stockport.gov.uk or 0161 474 3219.

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update in relation to the fourth quarter of the 2013/14 financial year and the first and second quarter of the 2014/15 financial year.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report sets out the process for the selection of Scrutiny Review topics by Scrutiny Committees to be carried out during the 2014/15 municipal year.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the selection of Scrutiny Review topics to be carried out during the 2014/15 municipal year.

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) requesting the Scrutiny Committee to consider the process for the selection of Scrutiny Review topics to be carried out during the 2014/15 municipal year.

RESOLVED – (1) That the following topics be identified and the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee be invited to consider undertaking a Joint Review in relation to ‘Understanding the digital divide in the Borough’:

·         ‘Understanding the digital divide in the Borough’:

·         ‘The use of public buildings in the Borough and their availability for community use’

(2) That the following members of this Scrutiny Committee be appointed to the Review Panels together with the Lead Member identified:

Understanding the digital divide in the Borough’

Councillor Kate Butler (Lead Member)

Councillor Geoff Abel

Councillor Chris Murphy

Councillor Suzanne Wyatt

The use of public buildings in the Borough and thir availability for community use’

Councillor Peter Burns (Lead Member)

Councillor Ben Alexander

Councillor Kate Butler

(3) That the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Lead Member be requested to make arrangements for the first meeting of the Joint Review Panel.

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.