Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 3 March 2015 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 were made.

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

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

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note the report.

Officer contact Joseph Conmee, telephone 0161 474 5396; email joseph.conmee@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the background, role and responsibilities and governance arrangements of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The GM LEP was different to the LEP’s across the country due to its coterminous relationship with the Combined Authority. Members enquired whether representation from the Trade Union Congress on the GM LEP had been considered.

·         The GM LEP provided strategic direction and advice in relation to the Enterprise Zone (Manchester Airport City). Members requested information in relation to the governance arrangements of the Manchester Airport City Enterprise Zone Strategic Board.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a further report be submitted to this Scrutiny Committee in 12 months.

To consider the final report of the Scrutiny Review Panel – Understanding the Accessibility of Digital Services in Stockport.

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

Officer Contact: Steve Skelton on 0161 474 31374 or email: steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

Councillor Kate Butler introduced the final report on the draft Scrutiny Review - Understanding the Accessibility of Digital Services in Stockport. The joint review carried out by the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance and the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committees had not focused on efficiency savings but instead optimising the use of digital services to improve the quality of life for residents in Stockport. In particular within the scope and recommendations aimed to:

·         Ensure there was a fair distribution of access to Digital Services across the Borough.

·         Identify opportunities to improve the current service at nil cost to the Council.

·         Improve connectivity and maximise the economic benefits of Digital Services.

·         Provide an explicit commitment that there will always be the option for residents that need it to elect for face to face contact in dealing with the Council.

·         Incentives in relation to digital take-up

·         Ensure residents with complex needs are able to access Digital Services.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Whilst the Council should continue to expand free wi-fi coverage, it was recognised that free wi-fi was already widely available through cafes, restaurants, public houses etc. and through Stockport Homes.

·         The reduced cost of mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets now meant many residents accessed services through these devices rather than a PC/ laptop and therefore the interface of Council services needed to be adapted accordingly.

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 this Scrutiny Committee supports the recommendations detailed in the report.

(3) That the thanks of this Scrutiny Committee be extended to members of the Review Panel for the in-depth review undertaken.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Alex Ganotis.

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

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer contact Steve Houston, telephone number 0161 474 4000; email steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk

The Democratic Services Manager reported that this item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Alex Ganotis.

Councillor Brett reported that the item had been included on the agenda as there was concern that the first two decisions regarding financial support to Cheadle and Marple College had been taken without consultation with this Scrutiny Committee and had not been included within the Forward Plan.

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the decision making process and timeline followed in relation to the provision of financial support arrangements for the Cheadle and Marple College.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) reported that the timescales imposed by the College did not allow the usual decision making process to be followed but that in relation to the second and third loans these decisions had not been exempted from call-in to ensure the decision making was as transparent as possible and in relation to the third loan, this Scrutiny Committee had been consulted at the last meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Alex Ganotis.

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

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer contact Steve Houston, telephone number 0161 474 4000; email steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk

The Democratic Services Manager reported that this item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Alex Ganotis.

Councillor Brett reported that the item had been included on the agenda as there was concern that this decision had not followed the normal decision making process as the item had not been included in the Forward Plan, there had been no consultation with this Scrutiny Committee and the decision had been exempt from call-in..

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the process and timeline followed for the Executive’s decision to enter into a Deed of Indemnity in relation to the establishment of the Greater Manchester Housing Investment Fund.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Group Leaders Meetings were not a forum for making decisions.

·         In the future, as a consequence of further GM devolution, it may not be possible for decisions to follow the normal decision making process in ensuring decisions are taken by all ten GM authorities within the necessary timescales..

·         The Leaders on the Combined Authority had recognised that the current AGMA Scrutiny arrangements needed to be strengthened.

·         The Adult Care Services and Housing Scrutiny Committee would be receiving a report on the policy priorities identified in the report considered by the Executive.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the report requested by the Adult Care Services and Housing Scrutiny Committee be circulated to members of this Scrutiny Committee for information.

(3) That the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee be asked to consider the inclusion of Scrutiny within the decision making process when decisions are required to be taken by all ten GM authorities within the necessary timescales.

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.

He reported that a report on the Council’s use of directed surveillance and Convert Intelligence Sources would be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee on 2 June 2015.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.