Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2015

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 7 July 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.

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 interest was declared:-

Disclosable Pecuniary Interest

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The purpose of the report is to inform members of the Electoral Commission's assessment of progress with the transition to Individual Electoral Registration and outline the arrangements for the 2015 canvass in Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the progress made to date in relation to the transition to Individual Electoral Registration.

Officer contact Steve Callender on telephone number Tel: 0161 474 3184 or alternatively email steve.callender@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) informing the Scrutiny Committee of the Electoral Commission's assessment of progress with the transition to Individual Electoral Registration and outlining the arrangements for the 2015 canvass in Stockport.

It was reported that the Government had now confirmed that the transition phase of the introduction of IER would be brought forward from December 2016 to December 2015.  This meant that currently approximately 5000 electors would be deleted from the electoral register on 1 December 2015 when the new electoral register was published unless they reregistered under IER before that date.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         There was a difficulty in matching information provided by electors with information held by the Department for Work and Pensions.

·         The need to ensure that those residents approaching their eighteenth birthday register to vote including working with the local colleges to encourage students to register.

·         The Scrutiny Committee welcomed the attempts being made to ensure that as many of the ‘carried forward electors’ register under the new arrangements to avoid them being deleted from the electoral register on 1 December 2015.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

This report and accompanying presentation are intended to provide the Scrutiny Committee with an update on the development of a new locality operating model.

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

Officer contact Darren Pegram on telephone number Tel: 0161-474-3171 or alternatively email darren.pegram@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with an update on the development of a new locality operating model.

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration also made a presentation setting out the following three priorities and the work being undertaken to deliver the discrete themes:

·         supporting community organisations to maximise their potential.

·         engaging communities in public service design, prioritisation and delivery.

·         locality approach to land, property use and development.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support and Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions. He also explained that he was looking to establish a cross party working group to consider the proposals including reviewing the current role of Area Committees.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Scrutiny Committee welcomed the principle of moving towards a Locality Working model but wished to consider the detailed arrangements as the proposals are developed.

·         There was a need to make a clear distinction between “community delivery” and “service delivery” and it was noted that the proposals did not expect community groups to provide services currently undertaken by the Council.

·         It was noted that the model currently being developed was not purely based on generating savings.

·         The establishment of “service delivery hubs” to work closely with community groups was welcomed.

·         Stockport was well served by effective community groups across the borough.

·         The Scrutiny Committee welcomed the creation of “Relationship Managers’ to support groups in navigating their way around the Council.

·         There was a need for all Scrutiny Committees to have an opportunity to comment on the Locality Working proposals.

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

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to circulate the presentation slides to members of this Scrutiny Committee.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The Stockport Borough Plan is intended to provide a high-level vision, based on the Investing in Stockport Shared Outcomes Framework, that all partners can work towards over the next five years.

The Plan is supported by a range of organisational and partnership plans and strategies, including the Council Plan for 2015/16, which outline in more detail how individual public agencies are contributing to outcomes in the Borough.  The Borough Plan focuses in addition on those key programmes that must be progressed in partnership.  

Scrutiny Committee is asked to review and comment on the draft Borough Plan and accompanying appendices.

Officer contact: Steve Skelton on 474 3174 on steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) in relation to “The Stockport Borough Plan”.

The Plan was intended to provide a high-level vision, based on the Investing in Stockport Shared Outcomes Framework, that all partners could work towards over the next five years. The Plan was supported by a range of organisational and partnership plans and strategies, including the Council Plan for 2015/16, which outlined in more detail how individual public agencies were contributing to outcomes in the Borough.  The Borough Plan focused in addition on those key programmes that must be progressed in partnership.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support and Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was suggested that the description of ‘Stockport’ set out in the first sentence of the “Investing in Stockport – A plan for our Borough 2015-20” be amended to better reflect the nature, location and context of the borough.

·         The Council Plan provided the Council’s contribution to the Borough Plan and the measures within the quarterly performance reports would be used to ensure the Council was meeting its targets.

·         There was a need to provide a version of the Plan for residents and communicate with residents, businesses and community groups their joint responsibility for ensuring delivery of the Plan.

RESOLVED – That The Stockport Borough Plan be noted.

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

The report provides the First Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report for the Support and Governance and Safe and Resilient Communities Portfolio’s.  This provides an early update on progress in delivering the portfolio priority outcomes through the Investing in Stockport programme and other key projects during the first quarter of 2015/16. It includes forecast performance data (where this is available) and projected financial data for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme. 

Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

a)    Consider the First Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;  

b)   Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2015/16;

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

d)   Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Executive alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report;

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

Officer Contact: Peter Owston on 474 3274 or email: peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk or Susan Wood on 218 1032 or email: susan.wood@stockport.go.uk

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with the First Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report for the Support & Governance and Safe & Resilient Communities Portfolio’s.  The report provided an early update on progress in delivering the portfolio priority outcomes through the Investing in Stockport programme and other key projects during the first quarter of 2015/16.  It included forecast performance data (where this was available) and projected financial data for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support & Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts) and the Executive Councillor for Safe & Resilient Communities (Councillor Shan Alexander) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The Scrutiny Committee requested information regarding the increase in the number of Young Offenders from 36 in 2014/15 to 62 for the same period although it was noted that Stockport remained one of the lowest in Greater Manchester.

·         There were proposals to increase the current Pooled Budget from £51M to £200M.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The purpose of this report is to set out the case for changing the method of provision for ‘previously supported borrowing’ to one which is arguably more prudent (on a whole life basis) than the current approach.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to recommend that the Council Meeting  amend the 2015/16 Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement to enable the Council to provide for MRP on previously supported General Fund borrowing in equal annual instalments over a 50 year period commencing 1 April 2015.

Officer contact Andy Moran on telephone number Tel: 0161 474 4086 or alternatively email andrew.moran@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the case for changing the method of provision for ‘previously supported borrowing’ to one which was arguably more prudent (on a whole life basis) than the current approach.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support & Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to give approval to amendments to the 2015/16 MRP Policy Statement to enable the Council to provide for MRP on previously supported General Fund borrowing in equal annual instalments over a 50 year period commencing1 April 2015.

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

The report seeks the comments of the Scrutiny Committee on the content of a draft Purchase to Pay Policy for Stockport Council (enclosed at Annex One).  Together with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs), the policy determines the appropriate boundaries, delegations and proper practices with regard to:

·         Procurement, commissioning and purchasing activity;

·         Supplier (Vendor) selection and set up;

·         The ordering of goods and services;

·         The receipt of goods and services;

·         Payment for goods and services;

·         Supplier relationship management.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note and comment on the draft Purchase to Pay Policy enclosed at Annex One.

Officer contact Andy Moran on telephone number Tel: 0161 474 4086 or alternatively email andrew.moran@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking the comments of the Scrutiny Committee on the content of a draft Purchase to Pay Policy for the Council set out in Annex One to the report.  Together with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules, the policy determined the appropriate boundaries, delegations and proper practices with regard to:

·         Procurement, commissioning and purchasing activity;

·         Supplier (Vendor) selection and set up;

·         The ordering of goods and services;

·         The receipt of goods and services;

·         Payment for goods and services;

·         Supplier relationship management.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support & Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

RESOLVED – That the report and draft Purchase to Pay Policy set out in Annex One of the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer

The report sets out a number of proposed changes to the Constitution under the following headings:-

·         Scheme of Delegation – Officers and the Executive

·         Changes required by law

·         Officer Code of Conduct in relation to staff registers of Business Interests, Gifts and Hospitality

·         Property Transaction Process Flowchart

·         Implementation of new regulations governing the appointment and dismissal of the statutory officers.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to consider and comment on the proposals for changes to the Constitution set out in the report, and authorise the Monitoring Officer to make any minor changes to the Constitution if required as a result of these changes.

Officer contact Parveen Akhtar on telephone number 0161 218 1450 or alternatively email parveen.akhtar@stockport.gov.uk

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a number of proposed changes to the Constitution under the following headings:-

·         Scheme of delegation – Officers and Executive

·         Changes required by law

·         Officer Code of Conduct in relation to staff registers of Business Interests, Gifts and Hospitality

·         Property Transaction Process Flowchart

·         Implementation of new regulations governing the appointment and dismissal of the statutory officers.

It was reported that the Constitution Working Party at its meeting on 22 July 2015 had recommended that the recommendations in the report be approved.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) and the Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support & Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Council Meeting be recommended to give approval to the changes to the Constitution set out in Appendices 1 to 9 of the report.

(2) That should the changes to the law on the discharge of local authority functions be non-discretionary then the Monitoring Officer be authorised to report to the Leader and Council Meeting directly without first referring the issues to the Constitution Working Party and this Scrutiny Committee.

(3) That the Monitoring Officer advise the Constitution Working Party and this Scrutiny Committee of any changes announced by the Government with regard to (2) above.

(4) That this Scrutiny Committee supports the Monitoring Officer being authorised to make minor or technical changes to the Constitution if any such change was required as a result of the amendments set out in Appendices 1 to 9 of the report.

(5) That the Monitoring Officer be requested to confirm with the existing two Independent Persons, appointed for the purposes of Standards complaints, that they are happy to take on the new responsibilities in relation to being the “Designated Independent Person” to investigate and make a binding recommendation on disciplinary action against the Head of the Paid Service, Monitoring Officer and Section 152 Officer.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) at its meeting on 26 June 2015 agreed that it should apply to become a full member of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) in its own right and requested the ten GM Local Authorities to agree to this proposal as soon as possible.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to recommend that the Council Meeting:

·         Agree to GMCA becoming a full member of AGMA in its own right.

·         Note that further consequential amendments to the AGMA constitution may be agreed by AGMA as a result of the admission of an eleventh member of AGMA.

·         Note that Tony Lloyd, interim Mayor of the GMCA is enabled to vote at GMCA meetings.

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

The Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) informing the Scrutiny Committee that the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) at its meeting on 26 June 2015 had agreed that it should apply to become a full member of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) in its own right and requested the ten Greater Manchester Local Authorities to agree to this proposal as soon as possible.

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

RESOLVED - That the Executive and the Council Meeting be recommended to:

(a)       Agree to GMCA becoming a full member of AGMA in its own right.

(b)       Note that further consequential amendments to the AGMA constitution may be agreed by AGMA as a result of the admission of an eleventh member of AGMA.

(c)        Note that Tony Lloyd, interim Mayor of the GMCA, is enabled to vote at AGMA meetings.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

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.

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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 first quarter of the 2015-2016 financial year in relation to the Council’s use of DIrected Surveillance and Covert Human Intelligence Sources.

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 2015/16 municipal year.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the selection of Scrutiny Review topics to be carried out during the 2015/16 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) setting out the process for the selection of Scrutiny Review topics by Scrutiny Committees to be carried out during the 2015/16 municipal year.

RESOLVED – (1) That a Review be undertaken into the evolving role of members in relation to the Investing In Stockport Programme to ensure they have the appropriate support to fulfil their changing roles.

(2) That all members of the Scrutiny Committee should be members of the Review Panel together with a nomination from the Central Stockport and Marple Area Committees.

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.