Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2015

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 22 September 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 Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Support and Governance, and Safe and Resilient Communities Portfolios are presented for consideration by the Scrutiny Committee. These provide a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priority outcomes through the Investing in Stockport programme and other key projects during the first half of 2015/16, with updates on key activity during the second quarter. They include forecast performance data (where this is available) and projected financial data for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme. 

Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         Consider the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;  

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

·         Review the Community Safety, Neighbourhood Management and Libraries elements of the Safe and Resilient Communities Portfolio Report, with the education elements of this being considered separately by the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee

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

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

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

Officer contacts: Peter Owston, Policy, Performance and Reform (CSS), peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk (474 3274)

Susan Wood, Strategic Accountant (CSS) susan.wood@stockport.go.uk (218 1032)

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Support and Governance, and Safe and Resilient Communities Portfolios for consideration by the Scrutiny Committee. They provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priority outcomes through the Investing in Stockport programme and other key projects during the first half of 2015/16, with updates on key activity during the second quarter. They included forecast performance data (where this was available) and projected financial data for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Support and Governance, and Safe and Resilient Communities Portfolios are presented for consideration by the Scrutiny Committee. These provide a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priority outcomes through the Investing in Stockport programme and other key projects during the first half of 2015/16, with updates on key activity during the second quarter. They include forecast performance data (where this is available) and projected financial data for the Portfolios, 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 respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was noted that there was an intention to expand traded services in the future to generate additional income.

·         A number of apprentices had now been appointed to respond to a high level of staff turnover within the Benefits Service and there had been an impact on the Contact Centre as a result of the vacant posts.

·         It was noted that the retention of staff remained a challenge mainly due to the Public Sector pay restraint and it was suggested that the loss of experienced staff should be identified as a ‘Corporate Risk’ as well as a review of temporary contracts.

·         The Scrutiny Committee discussed the implications in respect of the retention of Business Rates and the potential impact on the current ’pooling’ arrangements across AGMA.

·         The Council’s approach to Consultations and in particular the consultations being undertaken by independent consultants to support the Library & information service review.

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted that the Locality Working Project was not intended to replace Neighbourhood Management but instead to create links to better support the Priority areas.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Deputy Chief Executive be requested to include the Council’s Sickness Absence Policy within the Mid-Year Sickness Absence Report scheduled to be considered at the next meeting of this Scrutiny Committee.

(3) That the Deputy Chief Executive be requested to provide details to members of this Scrutiny Committee in relation to the expenditure of £719,000 to support new initiatives in workforce development.

(4) That the format and content of future Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports be reviewed to ensure that only information relevant to this Scrutiny Committee is included.

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

In June 14 the Executive response to the Welfare Reform Scrutiny Review was presented to this Scrutiny Committee. Since that time work has been carried out on actions coming out of the review. This report sets out the progress on those actions. Progress on the actions is set out in the Executive Response Template which is shown at appendix A

The updated templet demonstrates ongoing progress on all aspects of the action plan and clear indication that most of the recommended actions have become embedded as business as usual or have been superseded by further development.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note the report.

Officer contact Alison Blount on telephone number Tel: 0161 474 5107 or alternatively email 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 progress on those actions. Progress on the actions is set out in the Executive Response Template which is shown at appendix A to the report.

In June 14 the Executive response to the Welfare Reform Scrutiny Review was presented to this Scrutiny Committee and since that time work had been carried out on actions coming out of the review. The updated templet demonstrated ongoing progress on all aspects of the action plan and clear indication that most of the recommended actions had become embedded as business as usual or had been superseded by further development.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support & Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Work taking place to support voluntary organisations following Anchorpoint ceasing to operate in Stockport.

·         The impact and increased usage (especially in Libraries) following Wi-Fi being extended to all public buildings in the Borough.

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted the current position in relation to the Stockport Credit Union and the benefits of employees of the Council and local businesses supporting the Credit Union.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Annual Insurance Report provides a summary of insurance performance for the financial year April 2014 to March 2015.  The report can be found at Appendix 1.  The report includes comparisons with 2012-13 and 2013-14 financial years in order to allow for a meaningful comparison of trends.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the Annual Insurance Report.

Officer contact John Pearsall on telephone number Tel: 0161 474 4033 or alternatively email john.pearsall@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of insurance performance for the financial year April 2014 to March 2015. The report included comparisons with 2012-13 and 2013-14 financial years in order to allow for a meaningful comparison of trends.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support & Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on community engagement activity as part of the Investing in Stockport Locality Working project, as requested by this Scrutiny Committee at its last meeting.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer contact Darren Pegram on telephone number 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 an update on community engagement activity as part of the Investing in Stockport Locality Working project, as requested by this Scrutiny Committee at its last meeting.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support & Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This report provides an update on progress with Digital by Design and sets out an initial implementation plan and other information related to the programme.  For ease of reference, Appendix A summarises the key new capabilities the Programme will deliver.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to discuss the proposed approach to implementing the Digital by Design Programme and to request any further information as necessary.  

Officer contacts Steve Skelton or Paul James on 0161 474 3174/ 5430, or by email on steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk / paul.james@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress with Digital by Design and setting out an initial implementation plan and other information related to the programme.  For ease of reference, Appendix A to the report summarised the key new capabilities the Programme will deliver.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support & Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted and discussed the proposed ‘agile’ approach to the ‘Digital by Design’ Programme.

·         The changes should ensure that residents continue to be provided with alternative means of accessing council services and information.

·         Best practice and learning from other Council’s further ahead in implementing similar proposals.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Support & Governance).

The Executive’s Interim response to the recent joint scrutiny review was received by the Committee on 7th April 2015.  That report, and the accompanying business case for the Digital by Design Programme set a clear policy objective to ensure that residents can be empowered to use digital services to the full, and that a safety net is provided for those who are unable to do so.

This report proposes an approach to ensuring appropriate assistance can be provided for those less able to engage with Digital services.  The report forms the Executive’s full formal response to the recent joint Scrutiny Review into Understanding the Accessibility of Digital Services in the Borough, and follows the interim response received by this Committee in July.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to discuss and note this report.

Officer contacts Steve Skelton or Paul James on 0161 474 3174/ 5430, or by email on steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk / paul.james@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Support & Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) proposing an approach to ensuring appropriate assistance can be provided for those less able to engage with Digital services.  The report formed the Executive’s full formal response to the recent joint Scrutiny Review into Understanding the Accessibility of Digital Services in the Borough, and followed the interim response received by this Scrutiny Committee in July.

The Executive’s Interim response to the recent joint scrutiny review was received by this Scrutiny Committee on 7 April 2015.  That report, and the accompanying business case for the Digital by Design Programme set a clear policy objective to ensure that residents can be empowered to use digital services to the full, and that a safety net is provided for those who are unable to do so.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support & Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

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

(2) That the recommendation in relation to ensuring Councillors have the tools and training to continue to lead by example in transitioning to digital services including the feasibility of providing Councillors with improved digital tools such as a Councillor Portal and a Councillor Case Work system be referred to the Scrutiny Review into ‘Member Development and Support’/

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 – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to circulate reports (where possible) to members of this Scrutiny Committee in advance of the agenda for the next meeting being published.