Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2015

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 8 December 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 they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following declaration was declared

Personal Interest

Councillor Peter Burns                               Agenda item 4 (minute 4) ‘Portfolio Performance and Resources – Final update reports’ as a governor at Outwood Primary School referred to in the ‘Capital Programme Amendments’ in respect of the ‘Safe and Resilient Portfolio’.

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

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

The Final Update 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 an update on key activity during the third quarter of the year, with a summary of progress in delivering portfolio priority outcomes through the Investing in Stockport programme and other key projects since the mid-year report. They include forecast performance data (where this is available) and projected financial data for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes.

In addition to the Support and Governance Portfolio Report, the Scrutiny Committee is asked to 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.

The report will be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 16 February 2016.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         Consider the Final Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;  

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

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

The Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Final Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Support and Governance, and Safe and Resilient Communities Portfolios.

These provided an update on key activity during the third quarter of the year, with a summary of progress in delivering portfolio priority outcomes through the Investing in Stockport programme and other key projects since the mid-year report. The report included forecast performance data (where this was available) and projected financial data for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes.

It was reported that the report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 16 February 2016.

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:-

·         Councillors questioned the figures provided in the report for sickness absence to date. 

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted the current consultation on proposals to change ways to access Information, Advice and Guidance services and the level of response to date.

·         It was noted that a report in relation to ‘Locality Working’ had been considered by the Executive on 16 December 2015 and that the priorities identified by local people were being addressed.

·         The Scrutiny Committee enquired what was meant by “better managing sickness absence” and noted that despite this the forecast was that the figures were increasing.

·         Whilst the Scrutiny Committee noted that the focus was on ensuring invoices were paid within 30 days, they expressed concern that the target for paying invoices for local businesses with 10 days was unlikely to be met.

·         Councillors asked about high staff turnover in the business support function and the action being taken to address this issue.

·         The increase in the number of victim-based and violent crimes was partly due to the way incidents were now recorded (counting victims rather than incidents).  Further work will be done to understand where possible if there has also been an increase in incidents as well.

·         Concern was expressed at the increase in the number of people who felt “that their local area was a place where people from different ethnic backgrounds get on well together”. It was noted that the figures were currently being broken down by ward and would be reported to Area Committees in due course.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Deputy Chief Executive be requested to confirm the information in the report that “on average approximately 2,351 full days every month are lost due to ill health which is equivalent to 10 full members of staff”.

(3) That the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Service be requested to write to members of this Scrutiny Committee confirming the fees relating to the purchase of Edgeley Park.

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

The purpose of this report is to invite the Scrutiny Committee to comment upon the proposed report to the Executive on 16 February 2016.  The Executive is being asked to note the update on progress of the Asset Management Plan (AMP) capital programme for 2015/16 and approve the inclusion of revised schemes to be delivered in 2016/17.

The report will be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 16 February 2016.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to provide comments to the recommendations that will be submitted to the Executive for approval at its meeting on 16 February 2016, namely:

·         Approval of the Asset Management Plan Capital programme for 2016/17 the financing thereof, and the Indicative AMP programme for 2017/18 to 2018/19, as set out in the report;

·         The application of corporate resources to fund the AMP programme 2016/2017 to 2018/2019; with the application of funding types (capital receipts (including total achieved from the Office Rationalisation Programme) and borrowing) being delegated to the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services in conjunction with the Estates Strategy Group (ESG);

·         That the Executive and the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee receive annual update reports on progress.

Officer contact Murray Carr   on Tel: 0161-474-3019 or by email on murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to comment upon the proposed report to the Executive on 16 February 2016. 

The Executive was being asked to note the update on progress of the Asset Management Plan (AMP) capital programme for 2015/16 and approve the inclusion of revised schemes to be delivered in 2016/17.

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 Scrutiny Committee noted the arrangements in relation to the “conditions survey” in respect of Life Leisure and that a separate maintenance programme setting out the investment requirements required in respect of these buildings would be submitted to a future meeting of this Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services be requested to provide further information to members of this Scrutiny Committee in relation to the £1M allocated for the ‘Office Rationalisation Programme’.

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

The purpose of this report is to set out a revised policy statement on debt recovery strategies.

The Council’s Corporate Debt Recovery Code Policy statement provides a framework for maximising income collection and is designed to be firm but fair by ensuring that debtors

·         Are given sufficient time and opportunity to contact the Council in cases where they are having difficulty paying;

·         Are encouraged to seek independent advice and to apply for relevant reductions /benefits;

·         Understand the consequences of failing to either make contact or bring

·         their account up to date ;and

·         Are only referred to a higher level of enforcement when all alternative

·         Arrangements and recovery options have been exhausted.

The report will be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 16 February 2016.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the Corporate Debt Recovery Policy document which is attached at appendix 1.

The Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (Copies of which had been circulated) setting out a revised policy statement on debt recovery strategies.

The Council’s Corporate Debt Recovery Code Policy statement provided a framework for maximising income collection and is designed to be firm but fair by ensuring that debtors:

·         Are given sufficient time and opportunity to contact the Council in cases where they are having difficulty paying;

·         Are encouraged to seek independent advice and to apply for relevant reductions /benefits;

·         Understand the consequences of failing to either make contact or bring their account up to date ;and

·         Are only referred to a higher level of enforcement when all alternative

·         Arrangements and recovery options have been exhausted.

It was reported that the Recovery Policy would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 16 February 2016.

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 Scrutiny committee noted the outcome of the recent review of recovery policies and practices by the Council Tax Collection Task and Finish Group.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Debt Recovery Policy document as set out in appendix 1 to the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The 2015/16 Council Plan was approved by the Budget Council Meeting in February 2015. As we move into the delivery phase of the IIS programme, the refreshed 2016/17 Plan will continue to reflect the outcomes and structure. The new Plan will also be aligned with the longer-term vision set out in the Borough Plan (approved by the Council Meeting in September), and support delivery of the Medium Term Financial Plan.  The focus on growth and reform continues, with an added emphasis on GM devolution, along with the development of a new approach towards inclusion.

Following consideration by this Scrutiny, the draft Plan and EIA will be submitted for approval by the Executive on 16 February, and endorsement by the Budget Council Meeting on 3 March. In addition to considering any additions or amendments identified by the Committee, these versions will also include an introduction by the Leader of the Council.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         Consider and comment on the refreshed Council Plan,

·         Note the key issues and processes outlined above.

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

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) in relation to the 2015/16 Council Plan which had been approved at the Budget Council Meeting in February 2015.

The new Plan would be aligned with the longer-term vision set out in the Borough Plan (approved at the Council Meeting in September 2015), and support delivery of the Medium Term Financial Plan.

 It was reported that the draft Plan and Equality Impact Assessment would be submitted for approval by the Executive on 16 February and the Budget Council Meeting on 3 March for endorsement.

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 refreshed Council Plan be noted.

(2) That the key issues and processes outlined in the report be noted.

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

The purpose of this report is to provide the Scrutiny Committee with an overview of the current position regarding the devolution of powers and resources from Government Departments and Non-Departmental Public Bodies to Greater Manchester.

This report covers:

·         The strategic context which underpins the devolution dialogue between GM and Government

·         The powers and resources which have been devolved since the establishment of the GM Combined Authority (GMCA)

·         An  update on the provision in the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill

·         Implications of devolution for services in Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note the report.

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

The Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with an overview of the current position regarding the devolution of powers and resources from Government Departments and Non-Departmental Public Bodies to Greater Manchester.

This report covered:

·         The strategic context which underpins the devolution dialogue between GM and Government

·         The powers and resources which have been devolved since the establishment of the GM Combined Authority (GMCA)

·         An  update on the provision in the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill

·         Implications of devolution for services in Stockport.

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 that arrangements were being developed to ensure that where decisions being taken by AGMA/ GMCA which also required the approval by this Council, there was effective scrutiny prior to decisions being taken.

·         There was a need to monitor the officer resources being provided by this Council to support the GM devolution programme to ensure that there was sufficient capacity to support the services provided by the Council as well as projects being delivered by the GMCA.

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.

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.