Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2016.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 2 February 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 by virtue of Category 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended) the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of item 13 “Town Centre Acquisitions” (Minute 14)

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 interests were declared:-

Personal and Prejudicial 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 report outlines the arrangements in place in ensuring that decisions being taken at the Greater Manchester level, and which consequently necessitate the exercising of executive functions at Stockport, are open to scrutiny at a local level. The report al so updates the Scrutiny Committee on the review by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) of its scrutiny arrangements and the further changes proposed by the Interim Elected Mayor (Tony Lloyd) as detailed in paragraph 4.1.5 of this report.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to:

·         Note the report and the current arrangements.

·         Note the proposals of the Interim Elected Mayor as set out in paragraph 4.1.5 of the report and the implications for Stockport (para 4.2).

Officer contact Craig Ainsworth on telephone number Tel: 0161 474 3204 or by email on craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the arrangements in place in ensuring that decisions being taken at the Greater Manchester level, and which consequently necessitate the exercising of executive functions at Stockport, were open to scrutiny at a local level. The report also updated the Scrutiny Committee on the review by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) of its scrutiny arrangements and the further changes proposed by the Interim Elected Mayor (Tony Lloyd) as detailed in paragraph 4.1.5 of the report.

Cllr John McGahan one of the three members appointed to the current Scrutiny Pool attended the meeting to comment upon the proposals by the Interim Elected Mayor as set out in the report. In particular:

·         ‘Standing Scrutiny Committees’ should be established mirroring the Leaders Portfolios.

·         Administrative and policy support for the Scrutiny function should be provided through the existing support in each local authority.

·         Scrutiny Committees should make formal recommendations to the Mayor and GMCA prior to decisions being taken by the Combined Authority.

·         The Mayor, relevant portfolio holder and other partner agencies delivering services on behalf of the GMCA should be required to attend Scrutiny Committees where appropriate.

·         Scrutiny Committees should be advertised held in public and streamed live with minutes and documents made publicly available. Meetings should also be held in the evening.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the GMCA be recommended to adopt the same approach as operated in Stockport with an assumption that reports will be submitted to the appropriate Scrutiny Committee for comments prior to a decision being taken by the GMCA and that reports should only be restricted where it is necessary to do so.

(3) That this Scrutiny Committee welcomes the review of the current ‘Scrutiny Pool’ arrangements and in would support:

·         ‘Standing Scrutiny Committees’ should be established mirroring the Leaders Portfolios.

·         Scrutiny Committees should be advertised, held in public and webcast with minutes and documents made publicly available. Meetings should also be held in the evening.

To consider a joint report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services.

This item covers two reports as follows;

·         Final Update Corporate Performance and Resources Report (CPRR) 2015/16

·         Final Update Leader’s Report 2015/16

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

The Corporate Report is supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports which were considered by the last Scrutiny cycle.

The Leader’s Report highlights a number of significant achievements and areas of progress over the last quarter, alongside key national and regional developments including the latest on plans for devolution to the GM Combined Authority.

Both reports were considered by the Executive Meeting on 16 February when the recommendations (set out in Section 6) were approved.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         Consider the Final Update Reports;  

·         Review the progress against delivering corporate objectives, 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;

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

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

Michael Cullen, Strategic Accountant, michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk (474 4631)

The Director of Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of key activity during the third quarter of the year, with progress in delivering portfolio priority outcomes through the Investing in Stockport programme and other key projects since the mid-year report. It included forecast performance data (where this was available) and projected financial data, along with an update on the savings programme and corporate risks.

The Corporate Report was supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports which were considered by the Scrutiny Committee at its last meeting.

The Leader’s Report highlighted a number of significant achievements and areas of progress over the last quarter, alongside key national and regional developments including the latest on plans for devolution to the GM Combined Authority.

It was reported that both reports had been considered by the Executive on 16 February when the recommendations (set out in Section 6) had been approved.

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

RESOLVED – That the reports be noted.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader.

The Scrutiny Committee will be invited to consider and comment on the revised business cases for the following Investing in Stockport proposals:-

·         Health and Social Care Integration (Plan D proposals)

·         Information, Advice and Guidance

·         Corporate and Support Services

Officer contact: Holly Rae; 0161 474 3014; holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Sue Derbyshire) and the Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support and Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider and comment on the revised business cases for the following Investing in Stockport proposals:-

·         Health and Social Care Integration (Plan D proposals)

·         Information, Advice and Guidance

·         Corporate and Support Services

The Leader of the Council and the Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support and Governance attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

It was noted that an extraordinary meeting of the Scrutiny Committee would be held on 10 March to consider Health and Social Care Integration and therefore any comments in relation to these proposals be considered at that meeting.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         In relation to the redesign of Corporate and Support Services, the Scrutiny Committee noted the arrangements in place to manage risk, noted the current position in relation to ‘trading services’ especially in relation to schools/ academies and support to ‘Stockport Together’ and the opportunities to work collaboratively across Greater Manchester.

·         The proposals in relation to ‘Stockport Direct’ centres were noted.

RESOLVED – (1) That the revised business cases in relation to Information, Advice and Guidance and Corporate and Support Services be noted.

(2) That the proposals in relation to Health and Social Care Integration be considered at the extraordinary meeting of the Scrutiny Committee to be held on 10 March.

(3) That following the review being completed in relation to the ‘Stockport Direct’ centres a report be submitted to this Scrutiny Committee detailing the proposals.

To consider a report of the Deputy Leader (Executive Councillor for Support and Governance).

This report outlines for the first time an Investing in Communities (IIC) programme by combining more clearly our ambition across the strands of Locality working.  It is proposed that this programme, which will make a substantial contribution to enabling our shared outcomes for communities, should be the focus of work in the coming months with detailed implementation plans that are brought back to members in the spring.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to discuss the report, comment on the proposed way forward and request any further information as necessary.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support and Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining an Investing in Communities (IIC) programme by combining more clearly our ambition across the strands of Locality working.  It was proposed that this programme, which would make a substantial contribution to enabling our shared outcomes for communities, should be the focus of work in the coming months with detailed implementation plans that are brought back to the Scrutiny Committee in the spring.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support and Governance attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

It was reported that the Programme was made up of the following three work streams:

·         Supporting communities to maximise their potential

·         Making it easier to influence public services

·         Use of land and property assets.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         It was critical that there was a change of officer culture for the new model to succeed.

·         The narrative within Appendix 1should include details of “why” change was required and “when” the new arrangements will be implemented.

·         It was noted that a review of how the new arrangements will be supported across the Council was taking place including the role of ‘Relationship Managers’.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This report updates the Scrutiny Committee on progress with this programme and in particular sets out (at Appendix 1) those measures that will improve services and arrangements that are within the remit of this committee, or that have already done so.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

Note and discuss the update provided and to request any further information as necessary.

Note the aspects of the programme that are relevant to health and wellbeing services and provide comments on developments so far.

Officer contact Steve Skelton or Paul James on 0161 474 3174 / 0161 474 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) updating the Scrutiny Committee on progress in relation to the ‘Digital by Design’ programme and set out those measures that would improve services and arrangements that were within the remit of this Scrutiny Committee.

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

It was reported that the following three key priorities would continue to inform the programme:

·         Privacy Impact and Information Governance

·         Member Engagement

·         Assisted Digital.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Deputy Chief Executive be requested to provide a breakdown of the budget and spend to date in relation to this Programme.

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

The purpose of this report is to invite the Scrutiny Committee to comment upon the report to the Executive on 22 March 2016 inviting the Executive to:

·         To confirm as surplus to requirements an area of community land currently used as Public Open Space.

·         To consider any representations received following the publication of an intention to dispose of an area of Public Open Space for development.

·         To approve the appropriation of land to planning purposes pursuant to S.122 (2A) of the Local Government Act 1972.

·         To reaffirm the intention of the Executive of the 17 December 2013 to the disposal of land to Eric Wright Construction and Your Housing Group

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment upon the above recommendations.

Officer contact Murray Carr, Andy Kippax   on Tel: 0161-474-3019, Tel: 0161 474 4319 or by email on murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk, andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Chief Executive and Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services was submitted inviting the Scrutiny Committee to comment upon the report to the Executive on 22 March 2016 inviting the Executive to:

·         To confirm as surplus to requirements an area of community land currently used as Public Open Space.

·         To consider any representations received following the publication of an intention to dispose of an area of Public Open Space for development.

·         To approve the appropriation of land to planning purposes pursuant to S.122 (2A) of the Local Government Act 1972.

·         To reaffirm the intention of the Executive of the 17 December 2013 to the disposal of land to Eric Wright Construction and Your Housing Group.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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 proposals relating to Wood bank Park Athletic Track and Pavilion to be considered by the Executive on 22 March 2016.. The Executive is being asked to approve as Trustees to enter into a Management Agreement for land at Woodbank Park, Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to provide comments to the recommendations that will be submitted to the Executive for approval at its meeting on 22 March 2016, namely:

·         Approve in its capacity as Trustees of the King George V Playing Field the drafting and entering into a Management Agreement between the Council and  Stockport Harriers and Athletic Club

·         To delegate to the Corporate Director of Corporate and Support Services the negotiation and completion of the Management Agreement.

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 proposals relating to Wood bank Park Athletic Track and Pavilion to be considered by the Executive on 22 March 2016. In particular the views of the Scrutiny Committee were requested in relation to the following recommendations:

·         Approve in its capacity as Trustees of the King George V Playing Field the drafting and entering into a Management Agreement between the Council and  Stockport Harriers and Athletic Club

·         To delegate to the Corporate Director of Corporate and Support Services the negotiation and completion of the Management Agreement.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the proposals be welcomed.

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 to elected members that the Council is complying with its own Code of Practice when using RIPA. This report provides an update in relation to the second quarter of the 2015-2016 financial year.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer contact, Joy Morton, 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 second quarter of the 2015-2016 financial year.to demonstrate that the Council’s use of directed surveillance and covert human intelligence sources complied with its own Code of Practice when using the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

The Democratic Services Manager reported that there had been no authorisations during the second quarter to use 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 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.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

A joint report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Chief Executive and Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services was submitted seeking the Scrutiny Committee’s views on the opportunity to acquire assets within the town centre.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.