Agenda and minutes

The Chair advised that this would be the last meeting of the Scrutiny Committee that Councillor Peter Burns would be attending as she was not seeking re-election in the forthcoming local elections.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Burns be thanked for her services to the Council and in particular to this Scrutiny Committee, and offered this Scrutiny Committee’s best wishes for the future.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 and 10 March 2016.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meetings held on 8 and 10 March 2016 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 Borough Treasurer.

The Scrutiny Committee at its meeting in January 2015 received a presentation from the Director of the STaR Procurement Service (Sharon Robson). The Director of the STaR Procurement Service will be attending this Committee meeting to provide a further update on the progress to date in establishing and developing the shared service.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note the report and presentation.

Officer contact Christine Buxton on telephone number Tel: 0161-474-4124 or alternatively email christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk

The Borough Treasurer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) reminding the Scrutiny Committee that at its meeting in January 2015 the members received a presentation from the Director of Procurement for the STAR Procurement Service and requested an update in relation to the operation of STAR.

The Director of Procurement (Sharon Robson) attended the meeting and made a presentation, updating the Scrutiny Committee on the progress to date in establishing and developing the shared service.

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:

·         There was potential to attract new clients and partners and it was noted that there had recently been enquiries from other local authorities.

·         The governance arrangements allowed flexibility within the procurement arrangements to allow different practices dictated by Stockpot, Trafford and Rochdale Councils.

·         The savings already achieved and identified for 2016/17 were noted

RESOLVED - (1) That Sharon Robson be thanked for attending the meeting and for her presentation.

(2) That the report and presentation be noted and that an annual report on the work of STAR be submitted to this Scrutiny Committee.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This report sets out the Council’s overall approach to consultation; the context in which this approach was designed; key aspects of our Public Consultation and Engagement Policy and toolkit; and details of recent co-ordinated approach to Investing in Stockport consultations.

The Committee is invited to discuss the report and request for any further information as necessary.

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

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated)  setting out the Council’s overall approach to consultation; the context in which this approach was designed; key aspects of our Public Consultation and Engagement Policy and toolkit; and details of recent co-ordinated approach to Investing in Stockport consultations.

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:

·         Opportunities to raise awareness of consultations being undertaken via local radio advertising should be explored.

·         Consultations needed to be in plain English.

·         Consultations were not a referendum on proposed changes although responses should be taken into account as part of the decision making and a clear explanation should be provided were it was decided not to follow a majority view.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

The Deputy Chief Executive be requested to obtain comparative data from other Greater Manchester local authorities regarding response rates to consultations.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

In March, all Scrutiny Committees received a report that updated them on progress with the Digital by Design (DbD) programme and set out current and planned improvements to services within their remit. 

This report responds to a request by this Scrutiny Committee for further information about the Programme Budget and spend to date.  It also takes the opportunity to provide a further update on progress.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to discuss the report and ask for any further information as necessary.

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

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) reminding the Scrutiny Committee that in March, all Scrutiny Committees had received a report that updated them on progress with the Digital by Design (DbD) programme and set out current and planned improvements to services within their remit. 

The report responded to a request by this Scrutiny Committee for further information about the Programme Budget and spend to date and provided a further update on progress.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the final report of the Scrutiny Review Panel – Member Development & Support.

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

Officer contact: Craig Ainsworth on 474 3204 or email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

Councillor Mike Hurleston introduced the final report on the draft Scrutiny Review – Member Development and Support (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the report 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.

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 fourth 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 fourth 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.