Agenda

Councillors who require a substitute to be appointed should inform Democratic Services by 4.00pm on Friday, 17 November 2023 (Councillors who wish to arrange their own substitute should inform Democratic Services of their substitute prior to the commencement of the meeting).

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2023.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

To consider call-in items (if any)

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

Following October Scrutiny Committees, the report provides further detail on the budget change proposals, taking into consideration the feedback received to date.

The appendix to this report outlines the change proposals being considered by the Cabinet to address financial and demand challenges, enable longer term transformation, and ensure the delivery of shared strategic partnership ambitions.

The Committee is recommended to comment on the report and the proposals presented within that are relevant to the Committee’s remit.

Officer Contact: Gill Lawton on 0161 474 3686 or email: gill.lawton@stockport.gov.uk

Councillors are encouraged to submit questions on the Performance and Resources reports prior to the meeting in order to enable a detailed response to be available at the meeting. Questions should be submitted to Jacqueline Kramer; tel: 0161 474 2978 or email: jacqueline.kramer@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a joint report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Finance & Resources Portfolio is presented for consideration by the Committee.

The Portfolio Report is based on the 2023/24 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement (PPRA), which was considered by the Committee on 13 June 2023 and approved by Cabinet on 27 June 2023.

The Mid-Year Report focuses on delivery of the portfolio priorities from April to September 2023. It includes forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

a) Consider the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report.

b) Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2023/24.

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 Cabinet 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: Alan Lawson by email: alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk or Kora Yohannan by email: kora.yohannan@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The Mid -Year (Quarter 2) Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) for 2023/24 provides a summary of progress in delivering the council’s priority outcomes up to 30 September 2023.

The report reflects the 2023/24 Council Plan, MTFP and portfolio priorities. It includes:

·         An overview of key corporate delivery and performance from the seven individual portfolio Reports .

·         A detailed financial update, including, the outturn position on revenue and capital .

The seven Quarter 2 Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports provide a more detailed overview of delivery, as well as the latest performance on the measures associated with each portfolio.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note and comment on the following recommendations to the Cabinet: -

(a) Note the key delivery and performance issues from the councils seven portfolios set out in sections 1.3 and 1.4.

(b) Review progress against delivering council priorities and capital schemes alongside budget outturns contained within the report.

(c) Note the Cash Limit and Non-Cash Limit forecast outturn positions for 2023/24as set out in section 2.3.

(d) Note the update to the council’s positive investments as set out in section 2.4.

(e) Note the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account and Collection Fund forecast positions as set out in sections 2.5, 2.6, and 2.7.

(f) Note the appropriations to/from reserves and balances during the period as set out in section 2.8 and note the resulting reserves and balances position as of 30 September 2023.

(g) Note the position for the 2023/24 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1.

(h) Note the adjustments of capital schemes during the quarter as set out in section 3.2.

(i) Approve the resourcing of the capital programme as set out in section 3.3.

(j) Approve the 2023/24 prudential indicators as set out in section 3.4, and

k) Identify key areas for further investigation and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any existing or outturn issues or risks.

Officer Contact: Alan Lawson on 0161 474 5397 or email alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk and Jonathan Davies on 0161 218 1025 or email jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer).

This report provides the Committee with a mid-year review of the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2023/24, approved by Council on 23 February 2023, and has been prepared in accordance with the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management in the Public Services (revised 2021).

The Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Lorna Soufian on 0161 474 4026 or email lorna.soufian@stockport.gov.uk  

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This report details the proposed development of the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2024/25, to be considered for approval at the Cabinet Meeting on 30 January 2024 and the Council Meeting on 22 February 2024.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Lorna Soufianon 0161 474 4026 or email: lorna.soufian@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive. 

The report sets out an annual review of the local scheme of discounts and exemptions which are available in respect of business rates and Council Tax and outlining any proposed changes.

The Committee is recommended to comment upon and note the report.

Officer contact: Jonathan Davies on 0161 218 1025 or email jonathan.davies@stockport.gov.uk

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The purpose of this report is to present and publish Stockport Council’s annual Social Value Statement (2022-2023). The report also proposes areas of focus in relation to social value, for the forthcoming year.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and consider the report.

Officer contact: Laura Mercer on 0161 218 1799 or email: laura.mercer@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The reports sets out the draft Cabinet Response to the recommendation contained in the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee’s scrutiny review with regard to ‘Local Government Financial and Governance Sustainability’.

The Cabinet is invited to endorse and adopt the response set out in the report.

Officer contact: Michael Cullen on 07866 999 917 or email: michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Assistant Director - Legal & Democratic Governance.

The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the information in the report and put forward any agenda items for future meetings of the Committee.

Officer contact: Jacqueline Kramer on 0161 474 2978 or email:

jacqueline.kramer@stockport.gov.uk