Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2012

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 18 October 2012 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 of interest were made.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

No urgent decisions were reported

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of the remaining agenda items relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority); the disclosure of which would not be fair and would therefore be in breach of  Data Protection principles.

RESOLVED- That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest,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 Agenda Item 6 “The Transition of Public Health to Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and the Appointment of the Director of Public Health” and Agenda Item 7 “Council Senior Management Structure”.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair of the Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice (Questions must be submitted prior to the commencement of the meeting on the cards provided. These are available the meeting and at local libraries and information centres.  You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

No public questions were submitted.

Item not for Publication

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

The report presents the future senior management structure which will enable Stockport Council to discharge its new commissioning responsibilities for Public Health. 

The Appointments Committee is requested to consider the proposed management structure together with the accountability arrangements for the commissioning of Public Heath functions as detailed in the report.

Officer contact: Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive on 0161 474 3001 or

email: eamonn.boylan@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) explaining the need to formalise the transfer of Public Health responsibilities to the Council.

The Committee discussed the report including the proposed arrangements that will transfer as of 31March 2013. 

The Committee asked for clarification on the following:-

·         Confirmation that the accountability was to the Council and to Members in particular in relation to the annual report.

·         Clarity regarding transfer of pensions.  It was confirmed that health pensions transfer with employees.

·         Confirmation that formal scrutiny of the performance of the Public Health Function would fall within the remit of the Health Scrutiny Committee.

·         Confirmation that the performance of the role of Director of Public Health falls to the appropriate portfolio holder in conjunction with the Secretary of State.

All clarification and confirmation was provided.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That approval be given to the proposed management structure, including the appointment of the Director of Public Health, and the accountability arrangements for the commissioning of public health as detailed in the report.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

The report seeks to provide an overview of the leadership arrangements of the Council and a series of measures to respond to the budget pressures facing the Council.

The Appointments Committee is recommended to:

(1) Agree to the proposed management arrangements as detailed in the report.

(2) Delegate to the Chief Executive, the authority to take the necessary actions to achieve these proposals.

Officer contact: Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive on 0161 474 3001 or

Email: eamonn.boylan@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on the operation of the Senior Management Structure agreed by the Appointments Committee on 23 January 2012 and implemented over the past 12 months.

The Chief Executive outlined that the current arrangements that were put in place on an interim basis and updated the Committee on the benefits and challenges of the structures in place. The report further set out the detailed key steps that are now needed to reinforce the management arrangements necessary to both manage the business of the Council and deliver the changes needed in challenging times. The report also indicated that there would be continual review over the next two years and that any further proposals that emerged would be presented to the Committee in the future.

The Chief Executive in particular highlighted the need to work on a corporate basis across Directorates and stressed the need to ensure there was leadership capacity with the skills required. He also stressed the need to consider this on an ongoing basis within a reducing financial envelope.

The Committee discussed the details and indicated their satisfaction that the proposals had emerged with regards to changes to the management posts. They also acknowledged the need for the work underway to continue on the development of delivery models that closely align adult social care and health. The Chief Executive agreed to bring back any further proposals that emerged from this within the next 12 months.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That approval be given to the proposed management arrangements as detailed in the report

(3) That authority be delegate to the Chief Executive, to take the necessary actions to achieve these proposals.