Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2012.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 5 September 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the chair.

Councillors and Officers to declare and interest which they have in any of the items on the agenda for this meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

Councillor                             Interest

Colin Foster                          Agenda item 6 ‘Primary School Expansion Consultation’ as a governor of Norris Bank Primary School.

William Wragg                      Agenda item 6 ‘Primary School Expansion Consultation’ as a governor of Hazel Grove Primary School.

Paul Porgess                        Any discussion relating to supported tenancies as his son was in receipt of the service.

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

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

At its meeting on 7 September 2012 the Executive agreed a set of savings proposals for consultation. This was in response to the medium term forecasts and indicative savings requirements contained in the report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services which was presented to the Executive at its meeting on 20 August 2012.

The Executive also agreed that each scrutiny committee should receive a report which includes details of the savings propositions relating to their remit. The chairs of scrutiny committees were consulted on how best to engage members on the Executive’s proposals. In line with their response this report provides scrutiny committee members with an opportunity to review and comment upon both the overall approach being taken by the Executive and the relevant specific savings measures.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment upon both the overall approach being taken by the Executive and the specific savings proposals detailed in the report.

Officer Contact: Steve Houston on 474 4000 or email: steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Executive’s response to the medium term financial forecasts and indicative savings requirements for 2013/14-2016/17. The report also detailed the Executive’s specific savings proposals for 2013/14 that related to the Scrutiny Committee’s remit.

The Leader of the Council referred to a recent update provided to members of all scrutiny committees summarising changes to the financial assumptions of the Medium Term Financial Plan in light of changes announced to the grant regime which resulted in the Council needing to make additional savings. The Leader of the Council emphasised that there remained a number of assumptions within the Plan that could not yet be finalised.

The Corporate Director for Place and the Executive Councillors (Lifelong Learning and Achievement) and (Children and Young People) also attended the meeting and answered questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed at the proposed £0.5m reduction in the services to young people budget particularly in view of the recent restructure of that service.

·         Clarification was sought in relation to the proposed savings associated with home to school transport.

·         Councillors sought assurance that the deletion of vacant posts would not adversely affect the early years’ service.

·         Councillors welcomed the work undertaken in respect to procurement for external placement of children in care homes and the associated savings.

RESOLVED – That the comments of this Scrutiny Committee on the Medium Term Financial Plan Executive Savings Proposals be referred to the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee for consideration in conjunction with the comments of the other scrutiny committees.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report outlines consultation information on proposals to expand six primary schools in response to rising demand for primary school places.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment upon the proposals for the expansion of:

·           Bradshaw Hall Primary School

·           Broadstone Hall Primary School

·           Cheadle Heath Primary School

·           Hazel Grove Primary School

·           Norris Bank Primary School

·           St Paul’s CE Primary School

Officer Contact: Stephen Bell Tel: 474 3846 or email:stephen.bell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining consultation information on proposals to expand six primary schools in response to rising demand for primary school places.

Councillors welcomed the report and endorsed the proposals and ongoing work.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The plan provides an update on the wok of the Youth Offending Services as monitored through the Youth Offending Services Partnership Board which in turns reports to the Safer Stockport Partnership (SSP) and the Children’s Trust Board.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Barry O’Hagen 474 2876 or email:barry.o’hagen@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the work of the Youth Offending Services as monitored through the Youth Offending Services Partnership Board which in turn reports to the Safer Stockport Partnership and the Children’s Trust Board.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The use of and impact of the Triage Scheme and restorative justice was welcomed.

·         In respect to Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) – the next 12 months would see a focus on developing and delivering training to front line staff to improve skills and confidence when working with young people.

·         Concern was expressed at the rise in the number of young people committing violence towards family members and partners. The Committee noted the on-going work to address this issue.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the thanks of the Committee be extended to the Youth Offending Service for their continued excellent work.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides a summary of issues relating to physical activity for Stockport’s young people and the Olympic legacy in Schools.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Donna Sager Tel: 474 3928 or email: donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of issues relating to physical activity for Stockport’s young people and the Olympic legacy in schools.

Werneth School Young Sports Ambassadors attended the meeting and answered councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The 2012 Olympics had clearly captured the imagination of young people throughout the borough. Work had been carried out, led by the Stockport School Sport Partnership to support schools through a range of programmes to both enthuse and engage pupils in the Olympics and in participating in sport and physical activity.

·         Examples of projects included – Each school had the opportunity to adopt an Olympian/ Paralympian, the 2012 Baton relay, Bikeability, sportivate, the 2012 Young Ambassadors.

·         The challenge of encouraging people to take up and continue to cycle.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the pupils from Werenth School be thanked for their attendance.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report outlines the Executive response to the Streamlining Family Support Services Scrutiny Review.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Viki Packman on 474 5709 or email: viki.packman@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the Executive response to the Streamlining Family Support Services Scrutiny Review.

RESOLVED – That the report and response be noted.

To consider a presentation by the Corporate Director for People.

The presentation will provide an update on the local authority’s progress developing a new local formula for implementation in April 13 and the recommendation from Schools Forum that will be considered by the Executive on 12^th November 2012.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Simon Finch on 474 4019 or email:simon.finch@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director for People attended the meeting and provided an update in respect to the new local formula for schools funding.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The key requirements for the local formula, the timetable for the consultation and options for the Executive.

·         An explanation of the basic entitlement, the significance of deprivation and the implications of lump sum.

·         Feedback from the primary sector and secondary sector consortia.

·         The comments and recommendations of the Schools Forum for the Executive to consider at the meeting on 12 November 2012.

RESOLVED – That the report and presentation be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and the Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scruitny 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: Stephen Fox on 474 3206 or email:stephen.fox@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committees next meeting and Forward Plan items that fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted