Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 May 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 22 May 2013 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.

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

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

With the consent of the Committee, Mr Richard King asked a public question on behalf of the Stockport Greenspace Forum with regard to the cost of the maintenance of parks and green spaces and whether the Council considered the proposed budget savings were an accurate estimate of the savings that could be made.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) (Councillor Stuart Bodsworth) advised the meeting that he had announced at the Council Meeting held on 27 June 2013 that he would be recommending to the Executive Meeting on 16 July 2013 that the savings target for the Parks and Open Spaces Budget for 2014/15 be reduced from £1 million to between £500,000 and £550,000. The Executive had been examining proposed savings at a very broad level and at an early stage in the process, and the revised figure was a response to the consultation which had been carried out.

To consider the final report of the Scrutiny Review Panel into Skills and Employment

This report is the draft final report of the Scrutiny Review Panel into Skills and Employment. The Review looked at the challenges facing Stockport’s working-age population, the support services available to jobseekers, and how effectively those services are targeted to identified  need across the Borough.

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

Officer contact: Joe Conmee on 0161 474 5396 or e mail: joseph.conmee@stockport.gov.uk

Councillor David White (Chair of the Scrutiny Review Panel) submitted the final report of the Scrutiny Review Panel – Skills and Employment (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the findings of the Scrutiny Review and proposing a series of recommendations which focussed on the development of a pilot Employment Premium Scheme targeted at Stockport Homes tenants, making better use of existing services and resources, and closer partnership working.

RESOLVED – That the Final Report and recommendations of the Scrutiny Review Panel – Skills and Employment be endorsed and referred to the Executive for consideration.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report summarises the responses to the consultation processes carried out in relation to the savings proposals agreed for consultation by the Executive relating to the Communities and Sustainability, and Economic Development and Regeneration Portfolios.

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

Officer Contact: Claire Grindlay on 0161 474 4191 or e mail: claire.grindlay@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the proposed savings in relation to the Communities and Sustainability, and Economic Development and Regeneration Portfolios and the responses to the consultation detailed in Appendices 1, 2 and 3 to the report.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) (Councillor Stuart Bodsworth) and Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

Councillor Bodsworth reiterated that he had announced at the Council Meeting held on 27 June 2013 that he would be recommending to the Executive Meeting on 16 July 2013 that the savings target for the Parks and Open Spaces Budget for 2014/15 be reduced from £1 million to between £500,000 and £550,000.

It was reported that the Executive would consider the comments of the Scrutiny Committees on 16 July 2013 when it would receive an update report in relation to the Executive Savings Proposals.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

            Parks and Open Spaces Budget Saving.

• Members welcomed the announcement from the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) that the savings target for the Parks and Open Spaces budget would be reduced from £1million to between £500,000 and £550,000 for 2014/15.

• In response to Members’ questions, the Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) advised that he could not clarify at this moment in time whether the savings target for the Parks and Open Spaces budget would be reduced to £500,000 or £550,000. The details of the revised proposal were still being examined. The proposed reduction in the savings target was a response to the views expressed by members of the public. Consultation had taken place a long time in advance of when the proposed savings would come into effect (April 2014).
• Concern was expressed about the proposed move from having many trained horticulturalists to more general multi-tasking staff.
• A Member expressed concern about the amount of money spent on the parks and open spaces consultation.
• The Council should be working with the Friends of Parks Groups, involved them earlier in the consultation process and investing where it could in the borough’s parks.
• The Committee considered the response to the consultation from the Director of Public Health and acknowledged the broad benefits to public health and community cohesion from parks and open spaces, and the benefits to people’s health and wellbeing. There were ‘added value’ benefits to the borough from its parks.
• Members expressed appreciation for the work carried by the volunteers from the Friends of Parks Groups and the benefits of bidding for additional funds for the parks through the Friends of Parks Groups. The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) confirmed that Council Officers would continue to support Friends of Parks Groups in making bids for funding.
• Members extolled the virtues of the borough’s parks, including the Green Flags previously awarded to a number of the parks and the borough’s success in the National Britain in Bloom Competition in 2005.
• The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) offered to works with the Friends of Parks Groups and consider suggestions for the parks and open spaces in the context of the financial situation facing the Council.
• The use of ‘Section 106’ monies from development applications was highlighted as a possible means of replacing play equipment in the borough’s parks.

Trading Standards Consumer Advice Budget Saving

• The greater number of responses to the consultation received from staff employed in the Trading Standards Consumer Advice section was highlighted compared to staff employed in the Parks and Open Spaces section.
• Clarification was sought and provided on the work carried out by the Citizens Advice Bureaux’ Consumer Services and the National Consumer Advice Line.

Leisure Centres Financial Performance Budget Saving.

• Concern was expressed that Life Leisure had advised the Council that they would not be able to find the £160,000 saving required for 2013/14  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report sets out the draft portfolio performance and resource agreements 2013/14 relating to the Communities and Sustainability, and Economic Development and Regeneration executive portfolios. They outline the functions within the control of the Executive Portfolios, the revenue budget, capital programme, key objectives, projects, measures and risks which would form the basis of quarterly Portfolio Reports.

The draft agreements have been informed by the new portfolio responsibilities (reported to the Council Meeting on 21 May 2013) and the draft Council Plan considered by this Committee on 22 May and the Executive Meeting on 11 June 2013.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider and comment on the draft Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements.

Officer contacts: Doug Holland on 0161 474 2976 or e mail: doug.holland@stockport.gov.uk, and Kora Yohannan on 0161 474 4032 or e mail: kora.yohannan@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the draft portfolio performance and resource agreements for 2013/14 relating to the Communities and Sustainability, and Economic Development and Regeneration executive portfolios.

The report outlined the functions within the control of this Scrutiny Committee, and the revenue budget, capital programme, key objectives, projects, measures and risks which would form the basis of quarterly Portfolio Reports. The draft Agreements had been informed by the new portfolio responsibilities (reported to the Council Meeting on 21 May 20130 and the draft Council Plan considered by this Committee on 22 May and the Executive on 11 June 2013.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) (Councillor Stuart Bodsworth) and Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• Why targets had not been set for some of the performance indicators.
• The percentage of working age people claiming out of work benefits in the neighbourhood management areas compared to other areas in the borough.
• Whether the development application for the former Woodford Aereodrome site had been submitted.
• The current situation with regard to the aim of the Leisure Strategy to identify and secure the opportunity for new provision in a location suitable to meet the leisure needs of the Town Centre, Adswood, Bridgehall and Edgeley communities.
• The Council’s continued aim to increase the rate of recycling in the borough towards 70%, increase the recycling rate in rural areas and flats, work with residents who lived in areas where they were unable to use the ‘four bin’ system and the aim to ensure that all residents were using their recycling bins correctly.
• The work carried out to ensure that residents who currently had two black bins continued to require them both.
• Whilst congratulating the refuse collection staff on the speed of their work, a Member expressed concern about the speed of the vehicles operating in his Ward.
• The fuel efficiency savings implemented in Solutions SK’ vehicles.
• Whether there was anything the Council could do to help the Government’s Welfare to Work programmes reach the right people and priority neighbourhoods.
• The development of the Council’s Carbon Reduction Programme and electric vehicle infrastructure, the time taken to recharge the vehicles and the search for ‘greener’ fuel initiatives. This had to be balanced against the relatively expensive cost of the vehicles.
• There had been an increase in the number of large vacant commercial premises whilst the number of small vacant commercial premises was decreasing.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report provides a detailed overview of performance which relates to this Scrutiny Committee. The information is provided in the form of the Quarter 4 2012/13 Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports for each of the Economic Development and Regeneration, Public Realm and Sustainable Future Portfolios.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·         Review the current levels of performance;

·         Highlight key areas of, and responsibility for, taking forward corrective action to address any existing or forecast performance issues; and

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

Officer contact: Doug Holland on 0161 474 2976 or e mail: doug.holland@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) providing a detailed overview of performance which related to this Scrutiny Committee. The information was provided in the form of the Quarter 4 2012/13 Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports for the Economic Development and Regeneration Portfolios and the former Public Realm and Sustainable Future Portfolios.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) (Councillor Stuart Bodsworth) and Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

• A Member drew attention to the fact that of the 992 people who had accessed employability services in Neighbourhood Management areas, only 129 had moved into employment,
• The current situation with regard to the Bridgefield development.
• The development of the Town Team for Marple.
• The reduction in the number of visitors to Stockport’s museums and the recent refurbishment of the Hat Works and Air Raid Shelters. The Council was examining the best way to market its cultural attractions.
• The current situation with regard to the development of Offerton Precinct.
• In the light of the fact that the report indicated that Heaton Moor local centre had no vacancies in premises, Members requested a report to a future meeting of the Committee on the differences between all the district and local centres with regard to the number of premises which were occupied and the lessons that could be learnt from the Heaton Moor local centre.
• The former Executive Councillor (Public Realm) (Councillor Kevin Hogg) expressed his thanks to the staff working for services in the portfolio for the standard of work carried out in 2012/13.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2)  That a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee on the differences between all the district and local centres with regard to the number of premises which are occupied and the lessons that can be learnt from the Heaton Moor local centre.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration

The report updates the Scrutiny Committee on the Stockport Portas Pilot and the Teenage Market.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Nicola Turner on 0161 218 1635 or e mail: nicola.turner@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Scrutiny Committee on the Stockport Portas Pilot and the teenage Market.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report provides an update on the Greater Manchester prioritisation process for major transport schemes and the Stockport schemes included within that process.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or e mail: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the Greater Manchester prioritisation process for major transport schemes and the Stockport schemes within that process.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• The current situation with regard to whether Metrolink would be extended to Stockport and the possible alternative routes.
• The work being carried out with Network Rail to provide access for disabled people at a number of railway stations, for example Heaton Chapel.
• The benefits or otherwise of extending the SEMMMS road scheme from the A6 at Hazel Grove to the M60 at Bredbury.
• On-going discussions with the bus operators and Transport for Greater Manchester with regard to the provision of bus stops on the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

At the meeting of the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee held on 10 June 2013, Members agreed that the Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee be requested to prioritise the following four review topics to be undertaken (should time allow) during the current Municipal Year:-

·         Future Burial Provision

·         The relationship between the planning process and the consequent obligations that fall on the maintenance of the public realm by the Council

·         Planning and consistency of service delivery

·         Extending participation of Stockport residents in home insulation

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to prioritise the above review topics to be undertaken (should time allow) during the current Municipal Year.

Officer Contact: David Clee on 0161 474 3137 or e mail: david.clee@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that the Council Meeting at its meeting on 27 June 2013 during consideration of the Scrutiny Review Programme for 2013/14  had requested the Scrutiny Committee to prioritise the following review topics:-

·         Future burial provision

·         The effectiveness of Stockport’s current Planning system in the light of changed Government policy and market conditions.

·         Extending participation of Stockport residents in home insulation.

RESOLVED – (1) That the review topics be undertaken (should time allow) in the following priority order during 2013/14:-

(a)  The effectiveness of Stockport’s current Planning system in the light of changed Government policy and market conditions.

(b)  Future burial provision

(c )  Extending participation of Stockport residents in home insulation.

(2) That the Scrutiny Review Panel to consider the effectiveness of Stockport’s current Planning system in the light of changed Government policy and market conditions comprise the following councillors:-

Councillor David Sedgwick (Lead Councillor); Councillors Andrew Bispham, Richard Coaton, Hazel Lees and John Smith.

To note the resume of the meeting held on 23 May 2013.

Officer contact: Aarty Seera on 0161 474 3300 or e mail: aarty.seera@stockport.gov.uk

The Scrutiny Committee considered a resume (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Adult Education, Skills and Employability Partnership held on 23 May 2013.

RESOLVED – That the resume of the meeting held on 23 May 2013 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 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: David Clee on 0161 474 3137 or e mail: david.clee@stockport.gov.uk

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

RESOLVED – That the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee scheduled to be held on 1 August 2013 be now held at 5.00pm on Tuesday 30 July 2013 in the Town Hall.