Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on the 12 October 2020 were approved as a correct record.

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

Councillors and Officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda.

Personal Interest

Councillor                  Interest

Amanda Peers          Agenda Item 5 – Delivery Plan 2021-2026, as a volunteer in one of the pantries.

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

No urgent decisions were reported.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair 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. You can also submit questions via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

No public questions were submitted.

To consider a presentation of the Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes

The report presents the Delivery Plan 2021-2026.

The Committee is invited to comment on the Delivery Plan.

Officer Contact: Sandra Coleing on 07800 617688 or email: sandra.coleing@stockporthomes.org

The Chief Executive and Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes provided a verbal update on the delivery plan 2021-26.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         Members welcomed the delivery plan and encouraged all partners to embrace it and work together to have an impact in the communities and reducing the gaps in delivery.

·         It was commented that the delivery plan and objectives were consistent with the Council’s Borough Plan and addressed unemployment and safeguarding concerns.

·         It was suggested that when consideration is given to the creation of an equalities strategies, it should be called the ‘equalities and inclusion strategy’.

·         Clarification was sought regarding the ‘Green Agenda’. In response, it was stated that the “Climate Change Strategy’ would be submitted to the next meeting.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a copy of the Delivery Plan presentation be forwarded to all Committee Members.

(3) That the ‘Climate Change Strategy’ be submitted to the next meeting.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes.

The report outlines Stockport Homes Group’s proposed approach to investing money, time and skills to deliver on its mission to be ‘one team, transforming lives’.

The Committee is requested to note and comment on the Social Investment Strategy.

Officer contact: Tanya King on 474 2887 Email: tanya.king@stockporthomes.org

The Assistant Director (Access and Support) Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been submitted) which outlined Stockport Homes Group’s proposed approach to investing money, time and skills to deliver on its mission to be ‘one team, transforming lives’.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Welcomed the information provided on the holiday club, kitchens and the free counselling services for 2019/20 and enquired about what happened during the pandemic with the services and the costs relating to “Talk, Listen, Change’ (TLC). In response, it was stated that Stockport Homes fund TLC for supervision and mentoring in addition to basic counselling, but anything more is then funded. It was also noted that the services were ‘paused’, but was offered in a different way including online services.

·         One of the key areas of work involving the ‘Stockport Support Funds’ has been well received in the community who have benefitted from the approach by Stockport Homes.

·         Clarification was sought regarding how awareness was raised regarding the projects and initiatives. In response, it was noted that messages through social media, marketing, partners and other routes were used to raise awareness.

·         It was commented that regarding external funding, were there any contingency plans in place in the event the funding was stopped. In response, it was stated that opportunities were constantly being sourced for external funding including covid related projects which has helped in the interim, but options and opportunities were always being scanned by the Business Development Team.

RESOLVED – That the report was noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes

The report updates Members on the progress of Foundations Stockport and its future direction.

The Committee is requested to note the progress of Foundations Stockport to date and future growth plans.

Officer Contact: Sandra Coleing on 07800 617688 or email: sandra.coleing@stockporthomes.org

The Assistant Director (Access and Support) Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been submitted) providing an update on the progress of Foundations Stockport and its future direction.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members welcomed the detailed report and appreciated the work that was involved in the programme.

·         Clarification was sought regarding the sustainable employment opportunities and how it was being supported. In response, it was stated that based upon the range of places available, would be governed by a ‘gold standard’ and would create a number of long term positions and opportunities.

·         It was stated that the rationale behind the benefits of the independent charitable organisation were understood, but concern was expressed relating to the role being moved from the parent company with the terms and conditions. In response, it was noted that it would be an ‘employment choice’ and Stockport Homes were committed to it and would be better than the general sector.

·         Clarification was sought regarding the details relating to the homelessness project with Trafford. In response, it was stated that the detail would be shared with Committee Members.

·         Members enquired about the proposals being limited to the employment of roles and how it would work. In response, it was stated that most of the services were part of the long term plan with the responsibility of governance with the Foundation Board.

·         Members requested that a report be submitted on how the Independent Charity progresses. In response, it was stated that members of the Stockport Homes Board were also part of the Foundation Board and there were a lot of monitoring that was involved. It was noted that once the report was submitted to Scrutiny and then to Cabinet, it can be shared with members.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That an update be provided to the Members Committee to a future meeting.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes.

The report updates Members on the latest position in relation to COVID-19.

Member Committee is requested to note the report and provide any further comments for consideration.

Officer Contact: Sandra Coleing on 07800 617688 or email: sandra.coleing@stockporthomes.org

The Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the latest position in relation to Covid-19.

It was commented that a number of Councillors have experienced a number of calls from local residents who have had letters relating to anti-social behaviour in high rise blocks and neighbours complaining about noise and movement, however, those local residents have families and small children that due to the pandemic were kept home. In response, it was noted that a balanced approach was taken with consideration given to personal circumstances, but if there were specific circumstances that needed to be addressed then members were encouraged to forward the details to Stockport Homes to be looked at again.

The Chair on behalf of the Committee expressed its thanks to Stockport Homes for all the hard work and for achieving the 100% compliance for fire and gas safety checks and for the level of staff engagement and keeping the staff up to date.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes.

The report provides an overview of the Social Housing White Paper and outlines the actions that Stockport Homes will undertake.

The Committee is requested to note the requirements of the White Paper and the actions that need to take place.

Officer contact; Rob Lloyd Tel 0161 474 3279 Email: rob.lloyd@stockporthomes.org

The Strategy and Insight Manager, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the Social Housing White Paper and outlining the actions that Stockport Homes will undertake.

It was commented that Stockport Homes were compliant with most things identified in the ‘White Paper’, but clarification was sought about the process of the Housing Ombudsman Code of Practice and whether there were any gaps. In response, it was stated that for Stage 2 appeals there was a change made to the timeframe and to further involve the customers in the appeal panels.

RESOLVED – That the report was noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes.

The report provides members with an update on performance against corporate indicators.

Member Committee is requested to:

(i) note the report

(ii) raise any issues of concern about the explanations presented where targets or objectives have not been met.

Officer contact: Rob Lloyd on 0161 474 3279 Email: rob.lloyd@stockporthomes.org

The Strategy and Insight Manager, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing members with an update on performance against corporate indicators.

Members welcomed the report and congratulated Stockport Homes on the average days lost due to sickness days. In response, it was stated that it was mainly due to the flexible working hours and staff being able to work from home during the pandemic.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Resources, Stockport Homes.

The report provides an update to Member Committee of Stockport Homes’ financial performance to December 2020.

The Committee is requested to note the report and comments on the latest financial results.

Officer contact: John Kennedy Tel 0161 474 2868 Email: john.kennedy@stockporthomes.org

The Executive Director for Resources, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update to Member Committee of Stockport Homes’ financial performance to December 2020.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members enquired about the difference of the non-Housing Revenue Account (HRA) rented and HRA rented referred to in the report. In response, it was stated that the non-HRA stock belong to Stockport Homes and HRA rented belong to Stockport Council.

·         Clarification was sought regarding the £92m worth of loan facilities and whether more borrowing was required or less. In response, it was commented that the budget was met last year and it was looking good for the next years based upon calculations and forecasts.

·         It was noted that the capital programme has been impacted by the pandemic and an update was requested. In response, it was stated that for 2020/21 it was £17m-£18m with some projects being pushed to next year and some being brought forward to be completed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Homes

The report updates Members on issues not included in other reports but which are likely to be of interest.

The Committee is invited to consider and comment on the report.

The Chief Executive, Stockport Homes submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing Members with an update on issues not included in other reports but which are likely to be of interest.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         It was reported that Stockport Homes Group (SHG) were involved in four awards including the ‘Fabulous Foundations’ holiday club had engaged with 99 individual children over 900 times with 100% reporting a positive impact on their children’s happiness during the holiday, self-confidence, feelings about school; 100% confirmed a positive impact on their finances and that it had helped them combine work and childcare.

·         It was noted that Stockport Homes Group (SHG) were accredited for the twelfth consecutive year with the ‘Customer Service Excellence Accreditation’ which recognises organisations that are offering a high level of customer service.

·         Members welcomed the details of the report highlighting the successes and awards of the projects and schemes that reflect the work being done by a high profile organisation.

·         It was commented that the B4Box was a huge success and had survived through the pandemic and supported people into employment from disadvantaged backgrounds.

·         It was also noted that the Care Leavers programme was going well providing support past the adult age for the young care leavers and reflected well on the organisation to provide a commitment to offer accessible and appropriate services to young people who have experienced care.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.