Agenda

Councillors who require a substitute to be appointed should inform Democratic Services by 4.00pm on Thursday, 16 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 9 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 Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Sport and Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services.

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

To consider a joint report of the Director of Place Management, Director of Development & Regeneration and Director of Strategy.

The Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Communities, Culture & Sport and Parks, Highways & Transport Services Portfolios are presented for consideration by the Committee.

The Portfolio Reports are based on the 2023/24 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements (PPRAs), which were considered by the Committee on 12 June 2023 and approved by Cabinet on 27 June 2023.

The Mid-Year Reports focus on delivery of the portfolio priorities from April to September 2023 and includes forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

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

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 Director of Place Management.

The report provides an update about the council’s strategic and systematic response to the cost of living crisis. It also details the developing anti-poverty approach which builds upon many years of supporting residents in need of financial support.

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

Officer contact: Emma Handby on 0161 474 3175 or email: emma.handby@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Director of Strategy.

The report provides an overview of the Equality Objectives which run from 2023-2027, an update on progress in year 1, outlines the future priorities and how the council are responding to the key GM Equality and Diversity Strategies.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the approach of the council’s Equality Objectives and progress against implementing them.

Officer contact: Kathryn Rees on 0161 474 3174 or email: kathryn.rees@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