Agenda item

To consider a report of the Chief Executive

The Final Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRR) for the Supporting Places and Thriving Economy Portfolios are presented for consideration by the Committee. These provide an update on key activity during the third quarter of the year, with a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priority outcomes through the Investing in Stockport programme and other key projects since the mid-year project. They include forecast performance data (where this is available) and projected financial data for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to:-

(a)  consider the Final Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;

(b)  review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2015/16;

(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 Executive alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report; and

(e)  identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services.

Officer Contacts Joe Conmee/Michael Cullen on 0161 474 5396/4361 or email: joseph.conmee@stockport.gov.uk/michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Final Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports for the Supporting Places and Thriving Economy Portfolios. The report provided an update on key activity during the third quarter of the year, with a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priority outcomes through the Investing in Stockport programme and other key projects since the mid-year project. They included forecasted performance data (where this was available) and projected financial data for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Place) (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

Supporting Places

·         Consultation was ongoing with staff on the proposal to create a shared local highway service across three local authorities within Greater Manchester. The feedback would be collated after the deadline for the consultation had expired.

·         In order to improve the quality of food recycling by people living in flats, new lockable containers had been introduced on a trial basis at a number of sites across the borough. These containers had been designed specifically for Stockport and were proving very effective in assisting residents to dispose of waste appropriately. Consideration would be given to extending the trial.

·         Concern was expressed at the relatively small proportion of the capital expenditure for public rights of way which had been spent as at 31 December 2015. A representative of the Chief Executive confirmed that a significant proportion of the capital programme for public rights of way had, however, been ordered.

·         A Member highlighted the continuing pressures within the Car Parking service and was advised that the Council expected to see the benefits of the pay on exit system at the Merseyway Car Park in the long term. In addition, there would be a reduction in income from car parking as a result of the loss of the Bridgefield Street car park to the Redrock development. Members asked for information on how long the car parking service had been in deficit.

·         A Member requested information on the benefits of the Locality Operating Model which had been considered by the Locality Working All Member Working Group.

·         A Member requested that the proposals to mitigate the traffic impact from the Stockport Sports Village in Woodley be expedited as soon as possible.

·         The Scrutiny Committee debated the cycling schemes which had been obtained from the Cycle City Ambition Grant (Phases 1 and 2) and the outcome of the consultation on the schemes. Confirmation was provided to Members that the monies could not be spent on Middlewood Way as this was not exclusively designated as a cycling route.

·         Concern was expressed that the percentage of the adult population aged 16 years and older who participated in sport and active recreation on a regular basis was decreasing.

·         Concern was expressed that the amount of residual waste collected was continuing to increase due, in part, to the continued demand for additional residual waste capacity, the excessive amount of packaging in products and the subsequent distribution of additional black bins. A Member felt that the Council’s recycling strategy should be re-examined.

·         The fall in oil prices could lead to an increase in the volume of plastic materials which could be recycled.

·         Congratulations were extended to Life Leisure Avondale in being named runner up at the National Fitness Awards in the ‘Best Rehabilitation Facility of the Year’ category, in recognition of its Health Hub concept.

·         The development of new solutions for Dual Use facilities was taking place on a site by site basis due to the complexity of issues at each site. The Council was seeking the most suitable operating model for each site, including the length of lease offered. Arrangements for the transfer of the operation of the Hazel Grove Recreation Centre from Life Leisure to Hazel Grove High School had now been finalised and the transfer was anticipated to take place from 1 April 2016.

·         Support was given to the decision not to remove permanent staff from Marple Memorial Park and Torkington Park.

Thriving Economy Portfolio

·         Concern was expressed that Performance Indicator TE.08b ‘% working age people claiming out of works benefits in Adswood and Bridgehall (rolling four quarter average)’ was too vague in its aim to decrease the percentage. A representative of the Chief Executive advised that one of the difficulties in setting such targets was that the Council had very little direct control.

·         The continuation of the recent positive trend for the figures on employment and out-of-work benefits claimants across the Borough were commended. The overall employment rate had continued to rise and each of the Borough’s priority areas had seen a decline in the number of claimants. The Council offered support to all people who were not in work, but who were not allowed benefits.

·         In response to a Member’s question, the Scrutiny Committee received an update on progress on the Redrock development since the Executive granted approval to the scheme in December 2013.

·         A Member enquired whether the accumulated surpluses from the asylum support contracts could be used to support asylum seekers.

·         Following the agreement of the Executive portfolio holder to the capital allocation to the Arts for Recovery (Arc) project in the Castle Yard, a Member enquired at what stage it had become apparent that the Arc would be requesting revenue funding. A representative of the Chief Executive advised that the Arc had submitted its business plan after it had received in principle agreement for the initiative.

·         A Member requested a progress report on the Employment Premium Scheme.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted

(2) That Members of the Scrutiny Committee be provided with information on how long the car parking service had been operating in deficit.

(3) That an evaluation report on the Employment Premium Scheme be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee after it had been operating for one year.