Agenda item

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution).

In August the Executive outlined how it will address the severe financial challenges faced by Stockport because of central Government cuts and significant local cost pressures, and set out a framework of principles that would shape engagement with residents and businesses In October the Executive received an updated Medium-Term Financial position and, in response, set out business cases for proposed changes to address the spending reduction requirement for 2017/18; a series of working papers explaining initiatives that will shape a future reform programme and address wider challenges over the medium-term, and confirmed an intention to raise Council Tax by 3.99% in 2017/18.

This report affords an opportunity to discuss the Executive’s proposed approach taken to addressing the medium-term, by reference to the published background papers and 2017/18 business cases that fall within the remit of each scrutiny committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report and appendices.

Officer contact: Steve Skelton, 0161 474 3174, steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated)  providing an opportunity for the Scrutiny Committee to discuss the Executive’s proposed approach taken to addressing the medium-term, by reference to the published background papers and 2017/18 business cases that fall within the remit of each Scrutiny Committee.

In August the Executive outlined how it would address the severe financial challenges faced by Stockport because of central Government cuts and significant local cost pressures, and set out a framework of principles that would shape engagement with residents and businesses In October the Executive  had received an updated Medium-Term Financial position and, in response, set out business cases for proposed changes to address the spending reduction requirement for 2017/18; a series of working papers explaining initiatives that would shape a future reform programme and address wider challenges over the medium-term, and confirmed an intention to raise Council Tax by 3.99% in 2017/18.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Alexander Ganotis) and the Executive Councillor for Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         It was noted that the Executive Leader had attended staff briefings in relation to the Executive Savings Proposals and the Executive Councillor (Reform & Governance) had attended a number of meetings with staff and encouraged them to respond to the consultation in relation to overtime and staff travel proposals.

·         It was acknowledged that the Working Paper in relation to “Working with Communities” was light on detail  in relation to the establishment of a “Stockport Community Investment Fund” but it was proposed the fund would provide financial support to communities to deliver council priorities based on measurable outcomes and by early intervention, the council would benefit from future savings.

·         It was acknowledged that as part of the need to reduce overtime it maybe that staffing in some areas needed to be addressed.

·         The work being undertaken to develop proposals in relation to increasing income generation were noted and that a more detailed explanation of how this would be achieved would be included in the next Working Paper.

·         Work was underway to develop models which would more accurately forecast the net financial uplift to Council Tax and Business rates as a consequence of the Regeneration Programme in the Town Centre.

RESOLVED – That the report and appendices be noted.