Agenda item

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance

The Cabinet has developed a four year medium term strategy based around five cross-cutting themes. These frame the choices the Council need to make about its budget both next year and in future years, the five themes are:

•           Getting the most out of our spending;

•           Improving Customer Experience;

•           Making sure we have the right property in the right places;

•           Sharing services with other organisations;

•           An organisation fit for the future.

A suite of proposals have been developed by Cabinet which forms the first phase of this programme for 19/20. Scrutiny has since received a series of updates on the development of these proposals. This report forms the latest update and in line with the update provided to committees in November, particular includes consideration of proposals for 2019/20, prior to Cabinet decision-making in February.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment upon the proposals appended to this report.

Officer contact: Holly Rae, 0161 474 3014, holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk   

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance and Reform and the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider the Cabinet’s proposals to address the Medium Term Financial Plan forecasts. The report included the results of consultation exercises or interim feedback where those consultations were ongoing, as well as Equality Impact Assessments.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Careful consideration was needed in relation to the documents submitted to scrutiny committee to minimise the volume of information, particularly where proposals were not being progressed.

·         Concern was expressed about the relatively low levels of consultation response to some proposals. In response it was stated that the Cabinet was keen to ensure engagement with the public and stakeholders, and that each consultation was tailored to ensure that it was most appropriate to the proposal. It was further commented that while the Council would do all it could to consult the public may simply chose not to respond.

·         The start of the second phase of consultation on the revised Greater Manchester Spatial Framework was welcomed. Concern was expressed that over reliance on digital consultation would excluded some residents, and the choice of community venues for engagement sessions were inappropriate given the likely level of public interest.

·         In response to concerns about the Support & Governance proposals it was confirmed that work was ongoing and a report would be submitted to the Constitution Working Party in due course.

·         Clarification was sought on what progress had been made with Proposal 14 – Local Centres, as this no longer featured in the report. In response it was stated that after some initial work had been done it had been decided to broaden the scope of the project. It was confirmed that it would form part of future proposals.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Deputy Chief Executive be requested to submit a report to a future meeting on progress with implementing the recommendations of the Consultations Scrutiny Review.