Agenda item

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

The report presents the Year-End Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Communities, Culture & Sport and Parks, Highways & Transport Services Portfolios. The Year-End Reports focus on delivery of the portfolio priorities from October 2023 to March 2024. They include 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

(1)  Consider the Year-End Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;

(2)  Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2023/24

(3)  Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues;

(4)  Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report;

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

Officer contact: Alan Lawson on 0161 474 5397 or email alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management, Director of Development & Regeneration and Director of Strategy submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the Year-End Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Communities, Culture & Sport and Parks, Highways & Transport Services Portfolios. The Year-End Reports focussed on delivery of the portfolio priorities from October 2023 to March 2024. They included forecast performance and financial data (where this was available) for the portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes.

The following comments were made/ issues raised: -

Communities, Culture & Sport

·         Members asked about the roll-out of Open+ to libraries across Stockport and requested an update on the addition of library services including allowing residents to pay for services and use out of hours printing in libraries. In response it was reported that the roll out of Open+ had been positive with an increase in library usage since the Open+ pilot. All users had been automatically signed up to Open+. Furthermore, teething issues such as anti-social behaviour during Open+ hours had been dealt with swiftly. As to out of hours printing, it was reported that an order for printers was scheduled for the coming months.

·         It was noted that the numbers of visitors to the borough’s museums, libraries and outdoor events was higher than the target figures and were almost at pre-covid levels.

·         Members requested additional information and better connections with 'Team Around the Place’ captains.

·         It was confirmed that funding for the Marple Communication Hub had included a matched contribution from the council. That scheme was due for completion in the winter of 2025-26

·         Members commented on the success of the Town of Culture and expressed a wish to see its legacy develop across the borough.

·         Members also commented that many of the heritage and culture events which took place across the borough were run by community groups, many of which were free.

·         Members commented on the value of community activities for young people in engendering community pride and also noted the great progress made by the council in investing in its relationships with the voluntary sector. An independent State of the Sector report was requested.

·         Members noted the performance measures for activity in young people had revealed that the numbers able to participate in 30 minutes of activity three times per week were low. Members commented on the importance of physical activity which impacts upon health and wellbeing now and in later life.

·         It was reported that a number of initiatives were in place designed to increase activity such as badminton and litter picks. The intended message was that activity was for everybody.

·         The quality of provision for football in some of the borough’s pitches was not as good as it could be. It was agreed that, whilst improvement was required, a balance was to be struck between the provision of 3G pitches and environmental concerns.

·         The numbers of residents registered with the Volunteer Hub did not capture the total number of volunteers; the State of the Sector report which had been produced at Greater Manchester level had identified 57,488 volunteers in Stockport who had volunteered 213,536 hours per week, valued at 105 million pounds per annum. The Volunteer Hub had been developed during the pandemic and was a good resource for people who were interested in becoming involved in volunteering.

·         In relation to the GMI Community Safety Survey it was noted that the numbers of residents who felt a strong sense of belonging to their local community was higher than it had been the previous year. The data was based on a small sample and it was not possible to analyse the data in terms of different areas within the borough. Further perception surveys and analysis would be supported within the coming year.

·         In terms of the statistics on crime and antisocial behaviour, it was reported that it was difficult to demonstrate trends due to system changes as well as changes in the reporting and recording of crime. The current statistics were a good benchmark for future years. Members requested that a survey of perceptions of safety on a ward, or even more granular level would be a welcome future piece of work. 

·         It was noted that funding for Safer Streets had come to an end and members requested an update on future funding. In response it was stated that the council had been underwriting key outreach projects in order to maintain the relationships which key workers had with young people. It was acknowledged that external funding sources were required for outreach work. 

·         Members requested an updated report on Interchange Park including data on instances of antisocial behaviour and how many times the emergency button had been used. It was reported that the police had successfully won a bid for an extra police resource in the evening in Stockport town centre for five days per week.

·         The increase in the numbers of malicious and nuisance communications was noted. Those figures included social media and domestic abuse.

·         Members requested that the numbers of incidents of anti-social behaviour reported by Stockport Homes, along with the numbers of community protection notices issues by Stockport Homes be brought to a future meeting of this Committee.

·         The reported £37,000 capital works for CCTV followed a full review of the borough’s CCTV which had taken place last year and the funds were earmarked for repairs to the current system.

Parks, Highways & Transport Services

·         Members stated that the addition of bins at Interchange Park would be welcome.

·         Members commented upon local transport issues, in particular the business case for Metrolink, improvements to Stockport train station and the need for improved capacity on public transport systems. It was reported that the council was making the case for the benefits which Metrolink would bring to Stockport, including that it would be critical for growth. The council had also made the case that Stockport was a great investment for Metrolink as Stockport train station was a national travel network. It was also reported that future-proofing for Metrolink had taken place.

·         Members commented that formal interventions for fly tipping did not appear to have reduced the incidents of fly tipping. Members requested the council to consider issuing fixed penalty notices in response to environmental crimes. It was reported that incidents of fly tipping were considered on a case by case basis and the council was looking at a number of cases where prosecution was an option.

·         Following a review of cemeteries and crematoria provision within the borough, the service had been brought under the control of Stockport Council. It was reported that local funeral services had more confidence in the crematoria run by the council and were satisfied that it could meet the needs of the borough.

·         It was also reported that only one machine in the crematoria was operational, with two requiring repairs. The current capacity was 40 funerals per week, which was sufficient to meet needs within the borough. Crematoria machinery was expected to be back at full capacity by the end of June 2024 and the council had endeavoured to work closely with funeral directors and keep them up to date with service provision.

·         It was reported that the council was in the process of identifying sites for electric vehicle charging points, however in some cases there were issues with the grid, or other technical reasons why identified sites could not be used. The council had also considered electric vehicle charging points outside of district centres, in residential areas with no off-street parking.

·         Members stated that there was an increasing need for electric vehicle charging points in response to the rapidly growing number of people using electric vehicles and cited examples of other local authorities which had electric vehicle charging points at lampposts. In response it was stated that the use of lampposts would be kept in mind and stated that there was a need to balance electric vehicle charging with the requirement for on-street parking.

·         The measures of street cleanliness contained within the report had been taken following visits from TLC.

RESOLVED - (1) That the Year-End Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports be noted.

(2) That the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2023/24 be noted.

(3) That key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to any performance or resource issues be addressed.

(4) That any significant issues or changes be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report.

(5) That areas of strong performance and good practice be shared.