The Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 3 September 2024 to review the council's Q1 budget monitoring, treasury management reports, reserves policy, and the impact of voter ID requirements. The committee noted the council's financial position, treasury management activities, and the proposed reserves policy, and received an update on the effectiveness of voter ID regulations in recent elections.

2024/25 Q1 Budget Monitoring Update

The committee received a report detailing the council's revenue budget forecast outturn for the period ending June 2024, as well as updates on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), Housing Revenue Account (HRA), and the Capital Programme. A projected deficit of £2.637 million was noted for the revenue budget, primarily driven by pressures within the Children, Families & Education portfolio (£4.179 million deficit) and Health & Adult Social Care (£0.784 million deficit). The report highlighted that significant costs were being avoided through preventative measures in Children & Family Services, but rising referrals and complex needs were impacting the budget. The committee also noted that the Housing Revenue Account was forecasting a surplus of £0.633 million, which would be used to contribute to costs incurred by Stockport Homes. The capital programme for 2024/25 was £168.168 million, with £20.432 million expended in the first quarter. The committee resolved to note the report and its recommendations to Cabinet.

Treasury Management Annual Report 2023/24 and Q1 Report 2024/25

Two reports were presented on treasury management activities. The annual report for 2023/24 reviewed treasury management activities and prudential and treasury indicators for the year. It confirmed that the council had complied with the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance. The council's overall weighted average borrowing rate for 2023/24 was 3.10%, and investment performance achieved an annual return of 5.16%. The Q1 report for 2024/25 provided an update on treasury management activities, noting that investment rates remained elevated but were expected to fall. The report highlighted that the council's treasury management function had performed well in Q1 2024/25, with investment performance achieving a return of 5.28% and debt costs minimised at an average rate of 4%. The committee resolved to note both reports.

2024/25 Reserves Policy

The committee reviewed the outcome of the annual review of the council's Reserves Policy. The policy categorises earmarked reserves into four areas: Reserves Linked to Budget, Strategic Priority Reserves, Reserves Linked to Budget Resilience Issues, and Corporate Reserves. The total level of earmarked and unallocated reserves was £87.057 million, considered appropriate to provide financial robustness and resilience. The report detailed the rationale for each reserve category and the recommended levels for holding them. The committee resolved to note the report, including the recommendations to Cabinet.

Update on Impact of Voter ID Requirements in Elections

A report was presented on the impact of Voter ID requirements in the Local Elections, GM Combined Authority Mayoral Election in May 2024, and the Parliamentary Election in 2024. The data indicated a reduction in the percentage of voters initially unable to vote due to not having the correct identification. Of those initially refused a ballot paper, the percentage who later returned with accepted ID and were issued with a ballot paper increased from 58.6% in May 2023 to 68.2% in the July 2024 general election. The council issued 846 Voter Authority Certificates in total across the three elections. The committee noted the report and resolved to continue outreach work to promote the free Voter Authority Certificate.

Amendments to the Constitution

The committee considered suggested amendments to the council's Constitution, primarily relating to the Officer Scheme of Delegations to realign functions due to changes in roles and post holders. Amendments were also proposed to Individual Cabinet Member Functions, Proper Officer Appointments, and typographical corrections to the Confidential Reporting (Whistleblowing) Policy. The committee resolved to note the report.

Scrutiny Work Programme

A report was presented outlining planned agenda items for the committee's next meeting and Forward Plan items. The committee was invited to consider the information and put forward any agenda items for future meetings. The committee resolved to note the report.