The Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee of Stockport Council met on Tuesday 15 October 2024 to review several annual reports and discuss the council's ongoing work. Key discussions were scheduled to include the annual complaints report, the workforce report, and the modern slavery statement.

Annual Complaints Report 2023-2024

The committee was scheduled to consider the Annual Complaints Report for 2023-2024, which provides an overview of complaints received by the council and the lessons learned from them. The report details complaints across various services, including non-statutory complaints for Place and Corporate Support Services, Adult Social Care, Children's Social Care, and schools. It highlights a significant increase in Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) complaints, largely due to the high demand for Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) assessments. The report also notes improvements in the council's complaint handling process, with a decrease in complaints escalating to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO). The Scrutiny Committee was recommended to note the report, the increase in SEND complaints, the progress in complaint handling, and the decrease in complaints escalating to LGSCO investigations.

Annual Workforce Report 2023-24

A report on the council's workforce for 2023-24 was scheduled for discussion, aiming to demonstrate transparency in workforce data and highlight the council's commitment to its residents and staff. The report covers key messages such as actionable data insights, diversity and inclusion advancements, and colleague development. It details the council's workforce of 2930 employees, with a demographic breakdown and an analysis of turnover rates, which have shown a reduction compared to the previous year. The report also outlines workforce development initiatives, including leadership programmes and apprenticeships, and future workforce projections, with a focus on strengthening the talent pipeline. The committee was recommended to note the progress in launching initiatives within the One Team People Plan, acknowledge the work of the Human Resources (HR), Organisational Development (OD), and Health and Safety teams, and approve the strategic focus for the next twelve months.

Stockport Council Modern Slavery Statement 2024/25 Annual Review

The committee was set to review the fifth iteration of Stockport Council's Modern Slavery Statement for 2024/25. This statement outlines the actions the council has taken and plans to take to ensure its supply chains are free from modern slavery and human trafficking. The review process involved consultation with action owners within the council and its procurement partner, STAR Procurement. The report details the current trends in modern slavery nationally and locally, noting that recorded incidence in Stockport is relatively low, with criminal exploitation, particularly related to county lines, being the predominant theme. The statement proposes actions to be implemented by 30 September 2025. The Scrutiny Committee was recommended to consider the draft updated statement and, subject to any amendments, agree for it to progress to Cabinet for approval.

Annual Insurance Report 2023-24

The Annual Insurance Report for 2023-24 was scheduled for consideration, providing a summary of insurance performance for the financial year. The report includes comparisons with previous years to identify trends and areas where risk management can be improved. It details the number of insurance claims received, with a stabilisation in numbers over the last two years. The report highlights a slight fall in claims at Totally Local Company (TLC) and a rise in highways claims, while Stockport Homes Group (SHG) and schools show a declining trend. The report also notes successful outcomes in court hearings and the prevention of fraudulent claims. The committee was recommended to note and comment on the report.

Annual Report Regarding Councillor Conduct

The committee was to receive an update on complaints received regarding the conduct of members during the 2023/24 municipal year. The report details that a total of four complaints were received, with two being rejected and two partially upheld. One complaint related to comments made at a Planning and Highways Regulation committee meeting was rejected. Another complaint concerning emails and a failure to declare an interest at an Area Committee meeting resulted in the email aspect being rejected, but the failure to declare an interest was upheld, leading to a reminder for the member. A complaint regarding comments made at a Council meeting was largely rejected, though a lack of respect was upheld, with a recommendation for training and an apology, which the member refused. A final complaint about a member's decision not to correspond with a complainant was not upheld, though the member was advised to provide a response. No complaints progressed to a Standards Committee hearing.

Scrutiny Work Programme

Finally, the committee was scheduled to consider its work programme, outlining planned agenda items for future meetings. This included items such as the Stockport Billing Area, Treasury Management Strategy, Capital Programme, and the Medium Term Financial Plan. The committee was invited to consider the information in the report and put forward any agenda items for future meetings.