The Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee meeting on Tuesday 10 June 2025 was scheduled to review the council's financial performance and resource allocation for the 2024/25 financial year. Key discussions were also planned around the performance of council-owned companies, the scrutiny review process for the upcoming year, and potential land transactions.

Corporate Performance and Resources 2024/25 Year-End Report

The committee was scheduled to consider the Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) for the 2024/25 financial year. This report provides a summary of progress in delivering the council's priority outcomes, with a particular focus on the latter half of the financial year. It reflects the 2024-27 Council Plan, the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP), and portfolio priorities. The report includes an overview of key corporate delivery and performance from the seven individual portfolio reports, alongside a detailed financial update on revenue and capital outturn positions.

The committee was recommended to note key delivery and performance issues, review progress against council priorities and capital schemes, and examine budget outturns. It was also asked to note outturn positions for cash and non-cash limits, the Dedicated Schools Grant, Housing Revenue Account, and Collection Fund. The report also detailed appropriations to and from reserves and balances, and the resulting reserves and balances position at outturn. The committee was asked to approve the delegation of changes to the outturn, reserves, and balances position to the Director of Finance, and to note the position for the 2024/25 Capital Programme, including adjustments and resourcing. Finally, the committee was asked to approve the 2024/25 prudential indicators.

Portfolio Performance and Resources - Year-End Report 2024/25

A report on the Portfolio Performance and Resources Agreement (PPRA) for 2024/25 was scheduled for discussion, focusing on the delivery of portfolio priorities from October 2024 to March 2025. This report includes forecast performance and financial data, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme. The committee was recommended to consider this report, review progress against key projects, priority outcomes, targets, and budgets, and highlight areas requiring corrective action. It was also asked to identify significant issues for feedback to the Cabinet and to share areas of strong performance and good practice.

Portfolio Performance and Resources – Draft Portfolio Agreement 2025/26 (Finance and Resources)

The committee was scheduled to review and comment on the draft 2025/26 Portfolio Agreement for the Finance and Resource Portfolio. This portfolio encompasses areas such as estates and schools capital, finance, council budget transformation, IT and digital transformation, the contact centre, elections, STAR procurement, revenue and benefits, HR and OD, legal and democratic services, and business support. The agreement outlines policy priorities for 2025/26, aligned with the refreshed Council Plan 2024-27 and the Borough Plan.

Life Leisure Annual Report 2024/25

The committee was scheduled to consider the annual report of Life Leisure, a Community Interest Company (CIC) wholly owned by the Council, for the financial year 2024/25. The report details Life Leisure's performance, its role in improving commercial performance of council-owned leisure centres, and its impact on the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of communities. It was also set to outline challenges and successes experienced during the year, including financial performance, operational achievements, and environmental impact. The committee was recommended to comment on the report.

Totally Local Company Annual Report

Totally Local Company's (TLC) annual report for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 was scheduled for review. The report details TLC's collaboration with Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) to deliver services for clean and safe neighbourhoods, aligning with the One Stockport and Stockport CAN strategies. It also outlines steps taken by TLC to enhance operational efficiency, transformation, value for money, and sustainability. The committee was asked to note the report and provide comments, with the Cabinet also recommended to note and endorse it.

Scrutiny Work Programme

A report was scheduled to outline planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee's future meetings and Forward Plan items within its remit. The committee was invited to consider this information and put forward any agenda items for future meetings.

Scrutiny Review Topic Selection

The committee was scheduled to consider the selection of a Scrutiny Review topic for the 2025/26 municipal year. The report outlined the Scrutiny Review process, provided a framework for undertaking reviews, and aimed to support members in selecting topics. The committee was recommended to consider the selection of a topic and nominate members to sit on a proposed Scrutiny Review Panel.

Adswood Depot Battery Storage and Heathside Park Road Land Transactions

The committee was scheduled to consider a report concerning two land transactions. The first involved offering a Lease Option for a Battery Storage Scheme at the Council's Adswood Depot Site. The second concerned entering a Purchase Option for the disposal of council land required by another landowner to improve access for a potential development site at Heathside Park Road, Cheadle Heath. These transactions were linked due to a restrictive covenant. The report sought Cabinet approval for these transactions and delegated authority for their implementation. The committee was asked to note the report and provide comments.