The Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet to discuss the council's financial plans, risk management, and governance, as well as to review the annual reports on insurance, complaints, and modern slavery. The committee will also consider a loan to Stockport Homes Ltd and its work programme for the coming year.

Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP)

The committee will be asked to consider the outcomes of a review of the council's Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2025/26 to 2029/30. The report pack includes two reports relating to the MTFP: 'Part A: Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) Summer Review Update' and 'Part B Cabinet Response: Responding to Our Medium Term Financial Plan'. The Part A report outlines the outcomes of the review, and notes that the council's savings requirement has decreased to £19.162m in 2026/27, rising to £63.222m in 2029/30, as a result of adjustments. However, the report also notes that due to the significant demand, volatility, and risk of the financial landscape , the assessment of the MTFP forecasts and assumptions will continue to be iterative, with further updates reported to the cabinet as part of the 2026/27 budget-setting process. The Part B report outlines the strategic approach to responding to the review of the MTFP and should be read alongside the Part A report.

The report pack states that the MTFP update has identified areas where favourable and adverse adjustments need to be made. Favourable adjustments include a reduction in employer pension contributions and investment income from Manchester Airport. Adverse adjustments include general price inflation and pay inflation.

The report pack states that one-off MTFP adjustments include Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR), Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) pEPR funding distribution, a dividend from Manchester Airport, and the cost of leisure. It also notes that the council's share of the Collection Fund 2024/25 outturn above declared is £0.069m.

The report pack states that the committee will also consider a table illustrating the income that could be generated through general council tax and adult social care precept increases.

The report pack states that the committee will also consider the financial challenges facing the council, including increasing need for support in children's and education services, homelessness, and adult social care. It also notes workforce shortages, the national pay offer, and inflationary pressures.

Annual Complaints Report

The committee will be asked to note the information contained in the 'Annual Complaints Report 2024-2025'. The report provides an overview of the complaints received this year and how they have been managed. The report pack states that the council prioritises handling complaints fairly and promptly, ensuring residents are listened to and their feedback informs service improvements. The report pack states that the council received 603 stage 1 complaints, 124 stage 2 complaints, and 3 stage 3 complaints. The report pack states that the council has a strong culture of learning from complaints, with regular reporting to the Corporate Leadership Team and Directorate Management Teams.

Stockport Council Modern Slavery Statement 2025/26: Annual Review

The committee will be asked to consider the draft updated statement, which will run to 30 September 2026. The report pack states that the Stockport Council Modern Slavery Statement 2025/26 aims to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in its corporate activities and to ensure that its supply chains are free from modern slavery and human trafficking. The report pack states that the review took the form of a consultation with action owners in the council and STAR Procurement on progress with implementing the actions in the 2024/25 iteration of the statement and on any additional activity required. The report pack states that colleagues from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) reviewed and approved the contextual information on current trends relating to modern slavery in Stockport and nationally.

Annual Insurance Report 2024-25

The committee will be asked to note the content of the 'Annual Insurance Report 2024-25'. The report provides a summary of insurance performance for the financial year April 2024 to March 2025. The report also highlights current and emerging risks to the council from an insurance perspective and demonstrates how these risks are being managed. The report pack states that the main factor impacting on claims is the ongoing proactive risk management processes now embedded across the insurance portfolio, predominantly supporting highways and more recently focusing on risks within parks, green spaces, flooding and arboriculture services.

Stockport Council's Civil Resilience and Business Continuity 2025 Progress Report

The committee will be asked to note and comment upon the 'Stockport Council's Civil Resilience and Business Continuity 2025 Progress Report'. The report provides an update on work undertaken in relation to emergency preparedness and business continuity since August 2024. The report pack states that the work has predominantly focused on further strengthening and embedding emergency response structures, processes and systems across Stockport, whilst simultaneously aligning them to Greater Manchester and National structures. The report pack states that work continues to review and strengthen Stockport's approach to business continuity, ensuring the continuation of time-sensitive services in times of disruption.

Proposed Amendments to the Constitution - Financial Procedure Rules and Monitoring Officer Protocol

The committee will be asked to consider proposed amendments to the Financial Procedure Rules (FPRs) and the Monitoring Officer Protocol. The report pack states that the proposed amendments to the FPRs complement the amendments to the Contract Procedure Rules, previously agreed by the working party at its meeting on 19 August 2025 and recommended by the cabinet on 16 September 2025, following the introduction of new procurement legislation¹. The report pack states that the proposed amendments to the Monitoring Officer Protocol reflect the Local Government Association (LGA) Guidance on Member Model Code of Conduct Complaints Handling dated 2021 to strengthen the protocol where appropriate.

Loan to Stockport Homes for Development Scheme

The committee will be asked to note and comment upon a report setting out a request for the approval of two loans to Stockport Homes Ltd (SHL) relating to the Hempshaw Lane development. The report pack states that the loans are required to cover an increase in cost as the original costs, agreed in 2018, have been impacted by significant construction cost inflation and additional required works. The report pack states that these are partly offset by an expected increase in sales receipts of £2.287m and additional brownfield grant of £2.016m.

Scrutiny Work Programme

The committee will be invited to consider the information in the 'Scrutiny Work Programme' report and put forward any agenda items for future meetings. The report sets out planned agenda items for the committee's next meeting and forward plan items that fall within the remit of the committee.