Adult Social Care Portfolio
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Date: July 2018 Version 1.0 Approved by KB 1 ECONOMY AND REGENERATION PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW Portfolio Summary It is not long since the Portfolio Agreement was signed off and the extent to which the performance of the Portfolio reflects the plans and targets set out on the Agreement will be clearer in the Autumn. There is still significant progress to report this quarter however. The Get Digital Faster Superfast Broadband programme deployment completed at the end of May 2018. Take-up of service is currently 38.5% in Stockport and will continue to grow. GMCA has accessed £23.9m from the Local Full Fibre Challenge Fund and feasibility work took place this quarter - Stockport has 123 public premises in scope for full fibre. Work arising from the Stockport Work & Skills Commission has included development of the report and Action Plan. This includes proposals for focused support for young people, in particular to improve work placements and information, advice and guidance for young people. A Partnership Board is being set to drive this work. GM Working Well programme progressed well during the quarter with local services being integrated with the programme. A Local Integration Plan and Board has been set up to ensure that the programme matches local need as closely as possible. It has now achieved its first job outcomes in Stockport and referral numbers are increasing each month. Visitor numbers to our Museums and other cultural attractions remain healthy. During the quarter, the Arts Council England granted full museum accreditation status to the Hat Works, Bramall Hall, Air Raid Shelters, Chadkirk Chapel, Staircase House and Stockport Museum. Other work included the launch of a new online museum booking for school parties, award of 2018 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Awards for Air Raid Shelters, Hat Works, Staircase House and Stockport Museum and a sell-out Shakespeare in the park event at Bramall Hall. The tender for the operation and management of the market was advertised. The monthly Makers Market is attracting new customers and encouragingly, this has contributed to increased footfall at the Market this quarter. Cabinet approved a funding package to support the residential and transport elements of the proposed Stockport Interchange scheme. This will enable the scheme to progress to the planning application stage. TfGM held a series of drop-in events to gather views during July and people were also able to tell us what they think about our proposals online. Cllr Kate Butler, Portfolio Holder for Economy and Regeneration 2 Revenue Budget (Forecast) Capital Programme £000 Cash Limit 2,668 Forecast 2,668 £000 (Surplus)/Deficit 0 2018/19 Capital Budget 71,417 2019/20 Capital Budget 54,482 Approved use of reserves 1,051 2020/21 Capital Budget 30,101 Utilisation of approved use of reserves 614 Balance remaining of approved use of 437 reserves 3 National and Regional Policy Drivers Brexit GMCA’s monthly “Brexit Monitor” is a useful summary of latest developments relating to the UK’s decision to leave the EU. Key messages from the July edition included: Government has published a white paper setting out its vision for the UK and EU’s post Brexit relationship. Key points from the white paper include: o UK would maintain a ‘common rulebook’ with EU regulations on goods, essentially establishing a free trade area for goods, although ending free trade in services. o The European Court of Justice would no longer have jurisdiction in the UK, with any common or harmonised regulation or law upheld by UK courts. o Free movement of people between the UK and EU would end, but there is little information on subsequent arrangements – these will likely be set out in a separate immigration white paper due for publication in the autumn. Though this goes some way to addressing post-Brexit uncertainties, resistance and resignations from key figures in Government, lack of detail in certain policy areas, and potential push-back from the EU in future make it challenging to untangle how this vision will play out Latest economic trends are mixed. The warm weather has offset the impact of bad weather earlier in the year and contributed to positive (but slow) growth in services, manufacturing and construction. However, the outlook for most households is still mixed. With increasing living costs tending to outpace wages, spending for many households continues to be squeezed. UK GDP grew by 0.2% in the three months to May 2018 (up from zero growth in the previous quarter), but this is low in comparison to historic trends. There is evidence however that GM’s economy is growing ahead of UK rates. Retail sales have grown in recent weeks, driven in part by good weather and Royal Wedding celebrations. Growth is at a slower rate than historic trends however. In May, numbers claiming employment-related benefits in GM fell for the first time since November 2017. Unemployment rates however are still above national and regional rates, though they have fallen since the referendum. Long-term trends in claimant counts need to be treated with caution however due to changes to benefits, not least the rollout of Universal Credit. GMCA is engaging with DWP on their consultation into the uses of this data. Greater Manchester Strategy (GMS) GMCA considered the first six-monthly Performance Dashboard in April 2018, reporting on performance between 1st October 2017 and 31st March 2018. This included latest trends relating to a broad range of performance measures that relate to the Strategy’s ten priorities, four of which are particularly relevant to services aligned to this Portfolio: Priority 3 - Good jobs, with opportunities to progress and develop. Priority 4 - A thriving and productive economy in all parts of Greater Manchester. Priority 5 – World-class connectivity that keeps Greater Manchester moving. Priority 7 – A green city region and a high quality culture and leisure offer for all. 4 Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) GMCA has agreed to delay the consultation on the GMSF until October 2018, following the publication in June of new official population projections that forecast slower than expected growth in GM’s population. This lower population growth suggests GM’s household projections will be lower than previous forecasts. These are due for publication in September 2018 and if confirmed, they will influence the spatial framework. GM Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund GMCA has established a £160m Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund (obtained via the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund). Former professional cyclist Chris Boardman has been appointed as GM’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner to lead on promoting these healthier (non- polluting) modes of transport. The fund will focus on strategic walking and cycle connections between/across town and city centres, as well as on improving neighbourhood walking and cycling access from residential areas to local jobs, schools, colleges, health facilities and public transport hubs. Chris Boardman will be visiting the Council to brief members on his work later in the year. Bus Reform A report is being presented to GMCA on July 27th 2018 that will set out a process for developing an assessment of a proposed bus-franchising scheme for GM. It also suggests next steps regarding carrying out that assessment and undertaking associated consultation. GM Clean Air Plan TfGM, acting on behalf of GMCA and districts, is undertaking a feasibility study prior to developing a GM Clean Air Plan. This will address areas prone to particularly high levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). A national study has identified a number of major urban roads in GM forecast to exceed the NO2 EU Limit Value beyond 2020. In Stockport, this includes the A34 as well as a number of links in the town centre. The study also identifies the part of the M60 in the Borough as exceeding the legal limits (though that falls under Highways England’s remit). A GM Senior Leadership Steering Group will direct the feasibility study, briefing senior officers and elected members within their organisations and securing local approvals. GMCA is likely to approve a public engagement plan relating to this initiative in the summer of 2018. GM Industrial Strategy Government recently announced that GM (plus West Midlands and Oxford/Cambridge) would be a “trailblazer” in developing a Local Industrial Strategy (LIS) by March 2019. It will reflect the key themes1 and “Grand Challenges”2 of the National Industrial Strategy. A series of research projects (to be scoped in September 2018) will support development of the GM LIS. Meetings with economic development lead officers in each district are planned for July and August to gather district input and priorities. Meetings will also take place with representatives from the community, voluntary and social enterprise sector and other stakeholders with an interest in the strategy. GM Full Fibre Programme GM has expressed an ambition to be a leading digital city and has secured funding from a range of sources to enhance fibre coverage across GM. Meetings recently took place with local authorities in GM (and with Clinical Commissioning Groups) to finalise the list of sites to be prioritised for fibre connection and identify further opportunities (for example, a review of school sites in Stockport). Given the strong long-term economic benefits, Stockport is “on board” with this work in principle (financial arrangements will be confirmed later in 2018). Stockport Council is particularly keen to minimise the impact on the highway, using the ‘One Dig’ approach wherever possible. 1 Ideas; People; Infrastructure; Business Environment; Places 2 Artificial Intelligence & Data; Mobility; Clean Growth; Ageing Society 5 1. ECONOMY & REGENERATION PORTFOLIO DELIVERING OUR PRIORITIES 1.1 Priorities and Delivery Plans Portfolio priorities are set out in the Council Plan, and progress against those relating to the Economy & Regeneration Portfolio is reported below.