Agenda and minutes

Apologies stated above

Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee are asked to consider whether they have an interest in any matters on the agenda and, if so, to formally declare that interest.

The following declaration of interest were made…

Councillor Sheppard declared an interest in relation to the Housing Services Update

A period of 30 minutes has been set aside for members of the public to ask questions on matters considered at the last meeting and set out in the minutes or on the agenda for tonight’s meeting.

There were no public questions.

Questions are invited from Elected Members about items on the agenda. 15 minutes will be set aside for Member Question Time, if required.

There were no Member questions.

Minutes from the meeting held on 29^th June 2026 are attached.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th June 2026 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Report attached to be supported by Cllr Arif Cabinet Member for Housing Services

The Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Councillor Arif, presented the report and accompanying appendix and provided a brief overview of performance during 2025/26. The report was taken as read.

Councillor Birchmore questioned the decision to commission Housemark to undertake reviews of the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and Complaints Services rather than relying on internal review processes and sought clarification regarding the cost of the exercise.

In response, the Cabinet Member and officers advised that Housemark had been commissioned to provide an independent and objective assessment against nationally recognised housing sector standards and accreditation frameworks. Whilst internal audits and service reviews remained an important component of performance management, the external review provided additional challenge, benchmarking opportunities and independent assurance. Members were informed that a recent internal audit of the complaints service had provided a high level of assurance. The cost of the Housemark reviews was confirmed as £39,995 and the findings would support service improvements and progression towards recognised accreditation standards.

Councillor Birchmore referred to the report's reference to low-level nuisance issues being recorded as tenancy support rather than formal ASB cases and sought clarification regarding the classification process. He further asked whether reported reductions reflected genuine improvements or the reclassification of incidents.

Officers explained that a distinction was made based on whether the behaviour met the threshold for anti-social behaviour. Issues such as noise transference resulting from normal household activity would generally be addressed through tenancy support rather than enforcement action. The Committee was advised that ASB case numbers had not reduced as a consequence of reclassification and had in fact increased due to earlier case logging and improved reporting arrangements. Members were informed that the approach ensured tenants received the most appropriate response whilst allowing enforcement resources to remain focused on genuine ASB.

Councillor Birchmore sought assurance regarding the future of sheltered and extra-care housing following references within the report to a review of existing schemes.

The Cabinet Member advised that sheltered and extra-care housing provision was not under threat. The review was intended to ensure that accommodation remained suitable for meeting future demand and reflected modern standards of accessibility and independent living. Officers explained that some existing accommodation, including bedsit properties and aspects of older extra-care schemes, no longer met the expectations and needs of tenants. The review would inform future investment decisions and support the development of a modern housing offer for older residents.

Councillor Birchmore questioned whether current call-answering performance reflected an acceptable standard of service for tenants.

Officers acknowledged that performance required improvement but advised that waiting times had reduced significantly during 2026/27. Members were informed that recent performance data demonstrated continuing improvement and that the longer-term ambition was for 80% of housing calls to be answered within 60 seconds, in line with widely recognised sector standards.

Councillor Birchmore sought clarification regarding repair completion times and how they compared with other housing providers.

Officers confirmed that the reported target of 20 related to working days and was broadly consistent with performance standards used by other social  ...  view the full minutes text for item OSC.115

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services is attached.

The Committee considered a report and appendix presented by Councillor Thorpe, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, setting out performance against the Corporate Plan at Quarter Four 2025/26.

Councillor Thorpe reported that the year-end position presented a broadly positive picture, with approximately 60% of measures on track and a further 37% not currently on track but with mitigation measures in place. Key achievements included labour market performance of 95.7%, with 4.3% of residents not in employment, education or training, support for approximately 7,800 businesses across the borough, delivery of 312 new homes including 80 affordable homes, and strong collection rates for both Council Tax and Business Rates. Members were advised that staff sickness absence had increased during the year. Children's Services performance had continued to improve through delivery of the improvement plan.

Members heard that a number of projects remained amber or red. Regeneration activity in Radcliffe, including Market Chambers, remained on track and continued to progress positively. Delays had occurred to the Digital Strategy due to delays in appointing a Digital, Data and Technology Manager. The Pupil Referral Unit project had been delayed after the original site proved undeliverable, and elements of the Local Plan timetable had been impacted by the General Election. Concerns were also raised regarding delays affecting flood resilience and development work.

Councillor Sheppard raised a question regarding objectives described as "not on track but with risks addressed" and what mitigation actions had been implemented, including milestones and measures of success over the next six months. Officers advised that a detailed annex containing this information was available and would be circulated to Members. It was agreed that the appendix received by officers would be shared with the Committee.

Members discussed the challenge of demonstrating the relationship between Corporate Plan activity and long-term outcomes, particularly in relation to health and social care. It was noted that factors such as an ageing population, changing patterns of hospital discharge and wider demographic trends made it difficult to establish direct causality between interventions and outcomes.

Kate Waterhouse advised that performance was monitored through the Health and Wellbeing Board and Locality Board arrangements and that work was ongoing through Public Health programmes to better demonstrate the impact of preventative interventions, including reductions in hospital admissions. Whilst attributing specific outcomes directly to individual interventions remained challenging, efforts continued to improve understanding of impact and value for money.

Councillor Thorpe highlighted smoking cessation as one example where positive outcomes could be evidenced but noted that wider public health outcomes, including health inequalities and mortality differences across communities within the borough, could take many years to improve and were influenced by a range of factors.

Members were advised that further consideration of performance measures and outcomes would be undertaken through the Member Development Board.

In response to a question submitted in advance regarding the principal financial risks affecting delivery in 2026/27, Councillor Thorpe advised that these were identified within the Budget Report approved by Council in February.

The most significant  ...  view the full minutes text for item OSC.116

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services is attached.

Councillor Thorpe, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, presented an overview of the 2025/26 outturn position. He advised Members received an update on the Council's financial position, noting an improved forecast during the year, although budget pressures remained and continued careful financial management was required. Progress had been made in delivering planned savings and managing service demand, while work to support long-term financial sustainability continued. Members also noted that some capital programme expenditure had been reprofiled into future years to reflect revised delivery timescales for major projects.

In response to a question submitted in advance by Councillor Birchmore regarding the £462,000 variance in business rates income, officers explained that £242,000 related to a lower-than-anticipated contribution from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority through the 100% Business Rates Retention Scheme, with the remaining difference arising from a number of smaller variances. Members were advised that collection performance remained positive, with the Collection Fund reporting an in-year surplus of £493,000.

Responding to a question from Councillor Birchmore regarding the £1.372 million underspend within the Place Directorate, officers advised that this was not solely due to project delays. The variance reflected a combination of increased income from traded services, higher service income levels and savings arising from vacant posts.

Councillor Birchmore asked for clarification on the £1.61 million unachieved saving linked to the reintegration of Six Town Housing into the Council. Officers explained that this represented the remaining element of a wider £3 million savings target. Some savings had already been achieved through reviewing costs chargeable to the HRA, while work continued to identify wider integration efficiencies. The remaining saving had been carried forward into 2026/27 and would continue to be monitored through regular financial reporting.

During discussion, members considered opportunities for increasing Council income. Councillor Pilkington asked about the Council's approach to revenue generation, including planning fee increases. Councillor Thorpe stated that opportunities to commercialise Council assets and services were being explored, including the use of green spaces and events, but noted that there were limits to the level of income that could realistically be generated.

In response to a query from Councillor Rydeheard, it was confirmed that Heaton Park remained under the ownership of Manchester City Council, having been gifted to Manchester in perpetuity.

Councillor Martin asked about contingency plans should the Council need to make further use of reserves. Councillor Thorpe highlighted the structural financial challenges facing local government, particularly the increasing costs of Adult Social Care and the limitations of existing funding arrangements. Officers added that the Council maintained a Budget Stabilisation Reserve and was working to reduce reliance on reserves over the medium term.

Members discussed the wider issue of Adult Social Care funding and whether further support could be secured through joint lobbying with other local authorities. Concerns were raised regarding the sustainability of the current funding system and the burden placed on councils by increasing care demands. Officers advised that discussions continued with Greater Manchester partners, the Integrated Care Board and NHS organisations  ...  view the full minutes text for item OSC.117

Any other business which by reason of special circumstances the Chair agrees may be considered as a matter of urgency.

There was no urgent business.