Issue - meetings

Briefing from Councillor Lorna Reith, Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement.

The committee received a briefing from the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement, outlining key issues and priorities within her portfolio.  These included the rapid improvement plan for Customer Services, the preparation of the Local Print and Design Framework in Communications and current staff consultation on the Customer Focus Charter.  The Cabinet Member was also pleased to report on the launch of Community Links (replacing the Community Empowerment Network), together with the on-going Making the Difference review and the second stage of the Council’s Beacon Bid.

In response to questions from Members, Cllr Reith stated that there was a planned delay to the transfer of repair functions from the Council’s Call Centre to Homes for Haringey.  The delay was an acknowledgement that the originally proposed start date was too ambitious, with a longer lead in time negotiated to minimise disruption to customers.  It was noted that the Committee would receive information on the outcome of the proposed transfer after the summer recess.

In response to an enquiry on the 30% data loss figure relating to the Call Centre, Cllr Reith informed the committee that this was caused by a one-off event where a utility company had drilled through a cable.

Members Enquires data was reported as very positive, with Members encouraged to communicate to the Cabinet Member their experience of using the system, particularly with regards to the quality of responses received.

The committee also noted the upcoming pilot of the Councillor Call to Action scheme in both the East and the West of the borough.  This would provide an opportunity for the proposed processes to be tested prior to its official launch in the new municipal year.  It was also noted that Members were to receive a briefing on this initiative at the upcoming informal meeting.

RESOLVED:

1. That the committee be provided with information on the ‘It’s You We’re Working For’ slogan.

2. That the committee receive information following the summer recess on the outcome of the transfer of the repair functions from the Call Centre to Homes for Haringey.

3. That the committee be provided with total cost of the ‘Love Your Borough’ campaign.

4. That Members provide the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement their experiences of Member Enquiries.

5. That the committee be provided with data on Members Enquiries broken down by ward.

6. That the committee receive a report back on the upcoming ‘Policy Conversation’ on the Roberts Commission.

7. That the committee be provided with information on how many applications for Making the Difference money had been received.

8. That the briefing be noted.