Issue - meetings

Briefing and answers to questions from Councillor Charles Adje, Cabinet Member for Resources.

The Committee received a briefing and answers to questions from Councillor Adje, Cabinet Member for Resources.

In response to a question on progress relating to Hornsey Town Hall, the Cabinet Member for Resources reported that the Hornsey Town Hall Community Partnership was leading on the project, with support from the Council. Cllr Adje asked that Members let him know of any areas of concern in relation to the project. The Committee asked about the Hornsey Central Depot development, and it was agreed that the Cabinet Member for Resources would meet with Hornsey Ward Councillors to discuss the specific impact of this development on the High Street.

The Committee asked whether targets for reducing carbon emissions from council buildings should be more ambitious. The Cabinet Member reported that it was the intention that CO2 emission reduction activities be introduced across all council buildings and that, where reductions in excess of the target could be made, this would be implemented. The Chief Financial Officer reported that the Council had at present implemented a 3.2% reduction in carbon emissions against a statutory target of 2.5%.

The role of the central procurement unit was discussed. The Committee asked about the difference between the cost of the central procurement unit as set out in the budget report and in the Cabinet member briefing provided, and it was agreed that the Committee would be provided with an explanation of the different figures outside the meeting. The Committee also requested that details of the cost of central procurement compared with the savings achieved be provided outside the meeting.

The Committee asked whether the date by which 75% of undisputed invoices should be being paid within 10 days could be brought forward from December 2009. It was reported that the Council would aim to put this in place as soon as possible, but that December had been identified as a realistic timescale due to the number of issues to resolve.

The Cabinet Member reported that the number of consultants engaged by the Council had significantly reduced to around 55, and that a system was now in place whereby any proposal to hire a consultant must be sanctioned by the relevant Cabinet Member.

In response to a question about whether the feasibility of Community Land Trusts had been looked into, the Cabinet Member reported that this could be explored.

It was agreed that the Committee be provided with information on where court  costs awarded against the Council appeared in the budget.

Following discussion of the activities carried out by the Council to encourage benefits take-up, it was reported that, compared with the previous year, there were over 1000 additional benefits recipients.

The Committee raised the issue of the increase in heating and water rates, and the impact on sheltered housing residents with the Cabinet Member.

RESOLVED

That the briefing and answers to questions be noted.