Issue - meetings

Briefing and answers to questions – Councillor Dilek Dogus, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services.

The Committee received the portfolio briefing and the responses to advance questions posed to Councillor Dogus, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services.  The Committee asked supplementary questions, the answers of which are noted below.

Q.11 – The Committee requested a briefing note providing more information on the Haringey Circle and the upfront investment of £600k required to set up the “circle” (action no. 37.1). 

Q.16 – The Committee expressed concerns about how the dedicated carers grant was spent.  The Cabinet member explained that she, the Leader and the Chief Executive had clearly expressed to the NHS that funding allocated to carers should be spent solely on carers but the responses from the NHS had been that the money had not been ring-fenced.  The Cabinet Member assured the Committee that she would continue to fight for future funding to be used where it should be and recognised the good work of carers.

The Committee highlighted the importance of turning unused land into community allotments and the Cabinet Member agreed that a survey of all unused spaces was required and she would look into how Haringey Online and Haringey People could be used to encourage residents to suggest unused pieces of land.

Q.23 – The Committee requested a briefing note including further information on what initiatives were being put in place to integrate health services, assurances that there was no duplication of support from the NHS and HAVCO (Haringey Association of Voluntary and Community Organisations) and how HAVCO was funded (action no. 37.2).

Q.29 – The Committee emphasised the need for Council departments to use library meeting rooms rather than external venues and the Cabinet Member stated that hire-prices were minimal to encourage use.

Q33 – The Committee commented that Lordship Lane recreational ground had not been identified as a potential Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field (a scheme operated by Fields in Trust (Fit)) sight.  It was noted that the scheme’s focus was on playing fields and Lordship Lane recreational ground was considered to be a park but much work was being done due to funds raised by the Friends of the Lordship Lane Park.

The Committee asked for a briefing note on the implications of the new health white paper on Haringey’s adult and community services, when more information was available (action no. 37.3).

Helena Kania (LINk) offered to write to NHS Haringey colleagues to request that Haringey Adult Social Services officers be invited to the Patient Panels (action no. 37.4).

The Chair would receive an update on Bull Lane playing fields (action 37.5).

RESOLVED that the briefing be noted.