Issue - meetings

a.         Deputations

Received a deputation on behalf of the Save Autism Services in Haringey (SASH) group, on the budget proposals to close day centres, given by Anna Nicholson.  Including:

·         The short term savings would lead to long term, higher social care costs as the changes and loss of day centres could result in people with autism and their carers requiring additional NHS services due to health conditions and deterioration of their mental health.

·         People with autism required routine and familiarity and may refuse to go out if the centres closed. Both people with autism and their carers would be further isolated from society.

·         Carers recruited through personal budgets may be untrained in dealing with autism.

·         The proposals did not include alternative provision for how the needs of people with complex needs would be met.

The Committee noted the deputation and Ms Nicholson agreed to send her concerns to Councillor Morton, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing.

b.         Questions

            Received questions from Anne Gray including:

i.  How much the Council was spending on consultant fees?

     Response:

In response the Committee was reminded that details of consultant costs were routinely published as part of Staffing & Remuneration Committee documents.  At the end of quarter 3 there were 58 interims/ consultants employed within Haringey at an annual cost of approximately £5.6 million.

ii.  A request for further information on the reserves policy

and specifically why the Jobs Fund was needed now when it had not been previously required.

                 Response:

In previous years the Government had funded employment costs and it was important for the Council to continue to support employment and local businesses. Reserves will reduce by the end of this current financial  year.

iii. A request for further information on the schools reserve including: 

A) How much was held in the bank accounts of the four academy schools in Haringey and is that counted as part of this £10.9 million? 

B) Why had the schools reserve gone up by £1.5 million in the last year and what was this extra money needed for?

            Response:

Academy reserves were not included in the schools reserve, as they were responsible for their own funds.  Reserves had increased for a number of reasons but mainly due to the “fair deal for Haringey children” campaign which had secured an additional £7m for the Haringey Schools formula budgets, which had not been fully spent.

Written answers to questions b.i and b.ii above would be provided after the meeting.

Action: Kevin Bartle