Issue - meetings

Law Centre Update (Report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy) – Agenda Item 9)

The report was the subject of a motion to exclude the press and public from the meeting as it contained exempt information relating to the business or financial affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information).

Our Chair advised of the recent unfortunate incident when a lorry had crashed into the front of this building.  We were also advised of the current status of this organisation  

Concern was expressed that this building was not of an acceptable standard and,  aside from the lorry incident, portrayed an unfortunate image of Tottenham.  Concern was also expressed that its services were being offered to residents outside of the area but we were advised that the Centre was required to deliver services to people outside the area in order to access alternative funding streams. 

We noted the possibility of using locations at 48 Grand Parade and the new building on the site of the Rose and Crown on the corner of the High Road and Monument Way and officers were asked to investigate these possibilities further.  Whilst we agreed that a desirable way forward would be a joint venue with the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, in the design of a Building Society, but it would be a challenge to identify sufficient capital funds for such a venture.

In response to further questions, the Head of the Voluntary Sector Team highlighted the progress as set out in paragraph 7.3 of the interleaved report and we noted the recruitment of an Interim Manager to the Centre.     

We also noted that the recommendations set out at 8.1 had been made following a meeting with our Chair some 3 weeks ago.

RESOLVED

1)     That the recommendations made in the MBA report and set out in paragraph 8.1 of the interleaved report with regard to development work that needed to be undertaken to improve the Law Centre’s outputs, casework quality and governance be noted.

2)     That the organisation continue to be on special measures and the grant be conditional upon the Law Centre agreement to work towards the developmental recommendations outlined in the MBA report.

3)     That a report on progress be presented to our Committee by June 2007.

4)     That the suggestions for alternative premises as suggested above be investigated.