Agenda and minutes

(if any)

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Santry, who was represented by Cllr Jones and from Cllr Reith, who was represented by Cllr Dogus.  Apologies for lateness were received from Cllr Meehan.  Councillor Canver took the Chair until Cllr Meehan arrived.

Also present:  Cllr Engert, Newton, Bull and Hoban

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 July be approved and signed.

Councillor Dogus declared an interest in respect of item 15 on this agenda, the Broadwater Farm Community Centre as she is a resident of Broadwater Farm.

Cllr Bull was also present at the meeting and declared an interest in respect of item 18 on the Agenda, the Scrutiny Review of Mobile Phone Masts, as he works for a mobile phone company

(Report of the Chief Executive – To be introduced by the Executive Member for Organisational Development and Performance): To provide highlight reports for all the Council’s corporately significant projects, covering the period up to the end of May 2006.

We received the Programme Highlight Report for May 2006 and noted that, with regard to Building Schools for the Future, the purchase of land for a new secondary school was progressing. 

RESOLVED 

That the highlight reports for all the Council’s corporately significant projects, covering the period up to the end of May 2006, be noted.

We received a new organisational structure for the Council’s IT Services (ITS) which sought delegated authority to finalise the structure. We noted that advice received from the Head of ICT and e-Government Strategy at the London Borough of Waltham Forest would be included in the final report and that the concerns expressed by Unison, set out in appendix 5 to the report, would be subject to further member input via the General Purposes Committee and the Executive. 

RESOLVED

1)     That the drivers for this restructure (set out in section 7 of the report) be noted and that the timescale for the implementation had been necessitated by the high cost and risks associated with the current temporary staffing situation. 

2)     To note the external challenge to which these proposals have been subjected.

3)     That the Senior Management and Functional ITS structure proposed within this report (as set out in full in Appendix 4) and in so far as it pertains to Executive functions in relation to, inter alia, service delivery and financial issues; be approved.

RESOLVED

1)     That the exception report on finance and performance monitoring for May 2006, using the new balanced scorecard format,  be noted.

2)     That the virements as set out in section 14 of the interleaved report be approved

(Report of the Acting Director of Finance – To be introduced by the Executive Member for Finance): To recommend approval of the Asset Management Plan for 2006-2011.

RESOLVED

1)     That the Asset Management Plan for 2006-2011 be approved and that the principles, priorities and action plan contained within it be endorsed.

2)     To receive further reports on specific items from the action plan as appropriate, ensuring that any future controversial issues are communicated to the ward councillors and relevant Executive member.

(Report of the Acting Director of Finance – To be introduced by the Executive Member for Finance): To propose a capital strategy for 2006-2011.

We noted that the Capital Strategy just highlighted the main figures; there were no omissions. 

RESOLVED

That the Capital Strategy for 2006-2011 be approved with more emphasis in future reports to accessing special funding regimes.  

(Report of the Director of the Children’s Service – To be introduced by the Executive Member for Children and Young People): To report on demand for pupil places in Haringey primary, secondary and special schools and to update on action to respond to this demand.

We received a report on demand for pupil places in Haringey Primary, Secondary and Special Schools.  

RESOLVED

1)     That the working priorities as set out in paragraph 15.1 of the report be agreed and to receive the recommendations arising from this work in July 2007.

2)     That the new reporting arrangements for statutory consultations be endorsed.

3)     To receive a further annual report on School Places in July 2007.

(Report of the Director of the Children’s Service – To be introduced by the Executive Member for Children and Young People): To propose an executive response to the Scrutiny Review of Teenage Pregnancy.

We received a report considering the key conclusions of the Scrutiny Review into Teenage Pregnancy and were asked to respond to each of the recommendations.  We expressed concern at the reductions in Family Planning sessions, given that the teenage pregnancy rate in Haringey is above the national figure.  We noted that this report had been written prior to the family planning cuts and therefore the next report should feedback the implications of this.

RESOLVED

1)     That the work being undertaken to implement the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review be noted.

2)     To receive a further report back on any implications of the PCT funding reductions and to establish regular communication with the PCT on any substantial cuts in the future.

(Report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Access) – To be presented by the Executive Member for Community Involvement): To propose increased fees and hire charges and to discuss related issues to agree a way forward.

We received a report on the proposed increases in fees and hire charges for the main hall and Jazz Café of Broadwater Farm Community Centre, which is now managed directly by the Council.  We noted that the ward councillors had been consulted.  

Councillor Dogus declared an interest in respect of this item as she is a resident of Broadwater Farm.

RESOLVED

1)     That the proposals for increased hire charges for the main hall and Jazz Café, as set out in paragraph 13.1 of the report, be agreed to take effect from 1 September  2006.

2)     That the community concessionary rate as set out in paragraph 13.1 be agreed, subject to a review and further report in six months.

(Report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Access) – To be presented by the Executive Member for Community Involvement): To seek approval of the revised acquisitions and disposal policy for Bruce Castle Museum incorporating a mission and aims statement in line with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council’s new accreditation standards.

We received a report setting out the revised Acquisitions and Disposal Policy for Bruce Castle Museum, incorporating a mission and aims statement, in order to conform to the new Museums, Libraries and Archives Council’s (MLA) new accreditation standards.  

RESOLVED

That this item be deferred to the meeting of the Executive on 12 September, incorporating a policy statement.

(Report of the Interim Director of Environmental Services – To be introduced by the Executive Member for Environment and Conservation): To provide an executive response to the Scrutiny Review of Repairs to Highways.

We received the Scrutiny Review of repairs to Highways and asked for clarity over the criteria,  categorisation and monitoring of repairs and were satisfied with the comparison to the other boroughs as set out in the report. 

RESOLVED

1)     That the proposed response to the Scrutiny Review of Repairs to Highways and Footpaths be agreed.

2)     That the agreed recommendations be incorporated within the Streetscene Business Plan for 2007/8 and that progress be reported at regular intervals to the Environment Scrutiny Panel.

(Report of the Interim Director of Environmental Services  – To be introduced by the Executive Member for Regeneration and Partnerships): To provide an executive response to the Scrutiny Review of Mobile Phone Masts.

Cllr Bull was also present at the meeting and declared an interest in respect of item 18 on the Agenda, the Scrutiny Review of Mobile Phone Masts, as he works for a mobile phone company

RESOLVED

1)     That the proposed response to the Scrutiny Review of Mobile Phone Masts be approved.

2)     That the individual Recommendations be actioned by the relevant officers in the Environment Directorate, or in two cases, by the Director of Finance or the District Valuer.

3)     That the outcome of previous resolutions passed by the Executive setting out our concerns over conflicting evidence about mobile phone masts be investigated.

(Report of the Director of Social Services  – To be introduced by the Executive Member for Housing): To summarise comments received from tenants in response to a preliminary notice of intention to vary the tenancy agreement, to set out  amendments to the recommendations contained in the preliminary notice and the final proposed tenancy agreement.

We received a report summarising comments received from tenants in response to a preliminary notice of intention to vary the tenancy agreement, issued in April 2006.   The Executive member for Housing was  confident that the new agreement was a positive step towards achieving 99% rent collection. 

RESOLVED

1)     That the tenant’s comments in response to the notice of intention to vary the tenancy agreement be noted.

2)     That the recommended amendments in section 8.1 of the report be approved.

3)     That the final proposed new tenancy agreement as set out in Appendix 3 of the report be approved.

(Report of the Director of Social Services  – To be introduced by the Executive Member for Housing): To propose the negotiation of an extension to the delivery of decent homes with the Department for Communities and Local Government.

RESOLVED

1)     That Homes for Haringey be given approval to negotiate the decent homes deadline with DCLG.

2)     That the final bid document be agreed by the Director of Social Services, the Lead Member for Housing and the Chair of the Homes for Haringey Board

(Report of the Chief Executive): To inform the Executive of Urgent Actions Taken in consultation with the Leader or Executive Members.

RESOLVED

Following despatch of this agenda it had been considered as not of sufficient urgency to warrant a decision under Urgent Action and would be considered under the Exempt section of this agenda.

(Report of the Chief Executive): To inform the Executive of delegated decisions and significant actions taken by Directors.

RESOLVED

1)     That the report detailing number and type of decisions taken by Directors under delegated powers, in May 2006, be noted.  

2)     That significant actions (ie; decisions involving expenditure of more than £50,000) taken during the same period also be noted.

Executive Procurement Committee – 26 June 2006.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Executive Procurement Committee held on 26 June 2006 be noted and any necessary action approved.

(Report of the Interim Director of Environmental Services – To be introduced by the Executive Member for Environment and Conservation): To provide an update of the negotiations with Recycling Works Services (RWS) regarding the Recycling Contract for which an extension from 1 April 2006 to 30 September 2006 was planned and to make recommendations for the future of the service.

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

We received an update on the negotiations with Recycling Works Services (RWS) regarding the Recycling contract, for which an extension from 1 April 2006 to 30 September 2006 was planned and to make recommendations for the future of the service.

The report was late because there had been difficulties in reaching agreement with the recycling service provider over the on-going cost of the service.  The timing of the situation has meant that it had not been possible to comply with deadlines set down for the forward plan. 

The report was too urgent to await the next meeting because a rapid decision on the future of the recycling service is necessary and it would be impractical to delay the decision.

We agreed to receive two tabled exempt items in the form of a letter to legal services and representations from the contractor.  

RESOLVED

1)     That the position concerning the progress of negotiations with RWS be noted.

2)     That the recycling contract with RWS be terminated and the service be brought back in-house.