Agenda and draft minutes

(if any)

Apologies were received from Cllr Haley and Cllr B Harris

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 12 September 2006

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Executive held on 12 September 2006 be confirmed

(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 July 2006.

We noted that as the report before the Committee was dated the end of July 2006, some outstanding items had since been resolved.

However, in response to questions from the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny we were advised that the 27 day turnaround on empty properties would be achievable from October and a specialist team had been assigned to achieve this target.

We noted that gaps identified in the Tottenham High Road Strategy had been discussed at the recent Leaders’ Conference and the funding shortfall had now been allocated to a range of projects within Tottenham High Road.

We were advised that ‘eyesores’ had been identified by the Better Haringey Group, particularly those owned by Network Rail.  We noted that the list in the report was not exhaustive and members were invited to advise the Executive Member of any eyesores in their wards which they felt warranted further investigation. 

We were advised that the Leisure Services Customer Satisfaction Surveys had taken place in August and all Leisure Centres were now striving to meet the ‘Quest’ Industry Quality Standard.  The Executive Member or officers would supply more information on Members’ request.

In respect of the potential borrowing, the Director of Finance advised that income and main budgets had been adjusted and were being monitored and on target.

RESOLVED

1)     That the Programme Highlight report for all the council’s corporately significant projects, covering the period of up to end of July 2006, be noted.

2)     That future Programme Highlight reports provide an update as well as historical data on projects and that all Executive Members receive regular updates from Directors and regularly inspect audit trails in problem areas.

3)     That the next Programme Highlight report provide an update on the co-ordinated approach between Finance and Housing in respect of Council owned land.

(Joint Report of the Chief Executive and the Acting Director of Finance – To be introduced by the Executive Member for Finance): To set out an exception report on the finance and performance monitoring for July 2006 using the new balanced scorecard format.

The Executive Member for Finance reiterated concerns about the £4.6m deficit as set out in the report and advised that, since preparation of the report at the end of July,  officer and Lead Members had met regularly to resolve this.  

The Executive Member for Childrens’ Services felt that progress had been good, particulary in the areas of Asylum Seekers, Looked after Children and Special Educational Needs and felt confident that the overspend would be eliminated.

In respect to questions from the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny, we were advised that the assessed impact of the PCT direct funding cuts, which had been anticipated, had been included in the projections. We also noted that the impact on Social Care budgets was part of a national trend, not just affecting Haringey.  

RESOLVED

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

2)     That the virements as set out in section be 13 agreed. 

3)     That the next Performance Report to the Executive sets out the progress made in Social Services and Childrens’ Services in reducing the £4.6m overspend.

(Report of the Acting Director of Finance – To be introduced by the Executive Member for Finance): To propose recommendations to deliver a viable development scheme for the future of the Hornsey Town Hall complex.

RESOLVED

1)     That the development proceed, initially in phase 1 and 2, with the implementation of the final phase being subject to available funding in the future and that the responsibility for funding Phase 3 would fall solely on the Trust.

2)     That the future management of the Hornsey Town Hall facilities be transferred to an independent charitable trust.

3)     That the model development brief attached as an appendix to this report be agreed, based on the proposals contained in the report, and that a marketing brief in partnership with the CPB be agreed in order to take the project to the market and secure a development partner.

4)     That the Community Partnership Board agreement to form a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity (“Trust”) be noted as the next step in the formation of a Trust, for the future management and fund raising for Hornsey Town Hall.

5)     That a further report be received in February 2007 for a preferred development partner and future operational management arrangements of the Town Hall Facilities, with an update on timelines and  implications for the transfer of staff to accommodation in Wood Green.

(Report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Access) – To be introduced by the Executive Member for Community Involvement): To inform Members of the digital divide in the Borough and to seek approval for the development of a strategy to address the divide.

RESOLVED

That the guidance on the development of a Digital Divide Strategy, encompassing all relevant stakeholders be approved with the final strategy to be reported back to a future meeting of the Executive

(Report of the Director of Social Services – To be introduced by the Executive Member for Health and Social Services): To report on progress in implementing the 5 year strategy, seek approval of the 2006/7 Action Plan, report the outcome of the Reviews and actions arising, report on the announcement of the allocations for 2007/8 and their implications and on the initial outcome of the Government’s consultation on the national Supporting People Strategy.

The Executive Member for Housing gave a vote of thanks to the staff involved in this programme in recognition that it had helped the Borough’s most vulnerable residents.

The Executive Member expressed concern about the minimal funding for Domestic Violence, as set out in the report at paragraph 10.7 which officers noted. 

In response to a question from the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny, we were advised that despite the 2% grant reduction as set out in paragraph 8.2, the budget was on line for 07/08 when the position was expected to improve with more funding than originally expected. 

Officers explained that as an outcome of this programme, a re-assessment of all services would be undertaken over the next year, looking at PI’s, monitoring any poor performance and setting action plan and highlighting good and excellent practice

We noted that this could only be an officer and partner working group which reported to the Executive.

RESOLVED

1)     That the progress made and key issues as set out in the report be noted with the Executive Members’ comments regarding the shortfall on Domestic Violence

2)     That the 2006/7 Supporting People Annual Plan be approved

3)     That the completion of the Supporting People Service Reviews be noted

4)     That agreement to the revised Memorandum of Understanding governing Haringey’s Supporting People Programme between the Council, London Probation and Haringey NHS Teaching Primary Care Trust be noted

5)     That the change of name from the Supporting People Commissioning Body to the Supporting People Partnership Board be noted

(Report of the Interim Director of Environmental Services – To be introduced by the Executive Member for Environment and Conservation): To summarise feedback from the Statutory Consultation process, seek approval to implement the extension of the Tottenham Hale CPZ and Stoneleigh Road pay and display parking scheme and to authorise officers to proceed to the making of the necessary Traffic Management Orders. FAILED TO MEET DESPATCH DATE

This item was deferred

(Report of the Chief Executive): To inform the Executive of urgent actions taken by Directors in consultation with the Leader or Executive Members.  

RESOLVED

That the report be noted

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

RESOLVED

That the report be note

Executive Member Enterprise and Regeneration – 15 September 2006

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Executive Member signing on 15 September 2006 be noted.

To consider any items admitted at item 2 above.

The Leaders and Executive Members present gave a Vote of Thanks to the Departing Director of Social Services and paid tribute to her outstanding contribution to Social Services in the Borough, particularly through a difficult historic period.