Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Nilgun Canver, David Lammy MP, Joanne McCartney AM and Rachel Hughes.

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgment of the public interest and if this interest affects their financial position or the financial position of a person or body as described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct and/or if it relates to the determining of any approval, consent, licence, permission or registration in relation to them or any person or body described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct.

There were no such declarations.

To confirm the minutes of the HSP Board meeting held on the 19 July 2007

The committee agreed one change to the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED:

1.       That the final full paragraph of page 6 (minute HSP25 – Developing World Class Primary Care in Haringey) be amended to read as follows:

The Board was advised that over time the strategy foresaw a greater focus on GP/Primary care delivery from the proposed ‘super health centres’, with a reduction over time in the number of individual GP practice premises.

2.       That, subject to the above alteration, the minutes of the HSP meeting of July 29^th 2007 be confirmed and signed.

11 February 2008

08 April 2008

RESOLVED:

That dates of future meetings of the HSP be noted:

-          11^th February 2008

-          8^th April 2008

The committee received a presentation on outlining the various partnership working initiatives to tackle.

Officers discussed the ‘benefit trap’, a situation where residents perceived it as financially disadvantageous to return to work due to a belief in receiving greater income from benefits.  Initiatives were being undertaken to combat this including work-trials, information about in-work benefits such as tax credits and personal advisors trained to provide in-work benefit calculations to demonstrate to individuals the financial incentives for returning to the world of work.

Other initiatives were also outlined, including working with local businesses on subsidising travel costs; the Board heard of a current successful initiative of this nature with BAA at Stansted, with others in the pipeline.  Officers also outlined their current key focus on providing in-work support, ensuring those who found work stayed in work. 

It was noted that the Employment Zone initiative had led to over 1000 people gaining work in the borough.  In response to enquires from Board Members, Officers stated that this was a separate, more job-focussed initiative than the New Deal, a service which was limited in Haringey because of the existence of the Employment Zone.

Representatives from the voluntary sector expressed their enthusiasm for the initiatives tackling worklessness and stated their desire to be engaged with them further.  The importance of Joined-Up working between all partner agencies was affirmed by the Board, with support expressed by all for the Haringey Guarantee.

It was noted that HAVCO were working together with the Council and other partners, and that further consultation with a focus on the voluntary sector would be forthcoming in the future.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the Enterprise Board pull together work carried out on the barriers to employment within the borough.

2.      That consultation on the project involve the Voluntary Sector.

3.      That Housing be discussed at the next meeting, with the relevant partners such as Registered Social Landlords present.

4.      That the presentation be noted.

The Board received an update on progress against Local Area Agreement stretch targets, including an analysis of direction of travel and likely end of year outcome. 

Positive progress had been made on 13 stretch targets, with areas of concerns in NEETS, domestic violence and incapacity benefit.  It was agreed that the relevant boards would receive information on action being taken to tackle ‘red’ target areas, and that they would report to the HSP on progress in this regard.

The committee noted that a meeting was due to take place with the Government Office for London, picking up on issues with regards to domestic violence.

RESOLVED:

1. That the relevant boards report to the HSP on actions taken to tackle ‘red’ target areas.

2. That the report be noted.

The Board received an update on the process for completing the six month review of Haringey’s Local Area Agreement for submission to the Government Office for London with the Statement of Grant Usage.

The Board noted that the distributed documents were a work in progress, and that the Statement of Grant Usage would be approved under Chair’s Delegated Authority.  It was also noted that the final version would be distributed to Board Members, including the voluntary sector, prior to this final sign-off.

RESOLVED:

1. That a note be included with the table setting out the Expenditure of Grant Allocation on page 35, explaining that although the spend on Positive Activities for Young People in Period 1 to 6 was zero at September 30^th 2007, subsequent spend would be made after this time.

2. That Officers be thanked for their continuing hard work.

The Board was informed on recent developments in the ‘new style’ Local Area Agreements (LAA), with agreement required on the make-up of the LAA by June 2008.

The importance of a ‘Haringey narrative’ was underlined, with the Borough Chief Executive stating that the Performance Management Group would have a key rôle in its construction, with much of the background work towards it already having been carried out.

The Leader of the Council was pleased to recognise the rôle in elected Members in driving LAAs forward.  It was noted that named partners were under a duty to co-operate, with Local Strategic Partnerships remaining non-statutory and non-decision making.

The Board was pleased to note that the Chief Executive of HAVCO had a seat on the Performance Management Group.  It was stated that this high level of voluntary sector engagement was not widespread across other boroughs.

The key change from commissioning projects to commissioning outcomes was noted, with all agreeing that this was a significant challenge to be embraced. 

RESOLVED:

1. That the recommendations in the report be approved.

2. That Officers circulate to partners the full budget for community funds when it is known.

3. That the Performance Management Group examine the timetable for LAA formulation at its next scheduled meeting, and meet with every thematic board.

4. That the Cabinet Member for Housing be provided in advance with requests by the HSP on the rôle of the Integrated Housing Board in drawing up the LAA.

The Board received an update report on progress relating to the Community Link Forum.  It was noted that the Forum was likely to be launched on January 9^th 2008, with nominations for election to the Forum opening on 15^th January 2008, and the results due on 21^st March 2008.

The Board was informed that two full-time posts of Co-Ordinator and Project Assistant had been approved and appointed to.  Training was being set up for the forum’s reps in the new year.  Officers stated funding going forward from April 2008 would come from the successor arrangement to the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, with the amount dependant on what was granted in Haringey’s settlement.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the update be noted.

The Board received a report on the results of the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review 2007.

Officers stated that the exact local government funding for Haringey in the next financial year was not yet known, although the settlement was expected to be tight.  It was believed that the settlement would include a reduction in ring-fenced grants, with a corresponding increase in the general fund, placing an increased onus on the HSP to be a constructive and engaging partner in the budget process.

It was noted that an announcement relating to the funding of the Sixth Form Centre would be made separately from the settlement announcement.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the Board receive an update report at the next meeting taking into account the upcoming settlement for the next financial year, incorporating input from all agencies.

2.      That the report be noted.

Better Places Partnership – 01 October 2007

Integrated Housing Board – 23 July 2007

Children and Young People’s Strategic Board – 08 October

Well – Being Partnership Board – 22 October 2007

Enterprise Partnership Board – 24 October 2007

Safer Communities Executive Board – 26 October( To Follow)

RESOLVED:

1. That the minutes of the following HSP theme boards be noted:

                                                              i.      Better Places Partnership, 1^st October 2007

                                                            ii.      Intergrated Housing Board, 23^rd July 2007

                                                          iii.      Children and Young People’s Strategic Board, 8^th October 2007

                                                           iv.      Well-Being Partnership Board, 22^nd October 2007

                                                             v.      Enterprise Partnership Board, 24^th October 2007

                                                           vi.      Safer Communities Executive Board, 26^th October 2007

There were no items of urgent business.

Under Any Other Business, the Board resolved the following:

RESOLVED:

1. That the Haringey PCT be congratulated on their recent positive score rating.

2. That Haringey’s Borough Commander Simon O’Brien be congratulated on his recent promotion.

Partners should submit proposed agenda items for the next meeting of the HSP ( on 11^th February 2008) to the Committee Secretariat  no later  than the 7^th January 2008.

The Board resolved to receive reports back from the thematic boards on addressing underperforming stretch targets, and to discuss Housing in Haringey at its next meeting

Partners were advised to submit other proposed agenda items for the next meeting of the HSP (on 11^th February 2008) to the Committee Secretariat no later than 7^th January 2008.