Agenda and minutes

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at the meeting.

The meeting was webcast on the Council’s website.

Apologies were absence were received from Councillors Cooke and Winskill.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business. (Late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items will be dealt with at item 12 below).

Members were issued with additional information relating to Budget Scrutiny, which contained responses to requests made at the previous meetings.  This document is also attached to these minutes as an appendix.

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 judgement of the public interest.

Councillor Davies declared a personal interested in respect of items 8 and 9, in that he worked for the Healthcare Commission.

Councillor Jones declared a personal interest in respect of item 10, in that she was the Deputy Executive Member for Children and Young People.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

There were no such items.

i)                    Councillor Toni Mallett, Executive Member for Finance

ii)                  Councillor Bob Harris, Executive Member for Social Services

i)                    Councillor Toni Mallet, Executive Member for Finance

The Committee received a briefing from Councillor Toni Mallett, Executive Member for Finance, on key current issues existing in her portfolio area.

In response to Member questions, the Executive Member re-iterated her commitment to driving up benefit take-up.  Members were informed that claimants were often not aware that if their circumstances changed, that they should inform the local authority.

In response to a query concerning community buildings, the Executive Member articulated the need for a rational and systematic management in a transparent system that community groups could understand.

In response to a question enquiring as to recruitment of builders, the Executive Member stated that consultants were currently looking at construction recruitment, and that the Council’s apprenticeship programme was operating in this area.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Executive Member provide to the committee more detailed figures on Benefit Take-Up.

2. That the Executive Member provide to the committee a briefing note on the percentage of Benefit claimants being overpaid in the previous year.

3. That the Committee be provided with a briefing note on the change in Benefits performance indicators.

4. That the Committee be provided with information relating to the access of the Housing Benefit Information Database by Housing staff and rent collection officers.

5. That the Committee note the update.

ii)                  Councillor Bob Harris, Executive Member for Health and Social Care

The committee received a briefing from Councillor Bob Harris, Executive Member for Health and Social Care, on the key current issues existing in his portfolio area.

The Executive Member presented a number of ‘good news’ stories in his briefing, but remained concerned over the dip in star rating and performance which occurred in the previous year.  He assured Members that he was conducting weekly meetings with the Senior Management Team and the Chief Executive to drive up performance, and was confident that an improvement would be seen in the figures soon.

Members noted remaining issues from the budget, including making up the short-fall from the recommendation that the Haven and Winkfield Centres not be merged.  Growth bids on essential items had also been submitted for extra funding for children becoming adults, and additional funds to ensure the running of the Osbourne Grove centre.  More funding was being requested for the Social Services base budget.

Members were assured of the quality of the Meals on Wheels service, and requested that the details of the customer satisfaction survey be passed on to them.

Members were informed that the £225,000 bid for funding of the Asylum service was to provide funding for a team which already exists.  Members re-iterated their concern over the provision of a new ‘asylum team’.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the Executive Member provide Committee Members with information on the environmental aspect of ‘Wheels on Meals’ services, and a summary of the recent customer satisfaction survey.

2.      That the Executive Member provide information on the number of dementia cases requiring specialist care.

3.      That the committee note the update.

(Report of the Chief Executive)  To review 2006/07 mid year service performance against the Council's priorities and a selection of key indicators.  To review performance in key areas over the last three years.  TO FOLLOW

The committee received this report to review 2006/07 mid year service performance agains the Council’s priorities and a selcetion of key indicators, and to review key performance in key areas over the last three years.

It was noted that performance in Haringey continued to improve in 2006/07 following a year of achievement in 2005/06, with almost three quarters of targets in our basket of key indicators achieving or close to achieving target.

Members welcomed the report, and noted that it would assist the Committee in choosing areas for future Scrutiny Reviews.

In response to Member queries as to the potential impact of the one-star Social Services rating on the Council’s CPA rating, Members were assured that the performance of other services led to it to being likely that the Council would retain it’s ‘Good’ status.

Members enquired as to disappointing figures in rent collection and requested more detail in respect of Freedom of Information requests.  It was agreed that as these were specific requests, the information would be provided to the committee from the directorates themselves.

RESOLVED:

1. That we note the report.

2. That Members be provided with information on the deterioration in rent collection figures for Homes for Haringey, and be provided with detailed figures for the previous year.

3. That Members be provided with more detailed information on the reduction in street cleaning efficacy.

4. That Members be provided with information detailing the number and type of Freedom of Information requests.

(Report of the Chair of Overview & Scrutiny Committee)  To report on the issues raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on   departmental Pre Business Plans and Executive budget proposals.

Councillor Davies declared a personal interest in this item by nature of him being an employee of the Healthcare Commission.

The Committee received this report to report on issues raised on departmental Pre Business Plans and Executive budget proposals.  The report was the outcome of the detailed scrutiny of Pre Business Plan Review documents and proposals for budgetary savings and investments for 2007/08.  It served as an accurate reflection of the issues raised during the previous budget scrutiny meetings.

Members were informed of the process leading to the Council’s final budget.  A report would be submitted to the Council’s Executive on 19^th December 2006, and following discussion from the Executive Advisory Board and the Executive, would be recommended to Full Council following the Executive meeting of 23^rd January.  The budget would then be agreed by Full Council on 19^th February 2007.

Members requested that the report had clarity with regards to the recommendations being put to the Executive, with these being clearly outlined.  That the Committee strongly urged The Executive to reconsider the proposed savings for Social Services with a means to looking at other directorates as to where savings my be made.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the final report to the Executive contain highlighted all the recommendations made over the course of the Budget Scrutiny meetings by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee under each directorate.

2.            That this report is passed to Members of the committee for final feedback prior to its submission to The Executive.

3.            That the reference to regeneration on page 7 on the report insert the line “under the proposed Council structure”.

4.            That the Overview & Scrutiny committee convene in due course an informal discussion on the impact on the committee of the Local Government White Paper.

5.            That the Committee strongly urge The Executive to reconsider the proposed savings for Social Services with a means to looking at other directorates as to where savings my be made.

(Report of the Scrutiny Manager)  To agree in principle to the setting up of a joint scrutiny committee with the London Boroughs of Barnet and Enfield and Hertfordshire County Council to consider the forthcoming NHS consultation exercise on the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Clinical Strategy.

Councillor Davies declared a personal interest in this item by nature of him being an employee of the Healthcare Commission.

The committee received this report to propose the setting up of a joint scrutiny committee with the London Boroughs of Barnet and Enfield and Hertfordshire County Council to consider the forthcoming NHS consultation exercise on the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Clinical Strategy.

A member of the public enquired as to the process for co-optees to be able to sit on the proposed Joint Committee.  Councillors and public were informed that responsibility for co-optation would lay with the Joint Committee itself rather than the nominated Haringey delegation, and that all expert interested individuals were encouraged to apply to the Joint Committee with their CV.  Members noted that the most effective way for lobbying and campaign groups to play a part in the Joint Committee would be as stakeholders and witnesses.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the Committee agree in principle to the setting up of a joint scrutiny committee with the London Boroughs of Barnet and Enfield and Hertfordshire County Council, in the manner recommended in the report.

2.      That Councillors Bull and Newton be appointed Haringey’s representatives on this committee, with Councillor Jones as nominated Deputy.

3.      That appropriate individuals with necessary expertise be encouraged to write to the Joint Committee with a view to becoming Co-Optees.

(Report of the Director of the Children and Young People’s Service)  To update Members on the outcome of the Joint Area Review (JAR) of Haringey’s Children and Young People’s Service (CYPS).

Please note: a separate leaflet on JAR is included with this agenda for Members.

Councillor Davies took the Chair for this item.

Councillor Jones declared a personal interest in respect of this item, in that she was the Deputy Executive Member for Children and Young People.

The committee received this report to update Members on the outcome of the Joint Area Review (JAR) of Haringey’s Children and Young People’s Service.  Members noted that the JAR took place over there weeks during May and June 2006, and that a detailed Action Plan was being drawn up with partners to address the recommendations made, which was due to be sent to the Audit Commission and others by January 24^th 2006.

The report noted that outcomes in Haringey had improved measurably in the last five years, in most cases in line with national trends, and in many cases at a faster rate than nationally and in similar authorities.  This progress reflected the improving quality of services and the collective will across the council and its partners to raise standards in all areas.  The Director of the Children and Young People’s Service stated that the three-star rating was a significant part of the journey of improvement.

Members requested whether Sure Start children were being tracked at Key Stage 1.  The Director responded that the outcomes of the Foundation stage were at this time being monitored for trends.

RESOLVED:

1. That we note the report.

2. That the Director of the Children & Young People’s Service provide Members with information pertaining to the current position regarding the construction works at the Youth Centre.

3. That the Director provide Members with information on the operation of the Outreach Teams.

4. That the Director also provide Members with information relating to Neighbourhood Police’s engagement with the service.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meetings held on:

i)                    24 October 2006

ii)                  20 November 2006 (Budget Scrutiny) TO FOLLOW

iii)                28 November 2006 (Budget Scrutiny) TO FOLLOW

iv)                29 November 2006 (Budget Scrutiny) TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED:

1. To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting of 24 October 2006, subject to the final paragraph of minute OSCO65 being deleted, and replaced with the following:

Members urged full implementation of the Scrutiny Review of Empty Property carried out two years previously.  Members were also reminded of the following paragraph from the Scrutiny Review of The Council’s Approach to Private Sector Housing:

The Directors of Housing & Environmental Services should design clear standards and criteria for when enforced sales; compulsory purchases or empty homes management orders procedures should commence.  The Panel suggests 1 year for empty properties, after which a decision should be made as to which of the three procedures should be adopted and then appropriate and immediate action should be implemented in every case.

Members were assured that monthly monitoring continued to take place, and targets were set for empty property reduction.

2. To confirm and sign the minutes of the following Budget Scrutiny meetings.

i)                    20 November 2006

ii)                  28 November 2006

iii)                29 November 2006

There were no such items.