Agenda and minutes

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None received.

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 15 below).

There was no such business.

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 an interest in respect of item 9, Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust, in that he worked for the Healthcare Commission.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

There were no such items.

(Report of the Assistant Director – Economic Regeneration)  This report provides an update on progress made in the implementation of recommendations made in the scrutiny report on Maximising the Support to Small Businesses published in February 2004.

The committee received this report to be updated on progress made in the implementation of recommendations made in the Scrutiny report on Maximising the Support to Small Businesses published in February 2004.  Members were also shown a presentation by Officers on the Haringey City Growth Strategy and Action Plan.

Members expressed the opinion that the Council worked well at organising sources of funding for Small Businesses, but was less strong in providing a dedicated single source of support.  Members requested the provision of a phone number to which those interested in setting up their own business could call to get advice and appropriate support.  With this in mind, Members requested that a meeting take place between Officers and key stakeholders to discuss the improvement of support offered.

RESOLVED:

1.        That Officers from Economic Regeneration arrange a meeting with the main related agencies in the borough to discuss the provision of a single phone line offering small business support.

2.        That an action plan on the provision of this service be reported back to the committee in the new municipal year, with the Executive Member for Enterprise and Regeneration in attendance.

3.        That Officers provide to Members information on trade links with China and India.

4.        That the report be noted.

Councillor Brian Haley, Executive Member for Environment & Conservation.

TO FOLLOW

Members received answers to questions and a briefing from Councillor Brian Haley, Executive Member for Environment and Conservation.

Members raised queries over the length of time to complete pothole repairs in the borough.  The Executive Member stated that the length of time to repair potholes was an issue, but noted that initiatives such as a dedicated small job team were, Members hoped, working towards alleviating the problem.  Concern was raised over potholes on TfL roads, including response time, and Officers agreed to report back to Members on their discussions with TfL.

Members noted that the Clamping and Removal Service was being wound down, as clamping was increasingly being regarded as an over-reaction.

Members learned that there were currently no new CPZ proposals, although where there was demand for one in an area, it was likely that the Council would follow that demand.

Members raised concerns over utility companies not returning roads to their original state following work beuing carried out, and suggested that meetings be conducted with utility companies to address this problem.

The Executive Member informed Members that budget provision existed to expand recycling in the East of the borough to the level existing in the West, allowing all in the borough to recycle more items.

RESOLVED:

1. That Officers report back to on the response times to pothole repairs on TfL roads.

2. That the committee thank the Executive Member and note his briefing and answers.

(Report of the Assistant Director – Planning & Environmental Control)  To update the committee on the progress of implementing the agreed recommendations of the review

The committee received this report to be provided with an update on the Local Implementation Plan for the Transport Strategy.  Members noted that the overall strategy was due to be implemented by the Mayor of London and Greater London Authority during Spring of 2007.

Members were informed that investigation into the provision of East-West bus routes in the borough had led to two to three potential additional, extended or amended routes being identified.  These were being discussed with Transport for London. 

In terms of station improvements, the Council was in negotiation with both ‘one’ and First Capital Connect train operating companies over their station improvement programmes, with the Council seeking to maximise the benefits for those living in the stations’ vicinities.

Member stated the importance of communicating with other relevant departments such as Neighbourhood Management in order to further strategic co-ordination.  It was noted that Safer Neighbourhoods were working with Transport in order to address the problem of youth anti-social behaviour on buses.

RESOLVED:

1. That Officers provide to Members further information on the support given by Schools for educational initiatives on road safety (recommendation 20).

2. That Members be provided with information on the amount of money raised by CPZ schemes, together with information on what this money is spent on.

3. That details of proposals of extra or amended bus services in the borough be provided to the committee.

4. That Transport communicate with Neighbourhood Management to allow all departments to feed into the strategy and its implementation.

5. That Officers take back to TfL the need for additional bus routes in the borough, particularly one serving Woodside High School.

6. That the report and update be noted.

Update from the Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust.

Councillor Davies declared an interest in respect of this item, in that he was an employee of the Healthcare Commission.

Harry Turner, Director of Finance and Clinical Services Procurement for the Haringey Teachnig Primary Care Trust (PCT) updated the committee on the Trust’s 2007/08 Financial Plan.  The Plan showed the PCT forecasting a surplus of £1,768K at the end of the year 2007/08, after significant investments in Primary Care, Directly Managed Serices and Secondary Care, improvements in efficiency across all services, a 2.5% top-slice by NHS London and the establishment of a substantial risk reserve.

Member enquired as to the figure of the 2.5% topslice from the Department of Health, and were informed that the above figure had been budgeted for as a ‘worst case scenario’; the current reality was that the figure was likely to be less than that quoted.

In response to Member enquiries concerning the impact of Demand Measurement measures, both clinically and for Haringey Social Services, it was stated that the slow roll-out led to more time being required to do a full analysis of the impact of these changes.  Members were assured that an analysis would be done following a period allowing the changes to ‘bed down’, and that this information would be shared with Members of the committee.

Members were informed that the service mix at Hornsey Central Hospital was yet to be determined.

Members were informed of new activity planned this year included building additional diagnostic capacity and additional secondary care, which was to be negotiated with a number of providers.

RESOLVED:

1.      That following an appropriate period of time after implementation, that an impact analysis of the demand management measures put into place be carried out and shared with Members of the committee.

2.      That the report be noted and the committee convey their thanks to the PCT for the update.

Councillor Nilgun Canver, Executive Member for Crime & Community Safety

TO FOLLOW

The committee received answers to questions and a tabled briefing from Councillor Nilgun Canver, Executive Member for Crime & Community Safety.

Members thanked the Executive Member for her briefing and were pleased to note that nineteen Compulsory Purchase Orders were being initiated, although some concern was raised over the relatively small percentage of the enforcement budget for planning.

Officers informed Members that the 6% figure for enforcement quoted in the briefing reflected an increase in the enforcement budget as a percentage of the wider budget.  Members raised concerns over the number of Planning Enforcement Officers.  Officers responded that they were maximising the potential of those across the unit.  Officers informed Members that absenteeism was not a problem within the business unit.

In terms of case closures, Members were informed that these were undertaken solely by Developmental Control.  Cases were continually closed where there was no enforcement actions which was able to be taken.  It was noted that the proportion of case dealt with by use of formal powers was not major.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the Executive Member provide to the committee clarification on Test Purchasing for Knives relating to under-age sales, particularly for retailers relying on sale of knives as their source of income.

2.         That a detailed breakdown of figures for crack house closures over the last 2 to 3 years be provided to Members of the committee.

3.         That Members of the committee, together with Crouch End ward Councillors, be provided with a briefing relating to the rave which took place in Crouch End on March 24^th 2007.

4.         That future briefings to the Committee be provided in a timely manner.

5.         That the committee thank the Executive Member for the briefing and answers to questions.

(Report of the Director of Corporate Resources)  To update the Committee on progress in implementing the agreed recommendations of the Review.

The committee received this report to be updated on progress on the implementation of recommendations emerging from the Asset Management Scrutiny Review.

Members were informed by the Head of Corporate Property and the Executive Member for Finance that the long-term asset management agenda was focussed around aligning the Council’s assets to its strategic priorities.  It was noted that Corporate Property was shortly due to take corporate responsibility of all operation properties, ensuring compliance and protecting future interests.

In response to enquiries, Members were informed that rent issues with regards to Council-owned shops were being addressed, but admitted that it had been an issue in the past.  It was noted that there was an improvement programme which had been instigated across the commercial portfolio, and that the stability of the team had previously been an issue.  This issue was now resolved, and the team was now catching up with the relevant data activity.

RESOLVED:

1. That Members receive a briefing on the Procurement Awards.

2. That the Executive Member for Finance be thanked for her attendance for this time, and that Executive Members in general be encouraged to attend for items relevant to their individual portfolio.

3. That the update be noted.

(Report of the Chair of the Review Panel)  To approve the final report of the Review Panel.

The committee received this report to approve the conclusions and recommendations of the Scrutiny Review on Improving the Health of People with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities.

The committee noted that the report had been well-received by health partners, and commended the review panel for the excellent work they had done.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Review be agreed.

(Report of the Chair of the Review Panel)  To report to the Committee the Scrutiny Review Panel recommendations regarding the new Housing Lettings Policy and to seek the Committee’s endorsement of the recommendations contained in the report of the Scrutiny Review Panel.

The committee received this report to be informed of the Scrutiny Review Panel recommendations regarding the new Housing Lettings Policy, seeking the Committee’s endorsement of the receommendations contained in the report of the Scruitiny Review Panel.

Members were pleased to note the progress made on the review to date, following its being presented to the Executive on 12 September 2006, but raised concern over the issue of Local Connection Points, and the 75 ‘good behaviour’ points as stated by recommendation 8 which were not implemented by Housing.  This recommendation was accepted by the Executive, but later reversed by the use of delegated authority by the Director and Executive Member for Housing.

The Director of Urban Environment agreed to investigate and report back to Members on this issue, liaising with the Scrutiny Manager and Executive Member for Housing.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the Scrutiny Manager liaise with the Executive Member for Housing and relevant Head of Service to provide to the committee information on the non-implementation of recommendation 8 of the review, that relating to ‘good neighbour’ Local Connection Points.

2.      That the committee agree the recommendations as set out in the report.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2007.

TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED:

1. That the following additional resolution be added to minute OSCO154: Executive Member Questions: Executive Member for Community Involvement:

6. That the committee and ward Councillors be provided with a timetable on the Muswell Hill library improvements.

7. That in addition to consultation at the planning stage, some further consultation will take place on changes.

2.    That the following additional resolution be added to minute OSCO155: Neighbourhood Management:

4. That the committee, the opposition and Area Assembly Chairs be provided with a copy of the Member-Officer protocol for Neighbourhood Management in order that they can comment and propose amendments, prior to it being presented to the Executive.

3.  That, subject to the changes outlined above, the minutes of the meeting of 12 March 2007 be confirmed and signed.

There were no such items.