Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Bull, for whom Councillor Dobbie was substituting.

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 a personal interest in respect of items 7, 8 and 10, in that he worked for the healthcare commission.

Councillor Jones declared a personal interest in respect of item 6, as she was the Deputy Executive Member for Children & Young People.

Councillor Dobbie declared a personal interest in respect of item 5, as he was a member of Homes for Haringey.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

There were no such items.

(Report of the Chair of Overview & Scrutiny)

Councillor Dobbie declared a personal interest in this item, as he was a member of Homes for Haringey.

This report was received to inform the Committee of the Scrutiny Review Panel’s 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 conveyed its thanks to officers, housing managers and scrutiny staff for their efforts in producing a commendable report in a swift period of time.

In terms of local connections, the proposed points total had been raised to 75 in recognition of the Panel’s comments.  The legal advice in respect of local connections points was noted.

RESOLVED:

1.       That the Committee agree the recommendations of the review panel as outlined in the report.

2.       That the proposed variation to the Terms of Reference as outlined in the report be agreed.

Questions to the Executive Member for Children and Young People

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

Councillor Liz Santry, Executive Member for Children and Young People, addressed the committee, informing them of recent achievements in the Children’s service, and laying out what she saw as the key challenges for the coming year.

The Committee was informed by the Executive Member of the positive news of the Key Stage Four increase in attainment levels.  Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 also reported provisional increases. 

A challenge ahead was managing a very large capital programme, including the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project, the Children’s Centre programme and also the project of Primary School expansion in the West of the borough.  The committee noted that the BSF grant amounted to some £168milion until 2012.

Committee Members requested information on the preservation of the old house previously threatened by the expansion works to Coleridge school.  They were informed that the usage that the house would be put to was still under discussion.  Members also requested information on the late opening of Coldfall school.  The committee noted that the School was due to re-open on September 14^th, its delay being caused by the school not being clean enough following the building works which took place during the Summer Holidays.

Committee Members requested information on whether difficulties relating to asylum seekers and refugees were abating.  The committee was informed that the issue of funding of unaccompanied asylum seekers once they reached the age of 16.  It was noted that the Leader had raised the issue with Member of Parliament for Tottenham and with other boroughs through the ALG.  Members suggested that the Member of Parliament for Hornsey and Wood Green would be happy to be involved also.

Members enquired over the possibility of plans for full-time nursery places; Members were informed that it was not possible to extend full-time provision at the present time, but this was an issue which would be looked at in exceptional circumstances.  The Director of the Children’s Service agreed to look into the issue further and report back to Members.

RESOLVED:

1. That we thank the Executive Member for her attendance and briefing.

2. That the Director of the Children’s Service report back to the committee on the aforementioned issue of full-time nursery places.

Please note, written responses to Executive Member questions are included in Appendix 1 (attached).

(Report of the Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee)  The report on the consultation that it being undertaken by Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental health Trust on proposed changes to its mental health services within the Borough and the role of the Committee in responding to these.

Councillor Davies declared a personal interest in respect of this item, in that he worked for the Healthcare Commission.

The committee received this report as part of the ongoing consultation being undertaken by Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust on proposed changes to its mental health services within the Borough.

The committee welcomed a number of key stakeholders from a variety of bodies.  John Newbury-Helps and Deborah Cohen from the Mental Health Trust attended the meeting, and evidence was also received from Dorian Cole and Dr. Mayur Gor from the Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust, David Hindle from the PFI Forum for the Mental Health Trust and Nick Bishop from the Mental Health Carers Support Association.

It was noted that the trust were consulting with the all three boroughs on separate proposals to re-organise mental health provision to more effectively serve current and future service users.  The proposals were intended to balance the need to meet needs of people who were seriously mentally ill with providing support to enable primary care practitioners to work effectively with people who do not require specialist care.  The concurred with the view of the Mental Health Trust that the proposals did not constitute a “substantial variation or development” to services as defined in the Health & Social Care Act 2001.

The committee felt that it was not possible to make any firm conclusions on the potential benefits of the reorganisation of community mental health services on the basis of the information presented.  The documentation was not specific on the financial implications of the options proposed and likely effects on the overall capacity of services to meet demand.  The Committee was particularly mindful of the Trust’s financial position and the need for it to balance its books and therefore wished to be certain that the proposals would not adversely affect patients due to any reductions in overall funding levels.

The proposed system would entail an increased and more proactive role for GPs in service delivery.  Whilst this would be welcome and provide benefits for the large percentage of people with mental illness who were dealt with solely in primary care, the Committee requested evidence that sufficient capacity existed to ensure that this could be undertaken effectively and efficiently before endorsing it.  In particular, the Committee felt that confirmation was required that  primary care practitioners would all be trained appropriately and have sufficient resources to take on any additional responsibilities that may arise.

In respect of the proposed changes to rehabilitation services at St. Ann’s Hospital, the Committee welcomed the transfer of Edmonton patients to accommodation closer to their homes.  It was noted that the ward was not in practice currently being used as a rehabilitation facility.  However, the Committee requested further evidence that any beds that were likely to be lost for Haringey residents would not be required in the future to meet demand for rehabilitation facilities.  It was recognised that this was a commissioning function and it was felt that there needed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

(Update from the Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust)  To Follow.

Councillor Davies declared a personal interest in respect of this item, in that he worked for the Healthcare Commission.

The committee received an update from Helen Brown, Director of Strategic Commissioning and Performance at the Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust (the PCT) on work ongoing relating to the redevelopment of the Hornsey Central Hospital site.  The committee was informed that a public meeting concerning the hospital was taking place on 13^th September 2006.

The committee was updated on the Haringey PCT’s attempts to develop a Primary Care Resource Centre on the Hornsey Central site.  The committee noted that as part of phase two of the programme, the PCT was disposing of land on the site not needed for the redevelopment in order to provide additional capital support for the programme.   It was envisaged that the marketing of this site would commence within six to eight weeks.  Officers of the PCT were confident that subject to the receipt of capital funding, works on the scheme could then commence within six months.

Members of the public at the meeting expressed concern at the perceived neglect of the hospital.  It was felt that there remained a need for the facilities that had previously been planned for the site.  It was also felt that there was an ongoing need to consult with the local community and to ensure that they were updated on developments  The PCT stated that they wished to develop further a dialogue with the community and to operate in as open a way as possible.

The PCT also confirmed that the development on the Hornsey Central site would see the disposal of the current clinic at Fortis Green as part of an amalgamation of West Haringey services.

RESOLVED:

1. That the report be noted.

2. That the committee records its anxiety at the project’s delay.

3. That a site visit to the hospital be arranged for Members of the committee in due course.

(Report of the Director of the Children’s Service)  This report outlines the actions taken in response to the Members’ Scrutiny Report on Youth Democracy (March 2005).

The committee received this report to outline the actions taken in response to the Members’ Scrutiny Report on Youth Democracy from March 2005.

The Director of the Children’s Service informed the committee of the key priority to embed youth democracy in Haringey.  It was noted that significant progress had been made on the Scrutiny recommendations, and that developments were monitored by the Members Youth Working Group.  It was further noted that the Executive Member wished to expand this group through the addition of another Member.

The committee noted that a number of high profile youth democracy events had taken place, culminating in the establishment of a ‘young mayor’ for the borough.  It was noted that the Joint Area Review was expected to deliver positive findings with regards to this initiative.

Members learned that the amount of money available to the Council from the Youth Opportunity Fund stood at £300,000 over two years.  The committee noted detailed planning for Haringey’s participation in the UK Youth Parliament and Democracy Week.  It was also noted that the Executive Member’s deputy, Councillor Jones, was Haringey’s ‘Youth Champion’.  The committee welcomed these initiatives from the Children’s Service and invited them to brief the committee periodically on ongoing developments.

RESOLVED:

1.       That all contributors to the initial Scrutiny Review be sent copies of the above mentioned reports and updates on Youth Democracy implementation.

2.       That the Director of the Children’s Service provide to Members information on how representatives are appointed to the Youth Council.

3.       That, in accordance with recommendation 13 of the report, the committee receive an update on youth democracy implementation in the Spring of 2007.

4.       That we note the report.

(Report of the Chair of the Review Panel)  To approve the scope and terms of reference for the Scrutiny Review on Improving Access to Primary Healthcare for People with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD).

Councillor Davies declared a personal interest in respect of this item, in that he worked for the healthcare commission.

The committee received this report to approve the scope and terms of reference for the Scrutiny Review on improving access to primary healthcare for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).  The review panel would also be reporting on the associated action learning project.

RESOVLED:

1.  That the scope and terms of reference for the review as set out in the report be approved.

(Report of the Chair of the Review Panel)  To approve the scope and terms of reference for the Scrutiny Review on the Extended Schools and Extra Curricular Activities.

The committee received the scope and terms of reference for the Scrutiny Review on Extended Schools and Extra Curricular Activities.  It was noted that the development of extended services in and around schools was one of the key strategies from ‘Every Child Matters’ for improving services for children and young people.  The committee further noted the below proposed alteration to the Purpose of the review.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Purpose of the review be amended to state:

To approve the scope and terms of reference for the Scrutiny Review on the Extended Schools and Extra Curricular Activities whilst noting that this should represent value for money and make good use of Council resources.

2. That, subject to the above alteration, the scope and terms of reference for the review as set out in the report be approved.

(Report of the Chief Executive)  To receive the annual report on the operation of the Council’s handling of complaints, compliments and suggestions, and members’ enquiries

The committee received this report to update it on the operation of the Council’s handlings of complaints and suggestions, and also of Members Enquires, which were included in the report for the first time.

The committee noted key achievements of Central Feedback in the previous year, including an overall improvement in the handling of complaints within the target timescale, a reduction in escalations, a reduction in the number of complaints received by the Local Government Ombudsman, and evidence that improvements in handling were being noticed by customers.  It was noted that work could be done to learn from the complaints survey, with key issues highlighted within section 3 of the report.

The committee noted that the new corporate procedure for the handling of Members’ Enquiries had been implemented, with performance monitoring now part of the corporate system. The committee noted the definition of what constituted a members’ enquiry, which was an enquiry “on behalf of a constituent or community group in relation to Council policy”.  The implementation of the new system had been successful, with improved performance across the board.  In order to facilitate effective monitoring, Members were encouraged to e-mail any complaints or issues to the Central Complaints Mailbox.

RESOLVED:

1. That Members be encouraged to register all complaints through the central system.

2. That the report be noted.

(Report of the Head of Personnel)  This report supplements the items on Delivering the HR Strategy and Workforce Statistics.  It updates Members of the Committee about recent changes to the procurement of temporary staff, and absence management.

The Committee was updated by the Head of Personnel on recent changes to both the procurement of temporary staff and to absence management.  Members were provided with the detailed data on HR statistics in the report appendices, with specific focus in the report’s main body given to the aforementioned areas.

The committee noted that in order to reduce both the spend on and duration and usage of agency staff, the Haringey Temporary Staffing Resource Centre had been operational since 22 May 2006.  Although it was too early to fully judge its success, it was noted that early indications were that the service was delivering both commercial and operational benefits to the Council, whilst encountering implementation challenges typical for a change of such significance.

The committee noted that the Council aspired to an absence rate of 8 days average per worker per year.  The 2005/6 average was 10.4 days, and there were a number of actions being employed to lower the figure.  Long-term absence was a particular area for targeting, with in 90% of the 64 cases where employees had been off work for 90 days or more in the year 2005-6 having been resolved.  Short term absence was also being drawn attention to, with frequent short-term absentees being highlighted to managers.  Proactive health initiatives were also on-going to target the root causes of sickness.

RESOLVED:

1.          That the Head of Personnel present a presentation to all interested Councillors on the full workings of the new Temporary Staffing Resource Centre, and its initial results where available.

2.          That the report be noted.

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

i)                    3 July 2006

ii)                  12 July 2006 (Special Meeting)

iii)                18 July 2006 (Special Meeting)

iv)                24 July 2006

RESOLVED:

1.       That the minutes of the following meetings be confirmed and signed by the Chair;

i)                    3 July 2006

ii)                  12 July 2006 (special meeting)

iii)                18 July 2006 (special meeting)

iv)                24 July 2006

To consider any new items of business admitted under item 2 above.

There were no such items.