Agenda and minutes

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at the meeting.

Due to the meeting being held in Committee Rooms 1 and 2, the meeting was not webcast.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Davies.

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 14 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 Jones declared an interest in respect of item 8, School Results, in that she was the deputy to the Executive Member for Children & Young People.

Councillor Cooke declared an interest in respect of item 8 in that he was the Deputy Chair of Governors at Woodside School.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

There were no such items.

Councillor Isidoros Diakides, Executive Member for Housing  TO FOLLOW

The Committee received answers to questions and a briefing on key issues from Councill Diakides, Executive Member for Housing, and he answered questions from Members of the committee.

The Executive Member stated that the Council was still unsure as to when the Council would receive the money to meet the Decent Homes Standard, were they to be successful in achieving the three-star rating.  Members were also informed that it was likely that the period to be covered by the money would be extended by government up to 1-2 years.

Membesr enquired as to progress on Service Level Agreements with Homes for Haringey.  The Executive Member assured Members that work on this topic was on-going via joint working groups and in conjunction with the Director of Finance.

Queries were raised over the low number of enforced sales and absence of Compulsary Purchase Orders and Emplty Homes Management Orders thus far utilised by the Council.  Officers replied that 1,200 empty private sector properties had been brought into use, with the Council using other methods which were believed to be more cost effective.  Officers assured Members that grants given to landlords with empty properties were dependent on Haringey taking on the lease for that property.

Members noted that protocols for Registered Social Landlords were currently going out for consultation, and that further options for Council tenancies for those with Mental Health problems were being investigated.

RESOLVED:

1.       That the Executive Member provide to the Committee information on whether an empty properties officer has direct access from their computer terminal to the benefits information system.

2.       That Officers provide to the committee information as to current provision of Council housing to those with Mental Health issues.

3.       That the Committee regular updates as to when the 3-star Decent Homes Standard money would becemo available.

4.       That the Executive Member’s briefing and answers to questions be noted.

Councillor Dhiren Basu, Executive Member for Organisational Development & Performance Management  TO FOLLOW

The Committee received a briefing on key issues from Councill Basu, Executive Member for Organisational Development & Performance Management, and he answered questions from Members of the committee.

In response to the questions of the committee, the Executive Member stated that he had full confidence in both the I.T. budget process, and his own input it.  Officers assured Members that no decision had yet been taken into how to allocate or prioritise funding.

Members requested more detail on the exact nature of what money from the I.T. budget was being spent on.  Officers agreed to collaborate with the Scrutiny Review Panel on Information Technology to make this information available to Members.  Officers stated their confidence that following a difficult period, culminating in I.T. being in-sourced last year, that performance would improve.

Members requested information on outstanding Dismissal and Appeals panels, and Officers were confident that a number were now scheduled and the backlog was clearing.

RESOLVED:

1.      That Officers liaise on providing detailed I.T. spending information and associated revenue to the Scrutiny Review Panel.

2.      That Members be provided with the protocol on Officer relocation.

3.      That the Executive Member’s briefing be noted.

(Report of the Director of the Children & Young People’s Service)

To inform members of the results at Foundation Stage, Key Stages 1, 2, 3, 4 and Post 16 for 2006, the analyses of these results and the implications for the School Improvement Programme 2006-7.

Councillor Jones declared an interest in respect of this item as she was the deputy to the Executive Member for Children & Young People.

Councillor Cooke declared an interest in respect of this item in that he was the Deputy Chair of Governors at Woodside School.

The committee received this report to inform members of the results at Foundation Stage, Key Stages 1, 2, 3, 4 and Post-16 to 2006, the analyses of these results and the implications for the School Improvement Programme 2006-7.

Officers informed Members that although they were awaiting validation of some data in respect of Key Stage 3, there was steady improvement in performance across the Key Stages.

With regards to the decline in standards for Looked After Children, Members were informed that this decline was a national problem, and that Haringey would have greater focus on Looked After Children in the coming year.  Officers stated that the figures did give cause for concern, and agreed to put into place actions to improve them.

Concern was raised over five out of ten secondary schools being targetted by the Department for Education and Skills over their absence record.  The committee learned that consultants were being employed in Schools to tackle this behavious and attendance and requested further information on their work.  Information was also requested on ‘NEETS’ (16-19 year olds not in education, employment or training) and action which was taken to address this imoprtant group.

RESOLVED:

1. That Officers provide for the committee details of the steps being taken to address the disparity between East and West with regards Maths and Science at Key Stage Four.

2. That Officers provide for the committee information on the use of behaviour and attendance consultants in Schools.

3. That Officers provide information on help for ‘NEETS’ in Haringey.

4. That future reports make greater use of graphs and tables to present data.

5. That the report be noted.

(Report of the Interim Director of Adult, Culture and Community Services)

To update the Committee on the progress made in implementing the Scrutiny Review of the Mental Health Service completed in March 2006.

The committee received this report to be updated on the progress made in implementing the Scrutiny Review of the Mental Health Service completed in March 2006.

Members complemented officers for there work across a number of thorough recommendations.

Members raised the issue of the funding of Talking Therapies.  Officers stated that it was necessary to make more efficient use of resources already available, as, despite an earlier commitment, government money for expansion had not been forthcoming.  Members agreed to draw this to the attention of the Leader, and the local Members of Parliament.

Members stated that the results of recommendation 9 regarding the Alexandra Road Crisis Centre should be monitored carefully, and that the PCT and Mental Health Trust should be engaged with to ensure the resource was known about and utilised.

Members stated the importance of appropriate mental health services for the Black & Ethnic Minority community, and recommended that appropriate training and information for Members on this topic be provided.

Members were keen that the PCT be aware of the report so they could comment on any budget implications with regard to it.

Members with topics for Scrutiny reviews of specific areas covered in the report were encouraged to contact Scrutiny officers.

RESOLVED:

1. That the issue of the lack of funding for talking therapies be raised with the Leader and local MPs.

2. That the Chair contact the PCT and the Mental Health Trust with regard to awareness raising of the Alexandra Road Crisis Centre.

3. That Officers provide both to the committee and former Councillor Jean Brown further information in respect of Recommendation 10, regarding qualifications and career progression for care staff.

4. That the Chair contact the Mental Health Trust in respect of their contribution to the report.

5. That the report be provided to the PCT and information be requested on the impact of their budget on the recommendations.

6. That Officers provide information on take-up of the Mental Illness training specified in Recommendation 24.

7. That the possibility of training and information sessions on the Mental Health needs of the Ethnic Minority community, as well as refugees and asylum seekers, be raised with the appropriate officers.

8. That proposals for more detailed reviews on subjects specified with the report be forwarded to Rob Mack, Scrutiny Support Officer.

9. That the report be noted.

(Report of the Assistant Director – Recreation Services)

To update Members on the progress made in implementing the agreed recommendations, and also to advise Members of the outstanding work, and the proposed remaining programme and timetable for completion.

The committee received this report to be updated on the progress made in implementing the recommendations from the Scrutiny review of Cemeteries and Crematorium, and to be advised as to the outstanding work, the proposed remaning programme and the timetable for completion.

Members complemented the Bereavement Service on their report, and enquired over the quality control arrangements for masons.  They were assured that quality control was part of the criteria for their usage of specified masons.

Members enquried as to space concerns in cemeteries and were assured by Officers that this had influenced the receommendations of the review, and that investigations were on-going into innovations such as pre-cast concrete vaults.

Officers closed by assuring Members that the Bereavement Service was confident that it was able to meet the needs of the ethnic diversity of the borough.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the report be noted.

(Report of the Director of Adult, Culture and Community Services)

To update Members on the progress made in implementing the agreed recommendations, and to advise them of the outstanding work, and the proposed remaining programme and timetable for completion.

The committee received this report to update Members on the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the Review, and to advise Members of the outstanding work, and the proposed remaining programme and timetable for completion.

Members enquired as to the operation and make-up of an officer group concerning the question of unallocated land, and requested the opportunity to give their input.  Officers agreed to provide Members with the terms of reference for the abovementioned group.

Members noted the problem of accurately knowing how many small pieces of land the Council owned.  They were pleased to note that an excersise was underway, working with organisations such as Railtrack, to establish an inventry of ‘unregistered’ land.

Members raised concern over the lack of dedicated play provision in both Crouch End and Fortis Green wards.  It was requested that Officers ensure that a strategy to address the lack fo play provision be established, particularly as this could likely prevent play provision being used in negotiations with Registered Social Landlords and Housing Associations.

RESOLVED:

1. That Members be provided with the opportunity to input into the usage of unallocated land.

2. That the terms of reference of the Officer group on this topic be provided to Members.

3. That Cllr Newton be provided with an update on the play provision at Muswell Hill playing fields.

4. That the Assistant Director – Recreation liaise with Streetscene over the register of informal open spaces.

5. That the report be noted.

(Report of the Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

To report on progress on 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 and to formally approve its Terms of Reference.

The committee received this report to report on progress on 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 Harigney Clinical Strategy and to formally approve its Terms of Reference.

Members noted that the public consultation strategy was due to commence in early April, and that meetings were currently taking plafce with a range of stakeholders.

Members raised the issue of the cost of the Joint Scrutiny, and were informed by Officers that the earlier figures provided by the London Borough of Enfield had now been revised downwards.  Members noted that the costs would be shared between participating authorities.

RESOLVED:

1.  To recommend to Full Council the recommendations of the report.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the following meetings:

i)                    29 January 2007

ii)                  13 February 2007 (call-in meeting)

RESOLVED:

1.  That the minutes of the meeting held on 29 Janaury 2007 be confirmed, subject to the following change:

-          Minute OSCO123, paragraph three.  That the first sentence be amended to read:  Members noted that there was likely to be some deregulations of small scale development.

2.        That the PCT be invited to a forthcoming meeting for further discussions on the PCT budget, and its impact on Haringey social services.

3.       That Officers respond to the requests for information made by Councillor Engert at the meeting of 29 January 2007.

4.       That the minutes of the Special meeting on 13 February 2007 be confirmed.

There was no such business.