Agenda and minutes

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at the meeting.

The meeting was webcast on the Council’s website.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Davies and Mallett.

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 below. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at item 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 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 consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

There were no such items.

Answers to questions and briefing from Councillor Dhiren Basu, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture & Lifelong Learning.

The committee received a briefing and answers to questions from Councillor Dhiren Basu, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture & Lifelong Learning.  The Cabinet Member stated that he was pleased with the progress being made thus far within his new portfolio.  

Members were informed that approximately 50% of investment into park regeneration was funded from external sources.  It was noted that a voluntary sector approved suppliers list was being compiled, that well-being work was being brought together with the Well-Being Strategic Framework, co-ordinated by the Well-Being Partnership Board.

In terms of the Culture area of the Cabinet Member’s portfolio, current developments included the programme of art exhibitions at Hornsey Library, with plans to open a commercial gallery at the library being discussed.  Plans for a literature festival focussing on local artists were also being worked on for next year.  The borough was also involved in the Open House weekend, although Members expressed a desire that ‘older’ buildings be open to the public at next year’s event.

Members expressed a desire for Haringey to be one of the greenest boroughs in the capital, and were informed that an Action Plan, attached to last year’s Open Spaces Strategy, was being implemented.  Members noted that a wider Greener Borough Strategy was under development.  In terms of Council-owned green space, Members were informed  that a list of open spaces organised by type did exist, although issues remained over encroachment.   Officers stated that the focus on improving the borough’s large open spaces did not mean that the smaller spaces were being neglected.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the Assistant Director – Libraries, Culture and Learning pass onto partners and officers the committee’s suggestion that more older buildings should be open for the ‘Open House’ event next year.

2.         That the committee note the briefing and question answers.

(Report of the Director of Adult, Culture and Community Services)  To inform Members of developments in libraries.

Members were informed by Officers over developments in the borough’s libraries.  These were enjoying a period of success, being in the top quartile of London libraries and with increased numbers of users and levels of service satisfaction.

In response to Member enquiries, Officers stated that premises for a library within White Hart Lane ward had been investigated but a lack of suitable premises found.  However, they promised to provide Members with information on the possibility of a mobile library for the ward.  In terms of the Muswell Hill Library, a feasibility study for the work was being worked on with a timetable for the project to be produced in due course.

The Head of Libraries informed Members that work was progressing in the allowing of the access of library materials externally using the internet, with some being already resources on-line and aspirations for digital book downloads in the future.

In light of the recent high level of immigration from Eastern European into the borough, Officers stated that more Eastern European material was available in the borough’s libraries, and that events such as ‘Polish Days’ were being held to engage with these communities.

Officers confirmed that there would be a consultation on the new services to be provided at Hornsey Library.

RESOLVED:

1. That Officers ensure that in future reports to the committee adhere to the correct style.

2. That Officers investigate options for a mobile library in White Hart Lane ward and provide information to the committee.

3. That the committee be provided with written details on the plans for ‘Community Hub’ libraries, and the ‘Plus Plus Plus’ initiative.

4. That the committee be provided with information on Polish and other Eastern European literature available in the borough’s libraries.

5. That the report be noted.

(Report of the Director of Urban Environment)  To provide an update on the progress made in the implementation of recommendations made in the scrutiny review of Street Cleansing published on 13^th March 2006.

The committee was provided with an update on the progress made in the implementation of the recommendations made in the Scrutiny Review of Street Cleansing published on 13^th March 2006.

Members suggested that Neighbourhood Assemblies could be used as a means of consulting residents when deciding the location of new litter bins.  Officers agreed to consult with the Assemblies together with the appropriate ward Councillors, and informed the committee that robust new litter bans had been ordered, and that they hoped to purchase additional bins this year.

In light of the recent ban on smoking in enclosed public places, Officers stated that appropriate bins had been ordered, and were working with local businesses on their installation.  Officers were hopeful that this would decrease the amount of street litter as a result of the ban.

Officers noted Member concerns over the visibility of street wardens, taking on board the desirability of brighter uniforms.  Discussions had taken place with Accord over communications devices for wardens, with various ideas currently being considered.

Additionally, Officers stated that they were looking into the possibility of a discretionary licensing proposals for the licensing of social landlords.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the report, and the improvements outlined within, be noted.

Briefing from Councillor Lorna Reith, Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement

The committee received a briefing from Councillor Lorna Reith, Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement, on the key issues in her portfolio.

Members were informed that the new corporate logo was being rolled out across the Council.  Key main buildings had had their signs replaced, with detailed instructions available on Harinet as a guide to its usage.

The Cabinet Member was pleased to announce that a cost-neutral increase in the number of pages of Haringey People had been achieved.   The committee also learned that over 3,000 responses had been received on the Highways Consultation.

It was noted that the Call Centre response target had yet to be hit, but was moving in the right direction.  Also noted were continuing efforts to look for a new premises for the Call Centre.

Over 500 nominations had been received for the WOW Awards, with Haringey also shortlisted for the National Customer Services Awards.  In terms of awards for non-frontline staff, the Cabinet Member stated that schemes were already in place, but that they required reviewing.

In response to questions raised of the performance of the Council’s Out of Hours service, Members were informed that this was not currently in the Cabinet Member’s portfolio, falling as it did under Adult Social Services.  However, the appropriate Cabinet Member had been informed of issues related to service performance, and plans were being considered for bringing it under Customer Services.  It was agreed that the Cabinet Member would feed back to the committee on the issue.

In response to questions over Community Cohesion, the Cabinet Member stated that there was currently no single Community Cohesion Strategy document, but that an action plan was currently being drawn up with strategic input welcome.

RESOLVED:

1. That the committee be provided with feedback on the Out of Hours Service.

2. That the committee note the briefing and answers to questions.

(Report of the Chief Executive)  To provide an early assessment of progress against the 13 stretch targets agreed in Haringey’s Local Area Agreement.

Members of the committee will also been provided with a separate colour version of this report.

Councillor Egan took the Chair for this item.

The committee received this report to be provided with an early assessment of progress against the 13 stretch targets agreed in Haringey’s Local Area Agreement.

Officers stated that in certain areas, performance needed to be monitored very closely.  Officers stated that they hoped to be on-track with meeting the Schools Target, comprised as it was of a number of elements, but were too early in the monitoring process to be able to make a judgement as of yet.  In addition, Officers stated that there were a range of issues surrounding NEETS, and that these were being tackled through the receipt of a detailed position statement each month, with detailed information also provided on an area-by-area basis.  Figures surrounding NEETS fluctuated and Officers agreed to look at the methodology which led to this, and to report back to the committee on NEETS later in the year.

RESOLVED:

1. That Officers provide Members with information on what is being done to encourage composting in the East of the borough.

2. That a full report on NEETS be brought before the Overview & Scrutiny Committee later in the municipal year.

3. That the report be noted.

(Report of the Chair of Overview & Scrutiny Committee)  To approve the commissioning of a further review on anti social behaviour.

The committee received this report to consider the commissioning of further work on Anti-Social Behaviour.

Members noted that the ASBAT team was originally set-up as a pilot scheme, but that its extension to cover the whole of the borough was not matched by an increase in funding in relative terms.  The committee learned that the ASBAT team was well-regarded with a good reputation and linked in well with other services across the Council as well as external partner organisations.

The committee noted that the police van parked in Wood Green was a partnership van with the purpose of deterring anti-social behaviour.  The ASBAT team also confirmed that they were involved in work on the dispersal orders relating to West Green Road, working alongside the Safer Neighbourhoods Teams.

Members agreed in principle to a review of the resourcing of the ASBAT team, but elected to wait until the new year to carry it out as a result of their obligations to currently running reviews.

RESOLVED:

1. That Officers liaise with the Members’ Learning & Development Officer to organise training session for Councillors on the topic of Anti-Social Behaviour.

2. That a Scrutiny Review of the resourcing of the Anti-Social Behaviour Team be provisionally scheduled for January.

3. That the report be noted.

(Report of the Assistant Chief Executive – Policy, Performance, Partnerships and Communications)  To report to the committee on the Council’s Consultation Strategy.

RESOLVED:

1. That the item be deferred to the meeting of October 22^nd 2007.

(Report of the Chair of Overview & Scrutiny)  To approve the scope and terms of reference for the review.

The committee received this report to approve the scope and terms of reference for the Scrutiny Review of Safer and Stronger Communities Targets.

The Chair of the Review Panel stated that he had held meetings with Officers and panel Members, and that the Review was due to begin this autumn.

Officers stated that they expected to learn of the amount of the relevant LAA grant in the new year.

RESOLVED:

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

(Report of the Chair of the Review Panel)  For the Committee to consider and agree the Scoping document of the review.

The committee received this report to consider and agree the Scoping document for the Scrutiny Review of Waste Collection, Recycling and Disposal.

Members noted that the objectives for the review had been slightly amended since the despatch of papers, with the modifications to the objectives to be sent round to Members by e-mail.

Members of the Review commended the presentation they had seen at the first meeting to other Councillors.

RESOLVED:

1. That Scrutiny Officers e-mail Members with the revised objectives for the Review.

2. That the presentation given to Members of the panel be e-mailed round to the wider committee, and that this be the case for future strong presentations received by Review Panels.

3. That the Review of Waste Collection, Recycling & Disposal be commissioned, with the scope and terms of reference set out in the report be approved, subject to the above mentioned modifications from the Chair.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on July 30^th 2007.

RESOLVED:

1.      The committee noted that following discussion between Officers and members of the committee, minute OSCO20, resolution 1, Tech Refresh Post-Implementation Review, would not be carried out.

2.      That the minutes of the meeting held on July 30^th 2007 be confirmed and signed.

There were no such items.