Agenda and minutes

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at the meeting.

The meeting of December 10^th was not webcast due to technical difficulties.  The meeting of December 13^th was webcast on the Council’s website.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Davies, who was substituted for by Councillor Gorrie.

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 7 below).

The committee received an addendum document to the PBPR balance in the distributed report, correcting a minor clerical error.

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.

Councillor Bull declared a personal interest in item 5 by nature of him being a leaseholder and active London Borough of Haringey card holder.

Councillor Egan declared a personal interest in item 5 by nature of him being an active London Borough of Haringey card holder and on the board of Homes for Haringey, Alexandra Palace and APTL.

Councillor Mallett declared a personal interest in item 5 by nature of her rôle as a carer.

Councillor Winskill declared a personal interest in item 5 by nature of a close family member being a user of support services provided by the London Borough of Haringey, in addition to being a leadseholder.

All Cabinet Members claimed a prejudicial interest in item 5 in respect of their portfolio item; the answers questions put to them by the committee before retiring from the room, allowing the committee to discuss its recommendations.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Part 4, Section B, paragraph 29 of the Council’s constitution.

There were no such items.

(Report of the Director of the Chief Financial Officer, Directors of Adults, Culture & Community, Children & Young People, Urban Environment and Corporate Resources, Assistant Chief Executives for People and Organisational Development and Policy, Performance, Partnerships and Communication)

To update Members on the financial planning process and to consider the Pre Business Plan Reviews (PBPR) 2008/08 to 2010/11.

Four Councillors and all Cabinet Members declared an interest in this item as detailed above.

All Cabinet Members claimed a prejudicial interest in respect of their portfolio item; the answers questions put to them by the committee before retiring from the room, allowing the committee to discuss its recommendations.

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee considered over two meeting the Pre-Business Plan Review growth and savings bids.  The committee discussed individual portfolio areas with the respective Cabinet Members, and made the recommendations to Cabinet in respect of the budget.

            GOVERNMENT GRANT SETTLEMENT

            In carrying out the budget scrutiny exercise the Committee has assimilated a large amount of budgetary information and there are issues and risks that have become apparent as a result. The committee recognises that the council budget has, by necessity, been re-profiled as a result of unachieved pre agreed efficiency savings. For planning purposes a settlement figure of zero growth in each of the three years was assumed.

            The Government grant settlement for the next financial year once again left  this council (and 27 other London Boroughs)  with “at  floor” settlements, however, overall  the Council will receive £2.7m more than last year in formula grant. The reasons for the low settlement were discussed by the committee and it is strongly recommended that the council produce accurate demographic evidence to justify lobbying the Government for more money. Local MP’s should also be asked to support any request for a higher settlement.

            Recommendation 1.

            That the Cabinet continue to press the case for a more favourable settlement for Haringey with appropriate Government Ministers and to seek the support of local MP’s.

            CHILDREN’S & YOUNG PEOPLES – CABINET PORTFOLIO

Children & Families

The Committee was informed that the saving proposals put forward were not without risk and that they would be monitored closely.

Savings accruing to a review of transport were identified. The committee noted that transport was an area identified in other portfolios as an area of saving and suggest that a corporate review of council-wide transport provision would be likely to provide greater integration, flexibility and efficiency, rather than each directorate doing its own review.

Recommendation 2.

That the Cabinet commission a corporate review on its transport provision.

The committee was concerned at the £125k saving identified as part of the integration of services as the Children’s networks develop and whether these could actually be achieved in the coming year. The committee was of the view that a deferral of the saving to the financial year 2009/10 was more achievable.

Recommendation 3.

That the Cabinet defer the £125k efficiency saving identified in respect of the integration of services as the Childrens’ networks develop until financial year 2009/10.

It was also concerned over savings relating to children with Special Educational Needs.

The committee supported the introduction of Direct Payments which would eventually produce savings.

Schools

The Committee noted that a large proportion of the budget was ring-fenced (the Dedicated Schools Grant) directly to schools, however they noted that some of the savings identified would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

There were no such items.