Agenda and minutes

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The meeting was webcast on the Council’s website.

There were no apologies for absence.

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 18 below).

There was no urgent 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.

Councillor Egan declared a personal interest in respect of item 12, Decent Homes Programme, by nature of being on the Board of Homes for Haringey.

Councillor Aitken declared a personal interest in respect of item 12, Decent Homes Programme, by nature of being a Council tennant.

Councillors Bull and Winskill declared a personal interest in respect of item 12, Decent Homes Programme, by nature of being Leaseholders.

Councillor Adamou declared a personal interest in item 14, Transport in Adult Care, by nature of a family member being a carer.

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

There were no such items.

Briefing and answers to questions from Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Wellbeing.

The committee received a briefing and answers to questions from Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Wellbeing.

Members raised their concern over ‘cost shunting’, where reconfiguration of non-Council services placed increasing strain on those provided by the Council.  The committee noted that national criteria existed to minimise this practice.

The committee noted that although areas for continued focus existed in the portfolio; a Performance Improvement Plan existed which tracked the implementation of all CSCI recommendations.

It was noted that although there was no current issue with recruitment and retention in Adult Services, this issue was regularly discussed in the Service’s weekly meeting.

RESOLVED:

1.      That figures as to uptake of respite care in Haringey be provided to the committee.

2.      That figures and procedures for working with individuals placed from other boroughs and MH Trusts be provided to the committee.

3.      That the PCT provide information the effects on clinical outcomes experienced by patients under the NHS initiative to delivering reduced delayed transfers of care/discharges from acute and non acute hospitals.

4.      That the briefing and answers to questions be noted.

5.      That the commitment and dedication of Haringey staff in this area be commended.

(Report from the Public Health Consultant, Haringey TPCT)

The committee received a report from the PCT on the implementation of the Haringey Life Expectancy plan.

With regard to reducing the unexpectedly high levels of infant mortality in the borough, the Director of Public Health cited the importance of early access to anti-natal care and a variety of measures with regards to Motherhood.  A more detailed written response was promised to Members.

In terms of the challenges of working in a borough with a large transient population, it was noted that a welcome back for new residents included information on how to register for primary care in the borough.  There were also a range of other community-based interventions and initiatives such as the recruitment of ‘health trainers’.

RESOLVED:

1.            That information be provided on disproportionately higher infant mortality rates in Haringey.

2.            That the report be noted.

(Report of the Director of Adult, Culture and Community Services)  To provide members with an update on action following the Scrutiny Review "Healthy and Equal" - improving the health of people with profound and multiple learning disabilties. This report was agreed in June 2007.

Members were provided with an update on action following the Scrutiny review ‘Healthy and Equal’ – improving the health of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

In response to Member enquiries, Officers informed the committee that the psychiatrists in St Ann’s were part of an integrated team based at St George’s.

It was noted that a bid for increased funding for the next year formed part of the budget-planning process.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the committee receive information on negotiations over the signing of GPs contracts specifically in relation to a contract item on treating patients with Learning Difficulties.

2.         That the report and action taken be noted.

(Report of the Chair of Overview & Scrutiny Committee)  To report on the consultation process for proposals to develop NHS services for acute stroke and major trauma across and to agree, in principle, to Haringey’s participation in a Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee to respond to the proposals.

The committee received a report on the consultation process for proposals to develop NHS services for acute stroke and major trauma and to agree, in principle, to Haringey’s participation in a Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee to respond to the proposals.

It was noted that the JOSC was proposed to include all London boroughs.  The committee agreed to take part in the JOSC, and delegated powers to officer to consult with the Chair of Scrutiny to agree the terms of reference of said body.

RESOVLED:

That the recommendations of the report be agreed.

Briefing and answers to questions from Councillor George Meehan, Leader of the Council.

With the consent of the Chair, this item was withdrawn.

RESOLVED:

That the committee receive the provided answers to questions from Councillor Meehan.

(Report of the Chair of Overview & Scrutiny Committee)  To consider the feasibility of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee commissioning a full scrutiny review on knife crime.

The committee received a report considering the feasibility of Overview & Scrutiny commissioning a full review of knife crime.

RESOLVED:

1.      That a report be brought before the committee in twelve months time, outlining knife crime amongst under 18s.

2.      That the proposed Scrutiny Review on the fear of crime not be commissioned.

(Report of the Director of Urban Environment)  To provide Members of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee with a position statement regarding the current delivery of the decent homes programme.

The committee received a position statement regarding the current delivery of the Decent Homes Programme.

The committee noted that the Council’s two-star rating would enable it to access funding for the programme from 2010.

It was noted that resident involvement and satisfaction was seen as being crucial for the success of the programme, with a 94% satisfaction rate currently being reported.

Members emphasised the importance of the rôle of Clerk of Works, and stated their desire that full use be made of the provided £198million.  It was noted that Homes for Haringey enjoyed a positive and constructive relationship with local firms carrying out work on the programme.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the committee be provided with information on the ability of the Decent Homes programme to provide broadband.

2.      That the report be noted.

(Report of the Chair of the Review Panel)  To approve the scope and terms of reference for the Scrutiny Review on Stroke Prevention in Haringey.

The committee received this report to approve the scope and Terms of Reference for the Scrutiny Review of Stroke Prevention in Haringey.

RESOLVED:

That the scope and Terms of Reference of the Scrutiny Review be approved.

(Report of the Chair of Overview & Scrutiny Committee)  To approve the scoping of the Review.

The committee received the scoping report for the Scrutiny Review of Service Based Transport in Adult Social Care.

RESOLVED:

That the objectives, methods and timescales as outlined in the report be approved.

(Report of the Chair of the Review Panel)  To consider and agree the Terms of Reference of the review.

The committee received the Terms of Reference of the Scrutiny Review of Recycling: Co-Mingled and Source Separated Collection Methods.

RESOLVED:

That the scope and terms of reference of the review be approved.

(Report of the Chair of the Review Panel)  To consider and agree the Terms of Reference of the review.

The committee received the Terms of Reference of the Scrutiny Review of Animal Welfare in Haringey.

RESOLVED:

That the scope and terms of reference of the review be approved.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the following meetings:

-          6 October 2008

-          20 October 2008 (special meeting)

-          27 October 2008

RESOLVED:

1. That the minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee of 6^th October 2008 be confirmed and signed, subject to the addition of apologies for absence from Felicity Kally.

2. That the minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee of 20^th October 2008 be confirmed and signed.

3. That the minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee of 27^th October 2008 be confirmed and signed, subject to the addition of attendance and declaration of interest of Councillor Egan

There were no such items.