Agenda and minutes

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at the meeting.

The meeting was webcast on the Council’s website.

There were no apologies for absence.

It being a special meeting of the Sub Committee, under Part Four, Section B, Paragraph 17, of the Council’s Constitution, no other business shall be considered at the meeting.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

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 to be circulated separately.

The Committee received an update from James Slater, Director of Performance and Primary Care at Haringey TPCT, on the implementation of key projects within the “World-Class Primary Care” programme. The update covered progress relating to consultation, the transport and access study, community survey, neighbourhood development planning, Hornsey Central, The Laurels, Lordship Lane and IT systems.

The Chair invited a number of interested parties to address the Committee. Local residents expressed concern regarding the lack of consultation on or scrutiny of the fundamental principles behind the 10 year strategy for primary care, including the plans for polyclinics and the “contestability” element of the procurement process for services. Residents also expressed concern regarding the lack of information available on the specific services that would be in place at Hornsey Central by the time of its planned opening. Dave Morris of the Stop Haringey Health Cuts coalition called for an additional meeting of the Committee for an in-depth review of the proposals. 

In response to questions and comments from the public, Mr Slater denied that there had been a lack of consultation and reported that the TCPT was making great efforts to meet the expectations of service users; lessons learned from the Laurels consultation included the need to consult and involve clinicians at an earlier stage, and the value of using external organisations to facilitate consultation. Responding to concerns raised regarding the recruitment of volunteers by an external agency to look at mobility and access issues, Mr Slater reported that this was an example of the TPCT commissioning work to test the proposals and that specific points raised regarding the process would be responded to outside the meeting. It was reported that “contestability” within the procurement process was a legal requirement under procurement law.

It was reported that a special meeting would be convened when the Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs) were published in April 2009, and that there were four local consultation processes proposed to consider the four Plans in detail. The Neighbourhood Development Plans would contain detailed information on the transport and access survey, and all the data from the survey would be made available to anyone interested on request. Mr Slater apologised that there had been no response to an email requesting information on the services and providers already agreed for Hornsey Central, and reported that the NDP would help to inform the services appropriate at the site in future, and shape the consultation process.

In response to a question from the public, it was confirmed that the proposals would be Compact compatible, as signed up to by the TPCT. In respect of individual experiences relating to primary care services in the borough, Mr Slater would discuss resident’s specific feedback with them outside the meeting.

The Committee requested updates on the issue of a health centre site for the Wood Green area, and also the cessation of GP services in Stuart Crescent. Mr Slater responded that discussions were taking place regarding a possible site in the Wood Green area,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

(Report of the Director of Urban Environment) To provide further update information relating to progress made with implementing the executive responses to recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee received a report on progress made with implementing the executive responses to recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on repairs to highways.

The Committee asked about the Pothole Blitz, and whether this was a short-term initiative or a permanent programme. It was reported that the Pothole Blitz focussed on specific wards in turn for a two-week period and that, once all wards had been dealt with, the process would continue to be repeated. This was in addition to the Council’s general pothole service.

The Committee also asked about the funding obtained from TfL in relation to damage caused by buses. It was reported that TfL had made additional funding available in the past few years, but that TfL had not been able to make this contribution in the current financial year due to budget shortfalls. It was reported that the Council was continuing to pursue the issue of the condition of the sewer system in the borough with Thames Water.

In response to a question from the Committee, Cllr Haley, Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation, confirmed that street lighting in the borough operated in response to light sensors, and that for safety reasons there were no proposals to switch off any street lights during night-time hours.

It was reported that pavements were a priority within the action plan, and that money was being obtained upfront from developers to cover repairs to footpaths for damage related to construction work.

RESOLVED

i)                    That a written response on the issue of collapsed trenches following utility works be provided to the Committee.

ii)                  That data on the number of reports received from the public via the website on general highway matters be provided to the Committee.

iii)                That the update be noted.

(Report of the Assistant Chief Executive – Policy, Performance, Partnerships and Communication) To update Overview and Scrutiny on the review of the consultation strategy and proposals for development of a new strategy.

The Committee received a report on the review of the consultation strategy and proposals for the development of a new strategy. Cllr Cooke, Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement, introduced the report and reported that the strategy would sit alongside the communications strategy, and within the Community Engagement Framework.

The Committee enquired regarding the process for recruiting area panels. It was emphasised that robust structures would be necessary to ensure that the process was democratic and open. The Committee requested that they be kept updated as to progress with the recruitment process.

In response to a question from the Committee, it was reported that, where response rates to previous consultations had been low, reasons would be identified and ways of addressing this in future would be incorporated into the strategy.

The role of area assemblies was discussed and it was agreed that, where  there was disparity between different area assemblies in terms of taking recommendations forward, this should be looked into.

The Committee thanked the Cabinet Member for presenting the report, and looked forward to further updates with progress.

RESOLVED

That the content of the report be noted.

(Report of the Interim Director of Special Projects) To provide Overview and Scrutiny with an update on the VFM aspect of the Achievong Excellence Programme.

The Committee received an update on the Value for Money aspect of the Achieving Excellence Programme.

In response to a question from the Committee about expenditure, it was reported that all savings indicated in the report were net of any associated costs. It was also confirmed that, where applicable, a breakdown of the individual savings specific to each recommendation in the report could be provided to the Committee.

RESOLVED

i)                    That information on expenditure relating to the refurbishment of office space and an update on progress regarding home-working be provided to the Committee.

ii)                  That, where applicable, figures for savings relating to the individual recommendations outlined in the report be provided to the Committee.

iii)                That the content of the update be noted.

(Report of the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny) To report on the issues raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on departmental Pre Business Plans and Cabinet budget proposals.

The Committee received a report on the issues raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on departmental Pre Business Plans and Cabinet budget proposals.

RESOLVED

That the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to the Pre Business Plans and budget proposals, as set out in the report, be agreed and forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration.

Cllr Egan announced that this would be his last meeting as a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Committee thanked Cllr Egan for all of the excellent work he had done as a member of the Committee, and congratulated him on his appointment as Chair of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board. 

The meeting finished at 20:15 hrs.