Agenda and minutes

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at the meeting.

The meeting was recorded for live or future broadcasting on the Council’s website.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Charles Adje, Joseph Ejiofor (Parent Governor), Helena Kania (LINks) and James Slater (NHS).

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. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at item below).

There were no items of 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 Toni Mallett declared a personal interest in item 7,  Cabinet Member Briefing for Adult Social Care and Wellbeing, as she was a member of the Carers Partnership Board and a Carer.

Councillor Gina Adamou declared a personal interest in item 7, Cabinet Member Briefing for Adult Social Care and Wellbeing, as her daughter was a social worker in Haringey.

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

There were no deputations, petitions, presentations or questions.

RESOLVED

That the order of the agenda be varied to accommodate councillors who were required to attend other meetings.  The minutes will appear in the same order as items listed on the agenda.

Briefing and answers to questions from Councillor Basu, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Lifelong Learning.

The Committee received the briefing from Councillor Dhiren Basu(Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Lifelong Learning) and advance questions and responses.

The Committee enquired about Risley Avenue allotments and was informed by John Morris (Assistant Director - Recreation Services) that the Department was working closely with the Housing Service to create sufficient community interest and agree how the site could be resourced.

The Committee requested a briefing note on the progress of the Cultural Strategy and a review of the timelines in which the Council aimed to produce a final draft of the Strategy; mid-November had been proposed, which members did not feel was realistic.

The Committee was informed of the People Network initiative (lead by the Library department in partnership with the IT department) to install the internet in all public libraries for community use.  A procurement exercise was taking place.  The PCT were funding well-being suites for libraries and there were also discussions taking place with the Primary Care Trust (PCT) about the possibility of health-check clinics in libraries.

In response to the Committee’s questions the Assistant Director – Recreation Services informed members that all emergency services had access to the locks on park gates and the order in which parks were locked was flexible. 

The Committee noted Councillor Egan’s concern that residents over 60 were required to register for an Active Card in order to take advantage of the free swimming offered and emphasised that access should be made easier. 

RESOLVED

That the briefing be noted.

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

The Committee received the briefing from Councillor Dilek Dogus (Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Wellbeing) and advance questions and responses.

The Committee noted that measures had been taken to make safeguarding and partnership working the main priorities, including the appointment of an independent chair of the Safeguarding Board and implementing the key actions and recommendations from the recent Independence, Wellbeing and Choice Inspection. 

Lisa Redfern (LB Haringey Assistant Director – Adult & Commissioning Services) informed the Committee, in response to questions on policy for people with dementia, that there were different levels of dementia and those with dementia were provided with the appropriate support package and this was monitored.  The Committee would be provided with a briefing note on sheltered housing detailing what the term meant and the key priorities for a sheltered housing scheme and details on self-assessments.

The Committee asked for a briefing note on the improved joined-up working between Haringey and the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and how new cases, particularly Mental Health cases, were brought into the system, including key contact phone numbers.

The Committee was concerned about the delay in receiving the Haringey PCT budget and were informed that regular joint meetings with PCT staff including monthly budget meetings and quarterly management meetings took place. 

The Committee expressed the importance of consulting with other groups including doctors and local groups regarding communication from the PCT and Haringey on health matters.

The Committee was informed that consultations with local groups and individuals and raising the awareness of the personalisation programme (to help people arrange their care in the way they need it) were on-going.  Information on the work being done to educate carers on the personalisation programme would be circulated to the Committee.

The Committee was concerned about resourcing of the 2012 Olympics and whether initiatives were in place to encourage young people to start training or to volunteer to help.  The Assistant Director - Recreation Services explained the number of initiatives in place and stated that as part of the Culture Plan the Council had obtained an events grant to pay for events to celebrate the 2012 Olympics and was constantly submitting bids for further funding.  The Committee requested a report detailing the activities conducted by the Council in the run up to the Olympics.

The Committee requested details of the public consultation on the master-planning of Down Lane Park to be circulated.  Councillor Basu assured the Committee that the Ward Councillor was involved in the planning process and any loss of land in one area of the park would be regained in another area of the park.

The Committee requested a breakdown of the £435k income received by the Parks Service.

Diana Edmunds (Assistant Director – Culture, Libraries and Learning) stated that there were plans to publish regular newsletters updating the local community on funding, opportunities and work being undertaken.

The Assistant Director - Recreation Services provided the Committee with a breakdown of the new arrangements for the Park Force teams that provided  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member, Enforcement and Safer Communities informing Overview and Scrutiny of the high-level actions to meet strategic priorities and objectives. A progress report at the end of Quarter 1 is also included.

Wayne Longshaw, Interim Assistant Chief Executive - Policy, Performance, Partnership and Communication (PPPC), introduced the report highlighting the seven key objectives in appendix 1 of the report. 

The Committee requested further details on Capital Funding Projects within the Safer Communities Capital Fund.

The Committee expressed a need for minimum standards for Neighbourhood Watches particularly regarding signs being erected in neighbourhoods.  Mr Longshaw agreed to ensure an update was sent to members on where the Council was in regards to standards and other Neighbourhood Watch arrangements.

RESOLVED

i.          That the adoption of the problem-solving model and arrangements for robust and regular monitoring of performance against actions and targets be noted.

ii.         That the progress against targets and actions be noted.

To receive the report of NHS Haringey responding to the Scrutiny Review of Stroke Prevention.

CLERKS NOTE

At this point in the meeting Councillor Adamou took over as Chair.

The Committee received the NHS Haringey response to the Scrutiny Review of Stroke Prevention introduced by Eugenia Cronin (NHS Haringey).

RESOLVED

That the response be noted.

To receive a short verbal update on high intensity users from James Slater, Director of Primary Care – NHS Haringey (this will be followed by a full written report at the next meeting).

This item was deferred until the next meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

To consider the report of the Director of Adult, Culture and Community Service on the review of the 2005 Sport and Physical Activity Strategy and Action Plan.

The Committee received the presentation by Andrea Keeble (Sport & Recreation Programme Manager) updating on the 2005 Sport and Physical Activity Strategy and asking for the Committee’s steer on how to take a review of the strategy forward.

The Committee asked what savings could be made by the establishment of a leisure trust.  The Assistant Director - Recreation Services explained that the Council would benefit from tax savings in relation to non-domestic rates as the leisure trust would be a non-profit organisation.

CLERKS NOTE

Councillor Bull returned to the meeting and took over as Chair.

The Committee noted the need for a swimming pool in the Wood Green area and raised concerns that 8 out of 11 key performance indicators were not being met, questioning whether the wrong targets were being used.  The Assistant Director – Recreation Services explained that the targets were based on information from the recent National Active People Survey and focused on participation within the Borough and not on the Council’s provision (which counts for only 15% of total activity.

The Committee emphasised the importance of joint working with other organisations including private sports clubs in the Borough and were informed that the Council worked with voluntary sector sports providers and others including the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club Foundation which were part of the Council’s Community Sports and Physical Activity Network.  

In response to the Committee’s concerns about provision for Looked After Children (LAC) the Assistant Director – Recreation Services informed members that pilot initiatives were being developed by the Recreation and Children & Young People’s Departments.

The Committee expressed concerns that there was a lack of Olympic focus and The Committee requested a briefing note about the implications and benefits of establishing a Leisure Trust to manage the leisure facilities in the Borough.  Members would respond to the information in order to inform the strategy.                                                                               

The Committee requested a briefing note on the Council’s negotiations with the Tottenham Hotspur Football Foundation in relation to task no. 44  of the Sport & Physical Activity Strategy Action Plan 2005.

RESOLVED

That the review be noted and that the Committee be updated as the new Sports Strategy is developed.

(Report of the Director of Adult, Culture and Community Services) To provide the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with an implementation update on Executive recommendations resulting from the 2005/6 Scrutiny Review on Allotments.

John Morris (Assistant Director - Recreation Services) and Alex Fraser (Arboricultural Officer) presented the report. 

In response to the Committee’s suggestion that unused land should be turned into allotments the Assistant Director – Recreation Services highlighted the difficulties with land ownership and land classification.

Committee members asked about the on-going issue regarding Thames Water potentially selling a site at Fortis Green that the site association (set up by local residents) objected to.  The Assistant Director – Recreation Services explained Thames Water had withdrawn from selling the site at auction and negotiations would take place about possibility of the site association purchasing the land.  Council officers and Councillor Canver, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Safer Communities, were working closely with the residents’ association to plan recreational use of the site.

The Committee asked if young people were being encouraged to grow food and were informed that some allotments sites worked with local schools independently and the Children’s Services department ran an environment education programme which some allotment schemes were involved with.

Councillor Santry who attended the meeting expressed concerns that a number of plots in the White Hart Lane Ward were underused and not managed and that this was a waste of resources. The Assistant Director – Recreation Services informed members that these plots would be let in the next 6 months.  A role had been created by the Allotments Forum for a Site Associations Secretary (a role not funded by the Council) who would be responsible for managing allotment tenancies, site inspections and follow-up duties.  The Council provided allotment sites with grants of between £100 and £700 towards basic repairs  and there were other organisations which provided some support for allotments.

The Committee noted that the letting of derelict plots and security was problematic although the problem had improved in recent years with the Arboricultural Officer being in post.   The Assistant Director of Recreational Services explained that bids for funding to improve sites were made, although not always successful, and some discussions with stakeholders had occurred regarding site rent increases.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

a)                 To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 27^th July 2009

b)                 To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th July 2009

RESOLVED

i.          That the minutes of the meeting held on 27^th July 2009 be confirmed as a correct record of the meeting subject to the amendment of minute no. OSCO21 to include that the Committee challenged the quality of the response to the question on Value for Money (advance question 25).

ii.         That the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th July 2009 be confirmed as a correct record of the meeting.

There were no new items of urgent business.

Thursday 17^th September 2009

Monday 26^th October 2009

Monday 23^rd November 2009

Thursday 3^rd December 2009

Wednesday 16^th December 2009

Monday 4^th January 2010

Monday 15^th February 2010

Monday 8^th  March 2010

Monday 29^th March 2010

April 2010 (to be confirmed)

Thursday 17^th September 2009

Monday 26^th October 2009

Monday 23^rd November 2009

Thursday 3^rd December 2009

Wednesday 16^th December 2009

Monday 4^th January 2010

Monday 15^th February 2010

Monday 8^th  March 2010

Monday 29^th March 2010

April 2010 (to be confirmed)