Agenda and minutes

Please note: This meeting may be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council's internet site - at the start of the meeting the Chair will confirm if all or part of the meeting is being filmed. The images and sound recording may be used for training purposes within the Council.

Generally the public seating areas are not filmed. However, by entering the meeting room and using the public seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings for webcasting and/or training purposes.

If you have any queries regarding this, please contact the Committee Clerk

at the meeting.

The meeting was web-cast for live and future broadcasting on the Council’s website.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Karen Alexander, Helena Kania (LINk) and Pam Moffatt (LINk).

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 19 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.

Councillors Bull and Winskill declared personal interests in agenda items 8 (Homes for Haringey Performance Report) and 9 (Housing Allocations Policy) as they were Haringey leaseholders.

Councillor Dogus declared a personal interest in item 6 as she was a Trustee of the Bridge Renewal Trust.

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 – Councillor Dilek Dogus, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services.

The Committee received the portfolio briefing from the Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services and written responses to the advance questions submitted.  In response to supplementary questions the following was noted.

The Committee congratulated the Adult and Community Services department on its performance but emphasised the need for partners in the NHS to continue working closely with the Council, particularly in the implementation of the NHS Continuing Care scheme, despite future uncertainty and budget pressures.  The Director of Adult, Culture and Community Services, Mun Thong Phung, explained that he had met with the Chief Executive of Haringey Primary Care Trust (PCT) to remind him of the need to adhere to the Continuing Care guidance and that the PCT had responsibilities for joint care arrangements.

Re. Q2 – The Committee requested a briefing note updating on the Council’s response to the Health White Paper and the GP Consortia structure as details emerged (Action no. 115.1). In response to questioning, the Cabinet Member explained that the Council’s view was that, whilst the establishment of GP consortia would make accountability difficult, Haringey should contain one or two GP groups in Haringey.  The national guidance set the standard at a minimum of one GP consortium per 500 thousand people, although GPs had the flexibility to choose not to accept the guidance.

Re. Q2 – The draft Health and Well Being Board Structure would be circulated to the Committee (Action no. 115.2).

Re. Q7 – In response to a question it was confirmed that Extra Care provision through a new independent partner, (Hill Homes)  for the whole Borough, in order to deliver quality care more effectively, would be available from March 2011.

Re. Q8 – The Committee would be sent details on any future plans for changes to the provision of mobile and housebound library services (Action no. 115.3).

Re. Q9 – In response to suggestions that local residents be encouraged to take over the running of libraries through social enterprise the Cabinet Member stated that all options were being considered although the preference was for libraries to remain in the Council’s ownership. 

Re.  The Laurels Health Centre – The Cabinet Member shared the concerns of members and residents about the incomplete building works and operational matters at the Laurels Health Centre and informed the Committee that she and other Council representatives had met with PCT partners and asked them to address the operational issues.

            The Committee noted the briefing and thanked the Cabinet Member.

Briefing and answers to questions – Councillor Bernice Vanier, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion.

The Committee received the portfolio briefing from the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion and written responses to the advance questions submitted.  In response to supplementary questions the following was noted.

Re. Q2 – Officers confirmed that the new duties required by the Equalities Act 2010 would be implemented effectively and planned briefings with Council members and staff and the publishing of equalities data would ensure the requirements were met.

Re. Q4 & 5 – The Committee requested an update towards the end of the financial year on how partnership working will be maintained despite a reduction in resources to prevent and reduce youth re-offending (Action no. 116.1).  The Head of Safer, Stronger Communities, recognised the Committee’s concern for the need for further close working with the voluntary sector in light of the reduction in funding and advised that this would be part of a review of the Community Safety service.

Post meeting note:

Re. Q9 – Comments can be submitted as part of the consultation on the future of neighbourhood policing until 21^st January 2011 using the following link:

http://www.keysurvey.co.uk/survey/339166/19e4/

A Committee Member asked how public confidence in the Police was encouraged.  It was noted that the Police service engaged with the community through the Council’s area assembly meetings, local churches and voluntary groups and independent advisory panels.  The police also provided victim support and family liaison officers worked closely with individual families. 

Re. Q12 & 13 – The Committee noted that the Council gathered intelligence on human trafficking and domestic violence through various sources, although in general, there was not a large flow of information.  Information, however, was available from local community groups and Council buildings for people in situations of domestic violence.

Re. Q15 – The Committee would be sent a written response to a question about the murder conviction rate in the Borough (Action no. 116.2). 

Re. Q16 &17 – A Committee Member raised concern that the Youth Offending Service (YOS) was not adequately monitoring child protection referrals to the Children and Young People’s Service.  It was noted that when a case was opened it was monitored via monthly case supervision by the relevant YOS manager and any cases for concern were referred for action to the YOS Strategic Manager who was a member of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).

The Committee expressed thanks for the work of Dave Grant who had recently announced his retirement as the Borough Commander for Haringey.

The Committee noted the briefing and thanked the Cabinet Member.

To consider the Homes for Haringey half-yearly performance report.

The Committee received the Homes for Haringey Performance report, introduced by Rowann Limond, Executive Director of Resources, Homes for Haringey (HfH).

In response to concerns about the Audit Commission giving Haringey a low performance grade in the area of grounds maintenance the Committee noted that monitoring information showed that there had been a dip in the level of maintenance during the week of inspection.  Page 23 of the agenda pack showed the overall grades, which exceeded the 96% target.

The Committee noted that, although there were concerns about the reduction of Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) funding, those councils with ALMOs already in place would receive preferential treatment in the allocation of funds.

Officers noted the Committee’s concerns about the increase in rent arrears as people lost jobs in the current economic climate.  It was reported that ways other boroughs dealt with rent arrears had been investigated, including writing-off small amounts of debt where tenants had continued to pay rent thereafter and the possibility of obtaining the first months rent in advance.  Workshops dealing with debt management were offered to tenants and the threat of eviction was successful in encouraging rent payment.

A discussion about void properties took place and it was noted that the void time began as soon as a property was vacated until a new tenant moved into that property.  New tenants were assisted in setting achievable start dates for new tenancies and discrepancies in property vacation dates were monitored on a monthly basis. A briefing would be circulated in response to a Co-opted member asking how void turnaround times were affected by squatters (Action no. 117.1).

The Committee asked for figures for the number of tenants evicted as a result of anti-social behaviour (Action no. 117.2) and noted that Homes for Haringey was working with the Council to plan how funding could increase to ensure that the service dealing with anti-social behaviour continued.

The Committee would be sent the results of recent annual tenancy fraud audits as well as comparative data on the numbers of illegal tenants found in other Boroughs (Action no. 117.3).

In response to the information on Welcome Visits, provided at Appendix 2, a Committee Member asked for more information on the Notice to Quit (NTQ) process (Action 117.4).

RESOLVED to note the performance of Homes for Haringey for the period concerned and the actions being taken to improve performance where targets were not being met.

To receive a verbal update on the NHS Haringey pharmaceutical need assessment.

The Committee received the information relating to the launch of the NHS Haringey consultation on the pharmaceutical needs assessment which highlighted a number of gaps in provision of pharmaceutical services in the Borough.  The online survey can be completed at the following website: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9NKJVYH

A Committee Member highlighted the need to consider the needs of people who were housebound.

The Committee noted the information.

To consider a report on the consultation carried out for the draft Housing Allocation Policy.

The Committee received the report on the consultation on the new Housing Allocations Policy, introduced by Rosie Green, Strategy and Partnerships Manager.

The Committee asked what the general response was to the period of transition to the new policy and the appeals process.  The Strategy and Partnerships Manager explained that no major concerns had been raised and people were mainly interested in finding out what housing band they would be in as part of the new arrangements.  Officers had received more questions on the process from service providers and a stakeholder event was being held for anyone wanting to be involved.

The Committee sought reassurance that people coming into the Borough would not be given preferential treatment before Haringey residents on the housing register.  The Strategy and Partnerships Manager advised that whilst the Council had a duty to house those people entering the Borough, people had to demonstrate a local connection. The new Housing Allocations Policy strengthened this requirement.

The Committee would be sent an internet link to the Homes for Haringey web-pages which showed where in the Borough rented and empty properties were situated (Action 119.10).

RESOLVED to note the results of the extensive 3 months consultation exercise, which supported the proposed changes to the way in which applications for housing were administered and prioritised, including the use of housing needs bands, instead of points, as the basis for determining applicants’ relative priority.

To consider the report updating on the progress by Homes for Haringey in achieving the decent homes standard (to follow).

The Committee received the Decent Homes Programme update report, introduced by Peter Maddison, Head of Asset Management.

The Committee noted that Decent Homes work on the Borough’s supported housing schemes would start in December 2010 and would continue until July 2011.  Specific dates for works would be circulated (Action no. 120.1).

A Committee Member requested the performance data relating to defects further to contractors work and how quickly repairs were completed (Action no. 120.2). 

A Committee Member highlighted the low figures for resident satisfaction in Wood Green compared to the 97% average.  The Head of Asset Management explained that this was due to smaller properties in the Wood Green area and agreed to provide more detail in a briefing note (Action no. 120.3). 

In response to concerns raised the Committee noted that if residents refused decent homes work officers attempted to re-arrange at later dates; work in conservation areas were sometimes higher in cost particularly due to the cost of timber for windows however refurbishment rather than replacement windows would always be the preferred option.

The Committee congratulated the Head of Asset Management on his work and the improvement works conducted as well as the good turnaround times.

RESOLVED to note the progress to date with Year 3 of the Decent Homes Programme.

To receive the information report on the Haringey Efficiency programme.

The Committee received the report on the closure of the Haringey Forward programme, introduced by Catherine Galvin, Programme Director.

The Committee noted that the Haringey Forward team consisted of 3.5 posts and other officers working on specific projects for the programme. 

A briefing note detailing the amount of money spent on achieving each Value for Money (VFM) project (listed on Page 47 of the report) was requested (Action no. 121.1).

RESOLVED to note the report.

Clerk’s note:  20:28 hrs The Chair left the meeting and Councillor Browne took over as Chair.  Councillor Bull returned at 20:35 and resumed as Chair.

To receive the information report on the Council’s asset management.

The Committee received the report on Asset management, introduced by Dinesh Kotecha, Head of Corporate Property Services.

In response to comments that wider use of community buildings should be encouraged the Head of Corporate Property Services advised that some leases included provisions about how buildings can be utilised for community provision but not all. HAVECO (Haringey Association of Voluntary and Community Organisations) recently led a workshop to explore ways to encourage wider use of council buildings and some organisations had let-out buildings to assist with rent payment.  This would be explored further as part of a forthcoming scrutiny review.

A Committee Member asked for a briefing note on the annual income of investment properties; what the net income was to the Council (including the difference between commercial and non-commercial incomes); what the current void percentage was and the associated loss in rent and an explanation of the £86,000 value of community assets (Action no. 122.1).

A Co-opted Member highlighted that the communication in relation to the refurbishment of Tottenham Town Hall was misleading.  The Head of Corporate Property Services would provide a briefing note explaining that housing would be developed behind Tottenham Town Hall and the Town Hall would be refurbished and used as a business base with some community access in a similar way to the redevelopment of Hornsey Town Hall (Action no. 122.2).

The Committee requested a briefing note on what properties the Council owned in Lawrence Road (Action 122.3).

In response to concerns raised about lease renewals and large rent increases the Head of Corporate Property Services explained that there had been delays in the renewal of leases in previous years and as a result there was a backlog (of which 95% had since been cleared).  Tenants had always been notified that rent reviews were due and to allow budget provisions, however, payment plans were agreed with tenants who had difficulties in paying the increases.

The Committee highlighted their concerns about the delay to building work to the Laurels Health Centre and noted the delay was due to the PCT commencing building works without the appropriate planning consent.  More information would be circulated to Committee Members (Action no. 122.4).

RESOLVED to note the report.

To consider a report on the Council’s use of consultants.

The Committee received the report on the Council’s use of consultants, presented by Stuart Young, Assistant Chief Executive, and noted that consultants were funded from a variety of funding streams and that the Council currently employed 16 consultants and aimed to half this figure by January 2011.

The Committee requested a briefing note detailing the benefits, long term knowledge transfer and other data relevant to the Council’s use of consultants (Action no. 123.1). 

RESOLVED to note the progress that had been made in reducing the number of consultants across the Council and the policy arrangement in place for engaging and monitoring consultants.

To agree to amendments to the previously agreed terms of reference for the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee that was set up to engage with the NHS on the North Central London Service and Organisation Review.

The Committee received the report on the amendments to the terms of reference of the Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee to consider the North Central London Service and Organisation review and thanks the Scrutiny Officer, Rob Mack for his work on the report.

RESOLVED that it be recommended to Full Council that the terms of reference for the Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee be amended to take on the role outlined within the report.

To approve the draft scope, terms of reference and work plan for the scrutiny review on the 20 mph speed limit (to follow).

RESOLVED that the scope, terms of reference and work plan for the scrutiny review on the 20 mile per hour (mph) speed limit be approved.

To agree the Scope and Terms of Reference of the Scrutiny Review of Corporate Parenting (to follow).

RESOLVED that the scope, terms of reference and work plan for the scrutiny review of corporate parenting be approved.

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 28^th July, 29^th July, 6^th September, 4^th October, 20^th October and 1^st November 2010.

The minutes of the meetings held on 29^th July 2010, 6^th September 2010, 4^th October 2010 and 20^th October 2010 were confirmed as a correct record of the proceedings.

There were no new items.

Monday 6^th December 2010

Monday 31^st January 2011

Monday 28^th February 2011

Monday 28^th March 2011

Thursday 17^th March 2011 (Child Protection)

Monday 28^th March 2011

Monday 9^th May 2011

Noted the future meetings (6pm start unless otherwise stated):

Monday 20^th December 2010 (10am)

Monday 31^st January 2011

Monday 28^th February 2011

Monday 28^th March 2011

Thursday 17^th March 2011 (Child Protection)

Monday 28^th March 2011

Monday 9^th May 2011

To note the actions completed since the last meeting.

ADD OUTSTANDING ACTION

The actions were noted.

The meeting ended at 21:20 hrs.