Agenda and minutes

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at the meeting.

NOTED that due to technical difficulties it had not been possible to record the meeting as a live web-cast, although a non-live version was recorded.

An apology for absence was received from Mariatta Ezeji (Co-opted Parent Governor).

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 below).

There were no urgent items.

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.

An opportunity for the Committee to question the Cabinet Member, Councillor Nilgun Canver, on the Environment portfolio.

The Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Councillor Nilgun Canver, introduced the new Single Frontline Services structure combining two arms: Traffic Management Services and Neighbourhood Services.  The 3 new Neighbourhood Action Teams covering different parts of the borough had been established and would be officially launched in January 2012.  The Cabinet Member also reported a 50% reduction in the Parks Service budget and that the Council was working with Friends of the Parks groups to look at some of the concerns, including how funds could contribute towards seasonal staff and parks maintenance, new volunteering initiatives and small community grants to help groups improve local areas.

The following was noted in response to questions and observations:

• In response to concerns that services, particularly the collection of dumped rubbish, were slower to reach the east of the borough the Cabinet Member explained that a pilot scheme to monitor fly-tipping was being implemented covering the Tottenham Hale, Tottenham Green and Seven Sisters Wards. A member highlighted that there had previously been a similar pilot in Seven Sisters; the results of which had never been communicated to ward members.  The Cabinet Member explained that the new pilot was to build on the information obtained in the original scheme whilst working with the new environmental services contractor.
• Committee members commented that one-way streets often had a knock-on affect causing traffic and pollution in surrounding roads.  The Cabinet Member invited details of specific areas which could be investigated.
• In response to concerns raised about the impact of less funding for parks on mental health service users it was recognised that a good quality of open spaces was still required and the Council continued to work with local groups in relation to running activities, and providing facilities and leisure activities for vulnerable groups.
• As a result of changes in funding and the high cost of the project there were still some areas where street lighting was yet to be renewed, however, a programme for renewing the remaining street lights was currently being developed. 
• The Cabinet Member would be attending a meeting on 10 January 2012 to discuss transport planning and possible improvements in the Green Lanes/ Arena Retail Park area.  There was regular liaison between the Council and Sainsbury on the retail park, who employed an officer to control the traffic on Sainsbury land.  The Council had not been able to liaise directly with Arena but would continue its efforts.
• Members thanked the Cabinet Member, Veolia and Parks officers for work to bring Gourlay Place and the Stroud Green section of Parkland Walk back into good states.
• In response to the Committee highlighting Islington Council’s proposals for a borough-wide 20 mile per hour (mph) zone, the Cabinet Member explained that much of Islington was already a 20 mph zone but there were resourcing issues surrounding enforcement.  Haringey’s Traffic Management Team had responded to the scrutiny review of 20 mph zones and implemented 20 mph zones where there were safety concerns but a borough-wide approach would be costly and not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

To receive the exceptions report on performance information.

RECEIVED the Council’s Quarterly Performance Assessment report for quarter 2, 2011/2012 (pages 1 – 27 of the agenda pack) introduced by Margaret Gallagher (Policy Team Manager), Eve Pelekanos (Head of Policy, Intelligence and Partnership) and Helena Pugh (Strategic Partnership Manager).  The Committee also received the tabled document summarising the borough’s priorities/ outcomes framework agreed in the Sustainable Community Strategy and the 2010/11 Council Plan.

In response to questions and discussions the following was noted:

• Members questioned the absence of performance data on young people’s sexual health and obesity and it was noted that this information was reported on an annual basis.
• It was explained that performance reports focussed on specific areas of concern but this did not mean that other areas were not being monitored. 
• The Committee asked for performance information on housing voids to be included in future reports.
• A briefing session on the impact of the Localism Bill would be held for council members.
• In response to comments about the Council making use of external funding it was reported that often bids for funding required match-funding or resources which the Council could not supply therefore the Council prioritised the funds it applied for.
• A Committee member suggested revisiting the issue of youth club provision in response to youth and gang violence.
• It was reported that whilst English GCSE results were below the English GCSE Baccalaureate (a new measure of achievement) this particular indicator was not currently a priority for headteachers who were focusing on driving up the results in the other 5 important subjects and vocational areas for child attainment purposes.  Headteachers’ priorities may have to change if government and Ofsted judgements were based on the English Baccalaureate in future.
• It was reported that the time for processing housing benefit claims slowed in the second quarter due to the increase in demand and the effect of the current economic situation but this was still indicated by a green traffic light indicator as figures were based on trends.
• In response to concerns at the lack of data from the health service it was noted that the Council had only received quarter 1 figures and health partners had agreed to provide more accurate date in the future.

RESOLVED that the report be noted and the following actions be delegated to the appropriate directorate/ officers:

• The Committee requested a briefing note on the implications of the Localism Bill on Haringey and details of any local authorities that have piloted the use of the powers and freedoms prescribed by the Bill. It was suggested that officers provide presentations for local residents at Area Committee meetings. (Action 65.1)
• The Committee agreed that Housing Voids were an important performance indicator and should be reported in all performance monitoring reports.  (Action 65.2)
• The Committee would be sent the terms of reference of the Strategic Partnership’s review of social inclusion and worklessness. (Action 65.3)
• A briefing explaining the concept and legal aspects of academies would be circulated to the Committee.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

To receive the exceptions report on budget information.

RECEIVED the Council’s Financial Performance Forecast as at 30^th September 2011 as laid out on pages 29 – 41 of the agenda pack, introduced by Kevin Bartle, Chief Finance Officer.

NOTED the following in response to questions and discussion:

• There were 12 schools (including 3 secondary schools) with licensed deficits (deficits approved by the Council and paid back over 3 years) and others with unapproved deficits.  The main reason for school deficits was a drop in pupil numbers when a school was at a comfortable spending position and then did not react to reduce spending.  The funding for a child did not move with that child if they changed schools.
• Where a school was becoming an academy and had a deficit: the deficit would remain with the local authority for sponsored academies but converter academies deficits would remain with the academy.
• It was explained that there had been a delay in restructuring translation and interpretation services (paragraph 5.3) due to the initial division for shared services with other local authorities and collaboratives not working out.  It was suggested that the Council approached HAVCO (Haringey Association of Voluntary and Community Organisations) to discuss translation and interpretation requirements rather than commercial organisations.
• The Techno Park was particularly underachieving in terms of budgeted levels (targets, paragraph 8.1) and would be included in the Council’s property review looking into how properties could be better utilised.
• It was reported that the Council had applied to the Government for £300k for support to businesses affected by the summer riots, £250k rate relief plus a £1.5 million claim through the Recovery Scheme.  The Council was not waiting for the Government funds to come through before providing support to those affected.
• Following the end of the Making the Difference budgets a member asked whether area committees would receive alternative funds to allocate.  The Assistance Chief Executive stated that this would be discussed at a future meeting of area committee chairs

RESOLVED that the report be noted and the following actions be delegated to the appropriate directorate/ officers:

The Committee would be sent figures for schools that had been in deficit the previous year (for comparison against the 12 schools forecasting deficits this year). (Action 66.1)

Paragraph 4.4 - Adult Care Packages – The Committee requested further explanation on the pressures for identified across Adults Commissioning. (Action 66.2)

Paragraph 7.15 – Pupil Premium – The Committee requested a briefing detailing the schools that would benefit from the increase in pupil premiums with the schools identified by ward and including the annual amount that they would receive. (Action 66.3.1)

The Committee requested a briefing on the Affordable Housing Project. (Action 66.3)

To consider the update on the scrutiny review of Engaging with Hard to Reach Communities.

RECEIVED the update on the recommendations of the scrutiny review conducted in 2009/10 on Engaging with Hard to Reach Groups, introduced by Stuart Young (Assistant Chief Executive) as laid out on pages 43 – 58 of the agenda pack.  

NOTED further to discussion and questions:

• The focus was now on partnership working and some of the recommendations from the review were no longer valid due to changes.
• It was recognised that a good balance of working with community services and the voluntary sector was required and the Council was working with HAVCO about reshaping local services.  It was highlighted that HAVCO represented groups and it was often individuals who did not belong to any community groups that were hard to reach.   
• Concerns were raised about bigger organisations receiving funding over smaller organisations.

RESOLVED to note the update report.

To receive the scoping report for the review of Children Missing from Care.

RECEIVED the scoping report for the scrutiny review on Children Missing from Care and from Home, introduced by Councillor Alexander, as laid out in pages 59 – 69 of the agenda pack.

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

To receive the recommendations of the Budget Scrutiny Panel. (TO FOLLOW)

RECEIVED the final report of the 2012/13 Budget Scrutiny Review (circulated separately to the agenda pack) introduced by the Vice Chair who highlighted an amendment to recommendation vi. (as shown below).  The Vice Chair explained the process  for scrutinising the budget (short reviews of three agreed areas) and emphasised the importance of clear scoping of budget reviews in future.  He explained that the Panel deliberately adopted a broad-brush stroke approach (general recommendations rather than detailed) with the intention of improving outcomes for residents, transparency and better value for money.

He expressed concerns that the process was highly compressed and suggested that the budget scrutiny process should begin at the end of the summer to enable engagement with officers and departments early on.  The process should be seen as adding value to departments and it was important that there was openness between officers and members.

A committee member expressed disappointment at the short timescales by which the Panel had to scrutinise the budget and highlighted that some issues required more detail, this was supported by another member.  Another member expressed that the focus on three areas of the budget during the process was useful and resulted in the proposals seen in the recommendations.  It was highlighted that this process had been slightly different in that it worked on the focused areas with departments to agree outcomes. 

The Committee thanked all officers involved particularly Melanie Ponomarenko, Policy Officer working on the Budget Scrutiny Review, the Chief Finance Officer and the Director of Corporate Resources.

RESOLVED that the Budget Scrutiny Recommendations be agreed;

i.          subject to the amended wording for the Looked After Children Recommendation no. 6:

“The Panel feels that considerable savings and a better service for clients could be achieved by the use of electronic means to transfer legal case work documents.  The Panel therefore recommends that officers collaborate with neighbouring local authorities to raise this issue with out local courts to identify a local solution.”

ii.         and that the following actions be delegated to directorates/ officers:

Voluntary Sector funding – the Committee requested more information about how viable bids were put together and expressed concerns that smaller voluntary organisations were being left out as larger organisations received much of the available funding. (Action 69.1)

Olympic Legacy – the Committee asked for a briefing explaining how the small grant of £60k would be allocated. (Action 69.2)

Committee members raised concerns that the budget scrutiny process did not include consultation at all Area Committees.

It was also agreed that the Committee should feed into the review  of the new governance arrangements.

RESOLVED that the comments above be noted by officers.

None.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th October 2011.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10^th October 2012 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To note the following dates:

Wednesday 14^th December 2011

Monday 6^th February 2012

Monday 30^th April 2012

14^th December 2011

6^th February 2012.

To note the actions completed since the last meeting.

NOTED the actions.

The meeting ended at 21:15 hrs.