Agenda and minutes

Please note that this meeting may be filmed or recorded by the Council for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site or by anyone attending the meeting using any communication method. Although we ask members of the public recording, filming or reporting on the meeting not to include the public seating areas, members of the public attending the meeting should be aware that we cannot guarantee that they will not be filmed or recorded by others attending the meeting. Members of the public participating in the meeting (e.g. making deputations, asking questions, making oral protests) should be aware that they are likely to be filmed, recorded or reported on. 

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.

The chair of the meeting has the discretion to terminate or suspend filming or recording, if in his or her opinion continuation of the filming, recording or reporting would disrupt or prejudice the proceedings, infringe the rights of any individual or may lead to the breach of a legal obligation by the Council.

NOTED.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ayisi and Yvonne Denny.

Councillor Gallagher attended as a substitute for Councillor Ayisi.

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 16 below).

There was no such business.

Councillors Gallagher and Hearn declared an interest in respect of item 8 as they were Stroud Green ward councillors.

None.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2016.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2016 be approved as a correct record.

To receive and note the minutes of the following Scrutiny Panels and to approve any recommendations contained within:

i)          Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Panel – 16 November 2015.

ii)         Environment & Community Safety Scrutiny Panel – 18 January 2016.

iii)       Adults & Health Scrutiny Panel – 18 January 2016.

iv)       Adults & Health Scrutiny Panel – 11 February 2016.

Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Panel – 16 November 2015

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Panel held on 16 November 2015 be noted.

Environment & Community Safety Scrutiny Panel – 18 January 2016

Councillor Jogee advised the Committee that since the publication of these minutes further clarification had been received, and so an updated set of minutes would be provided at a future meeting for noting.

Adults & Health Scrutiny Panel – 18 January 2016

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Adults & Health Scrutiny Panel held on 18 January 2016 be noted.

Adults & Health Scrutiny Panel – 11 February 2016

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Adults & Health Scrutiny Panel held on 11 February 2016 be noted.

This report provides an update on actions that were agreed by Cabinet on 15 December 2015 in response to implementing the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommendations.

Simon Farrow introduced the report as set out. 

The following arose from discussion of the report:

-           This was an update following the agreement of recommendations in December 2015 by Cabinet.  The appendix outlined the full updates to the recommendations.

-           A solicitors letter had been received with regards to the amount of space used by Wireless in 2015.  The Council had sought legal opinion and had responded to the letter, explaining that the Council were acting within legal bounds.

-           Live Nation already held a premises licence for events in Finsbury Park, but they would need to apply for permission to hire the Park for each event.  The Council had consulted with 36 local stakeholder groups, and 10 responses had been received.  In addition, 12 responses had been received via social media.  These responses have been fed into the consultation process.  With regard to ticket sales, it was not uncommon for events to go on sale before a hire contract had been signed.

-           There would be a small free ticket giveaway to people in the immediate vicinity.

-           A leaflet would be sent out to local residents in the next few weeks, and set out how much was received in total income from last years events.  However, the actual amount paid by an individual would remain commercially sensitive.

-           The first Stakeholder Group meeting would be influenced by whether it could be held during the purdah period.  It was expected that the first meeting would be held in between the two purdah periods and then one immediately.

-           Security / stewarding would be provided by four different companies, which should help in terms of providing adequate cover in all areas of the Park. 

ACTION – to provide a further update following the summer events (October).

RESOLVED that the progress made to date be noted.

This report is a further update in relation to the service responses contained in the Cabinet report of the16 September 2014 (in response to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee report of the 10 April 2014). 

The Chair welcomed Astrid Kjellberg-Obst and Sean Gardener to the meeting.  Astrid Kjellberg-Obst introduced the report as set out.

The following matters arose from discussion of the report:

-           This was the third update since the recommendations had been agreed by Cabinet.

-           The number of tenants affected by the Bedroom Tax had substantially reduced and Homes for Haringey were continuing to support people with transfers and mutual exchanges.

-           The relationship between Homes for Haringey and the Benefits Team had improved due to more frequent communications between the teams and the sharing of information.

-           Tenants who downsized by two bedrooms would receive a grant of £2000, and those who downsized by one bedroom would receive £500.

-           Where tenants were in arrears it was important that officers distinguish whether the tenant ‘couldn’t’ or ‘wouldn’t’ pay.  The purpose of sending letters to tenants was to prompt them to contact the Council in order to look at what support was available to them.  If no agreement could be reached, then the Council would have to take a legal route.

-           Benefit Cap – not a lot of information had been provided since the government announcement, but it was thought that the cap would be timetabled in tranches across different areas or groups of people.  The cap would affect a large number of Homes for Haringey tenants.

RESOLVED that an update be provided on the Welfare Reform changes.

The Chair thanked all for attending.

This report provides an overall summary of the Customer Services Transformation Programme.

The Chair welcomed Andrew Rostom and Vivin Acharya to the meeting. 

The following matters arose from discussion of the report:

NOTED:

-       The Customer Services Transformation Programme was one of main council transformation programmes. The report provided details on key items already delivered, and it was projected that the programme would be delivered within the planned budget.

-       Marcus Garvey Library – there had been some slippages due constructural elements, however it was felt that the May deadline was still achievable.

-       Muswell Hill Library – initial feasibility studies showed that £1m needed to be spent on the existing building to make it fit for purpose.  A consultation would begin post-purdah.

-       A fundamental aspect of the new Customer Services model was to enable inclusive support, and to provide assistance to help people help themselves.  Support would always be available to those who were unable to access or use technology. 

-       A series of panels had been run in the last year, with 25 residents in attendance.  Out of these, 86% regularly used the Council’s website, and 70% used it via a phone or tablet. 

-       In month one of launching ‘My Account’, over 2600 people had activated their account.  Information on how to access ‘My Account’ would be included with the annual Council Tax bill.

RESOLVED that an update would be provided in six months.

The Chair thanked all for attending.

This report outlines the proposed treasury management partnership with the Greater London Authority (GLA) that will entail the GLA undertaking day to day investment of Council cash balances and providing advice and implementation of borrowing decisions, together with treasury reporting to Committees. 

The Chair welcomed Tracie Evans to the meeting. 

The following matters arose from discussion of the report:

-       The decision to move the Treasury Management function was taken by Tracie Evans under delegated authority.  The main reason for this decision were that the skills required to manage the function were not adequate within the Council’s own resources, and the GLA had a team with significant skill and expertise.

-       The Treasury Management Strategy would still be approved by the Council, but the GLA would deliver strategic work on the Council’s behalf.  The work would be overseen by Tracie Evans, and Arlingclose would be retained to keep oversight on the GLA.

RESOLVED to note the report.

To receive the report and approve any recommendations contained therein.

Martin Bradford introduced the report as set out.

The following matters arose from discussion of the report:

-       The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) was a charge applied to new local development to help fund local infrastructure needs.  The CIL was introduced in Haringey in November 2014, and receipts had begun to accrue during 2015/16.

-       This review looked at the governance arrangements for the distribution of funds of the neighbourhood CIL.

-       Following publication of the report, representation from local Neighbourhood Forums had been received requesting clarification to the following recommendations:

(i)  in relation to recommendation 3, that Neighbourhood Forums areas are excluded in determining other local areas to which CIL is allocated (as these will have different CIL rate and governance arrangements);

(ii) in relation to provisions within recommendation 10 (in determining spend of the CIL) that these apply specifically to Neighbourhood Forum areas.

RESOLVED to note the report and approve the recommendations.

To receive the report and approve any recommendations contained therein.

Councillor Hearn introduced the report as set out.

RESOLVED to note the report and approve the recommendations.

To receive and note the work programme update.

Christian Scade introduced the report as set out. 

ACTIONS:

-       To mock up work programme in preparation for the Scrutiny café.

RESOLVED to note the report and agree the scoping documents contained within the report.

To approve the proposed arrangements, amended terms of reference and procedures for the JHOSC, subject to further review in one years time.

Councillor Wright introduced the report as set out.

RESOLVED that the Committee recommend to Council that the proposed arrangements, amended terms of reference and procedures for the JHOSC be approved, subject to further review in one years time.

There was no such business.

To note the provisional dates for the 2016/17 Municipal Year:

19 May 2016

21 July 2016

17 October 2016

30 January 2017

27 March 2017

NOTED the provisional dates for the forthcoming Municipal Year.