Agenda and minutes

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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.

The Chair referred Members present to agenda Item one as shown on agenda in respect of filming at the meeting and Members noted the information contained therein.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Morris and Ms Denny and Ms Naseer.

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 as noted below).

None.

A member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a prejudicial interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered:

(i) must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent, and

(ii) may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must withdraw from the meeting room.

A member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Register of Members’ Interests or the subject of a pending notification must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal interests and prejudicial interests are defined at Paragraphs 5-7 and Appendix A of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

None.

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

None.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of 5 October 2017 (attached).

In respect of the 2^nd paragraph of page 3 (agenda item 23.; Review on Disproportionality within the Youth Justice System), Councillor Weston reported that the Black and Minority Ethnic Steering Group had been set up at her behest rather than by the Schools Forum.  In respect the 2^nd paragraph of page 6 (agenda item 24. Financial Monitoring/Budget Savings), Margaret Dennison, Interim Director of Children’s Services, reported that the word “not” should be deleted.

AGREED:

That, subject to the above mentioned amendments, the minutes of the meeting of 5 October 2017 be approved.

To receive and comment on the Annual Report of Haringey Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.

Geraldine Gavin, Interim Independent Chair of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB), introduced the LSCB Annual Report.  She had taken over from Sir Paul Ennals after he had departed in May.  The report focused on what had been successful and what needed to be improved.  Of greatest significance was the recent publication of the revised “Working Together to Safeguard Children” and child death review guidance and new regulations for consultation.  These proposed some major changes. 

From April 2019, LSCBs would cease to exist.  Safeguarding would become the responsibility of three statutory partners; the local authority, CCG and Police.  In respect of the proposals relating to serious case reviews, it was proposed that they would continue to be undertaken locally except where there were issues that might be of national interest, which would be dealt with by a national panel.  New arrangements to review child deaths would need to be agreed locally.  The proposed changes and transitional process carried some risks in their implementation and there was important work to do over the next 18 months to make sure the risks were well managed.

Since coming to Haringey, she had found an active partnership and good dialogue.  She felt that the LSCB was keen and alert to bringing in changes where necessary.  There had been an increasing amount of pressure to access services.  There were currently too many cases being referred inwards and not enough early intervention.   She highlighted a number of issues;

·         The LSCB was giving particular attention to neglect;

·         Gangs and serious youth violence were big issues.  She noted that the borough’s Youth Parliament had identified gangs and crime, mental health and having things to do as their top three priorities;

·         In respect of mental health, a concordat had been signed to prevent young people in crisis being held temporarily in Police stations.  Consideration was being given by the government to passing responsibility for this issue to local authorities; and  

·         The London Safeguarding Board continued to play a significant role.  Issues of child sexual exploitation, female genital mutilation and the Prevent programme were three London wide priorities that all local LSCBs also needed to make progress on.

In answer to a question, she stated that funding for the LSCB was its biggest challenge.  Partners made contributions to the LSCB but the bulk of the funding came from the local authority.  Under the new arrangements, the costs were intended to be shared between the three statutory partners.  Under the current system, the amount contributed by CCGs varied between areas and some other areas received more from their CCG than Haringey.  She commented that the new arrangements would include provision for independent scrutiny, although how this was done would be a matter for local determination.

Ms Gavin commented that she had access to a spreadsheet on LSCB funding across London.  Some boroughs received virtually nothing from external sources to fund their LSCB but payment in kind was sometimes offered instead.  The new guidance stated that all three statutory partners should jointly  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

An opportunity to question Councillor Elin Weston, the Cabinet Member for Children and Families, and Councillor Eugene Ayisi, the Cabinet Member for Communities on developments within their portfolios.

Councillor Eugene Ayisi, the Cabinet Member for Communities, reported on current issues within his portfolio.  In terms of youth services that were provided by the Council, he reported that current provision covered only a small number of young people within the borough.   Schools and other organisations provided a certain amount in addition to this.  A working group had been set up to consider youth provision, including a partnership with Onside to develop a Youth Zone for Haringey.     The ambition was to cater for 1500 young people and provide opportunities for 7 days per week.

In answer to a question regarding the voice of the child, he stated that it was often too late by the time engagement took place with those who came into contact with the Youth Justice Service.   Interventions needed to take place at an earlier stage, before young people got into trouble.   Risk factors could include young people becoming disillusioned with school and exposure to domestic violence.  Although youth services could assist, they were not a silver bullet.

Gill Gibson, Assistant Director for Early Help and Prevention, reported that there were plans to deliver a ‘Hackathon’ participation event on addressing obesity and it was intended to follow this with a further participation event on the theme of knife crime. The Youth Council, who had strong links with schools and community groups, were on the steering group arranging these and so would be involved.

In answer to a question, the Cabinet Member stated that there was an awareness of what provision for young people existed across the borough that was provided by the community and voluntary sector.  The Bridge Renewal Trust had assisted with this process.  Onside would be utilised to help develop additional capacity.  He would be happy to share details of current provision.

In answer to a question regarding Black History Month, he stated that a Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff network had been developed.  He felt that staff were an excellent resource whose contribution could sometimes be overlooked.  However, he felt that it was important that senior management within the Council were reflective of the borough’s diversity.

In response to a question regarding knife crime, he stated that it was important that young people had confidence in the Police to protect them.  However, confidence in the Police in Haringey was low and had been low historically.   Police were now being assigned to primary schools so that relationships could be built up with children from an earlier age.   He felt that there needed to be a dual approach, with enforcement for those who committed offences and support for those who needed it.  Whilst it was necessary sometimes to have a robust approach to enforcement, he felt that there needed to be balance.

Councillor Weston, the Cabinet Member for Children and Families, responded to questions from the Panel.  In respect of the Harris Academy, she stated that it was difficult to know what was behind their very good OFSTED inspection results. Nationally, 57% of their academies  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

To consider the future work plan of the Panel.

AGREED:

That the work plan be approved.