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.

The Chair referred Members present to agenda Item 1 as shown on the agenda in respect of filming at this meeting, and Members noted the information contained therein’.

None

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 Members’ Register of 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 interest are

defined at Paragraphs 5-7 and Appendix A of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Cllr Gina Adamou declared a personal interest in relation to agenda items 7 and 8 by virtue of one of her daughters working in Haringey as a social worker.

Cllr Gina Adamou declared a personal interest in relation to agenda items 7 and 8 by virtue of one of her daughters being a teacher.

Cllr Gina Adamou declared a personal interest in relation to agenda items 7 and 8 by virtue of her son working in the teaching and education sector.

Cllr Pippa Connor declared a personal interest in relation to agenda items 7 and 8 by virtue of her sister working as a GP in Tottenham.

Cllr Pippa Connor declared a personal interest in relation to agenda items 7 and 8 by virtue of being a member of the Royal College of Nursing.

Cllr Charles Adje declared a personal interest in relation to agenda items 7 and 8 by virtue of his employment at the London Fire Brigade as a trade union representative.  

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests or prejudicial interests declared by members.

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 Adults and Health Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 17 November 2016.

To note the minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2016 will be reported to the next meeting.

AGREED:

(a)  That the minutes of the Adults and Health Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 17 November 2016 be approved as a correct record.

(b)  That the minutes of the Adults and Health Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 1 December 2016 be reported to the 6 March 2017 meeting.

To consider and comment on the Council’s draft 5 year (2017/2018 to 2021/2022) Medium Term Financial Strategy proposals relating to the Scrutiny Panel’s remit (Priority 2).

Councillor Jason Arthur, Cabinet Member for Finance and Heath, introduced proposals within the draft Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) relating to Priority 2 of the Corporate Plan. He stated that they needed to be seen within the context of the very severe cuts that there had been to local government funding since 2010. It was noted this had impacted considerably on the Councils ability to provide services, especially in the light of increases in demand. It was noted that at Quarter 2 (September 2016) the Council was projecting a full-year deficit of £22m.

The Panel was informed that the draft MTFS used the last year of the approved MTFS (2017/18), adjusted for known changes, and added a further four years (2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22). Councillor Arthur explained, after taking into account anticipated funding reductions, demand pressures and a review of the base financial position, including the achievability of previously agreed savings, that further savings were required to bridge the resulting budget gap.    

In terms of proposals, relating to Priority 2 of the Corporate Plan, Cllr Arthur explained that officers had developed proposals to address the budget gap with a particular focus on: partnership working; promoting independence; asset utilisation; and fees and charges.

The following issues were considered in relation to demand pressures for adult social care:

-       It was noted increasing client numbers, particularly those requiring relatively high levels of care, was a key reason for the gap.

-       The fact that pressures experienced in Haringey were consistent with wider national trends in health and social care, with demand for services far outstripping resources.

-       The importance of rebalancing resources, as part of the 2017/18 – 2021/22 MTFS, to support growth/demand pressures in adult social care.

Following the Panel’s budget monitoring meeting, held on 17 November 2016, it was agreed information on demand/budget pressures relating to adult social care, provided by the Corporate Delivery Unit, had helped to improve understanding on a range of issues.

During the discussion, reference was made to a recent announcement from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government concerning a £240m transfer from the New Homes Bonus to adult social care funding and confirmation that local authorities would be able to raise the council tax precept for care by 3% in the next two years (2017/18 – 2018/19). However, it was noted that the net increase of the social care precept would need to remain at 6% over the next three financial years, meaning if councils chose to levy 3% in both 2017-18 and in 2018-19, they would not be able to raise a precept in 2019-20. Cllr Arthur explained Haringey’s approach to the precept would be considered as part of the wider work that was taking place to finalise the MTFS for 2017/18 – 2021/22. A variety of issues were also considered, including:

-       The Improved Better Care Fund allocations.

-       Developments concerning Haringey’s Integrated Target Operating Model (ITOM).

-       The key cost drivers for adult social care i.e. the number,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

This report gives details of the proposed scrutiny work programme for the remainder of the municipal year.

Christian Scade, Principal Scrutiny Officer, provided an update on the proposed work programme for the remainder of the 2016/17 municipal year.

AGREED: That subject to the additions, comments and amendments, referred to under the Draft 5 Year Medium Term Financial Strategy item, the areas of inquiry outlined in Appendix A of the Work Programme Update be approved and recommended for endorsement by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

To consider any items admitted at item 3 above.

None

-       6 March 2017

The Chair referred Members present to item 10 as shown on the agenda in respect of future meeting dates, and Members noted the information contained therein’.