The Executive Member for Housing and the Executive Member for Children and Young People.
Minutes:
The Executive Member for Housing and the Executive Member for Children and Young People (Agenda Item 6)
The Executive Member for Housing, Cllr Diakides, gave answers to questions submitted in advance and answered supplementary questions put to him by the Committee as follows:
Q – Does the Council have an legal obligation to support Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), and if so is there any support provided from central government?
A – There is no duty to help, and the Council has no formal powers to either. We can exert political pressure, and are trying to use the leverage of supporting their bids for funding. We work in partnership with RSLs and they sit on Council committees, and the Scrutiny Review from last year helped to instigate good practice.
Q – Can Members access contact lists for RSLs?
A – A list was circulated a year ago, I can arrange for an updated one to be circulated again.
Q – The proposed savings of £1.18m – what is this figure as a percentage of the budget?
A – The total budget is approximately £17m.
Q – Are contractors from the borough used as much as possible for Council works?
A – Value for money is the main criteria for selecting contractors, but we try to use local services as much as possible within this framework.
Q – What steps can be taken regarding poor quality repairs carried out by Council contractors?
A – We have improved the monitoring of contracts as they progress, and last year one contractor was successfully taken to court for damages.
Q – How is Housing Services progressing towards a three star rating?
A – The numerous external examinations have helped us to judge our progress, and we hope to achieve at least two stars by the end of 2006 and three stars by 2007.
Q – The issue of the introduction of demoted tenancies was raised at the last meeting of the Executive – what has been done regarding this?
A – This aims to give tenants empowerment, and promote rights and responsibilities, while at the same time being tough on those that abuse the privileges.
Q – Can the Executive Member provide Members with information on how many of the tenants in arrears are behind by more than one month?
A – This information will be provided to Members, though individuals will not be identified.
The Executive Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Meehan, gave answers to questions submitted in advance and answered supplementary questions put to him by the Committee as follows:
Q – The figure of 92% of looked after children having a Personal Education Plan (PEP) – how do you plan to get closer to 100%?
A – We aim to have a 100% rate for PEPs, and are continuing to work to achieve this target.
Q – Can Members be provided with an update on the Coleridge School situation and whether there are any contingency plans in case of oversubscription?
A – An independent adjudication will take place next Monday on whether there will be an expansion of the school. Contingency plans will be drawn up when the final position becomes clear over the next two weeks. Ward Councillors in the most affected wards (Crouch End, Hornsey and Stroud Green) will be kept updated.
Q – Can Haringey contribute to the government select committee consultation on special educational needs?
A – We would like to contribute as we are in a good position regarding special educational needs in the borough, with extra provision coming from the inclusive learning campus and proposed sixth form centre in Tottenham.
RESOLVED:
i) That the Committee’s thanks to the Executive Members for attending be noted.
ii) That the Executive Members’ briefings and answers to questions be noted.
iii) That the Committee look forward to receiving a written response to the written questions for the Executive Member for Children’s Services, which were submitted late.
The Chair informed the Committee that the Agenda would be varied to hear Item 10 and then Items 7, 8 and 9. The Committee concurred with the variance.