COUNCILLOR S. ISLAM (CHAIR) IN THE CHAIR

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

·                    Councillor B. Turner, Vice-Chair Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Scrutiny Lead – Excellent Public Services.

·                    Councillor A. Jackson, Scrutiny Lead – One Tower Hamlets.

·                    Councillor S. Eaton, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group.

·                    Mr M. Keating, Service Heads Scrutiny and Equalities, for whom Mr A. Hoque, Scrutiny Policy Manager, was deputising.

Noted

To note any declarations of interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992. See attached note from the Chief Executive.

Councillor A. Heslop declared a personal interest in Agenda item 7.1 “Performance and Corporate Revenue Budget Monitoring Report 2009/10 – Performance to 31^st December 2009” on the basis that the report contained recommendations regarding the monitoring of the Authority’s performance in relation to housing services, including that of Tower Hamlets Homes and Councillor Heslop was a representative of the Authority on the governing body of Tower Hamlets Homes and a Tower Hamlets Leaseholder.

Noted.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 9^th February 2010.

Councillor Alex Heslop, Scrutiny Lead  – A Great Place to Live, identified a typographical error on page 9, Verbal Updates from Scrutiny Leads, A Great Place to Live – Private Rented Sector, paragraph 3, line 1 which should read “leasing” and not “lasing” and proposed that the minutes be amended accordingly.

The Chair Moved (taking account of the motion from Councillor Heslop) and it was: -

Resolved

That, subject to the amendment detailed at (a) below, the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 9^th February 2010 be approved and signed by the Chair, as a correct record of the proceedings.

(a)              page 9, Verbal Updates from Scrutiny Leads, A Great Place to Live – Private Rented Sector, paragraph 3, line 1 the word “lasing” to be replaced with the word “leasing”.

To receive any petitions (to be notified at the meeting).

Nil items.

To receive any deputations (to be notified at the meeting).

Nil items.

There were no unrestricted reports ‘callled in’ from the meeting of Cabinet held on 10^th February 2010.

Nil items.

To consider and note the contents of the report.

(Time allocated – 30 minutes)

Councillor A. Heslop declared a personal interest in Agenda item 7.1 “Performance and Corporate Revenue Budget Monitoring Report 2009/10 – Performance to 31^st December 2009” on the basis that the report contained recommendations regarding the monitoring of the Authority’s performance in relation to housing services, including that of Tower Hamlets Homes and Councillor Heslop was a representative of the Authority on the governing body of Tower Hamlets Homes and a Tower Hamlets Leaseholder.

Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Lead Member Resources and Performance, at the request of the Chair, introduced the report which drew together progress reports in relation to Strategic Plan Indicators, General Fund Revenue Budget and Housing Revenue Budget to the end of December 2009 (Quarter 3), summarising the salient points contained therein and highlighting in particular:

·                    Of the 85 Strategic Indicators 36 could be reported on in Quarter 3, although in year targets had not been set for 3 of these. 14 of the 33 applicable indicators had met or exceeded performance targets, and were on track to achieve their year-end target. Overall 21 indicators had improved performance measured at the same point in 2008/09.

·                    19 of the applicable indicators were off target, although 9 of these had improved performance measured at the same point in 2008/09 and 1 which was off target in October/ November had returned to target by year end. However of the 19 indicators off target over the 3^rd Quarter, 11 had been identified as missing their year-end target by over 10 per cent and these were detailed on pages 17 to 19 of the agenda.

·                    An overspend of £1.7 million was projected for the General Fund Revenue Budget, a decrease of £0.643 million from the position at the end of September 2009 (Quarter 2). An overspend of £2.6 million was projected for the Housing Revenue Account Budget, which was unchanged from the position at the end of September 2009 (Quarter 2).

A discussion followed which focussed on the following points:

·                    Clarification was sought, with reference to the £1.29million underspend for tenant and leaseholder service charges detailed on page 28 of the agenda, as to whether this resulted from more revenue than expenditure (overcharging) and in particular whether this would result in a refund to leaseholders. Also whether Tower Hamlets Leaseholders had been appraised of this position. Councillor Ahmed undertook to refer the request for clarification to the Corporate Director Development and Renewal to respond in writing.

·                    Clarification/ assurance was sought, with reference to the reporting that National Indicator 154 Net additional homes provided and National Indicator 155 Number of affordable homes provided were off target and that the latter was projected to miss its year end target, as to reasons for this. It was noted that Councillor Francis, Lead Member Housing and Development, had attended the January meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and given optimistic assurances that performance was on track to meet targets by year end. The downturn in the economy, reported as the cause for missing the year-end  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.1

To consider and comment upon the contents of the report.

(Time allocated – 20 minutes)

Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Lead Member Resources and Performance, at the request of the Chair, introduced the report which contained the Strategic Plan 2009/10-2011/12 Year 2 Action Plan, summarising the salient points contained therein and highlighting in particular:

·                    That the Corporate Management Team had considered the Year 2 Action Plan in mid November 2009 and the plan had subsequently been circulated to all Members for comment, but none had been received.

·                    In view of the forthcoming Municipal election in May 2010 there was a commitment to review and if necessary refresh the Year 2 Action Plan to reflect the priorities of a new Administration.

Clarification was sought and given that the traditional all Members seminar would be held regarding the Strategic Plan in June following the Municipal elections in May.

The Chair Moved the recommendations, as contained in the report, and it was:-

Resolved

That the Council’s Strategic Plan 2009/10-2010/11: Year 2 Action Plan and Outline Plan be noted.

To consider and note the contents of the report.

(Time allocated – 10 minutes)

Councillor Abdul Aziz Sardar, Scrutiny Lead – A Prosperous Community, at the request of the Chair, introduced the report of the Scrutiny Review Working Group on Reducing Worklessness amongst 18-24 year olds, summarising the salient points contained therein highlighting in particular:

·                    That the review group had undertaken in the review over a 6 month period since June 2009, which had comprised a number of sessions with Council Officers, partner agencies (including national ones), the Third Sector and local residents (including workshops and focus groups with young adults).

·                    The recommendations encompassed 6 main areas ranging from apprenticeship and entry level opportunities for young adults to greater outreach to communities not accessing the labour market, early intervention to tackle generational worklessness and strengthening community leadership. It was hoped that the timely recommendations in a time of recession would improve the opportunities locally available to young adults to secure employment and create prosperity for residents generally.

A discussion followed, during which the report and recommendations contained therein were broadly welcomed, and which was centred on the following points:

·                    Which of the 20 recommendations, contained in the report of the working group, the Scrutiny Lead Member considered to be the most important. Access, training and partnership working with the Third Sector were emphasised as vital elements by the Lead Member.

·                    Whether the Scrutiny Lead Member considered that if the recommendations had been implemented two years previously they would have had a significant impact on current levels of worklessness. The Lead Member affirmed that such implementation would have proven effective.

·                    Recommendation 13 “That the Employment and Enterprise Team devise a clear Enterprise Strategy which gives ongoing support to local social enterprises and encourages entrepreneurship amongst young adults” was particularly welcomed as it was considered that the role of social enterprise required comprehensive examination with a view to future service provision.

The Chair in Moving the recommendations, as contained in the report, asked that the Cabinet respond to the recommendations of the working group; and it was:-

Resolved

1.                 That the draft report of the Scrutiny Review Working Group on Reducing Worklessness amongst 18-24 year olds be endorsed; and

2.                 That the Service Head Scrutiny and Equalities be authorised to agree the final report before submission to Cabinet, after consultation with the Scrutiny Lead for A Prosperous Coummunity.

To consider and note the contents of the report.

(Time allocated – 20 minutes)

The Chair introduced the second bi-annual tracking report monitoring progress in the implementation of recommendations from past scrutiny reviews summarising the salient points contained therein and highlighting:

·                    That the outcome of the first tracking review earlier in the year, when Scrutiny Lead Members revisited a previous review within their portfolio area were set out at paragraph 3.3.

·                    That overall the report showed that overall directorates/ services were implementing the majority of scrutiny review recommendations and therefore the work of Scrutiny had influenced key strategies and campaigns.

·                    Appendix 1 set out an update on scrutiny reviews where implementation was being monitored. A number were traffic lighted as amber, but this was primarily due to their being in the early stages of implementation or recent agreement by Cabinet.

A short discussion followed which focussed on the following points:

·                    With reference to the Choice Based Lettings Review, whilst good progress in relation to implementing 18 of the 20 recommendations was noted, it was requested that a progress update be provided to Councillor Heslop, Scrutiny Lead – A Great Place to Live, in respect of the review recommendation of a full feasibility study for an East London Lettings Company.

·                    With reference to the revisiting of Domestic Violence Review and the consequent identification of concerns about sustainable funding of DV services, in the first tracking review detailed on page 182 of the agenda, it was requested that a progress update on the concerns raised be provided to Councillor Jones, Scrutiny Lead – Safe and Supportive.

·                    Consideration that given the levels of concern being expressed by constituents to Members regarding funding of English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL), and in particular that it wasn’t being channelled through Tower Hamlets College, a communications initiative was needed to reassure the public that ESOL funding was available and that the Council was committed to this although there had been a reduction in resources from Government.

The Chair Moved the recommendations, as contained in the report, and it was:-

Resolved

That the reported progress in respect of the implementation of past Scrutiny Review recommendations endorsed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, be noted.

The Lead Member Culture and Leisure, Councillor Rofique U. Ahmed, will attend to report on his portfolio.

(Time allocated – 45 minutes)

Ms Heather Bonfield, Interim Service Head Cultural Services gave a presentation outlining the elements comprising the portfolio of Councillor Rofique Ahmed, Lead Member Culture and Leisure, and detailing the key achievements and challenges/ priorities associated with it in the Municipal Year to date; this focused on the points set out below.

The Chair informed members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee that a

paper containing the main points of the presentation had been Tabled, a copy of which would be interleaved with the minutes. Ms Bonfield also Tabled a Culture and Leisure 2009/10  “year book” which set out performance targets set at the request of the Lead Member and associated performance, a copy of which would be interleaved with the minutes.

Achievements

·                    Clear strategic direction from the Lead Member, on taking service provision forward, had been essential given the range of activities in the portfolio area:

o              Idea Store Strategy refreshed - with new Ideas Store Metro’s to provide more wide ranging services including unemployment and health support.

o              Leisure Centre Strategy adopted in 2009 with consequent progress on future of Poplar Baths.

o              Development of Public Arts, Local History and Archives Strategies for future consideration.

·                    Raising Service Standards, Quality and performance in an environment of financial constraint:

o              Self assessment with Cultural Services Improvement Tool methodology and Peer review by LB Hackney undertaken to identify areas for improvement.

o              Working with leisure contractor Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) to improve customer care and standards with action plan and robust performance monitoring in place. Consequent improvements at Mile End Leisure Centre.

o              Award - Spa London at York Hall had just won spa of the year.

o              Idea Store improved performance: Visitor numbers up from 1.6 million in 2005/06 to 2 million. Issues up from 877,000 in  2005/06 to approximately 1 million.

o              Leisure centre improved usage - visits up to almost 2 million.

o              Improved Survey Results reflecting customer satisfaction with value for money and the service provided. Idea Store at Whitechapel 91% and Canary Wharf 94% . Leisure Centre rating 45% of good/verygood/excellent above London average of 44%.

·                    Value for Money

Renegotiated redistribution of GLL leisure contract surpluses with ratio of 75% GLL 25% LBTH now revised to 25% GLL, 50% reinvested in service within Tower Hamlets by GLL and 25% for LBTH to direct to service development.

·                    Culture in the Community

o              Baishakhi Mela – 2009 successfully delivered in house and large amount of sponsorship funding secured. Currently working in partnership with Community on 2010 event.

o              Film Festival well attended

o              Major Music Events Programme and Fireworks, focussed in Victoria Park, very popular. Robust noise management initiative for events had led to less complaints with more people attending.

o              Cultural Olympiad held with a view to 2012 Olympic Games

o              Community Festivals

o              Profile of sport raised for 2012 Games with events eg at Mile End Park for: Paralympics and a talent day.

·        Service Transformations

o              Free Swimming: Government funded for 60+ and under 16 with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To consider and agree pre-decision scrutiny questions/comments to be presented to Cabinet.

(Time allocated – 5 minutes).

The Chair informed members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee that a sheet of pre-decision questions/ comments in respect of the unrestricted business contained in the agenda for consideration by the Cabinet, at their meeting to be held on 10^th March 2010, had been Tabled, a copy of which would be interleaved with the minutes.

Councillor Heslop, in referring to Agenda item 6.2 “New Lettings Policy” on the agenda for consideration by the Cabinet at their meeting the following evening, commented that he was aware that some Members remained unclear, as to whether inclusion within the proposed new Lettings Policy of a provision for sons and daughters of existing Tower Hamlets leaseholders to apply for social housing, discriminated against children of freeholders in Tower Hamlets. Councillor Heslop considered that the legality of this provision should therefore be investigated, and Members subsequently provided with clarification, and accordingly suggested that members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee might wish to approve this as an additional pre pre-decision scrutiny question to those already tabled.

Mr Lutfur Ali, Assistant Chief Executive, advised that the matter raised by Councillor Heslop could be adequately addressed in a written response, to Members, from Ms Isabella Freeman, Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) and Monitoring Officer.

The Chair Moved (taking account of the advice of the Assistant Chief Executive) and it was Resolved:-

That the following pre-decision questions be submitted to Cabinet for consideration:

Agenda Item 6.1 Poplar Baths Development Plans (CAB 120/090)

1.               We know that Government funding for local authorities will be reduced over the next few years. Has Cabinet considered if it is prudent to consider committing revenue funds to new projects?

2.               Will revenue for running costs at Poplar Baths be reliant on making savings in other services?

3.               How many visitors would be needed annually to reduce the subsidy outlined at 6.3.1?

4.               Has Cabinet considered whether there would be any detrimental effect on Mile End Leisure Centre and Tiller Road Baths as result of opening a new centre in Poplar Baths?

5.               Can Cabinet explain why they think Poplar Baths site is the best choice for a new swimming pool for the rising population in the east of the Borough?

6.               In reference to paragraph 6.4.2 can Cabinet specify which developer contributions has been identified to cover leisure centre and Poplar Baths restoration design costs to RIBA Design Stage D? Furthermore, have these funds been earmarked for any other projects and if so what are those and how will they be funded now?

To consider any other unrestricted business that the Chair considers to be urgent.

Nil items.

In view of the contents of the remaining items on the agenda the Committee is recommended to adopt the following motion:

“That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting for the consideration of the Section Two business on the grounds that it contains information defined as Exempt in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972.”

EXEMPT/CONFIDENTIAL SECTION (Pink Papers)

The exempt committee papers in the agenda will contain information, which is commercially, legally or personally sensitive and should not be divulged to third parties.  If you do not wish to retain these papers after the meeting, please hand them to the Committee Officer present.

The agenda circulated contained no Section Two business (business containing information defined as exempt or confidential in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government, Act 1972, nor were any such items of business tabled or considered to be urgent. There was therefore no requirement to adopt the standard recommended motion to exclude the press and public, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, to allow for consideration of such business prior to the conclusion of the meeting.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS

Nil items.

Nil items.

There were no exempt/confidential reports ‘callled in’ from the meeting of Cabinet held on 10^th February 2010.

Nil items.

To consider and agree pre-decision scrutiny questions/comments to be presented to Cabinet

(Time allocated -5 minutes)

Nil items.

To consider any other exempt/confidential business that the Chair considers to be urgent.

Nil items.