Agenda item
Chair's advice of Key Issues or Questions in relation to Unrestricted Business to be considered
To receive any advice of key issues or questions in relation to the unrestricted business of the Cabinet, arising from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 2nd December 2008.
Decision:
Sheet of questions and comments arising from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 2nd December 2008Tabled by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Resolved
That the questions and comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted, and that these be given consideration during the Cabinet deliberation of the items of business to which the questions and comments related.
Action by:
ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE (L. Ali)
Executive Team Leader, Democratic Services Chief Executive’s (A. Taylor)
Minutes:
The Chair informed members of the Cabinet that Councillor Asad, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, had Tabled a sheet of questions/ comments arising from the deliberations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on 2nd December 2008, in respect of the unrestricted business contained in the agenda for consideration, a copy of which would be interleaved with the minutes.
Councillor Asad, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee:-
· Thanked Councillor Peck, Lead Member Resources and Performance, for attending the Overview and Scrutiny Committee the previous evening to respond to the “Call In” of the provisional decision of the Cabinet, taken in November 2008, in respect of “Disposal of Grenfell School Site, now known as the Madani School, Myrdle Street E1”. Continued by informing members of the Cabinet that after lengthy deliberation of the “Call In” the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had endorsed the decision previously taken by Cabinet, but requested that the Authority supported the school in becoming a mainstream voluntary aided school.
· Thanked Councillor Francis, Lead Member Housing and Development, for attending the Overview and Scrutiny Committee the previous evening for the “Scrutiny Spotlight” and outlined the key issues on which this discussion focused including:
o Noting excellent work undertaken to achieve a two star rating in relation to the ALMO (Arms Length Management Organisation or Tower Hamlets Homes), improvement to Housing Management and increased supply of affordable housing for local residents.
o Concerns raised regarding homelessness services particularly for single young people, the future of the Ocean Estate with the Ocean Regeneration Trust, and the need for improved performance from Registered Social Landlords.
· Informed members of the Cabinet of the Committee’s consideration of a report on the agenda before them (Agenda Item 11.4) regarding Strategic Plan and Corporate Revenue Budget Monitoring 2008/09. Progress in performance against targets was welcomed, however concerns were raised about a large overspend in Facilities Management and the need to ensure adequate resourcing of Children’s social care in the context of both an overspend in this area and the implications of the “Baby P case” in the London Borough of Haringey.
· Informed members of the Cabinet that he had nothing to add to the questions/ comments raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as set out in the tabled paper regarding: -
o Item 7.1 Draft 2009/12 Tower Hamlets Housing Strategy (CAB 069/089)
o Item 7.4 Local Development Framework: Annual Monitoring Report 2007–2008 (CAB 072/089)
o Item 8.3 Arrangements for Corporate Match Funding 2009-10 (076/089)
· Formally introduced the findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Working Group on Choice Based Lettings Scheme and welcomed the positive response from the Cabinet to the recommendations on the agenda before the Cabinet (Agenda item 7.5).
The Chair thanked Councillor Asad for presenting the contribution of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and then Moved, and it was: -
Resolved
That the questions and comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted, and that these be given consideration during the Cabinet deliberation of the items of business to which the questions and comments related.