Cllr Alam, Scrutiny Lead for Children and Education, reported that the next meeting of the Scrutiny Sub–Committee would to be held on 17 December 2019. Items on the agenda included: a presentation on Youth Service Provision for Girls and Children’s Social Care Early Help. The Sub–Committee would also receive an update on the Victoria Park 1 O’clock club. Since the last OSC, she has had regular meetings with Divisional Directors and the Lead Members about budget issues.

Cllr Khan, Scrutiny Lead for Resources & Finance provided an update on the 27 November 2019 Challenge Session that looked at the issue of premises charges and the Community Benefit Rent Reduction Scheme. He intended to bring the recommendations to the Committee in January 2020.

Cllr White - Scrutiny Lead for Community Safety & Environment referred to the Challenge Session report considered earlier.  In addition, she advised of her work with officers and the Lead Member in preparing for the budget and reminded the Committee about the Borough Commander’s attendance at the next Committee meeting.

Cllr Das, Scrutiny Lead for Housing & Regeneration advised that the Sub–Committee last met on 26 November 2019 at which the Sub-Committee looked at the Council’s emergency planning procedures, in light of the delays in responding to a gas leak. The Sub–Committee also considered Area Based Delivery Plans with the Mayor and the London Living Wage.  The next meeting in January will be looking at housing policy including, ways of increasing the delivery of housing and a high density living.

Councillor Sufia Alam Scrutiny Lead for Children and Education

The Scrutiny lead informed the Committee that:

·         Going forward the Sub-Committee would be looking at (i) Youth Provision – “The young experience”; and (ii) Children Social Care;

·         The she had, had meetings with the relevant Divisional Directors;

·         She had heard from Parents of the SEND Ambassadors group who relayed their experience of the services; and

·         There was to be a review in regard to Secondary School exclusions.

Councillor Kahar Chowdhury - Scrutiny Lead for Health and Adults

·         Noted that at its meeting on 5^th November the Sub-Committee had considered (i) Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2018-19; (ii) Review of Homelessness Action Plan; (iii) Consolidating Dementia and Challenging Behaviour Inpatient Wards; and (iv) had a discussion relating to proposed changes to welfare meals.

Councillor Tarik Khan - Scrutiny Lead for Resources & Finance

·         Noted the Lead Member was in regular discussions with Neville Murton - Corporate Director of Resourcesand Kevin Bartle – Interim Divisional Director of Finance, Procurement and Audit.

Councillor Bex White - Scrutiny Lead for Community Safety & Environment

Noted:

Community Safety

·         The Scrutiny Lead (i) Had received the draft of Spotlight report today (25^th November, 2019) and will review that later this week; (ii) Had, had review meetings with the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, and also with the Divisional Director to be apprised of developments in this area, specifically the two restructures that have taken place; (iii) Was planning for the new Borough Commander’s attendance at next month’s Overview and Scrutiny meeting: and (iv) Had had a meeting with the Corporate Director to review progress against this year’s budget and the development of the budget for next year.

Environment

·         The Scrutiny Lead (i) Had, had a meeting with Corporate Director for Place to review this year’s financial performance, and to look at next year’s budget; (ii) Awaiting a full list of what parking income can be spent on, given that this continues to come in higher than budgeted; and (iii) Had a meeting with the Portfolio Lead Member for Environment on fees and charges for the upcoming financial year.