Members received and noted the Annual Scrutiny Report that summarised the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Health Scrutiny Panel in the 2014-15 municipal year, for approval prior to being presented to Council.

It was noted that the report was not circulated with the Committee agenda and was unavailable for inspection within the timescales set out in the Authority’s constitution as it was not possible to collate the necessary information prior to agenda despatch. The report is nevertheless recommended for consideration at this meeting in order to ensure that there is no delay in the deliberations on the contents of the report.

The main points of the discussion on the report are outlined below:

The Committee noted that:

The reviews that members have lead over the past twelve months have addressed policy issues that, whilst often being niche, nonetheless have a real impact on the lives of residents. The quality of those reviews - detailed, focussed investigations that drew widely on the expertise of residents and partners - has been exceptional and the policy changes they have delivered will have wide and lasting impact once implemented.

Scrutiny has been equally substantial and focussed (if wide-ranging), challenging decisions of the executive, scrutinising proposed mayoral decisions and taking evidence from a range of Cabinet members and partners. The latter has been particularly effective, with a focus this year on the borough's housing providers e.g. there had been long sessions with One Housing Group about their poor performance across the borough; with Tower Hamlets Homes about the problems leaseholders have faced with major works bills; and with Old Ford about the breakdown of their repairs services. Real changes in attitude, process and planning have been secured as a result, although the committee is in no doubt about the challenges that still remain.

With regard to the report into the sale of Poplar Town Hall this had not yet been published and as a result there was a full and wide ranging discussion on when this report should be considered.  Accordingly, the Committee indicated that it wished to be consulted on any legal advice commissioned in connection with this report and that the Annual Report should be amended to indicate the Committee’s concerns at the time it had taken to commission the independent external advice and to publish the report.

As a result of discussions on this report the Committee

RESOLVED that:

The report be submitted to Council.

To receive the annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2013/14.  The annual report is attached.

Council considered the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman moved, and Councillor Rachael Saunders seconded, the recommendation as set out in the report.

DECISION

That the Council notes the annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2013-14.

(Action by: Louise Russell, Service Head, Corporate Strategy and Equality)

The Council considered the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman moved, and Councillor Rachael Saunders seconded, the recommendation as set out in the report.

The recommendations in the report were put to the vote and were agreed.  Accordingly it was:-

RESOLVED

That the Council notes the annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2013-14.