There were no apologies for absence.

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 Melanie Clay, Director, Law, Probity and Governance.

There were no declarations of disclosable pencuniary interests. However, the Members of the Committee were reminded that in regard to the item on the Challenge Session Progress Update - Planning in Conservation Areas if there was any non-pecuniary interest so significant that a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts, would reasonably regard to be so significant that it would materially impact upon their judgement of the public interest. They should declare that non-pecuniary interest.

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

No requests to submit petitions were received.

No decisions of the Mayor in Cabinet 5^th January, 2016 in respect of unrestricted reports on the agenda were ‘called in’.

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The Committee received a report that followed up from the scrutiny challenge session on Planning in Conservation Areas: the Implications of Conservation Areas on the Extension of Family Homes.  The report it was noted outlined the progress against the original recommendations.  The main points of the discussion may be summarised as follows.

The Board heard that:

·         The changes will be implemented on an area by area basis;

·         That whilst the initial focus will be on 8 of the 58 conservation areas this is part of an ongoing review and applications within the borough will be considered in the light of current guidance.

As a result of discussions on this report the Board noted the report.

The Budget 2016/17 Document Pack has been circulated separately.

In addition, the responses to Overview and Scrutiny queries on the Budget from the 2nd November, 2015 will be published and made available prior to the meeting.

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report setting out the position regarding the Local Government Finance Settlement, Council Tax, New Homes Bonus and Capital.  He highlighted a number of the growth and savings proposals contained in the report. The main points of the full and wide ranging discussion on the Budget may be summarised as follows.

Review of Day Services for Older People - The Committee noted that the proposed redesign will focus primarily on service improvement and better outcomes for service users, whilst also achieving cost efficiency and value for money.  It was also noted that the proposal included better provision for service users of Mayfield House (which it was noted had 30 places and average daily attendance of 4) by moving these services to more modern facilities in consultation with service users.

RECOMMENDATION: The Committee agreed that it wanted more details on this proposal and Adults Services undertook to outline how the new service will continue to meet the needs of users prior to implementation.  

New funding arrangements for new Belvedere House – The Committee noted that Veterans' Aid will be securing alternative funding to ensure that they can continue to provide services for their vulnerable clients with no impact.

RECOMMENDATION: The Committee agreed that it wanted the budget papers to include the source of this new funding stream.

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Bursaries – The Committee noted that over the last 12 years 153 local people have benefited from the bursary, 71% of whom have been black and minority ethnic (BME) and 74% women. This bursary, alongside other initiatives, has helped to increase the proportion of BME teachers in the borough to 30% (November, 2010) and in particular teachers of Bangladeshi heritage (12%).

RECOMMENDATION: The Committee agreed that it wanted the Mayor reconsider this savings proposal, and ensure that this bursary is more widely publicised and developed so that there can be increased take up from a broader cross section of BME communities.

Discontinue the Incontinence Laundry Service – The Committee received a question submitted byPete Dickenson regarding the impact of ending this service. 

The Committee noted that this is a non-statutory service and that the NHS provides free support to residents based on need. Residents that currently receive the service within the borough now also have direct control of their personal care budgets, which enables them to determine the nature of their care support for themselves.  Therefore, given that this is a health function and not a statutory requirement of the council and in view of the existence of the above NHS arrangements the discontinuance of the laundry service could be adequately managed as part of the NHS client needs assessment process, and agreed with the savings proposal.

Review of Enforcement Function – More Generic Working – Regarding the proposal to delete the 10 Commercial Waste Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEO) posts. The Committee noted that the function of this service is to monitor the commercial waste refuse and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.2

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

(Time allocated – 30 minutes).

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

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The agenda circulated contained no exempt/ confidential business and there was therefore no requirement to exclude the press and public to allow for its consideration.

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No decisions of the Mayor in Cabinet 5^th Cabinet in respect of exempt/ confidential reports on the agenda were ‘called in’.

Nil items

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

(Time allocated 15 minutes).

Nil items

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

Nil items