Apologies for absence were received from Asad M Jaman; (Muslim Faith Community); Councillor Abdul Mukit MBE (Scrutiny Lead for Resources); Councillor Julia Dockerill (Scrutiny Lead for Children's Services); and Councillor Oliur Rahman.

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 Interim Monitoring Officer.

There were no declarations of disclosable pencuniary interest.

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

Nil items

Nil items

The Committee received and noted a report that followed the outcome of the Ofsted Single Inspection of children in need of help and protection; children looked after and care leavers and the Local Safeguarding Children Board. The inspection took place between 23 January and 16 February 2017 and the overall judgement being that Children’s Services in Tower Hamlets are inadequate. The report provided the Overview & Scrutiny Committee with a summary of that inspection, the findings, the high-level response to date and an outline of the process to agree an improvement plan. 

This was followed by questions and comments from Members which is summarised as follows:

The Committee:

·         Noted that there were many lessons to be learned and the Ofsted inspection had looked at the experiences of some of the most vulnerable children and young people in Tower Hamlets. The inspection found that those children and young people are not always receiving the services they deserve. Therefore, the Council’s response to the inspection findings needs to ensure that vulnerable children and families receive the best service possible;

·         Noted that Ofsted’s  “Framework and evaluation schedule for the inspections of services for children in need of help and protection, children looked after and care leavers and Reviews of Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards” (‘the SIF’) sets out a single assessment framework for assessing local authorities;

·         Noted that a Children’s Services Improvement Board (CSIB) has been established to take forward the improvement work. This will meet every six weeks and for the first time on 24th April 2017. It will be independently chaired by Alan Wood, a former DCLG appointed Commissioner and former Director of Children’s Services. The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services along with the scrutiny lead will also be on the CSIB. The Independent Chair will produce a report to the DfE three months from the date of the Direction and every quarter thereafter. In addition, it was noted that the DfE had appointed an Intervention Adviser, reporting and accountable to the Secretary of State, will be providing reports every six months following reviews to determine progress made improving its children’s social care services; 

·         Noted that the merger of Adults and Children’s Services Directorates  into the Education Social Care and Wellbeing (ESCW) Directorate had, had an  impact upon the ability of ESCW to ensure that purposeful work takes place to protect children in need of help and protection;

·         Noted that social workers and managers must receive relevant training to counter child sexual exploitation, and that children identified as at risk of sexual exploitation are subject to risk assessment and should be offered responsive and appropriate help;

·         Noted that management oversight and supervision must be strengthened and that all work is recorded appropriately to an acceptable standard;

·         Noted that the Council needs the CSIB needs to exercise strong governance over the financial resources within the Children’s Services Directorate. Whilst these finances will continue to be subject to the Council’s normal budget management processes including reporting on a quarterly basis to the Cabinet and affording  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.1

The Committee will receive a presentation from the Chief Executive on Organisational Culture and Governance.

The Committee received a presentation from Will Tuckley (Chief Executive) that provided a short presentation outlining current approaches to cultural transformation and change and the links to the Council’s governance framework and organisational development initiatives. In response to the presentation the Committee reviewed where the Council are on the change transformation journey; inquired about the key challenges; questioned what has changed as a result of the programmes to date (e.g. changes in member culture, impact of work to support develop officer/member relationships, and behaviours). A summary of discussions on the above may be summarised as follows.

The Committee:

·         Noted that consideration needs to be given as to how the Scrutiny Process can best support cultural transformation and change;

·         Noted that there has been better employee engagement with 18 Chief Executive Roadshows; Staff Conference; Staff Survey; Managers’ Forums; Conversation groups and a range of communication channels;

·         Noted that whilst there has been a high level of resident satisfaction highlighted in the Annual Residents Survey.  There was still a need to ensure that the Council that services were delivered in a joined up fashion;

·         Noted that through a mixture of external and internal recruitment there would be a blending of ideas within the officer corps;

·         Noted that top three values voted for by staff are (i) Working together; (ii) Delivering service excellence; and (iii) Acting with honesty and integrity;

·         Noted that the next steps in the cultural transformation would see:  (i) A focus on delivery of priorities; (ii) The evidence our improvement journey with a focus on outcomes; (iii) strengthen the Council’s partnership work with local people, partners and regional partners; and (iv) To be clear about the Council’s values and ambition to drive through change and improvement.

·         Noted that in future updates on comparative data over a number of years would be provided; and

·         Noted that current approaches to cultural transformation and change and links to the Council’s governance framework would feature in the inductions provided to Councillors.

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

(Time allocated – 30 minutes).

The Chair asked the Committee to submit any pre decision scrutiny of the unrestricted Cabinet papers prior to the 2^nd May, 2017 meeting.

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

Nil items

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.

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