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 on pencuniary interest

The Committee are asked to note and comment on the contents of the attached report that is to be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting to be held on Tuesday 20^th March, 2018.

The (Time allocated – 50 minutes)

The Committee received an update on progress in delivering improvements to Children’s Services in response to the report by Ofsted in 2017 which had rated the Council’s services ‘inadequate’.   The Council’s improvement plan it was noted aims to achieve a standard of at least ‘good’ by April 2019, which is the minimum that the Borough’s children and families expect. 

The report indicated that the Council has now had two monitoring visits from Ofsted. In their letter reporting findings from the most recent of these visits in December 2017, Ofsted noted that improvements have been made and sustained within Children’s Services and that leaders and managers now showed increased in-depth knowledge of strengths and areas of weakness.  In particular, the way the Council assesses referrals of children and families for social care support had been identified as being timely and thresholds for help were appropriately applied, meaning that no children in the cases they sampled were at risk of immediate harm.  The letter also pointed to some areas needing further improvement and we are continuing our focus on these areas through our improvement plan. 

The body of this report also included commentary on progress in the four themes of the Council’s improvement plan at the end of the third quarter of the improvement programme.

In addition, it was noted that whilst the Council are making progress in embedding the changes that have been made in the first 9 months of the improvement programme, giving Tower Hamlets a firm foundation for improvement, there does remain significant challenges to ensuring that the service improves to meet a ‘good’ inspection standard and sustains this improvement.  Finally, the Committee were informed that the focus in the next stage will be to build on the progress made so that further improvement is achieved and sustained. The questions arising from the discussions on this agenda may be summarised as follows:

The Committee:

·         Noted that the focus of tonight’s meeting would be to hear from two of the Council’s service improvement partners (i) Debbie Barnes. Executive Director, Children's Services - Lincolnshire County Council and (ii) Sir Alan Wood - Chair, Children's Improvement Board) and to challenge them on the journey that they have been on with Tower Hamlets;

·         Was reminded that tonight as with previous discussions at Scrutiny on the Children's Services Improvement Programme would aim to maintain the transparency with the public through the process;

·         Noted with interest that both the DfE and Ofsted have been very positive on the progress although there is still a long way to go; 

·         Noted need for Tower Hamlets to have a cadre of highly qualified and skilled staff to take this forward and that is an issue that will need to be the focus of regular scrutiny going forward;

·         Noted that as part of embedding of Quality Assurance at all levels, Ofsted have recommended that the Council take forward a “Practice Week”, where senior leaders spend time with frontline social workers reviewing cases and shadowing their work with children and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.1

The Committee will receive a presentation in respect of:

1.    Holding the Mayor and Chief Executive to account; and

2.    Considering the Select Committee Report on Overview and Scrutiny.

(Time allocated – 50 minutes)

The Committee received and noted a presentation from Mr Will Tuckley the Council’s Chief Executive which outlined the vision for Tower Hamlets and looked at the key complement’s for how Tower Hamlets will deliver the wider aspirations of residents.  Following the presentation there was a full and wide ranging discussion which may be summarised as follows:

The Committee:

·         Noted that the 2018 Mayoral and Local Government will be an opportunity for Tower Hamlets to illustrate that it can deliver a fair and appropriate electoral process that facilitates access whilst minimising malpractice.  In response to comments from the Committee it was noted that Tower Hamlets has done everything possible to minimise any opportunities for corruption;

·         Noted that the Council are working hard to address those concerns raised in regard to a perceived “silo mentality” in some areas of the authority and that there is a need to work together as a Council and to accept collective responsibility in addressing that issue;

·         Welcomed the recognition of the importance of the visibility of leadership and management across the Council;

·         Noted that managers are expected to deal with issues that arise and that the Council needs to support its managers so that they can learn and move forward;

·         Commented that it would wish to see the findings of the Staff Survey and measures that managers are taking to address those issues where officers consider they do not get the support that they need;

·         Were pleased to note that the Council is growing in confidence in understanding the concerns and aspirations of staff and residents;

·         Noted with regards to staff the IIP report it is encouraging in that staff have a pride in their organisation; and

·         Noted that it is part of the role of a Chief Executive to encourage staff to follow him on such a journey of change.

Item deferred

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

Nil items

**Ward Walkabouts**

Noted that local councillors had expressed concerns regarding the frequency and the scheduling of Ward Walkabouts.

**Accident and Emergency**

Noted that there was an issue regarding incidence of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in Accident and Emergency Units in Tower Hamlets. It was felt that this would potentially benefit from careful consideration by the relevant Scrutiny Sub-Committee e.g. MOPAC has funded police officers to be stationed in A&E Units and it would be helpful for the Sub-Committee to have details of these officers.

The Committee received and noted the recent Scrutiny Report produced by the DCLG and indicated that this report should be given full consideration at the first meeting in the New Municipal Year. Accordingly, the Chair Moved and it was:-

RESOLVED

To formally request that the Executive to provide a response to the Committee on the DCLG Report and that this formal response should be provided to the first meeting after the May Elections.

Nil items

The Committee is asked to note and comment on the contents of the attached report that is to be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting to be held on Tuesday 27^th February, 2018.

(Time allocated – 20 minutes)

The Committee received and noted a report that indicated in February 2017 the Council had agreed a General Fund (GF) revenue budget of £338.9m and a Capital programme of £216.2m (GF £103.1m, £113.1m Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2017-18). This report details the projected outturn position for 2017-18 based on information as at the end of Period 9 (December 2017). The report includes details of (i) General Fund (GF); Revenue Budget Position (ii) Housing Revenue Account (HRA); (iii) Budget Position; (iv) Progress delivering 2017-18 Savings (v) Progress delivering Council Growth Priorities, including Mayoral Priority Growth (vi) Council Tax and Business Rates Income (vii) Treasury Management Activities and (viii) Pension Fund Investments Position.  The questions arising from the discussions on this agenda item may be summarised as follows:

The Committee:

·         Welcomed the new format for the report;

·         Asked that they be provided with clarification on the reason for the £0.4m underspend in Substance Misuse Services? Accordingly it was agreed to add this question to the list for submission to the next Cabinet on the 27 th February, 2018; 

·         Noted that with regard to the Pension Fund the overall fund value has increased by £99m £1,489bn;

·         Was informed that the £10.5m spend in Children’s Services is a result of the spending needed after Ofsted;

·         Was pleased to note that every child eligible for Free School Meals would now have to register;

·         Wanted to know if the Housing Community Benefit Society is likely to work with the Council on acquisitions of affordable housing during 2018/19. It was therefore agreed to add this question to the list for submission to the next Cabinet on the 27^th February, 2018; and

·         Asked if the £190m in Affordable Housing had been spent since it was last considered at Scrutiny in December? It agreed to add this question to the list for submission to the next Cabinet on the 27^th February, 2018.

The Committee will receive a briefing from each of the Scrutiny Leads:

1.    Councillor Clare Harrisson - Scrutiny Lead for Health, Adults & Community;

2.    Councillor Danny Hassell - Scrutiny Lead for Children's Services;

3.    Councillor Ayas Miah Scrutiny Lead for Governance;

4.    Councillor Helal Uddin - Scrutiny Lead for Place; and

5.    Councillor Andrew Wood - Scrutiny Lead for Resources.

(Time allocated – 5 minutes each)

Councillor Clare Harrisson - Scrutiny Lead for Health, Adults & Community

Noted details regarding the initial scrutiny session on the provision of health services for homeless persons in all its different forms and that the second session would involve statutory partners such as St. Mungo’s.

Councillor Danny Hassell - Scrutiny Lead for Children's Services

Noted that the report of the Youth Services Review would be presented to the committee on the 22^nd of March, 2018 and Councillor Hassell would be involved in the front line review which is part of the preparation process for Ofsted.

Councillor Ayas Miah Scrutiny Lead for Governance

Noted the update on the Brexit Scrutiny Review would be presented to the Committee on the 13^th March, 2018.

Councillor Helal Uddin - Scrutiny Lead for Place

Noted the update on the Housing Services Review on Fire Safety and expressed concern at the poor level of attendance at this challenge session.

Councillor Andrew Wood - Scrutiny Lead for Resources

Received and noted an update on the Scrutiny Grants Committee including the recent review on access to and the use of open space.

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

(Time allocated – 30 minutes).

The Committee was asked to have any pre-decision scrutiny questions submitted to Democratic Services by 12:00 noon on the 23^rd February, 2018.

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

Nil items

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

Nil items

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

Nil items