Agenda and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG
Contact: Angus Taylor, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4333 E-mail: angus.taylor@towerhamlets.gov.uk
No. | Item |
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CLLR MOTIN UZ-ZAMAN IN THE CHAIR
The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed; the Executive Mayor, Cabinet Member for Resources, Head of Paid Service, Committee Members, other invited Councillors and members of the public.
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes:
Apologies for absence were received from Co-opted Member Dr Phillip Price.
Apologies for the lateness were received from the Councillor Whitelock-Gibbs
Apologies were also noted from the following invited persons:
RESOLVED
That all apologies be noted. |
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DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST PDF 56 KB 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.
Minutes: Reverend James Olanipekun declared a personal interest relating to agenda item 7.7 in that he was Vice-Chair of the board of Poplar HARCA. |
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UNRESTRICTED MINUTES PDF 83 KB To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 4th February and 4th March 2014. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 4 February 2014 were re-presented. Councillor Eaton advised that her attendance at this meeting had not been recorded and requested that the minutes be amended accordingly.
The minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 4 March 2014 were also presented. No requests for factual corrections were made.
The Chair Moved and it was:-
RESOLVED
1. That, subject to amendment to reflect Councillor Eaton’s attendance, the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 4 February 2014 be approved as a correct record of proceedings. 2. That the unrestricted minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2014 be approved as a correct record of proceedings. |
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REQUESTS TO SUBMIT PETITIONS To receive any petitions (to be notified at the meeting).
Minutes: Nil items. |
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UNRESTRICTED REPORTS 'CALLED IN' No decisions of the Mayor in Cabinet (4th March 2014) in respect of unrestricted reports on the agenda were ‘called in’. Minutes: The Chair advised that the Service Head, Democratic Services and Interim Monitoring Officer had not received any requests to call-in decisions of the Mayor in Cabinet on 4 March in respect of unrestricted agenda reports. |
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SCRUTINY SPOTLIGHT - MAYOR To receive a verbal presentation from Mayor Lutfur Rahman. Minutes: The Chair welcomed the Executive Mayor and Head of Paid Service to the meeting and invited the Executive Mayor to speak to Committee on matters that had been areas of priority in the current municipal year.
The Executive Mayor thanked the Chair for the opportunity to speak on his priorities as the Council commenced a new financial year.
In opening his presentation, the Executive Mayor advised that
The Executive Mayor advised that his priorities in 2013-14 had been:
Housing – he had:
Education – he had:
Crime – he had
In response to Members’ questions the following information was provided:
Concerning the current position in regard to the cessation of East End life publication and the outcome of the publication’s review, the Committee was informed that East End life was a cost neutral publication which raised money through advertising and that the Executive Mayor did not wish to undertake further discussion on this matter at present.
A Co-opted Member noted that East End Life publication provided essential information about the Council to residents and enquired how residents would continue to receive this if it were discontinued. The Committee was informed that for many years, the publication had provided a means for the dissemination of information to residents. If this were to be discontinued then other methods of communicating with residents would need to be found.
Concerning which service areas had been most impacted by funding reductions and which areas of risk were of most concern going forward, the Committee was informed that there was no indication ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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UNRESTRICTED REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION |
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Reference from Council - Investigation into Old Poplar Town Hall Update To provide an update to the Committee. Minutes: The Monitoring Officer gave a verbal update on the referral from Council concerned with the marketing and sale of Old Poplar Town Hall. He informed the Committee that auditors Mazars had recently completed their report which was required to be cleared by the Council's external auditors KPMG before wider circulation. The relevant auditors at KPMG were presently unavailable to authorise the release to Senior Council Officers therefore the draft could not be approved until their return after the Easter break. He apologised and advised that the matter would be pursued concertedly to ensure that the information could be made available as soon as possible. He also advised that, on release, the auditors request that the report be circulated to OSC Members on a confidential basis.
A Member noted that Mazars delivered other audits for the Council and asked for confirmation that auditors who had produced the draft report were not the same as those that undertook other audit work for the Council. The Monitoring Officer advised that this information would be verified and an answer circulated to the Committee.
Concerning whether consideration of the matter was affected by pre-election restrictions, the Monitoring Officer advised that these did not affect the normal business of the Council therefore the delay was not a political matter.
Members were dissatisfied with the delay and that the report would be required to be considered on a confidential basis and a Member asserted that the Council should decide what was confidential. Members were advised that it would be unwise to let frustrations to lead to poor procedure. The Head of Paid Service acknowledged the Committee's dissatisfaction with the delay and advised that he would write to KPMG to convey the Committee's dissatisfaction.
RESOLVED
That the verbal report be noted
Action by: Meic Sullivan Gould (Interim Monitoring Officer, LPG) Steve Halsey (Head of Paid Service) |
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Decent Homes Publicity Campaign 2013 PDF 122 KB To consider information provided at the request of the Committee on the Decent Homes Publicity Campaign 2013. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Service Head Communications introduced the update referring to the information provided in the report circulated in the supplementary agenda.
In response to Members’ questions the following information was provided:
Concerning the origins of the publicity, the Committee was informed that the action originated with the former Assistant Chief Executive, Legal Services and had been executed by the former Director of Resources.
Concerning what work had been done to prepare the publicity for the decent homes campaign once it had been authorised, the Committee was informed that the project had been approved by the service and by the Council’s Monitoring Officer at that time.
Concerning whether publicity, relating to the Executive Mayor, displayed on hoardings of construction schemes in the borough would be removed during the pre-election period, the Committee was informed that some publicity had been erected by other organisations and was therefore subject to other factors. The Monitoring Officer advised that the matter of publicity had been raised at an elections management meeting which also involved the Police and it had been recommended that Corporate Directors should be able to control publicity relating to Members. The Police, because of criminal damage issues and the additional work this would create, had asked for any existing publicity was not covered by blank sheets but suggested that the publicity boards surrounding construction sites were reversed or replaced during the election period. A Member noted that these hoardings might also be repainted for this time. A Member enquired whether all stationery headed “Mayor of Tower Hamlets” would be removed and was informed that all Council staff had been instructed that they may not use any publicity promoting a particular individual pre-election.
The Chair asked for confirmation that instructions and a timetable of materials to be obscured or removed would be sent to staff and was informed that this would be done by the 14th April, the date at which purdah ensued. Concerning whether the Council had resources in place to address this work, the Committee was informed that the costs had not yet been assessed however ‘vinyl wraps’ affixed to dustcarts could be removed easily.
Concerning to whom any infractions should be reported, the Committee was informed that an elections hotline had been established and the Monitoring Officer urged Members to use this provision as it not only provided monitoring data but also enabled any developing trends in inappropriate canvassing to be detected. The Chair requested that these details to be circulated to Members of the Committee.
Concerning whether any publicity material removed could be recycled the Committee was informed that the final wraps were not recyclable. It was noted that removal of publicity might generate substantial waste and it was suggested that OSC might wish to investigate recycling of all such publicity material and the cost implications of the removal of publicity for short periods.
RESOLVED
That the report be noted
Action by: Antonella Burgio (Committee Officer, LPG) |
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Report of the Scrutiny Review of Accident and Emergency (A&E) Services in Tower Hamlets PDF 60 KB To consider the Scrutiny Review on the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Services.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Vice-Chair presented the Scrutiny Review of A&E Services and highlighted the following findings: · the service was used by young men and by mothers with young children in particular because of fast access to service · there was little local recruitment into NHS services in the borough · lessons from previous winter crises were not learned in planning for future NHS winter services The report recommended: · more research into the drivers of A&E user behaviours and a campaign to tackle these drivers · that work needed to be done on how local people could be recruited at Bart's Health
The Chair thanked officers and Members involved in the review and suggested that Health Scrutiny Panel might also wish to investigate how GPs could better refer service users away from Barts and A&E.
RESOLVED
That the Scrutiny Review on the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Services agreed at the Heath Scrutiny Panel meeting on the 11th March 2014 be approved by Overview and Scrutiny Committee and referred to Cabinet. |
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Resident Engagement in the Budget Process PDF 77 KB To considerand apporve the report arising from the Resident Engagement in the Budget Process challenge session. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Eaton noted that, historically, residents’ responses to the budget setting consultation were poor. The review endeavoured to investigate this matter and explore how better participation could be achieved. She advised that the review was not able to arrive at any radical solutions but recommended that ongoing review of engagement be undertaken and the use of social media as a tool for engagement be explored. A Co-opted Member noted that the new Ward forums might provide a useful avenue for engagement and also enabled residents feel empowered.
The Chair thanked officers and Members for their work in undertaking the investigation
RESOLVED 1. That the draft report and the recommendations contained within it be approved for submission to Cabinet. 2. That in the event that any amendments be required to the report; the Service Head for Corporate Strategy and Equality be authorised to amend the draft report before submission to Cabinet, after consultation with the Chair of the Challenge Session. |
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Tower Hamlets Council's Approach to Support Staff with Specific Learning Difficulties PDF 77 KB To consider the report arising from the challenge session on Tower Hamlets Council’s Approach to Support Staff with Specific Learning Difficulties. Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor Eaton noted that, in undertaking the review, officers had been keen to engage with this subject but had not had opportunity to do so in the past. She advised that the review arrived at a number of complex recommendations which would require further follow-up.
The Chair thanked officers and Members involved in the review. Noting the support recommended for vulnerable staff, he recommended the report for approval and hoped that the Executive would also support the recommendations made.
RESOLVED
1. That the draft report and the recommendations contained within it be approved for submission to Cabinet. 2. That in the event that any amendments be required to the report; the Service Head for Corporate Strategy and Equality be authorised to amend the draft report before submission to Cabinet, after consultation with the Chair of the Challenge Session. |
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Youth Services Challenge Session PDF 58 KB To consider the report arising from the Youth Services challenge session. Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor Helal Uddin introduced the report and highlighted the findings of the Challenge Session which were that: · youth service provision was not consistent across the borough · corporate endorsement of service provision was needed if the service was to meet the needs of the community. · corporate endorsement was especially relevant if the service were to be outsourced · the recommendations addressed the areas of need identified
The Chair thanked officers and Members involved in the review. He recommended the report for approval and that the Council work with RSLs to use their facilities to maximise opportunities for youth services
RESOLVED
1. That the draft report and the recommendations contained within it be approved for submission to Cabinet. 2. That in the event that any amendments be required to the report; the Service Head for Corporate Strategy and Equality be authorised to amend the draft report before submission to Cabinet, after consultation with the Chair of the Challenge Session. |
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Housing Co-regulation- report of the Scrutiny Working Group Progress Report PDF 100 KB To receive the report of the findings of the progress report supplied by the Housing Co-Regulation Scrutiny Working Group and consider whether further scrutiny into housing co-regulation is required. Additional documents: Minutes: On behalf of Members of the working group, the Service Manager, One Tower Hamlets, summarised the findings of the report and in particular noted: · the establishment of an independent complaints panel · the recommendation that this model be used by other RSL's in future.
The following suggestions were also made: · that the Council established a benchmark for all registered providers to attain · that Tower Hamlets should undertake to take a lead in achieving legislation for co-regulation · that a clause be added that residents have to be satisfied before further funding can be released · that a further update be reported so that implementation of the recommendations can be monitored and ensured
The Service Head, Strategy, Regeneration & Sustainability, Development and Renewal informed the Committee that since the review was completed the first cross-landlord report has been produced which also recommended that residents’ scrutiny be taken forward.
RESOLVED
1. That the report findings be noted 2. That a further scrutiny update into housing co-regulation should form part of the work programme |
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To review and note the Quarter 3 2013/14 performance; to note the Council’s financial position as detailed the report; and note that Cabinet will approve capital estimates for ESCW. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Service Head Corporate Strategy and Equalities presented the performance monitoring data for Quarter 3 noting that the areas of strong performance were employment, street cleansing and flyposting. Additionally there had been improvement in performance for post-16 education and overcrowded households.
The Chief Accountant advised that, at the end of December 2013, the Council was on track to remain within its projected spend and also referred to the tabled papers which provided information requested by the Chair. This information has been appended to the minutes.
A Member enquired whether the 71.37% collection target for Council Tax was for a full year or part-year. It was confirmed that this was the ¾ year of the full year target.
RESOLVED · That the Quarter 3 2013/14 performance be noted · That the Council’s financial position as detailed in section 3 and appendices 1-3 of the report be noted · That it be noted that Cabinet will approve capital estimates for ESCW as set out in Appendix 4a |
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To note the contents of the log of actions that have been requested including those at OSC meeting on 4th March 2014, progress made on actions that remain outstanding and the completion of actions as indicated in the report. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair noted the third update report. Referring to the action requested in relation to Elections update 2014 report considered on 7th January 2014, the Chair requested an assurance be given by all political parties and that a joint message be conveyed by all parties on electoral probity during the pre-election period. He asked also that this message also be delivered via a live TV advertisement.
RESOLVED That the update be noted |
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VERBAL UPDATES FROM SCRUTINY LEADS (Time allocated – 5 minutes each) Minutes: Nil items. |
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PRE-DECISION SCRUTINY OF UNRESTRICTED CABINET PAPERS To consider and agree pre-decision scrutiny questions/comments to be presented to Cabinet.
(Time allocated – 30 minutes). Minutes: Nil items. |
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ANY OTHER UNRESTRICTED BUSINESS WHICH THE CHAIR CONSIDERS TO BE URGENT To consider any other unrestricted business that the Chair considers to be urgent.
Minutes: Nil items. |
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EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC In view of the contents of the remaining items on the agenda the Committee is recommended to adopt the following motion:
“That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting for the consideration of the Section Two business on the grounds that it contains information defined as Exempt in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972.”
EXEMPT/CONFIDENTIAL SECTION (Pink Papers)
The exempt committee papers in the agenda will contain information, which is commercially, legally or personally sensitive and should not be divulged to third parties. If you do not wish to retain these papers after the meeting, please hand them to the Committee Officer present. Minutes: Nil items. |
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EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS 'CALLED IN' No decisions of the Mayor in Cabinet (4th March 2014) in respect of exempt/ confidential reports on the agenda were ‘called in’. Minutes: Nil items. |
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PRE-DECISION SCRUTINY OF EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL) CABINET PAPERS To consider and agree pre-decision scrutiny questions/comments to be presented to Cabinet.
(Time allocated 15 minutes). Minutes: Nil items. |
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ANY OTHER EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIR CONSIDERS URGENT To consider any other exempt/ confidential business that the Chair considers to be urgent.
Minutes: Nil items. |
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Closing Comments
In closing the meeting, the Chair thanked Elected Overview and Scrutiny Committee Members, Co-opted Members, all guests and officers for supporting the work of the Committee during the municipal year. The Chair noted that his intentions for the year had been to ensure that the Council had been held to account and to provide value to the borough’s residents in pursuing accountability and transparency. |