Agenda and minutes
- Attendance details
- Agenda frontsheet PDF 131 KB
- Agenda reports pack
- Supplemental Agenda 1 - School Curriculum PDF 2 MB
- Supplemental Agenda 2 - SP&CRCBM 14 15 Q1 PDF 957 KB
- Supplemental Agenda 3 - Item 10.1 PDF 185 KB
- Supplemental Agenda 4 Amendments to Draft 22 July OSC Unrestricted Minutes Tabled by Chair 30 Sept OSC PDF 912 KB
- Printed minutes PDF 237 KB
Venue: Room C1, 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
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COUNCILLOR JOSHUA PECK (CHAIR) IN THE CHAIR
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received on behalf of: · Councillor Mahbub Alam for whom Councillor Suluk Ahmed was deputising. · Councillor Md Maium Miah for whom Councillor Ansar Mustaquim was deputising. · Councillor Peter Golds for whom Councillor Julia Dockerill was deputising. · Stephen Halsey (Head of Paid Service & Corporate Director Communities Localities & Culture). · Andy Bamber (Service Head Safer Communities, CLC) for whom Rachel Sadegh DAAT Coordinator deputising. · Bozena Allen (Service Head Adult Social Care, Education Social Care & Wellbeing). · Cllr Alibor Choudhury (Cabinet Member for Resources). · Cllr Ohid Ahmed (Cabinet Member for Community Safety).
Noted.
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DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST PDF 64 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: No declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or other declarations of interest were made.
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UNRESTRICTED MINUTES PDF 145 KB To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22July and 02 September 2014.
Additional documents:
Minutes: OSC Minutes 22nd July 2014
The Chair informed OSC members that the Service Head Democratic services had requested that a revised draft set of unrestricted minutes, pertaining to the OSC meeting held on 22nd July, be tabled, thereby replacing those published and contained in the agenda pack for OSC consideration as a correct record of the proceedings. The Chair commented that in this version there appeared to be substantial changes made after the draft minutes had been written. The Chair emphasised that it was not the role of Chief Officers to change the draft minutes, as this was a role for the OSC; and although points of accuracy should be raised for consideration this should not comprise a substantial re-write. Clarification was sought and given as to the Officer clearance process for draft minutes.
The Chair sought and was given clarification as to why no exempt/ confidential minutes pertaining to the Section 2 part of the OSC meeting held on 22nd July had been submitted for OSC consideration. Councillor Jones commented that in her considerable experience minutes were always submitted to the next meeting, even if their content was minimal, and this should not be a matter for the judgement of the clerk.
The Chair proposed for the consideration of OSC members, and it was agreed, that a version of the draft set of unrestricted minutes pertaining to the OSC meeting held on 22nd July, containing the Chair’s suggested amendments (indicated with track changes) to the draft minutes contained in the agenda pack, be tabled for OSC consideration [published on LBTH website as agenda supplement to 30 September OSC agenda]. The Chair subsequently informed OSC members of his rationale for each suggested amendment, and then Moved for OSC consideration, and it was:-
Resolved
That, subject to the amendments indicated in the tabled version of the unrestricted minutes pertaining to the OSC meeting held on 22nd July, the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22nd July 2014, be agreed as a correct record of the proceedings, and the Chair be authorised to sign them accordingly.
The Chair commented, in relation to the request of the Service Head Democratic services that a revised draft set of unrestricted minutes pertaining to the OSC meeting held on 22nd July be tabled, that it was unclear why a further draft set of minutes was required at this stage when the meeting had been held over two months previously and they had not been available for consideration at the last OSC meeting [02 September]. Louise Russell, Service Head Corporate Strategy and Equality, advised that Chief Officers had expressed concern that the draft minutes contained in the agenda pack were inaccurate/ misleading and suggestions made to mitigate this had not been accommodated; there had also been version control issues. The Service Head Democratic services had undertaken to review the matter and provide/ table a definitive set of draft minutes. The Chair responded that ... view the full minutes text for item 3. |
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REQUESTS TO SUBMIT PETITIONS To receive any petitions (to be notified at the meeting).
Minutes: There were no petitions.
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UNRESTRICTED REPORTS 'CALLED IN' No decisions of the Mayor in Cabinet (03 September 2014) in respect of unrestricted reports on the agenda were ‘called in’.
Whether any recent unrestricted decisions of the Mayor outside Cabinet, taken under executive powers, were “Called In” will be notified at the meeting.
Minutes: The clerk informed OSC members that: · No unrestricted decisions of the Mayor in Cabinet on 3rd September 2014 had been “Called In”. · No recent unrestricted decisions of the Mayor outside Cabinet, taken under executive powers, had been “Called In”.
VARIATION TO ORDER OF BUSINESS
The Chair informed OSC members that he had been advised by the Clerk that the nomination of a Roman Catholic Church Representative to the co-opted membership of the OSC has recently been received. He considered it appropriate that the order of business be varied to enable the OSC to consider an urgent tabled report which recommended that the OSC agree the co-option at this point; this would allow the nominated representative, in relation to education matters considered by the OSC, to contribute to discussion on substantive agenda items, but particularly to participate and vote on the agenda item relating to the school curriculum.Accordingly the Chair Moved the following motion for the consideration of OSC members, and it was: -
Resolved
That the Order of Business be varied to enable the OSC to consider next an urgent tabled report:- Agenda Item 10.1 “Co-option of Roman Catholic Church Representative to Overview and Scrutiny Committee”, which recommended that the OSC agree the co-option of a Roman Catholic Church Representative, and subsequently the OSC return to the order of business detailed in the agenda.
Please note that for ease of reference, OSC deliberations in respect of agenda item 10.1, and subsequent decisions taken, are set out below in the order detailed in the agenda.
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SCRUTINY SPOTLIGHT - SOCIAL HOUSING PROVIDER To receive an oral presentation from Mick Sweeney, Group Chief Executive One Housing Group or John Gregory, Group Director of Housing Services - One Housing Group, with a focus on performance.
Minutes: The Chair informed OSC members that, following their agreement, on 02 September, that One Housing Group be formally requested to attend an OSC in the near future [to discuss serious concerns, held by Members across the borough, with housing management on estates in the borough managed by OHG], the Corporate Director Development & Renewal had been in dialogue with the CEO of OHG and OHG had agreed to attend a future OSC and officers were now liaising on a date that would be congruent with the OSC work programme.
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UNRESTRICTED REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION |
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To consider and comment on the information provided in the report.
Additional documents:
Minutes: Anne Canning (Service Head Learning & Achievement, ESCW) gave a detailed PowerPoint presentation (a copy of the slides for which would be interleaved with the minutes), to supplement the information contained in the report which informed OSC of the radical changes being implemented by the Government to reform the education curriculum, especially at Key Stage 4 and post-16. The presentation focused on the following points: · Rationale for curriculum changes and implications · Organisation of the curriculum and implications · Changes in assessment and implications · Changes in reporting and implications · Action being taken by the Authority to address the curriculum changes Councillor Gulam Robbani (Cabinet Member for Education & Children’s Services) and Robert McCulloch-Graham (Corporate Director ESCW) were also in attendance for this item.
Points highlighted by Anne Canning included:- · Reasons for change were driven by Government concerns about educational standards compared with other countries, and a need for better preparation of young people for university, training, apprenticeships and employment. Also by consideration that a more traditional curriculum would raise standards although there was no evidence base for this. · Curriculum reform would be phased from 2013-2016 in primary (including Key Stage 1&2) 2014-2017 in secondary, and therefore some initial changes had already been implemented eg primary schools had already been teaching to new revised programmes of study from 2013. · At Key Stage 1&2 there were content changes in the curriculum for English, mathematics, science and significant changes for ICT. In general the curriculum was more demanding and heightened focus on “Britishness”. Changes to exam specifications and marking schemes followed from the curriculum changes, with corollary changes in reporting measures and league tables. The final plans for the new KS2 measure were due to be announced imminently but it was expected that it would include a scale from 70-130 with an average score of 100 for 11 year olds. There was an expectation that 85% of pupils achieve to be “secondary ready”. · The next transformational change to the curriculum was at Key Stage 4. Schools were being encouraged to offer students a suite of at least 8 subjects with significant corollary changes in reporting with “attainment and progress eight” to replace the current common measure of 5+A*-C with English and Mathematics; attainment would be an average score for the 8 subjects. This would force schools to offer a more academic curriculum with a swathe of subjects no longer included in the pupil assessment process; and again there was heightened focus on “Britishness” eg specific standards such as English history. This and the heightened focus on factual learning and linear rather than modular assessment would make exams more challenging. Examination marking would change with A-E grades replaced by a numbering system 1-9, with 9 as the best grade. The bar was to be set at 5 which was slightly above the current C and there was merit in endeavouring to raise the bar. Religious education and sex education must still be provided. · The steps planned to support students and ... view the full minutes text for item 7.1 |
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Substance Misuse Strategy PDF 81 KB To consider and Comment on the proposed extension of the current Substance Misuse Strategy in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules contained in the Authority’s Constitution. Additional documents:
Minutes: Rachael Sadegh, (DAAT Manager, Community Safety Service, CLC) introduced, and highlighted key points, in the report which informed OSC that:- · Full Council had adopted a local Substance Misuse Strategy (SMS) for 2012-15 with 3 core work streams or ‘pillars’:- prevention and behaviour change, treatment, enforcement and regulation. This was due to expire in April 2015. · There were statutory obligations upon the Authority, under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, to formulate and implement strategies in conjunction with other specified responsible authorities for combating the misuse of drugs, alcohol and other substances; and the SMS was a contributory element of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy for Tower Hamlets. The SMS was also closely linked to the Community Safety Plan (CSP) and the Health & Wellbeing Strategy (HWS), both of which expired in March 2016. · The DAAT Board and the Community Safety Partnership had endorsed a proposal to extend the current SMS by a year to align with both:-
o The CSP and HWS to facilitate a more comprehensive and co-ordinated response to substance misuse. · The extension to the SMS had been considered and agreed by the Mayor in Cabinet on 3rd September, and was now before the OSC for comment before it was considered by full Council in November.
A discussion followed which focused on clarification being sought and given on the following points:- · Why was the SMS now before the OSC for comment, when it had already been considered by the Mayor in Cabinet and an onward recommendation to full Council made? The SMS was a mandatory strategy that required presentation to OSC for comment before adoption by full Council. · Perplexity expressed regarding the major re-procurement of drug/ alcohol treatment services in advance of the formulation of a new SMS. Surely the services to be delivered should follow on from the strategy after its identification of strategic needs?. There was already a commitment to re-procuring treatment system within the adopted 2012-15 SMS and this process began in January 2014, less than two years into the current strategy. · Concern expressed that the development of a new SMS 4 years after the existing SMS had been adopted, was likely to lead to different procurement needs to those identified by the current strategy. There might be a case for shifting resources from treatment to prevention which might render the current re-procurement not fit for purpose. Stakeholders were already involved in the re-procurement and there was a responsibility to deliver on the SMS adopted by full Council in 2012. The shift of resources was a theoretical possibility however there was no sense that would happen given the stakeholders involved in re-procurement would be those engaged in development of a new strategy. Re-procurement was in line ... view the full minutes text for item 7.2 |
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To consider the quarterly monitoring report containing the financial position of the Council at the end of Quarter 1 compared to budget, and service performance against targets and includes year-end projection updates for the General Fund Revenue and Housing Revenue Account; and an overview of performance for all reportable strategic measures.
Additional documents:
Minutes: Special Circumstances and Reasons for Urgency
The Chair informed members of the Committee that the special circumstances and reasons for urgency associated with the proposals were detailed on the front page of the report and that the Constitution required that he agree these before OSC consideration of the report could take place. The Chair subsequently agreed the special circumstances and reasons for urgency as set out on the front page of the report and also set out below:
“This document was not available for despatch with the main agenda and it cannot wait until the next meeting as Members have to consider and comment upon the information provided in the report prior to its consideration by Cabinet on the 1st October, 2014.”
However the Chair sought and was given clarification as to why the report had not met the statutory publication deadlines, and therefore required reasons for urgency.The Chair subsequently noted that this was a quarterly report submitted to both OSC and Cabinet, there was a process for delivering it in a timely way, and the OSC expected publication to meet the statutory deadlines for OSC next quarter.
Chris Holme (Acting Corporate Director Resources) introduced, and highlighted key points, in the monitoring report which detailed the financial outturn position of the Council at the end of Quarter 1 2014/15 compared to budget, and service performance against targets for all reportable strategic measures. Councillor Aminur Khan (Cabinet Member for Policy Strategy & Performance) and Councillor Abdul Asad (Cabinet Member for Health & Adult Services) together with Kevin Miles (Chief Accountant Corporate Finance), Robert McCulloch-Graham (Corporate Director ESCW), Kate Bingham (Service Head Resources ESCW),Louise Russell, Service Head Corporate Strategy and Equalities and Kevin Kewin (Service Manager Policy Strategy & Performance) were also in attendance for this item.
Points highlighted by Chris Holme included:- · All directorates were forecasting a breakeven position to budget at Quarter 1 excepting ESCW where significant financial pressure had been identified relating principally to Adults Social Care packages, and an overspend of £2.1 million was currently forecast. · The HRA was projecting a small overall underspend for 2014/15. · There was a projected underspend for capital outturn, mostly relating to ESCW grant related slippage and this would be carried over into 2015/16.
A discussion followed which focused on clarification being sought and given on the following points:- · Referencing para 7.8 of the report concern was expressed that the performance against target for percentage of LPO7+LA Staff who have a disability had not been met; and clarification sought as to what mitigating action was being taken to meet it in future. This was a very small cohort of staff and the dip in performance may be due to just 1 individual leaving the Council’s employ. · Referencing Appendix 2 “Corporate Monthly Budget Monitoring”/ page 2 - Service Area C18 Communications and /page 21 - Vote H82 Holding Account & Support Services, concern expressed that there were very large variances against budget and no explanation given, whereas other small variances had explanations. ... view the full minutes text for item 7.3 |
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Overview and Scrutiny Committee Outline Work Programme 2014/15 PDF 100 KB To consider and agree the 2014/15 outline OSC Work Programme to be tabled at the OSC meeting.
Minutes: Mark Cairns (Senior Strategy Policy and Performance Officer) introduced and summarised key points in the report, which provided the OSC with progress to date in developing the 2014/15 OSC work programme. Mr Cairns highlighted that the work programme was by its nature an evolving document. He also highlighted changes to the work programme since the report had been published in the agenda.
The Chair commented with regard to an OSC report back to full Council on the “Investigation into the sale of Old Poplar Town Hall” that he considered it appropriate to settle on a draft at an informal OSC meeting, where all those attending would be given an opportunity to contribute to a draft upon which the majority of the OSC were agreed, with this draft subsequently presented to the next formal OSC meeting for consideration and agreement. Legal Services had indicated this was a legitimate approach for formulation of the OSC’s draft report, providing the OSC formally agreed a final report for onward recommendation to full Council. The clerk would be in touch with OSC members with regard to arrangements for the informal meeting.
The Chair also sought clarification as to the current position regarding the formal request by the OSC at their last meeting, that an independent external legal adviser, to examine the disposal of Old Poplar Town Hall, be obtained within two weeks. Louise Russell (Service Head Corporate Strategy & Equality) relayed her understanding, which had yet to be confirmed because the Interim Monitoring Officer (IMO) was on leave, that the IMO had provided the Chair with suggestions as to people who might provide such legal advice and had expected a response as to which to pursue to obtain it. The Chair commented that that was not his understanding but he would check his email to see if the had missed anything and would feedback at the next OSC meeting.
The Chair then Moved the recommendations, as contained in the report, and it was:-
Resolved
That the programme of reviews, challenge sessions and agenda items, set out in the 2014/15 Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme, be approved.
Action by: Mark Cairns (Senior Strategy Policy & Performance Officer, Corporate Strategy & Equality Service, LPG).
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VERBAL UPDATES FROM SCRUTINY LEADS To receive an oral update from each of the Scrutiny Lead Members.
Minutes: Scrutiny Lead for Development and Renewal - Councillor Dave Chesterton · Challenge Session report “Member involvement in Section 106 decisions and the quality of Section 106 funded social housing” was on track to report to OSC in January 2014 with the brief almost finalised and evidence gathering in November.
Scrutiny Lead for Adult Health and Well-being - Councillor Asma Begum Paper tabled, , a copy of which would be interleaved with the minutes:- · Outlining progress with the scrutiny review topic “Reviewing self-management programmes for patients with long term conditions” agreed by the Health Scrutiny Panel (HSP). · Outlining progress with scrutiny challenge sessions agreed by the HSP:- o “Barts Health: Transforming services, changing lives and its implications for Tower Hamlets residents” o “Role of housing providers in improving the health of our residents”
Louise Russell (Service Head Corporate Strategy and Equality) informed OSC members that an article in the Members Bulletin would be inviting councillors get involved with the OSC reviews and challenge sessions..
The Chair Moved and it was:-
Resolved
That the verbal updates be noted.
Action by: Angus Taylor (Principal Committee Officer, Democratic Services, LPG) Mark Cairns (Senior Strategy Policy & Performance Officer, Corporate Strategy & Equality Service, LPG).
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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.
Minutes: The Chair Moved and it was:-
Resolved
That the following Section 1 (unrestricted) pre-decision questions be submitted to the Mayor in Cabinet on 01 October 2014 for consideration:
8.1 Safeguarding Children’s Board Annual Report
Referencing the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) Annual Report 2013/14 appended to the Cabinet report, and in particular the information contained therein relating to the Serious Case Review (SCR) into the death of Child F concluded by the LSCB during 2013/14:- 1) What was the learning for the Council arising from the SCR? 2) Why did the Council not alert LBTH Councillors regarding the death of a child in the Council’s care given that collectively they have a corporate parenting responsibility. 3) The Corporate Parenting Steering Group has a formal Corporate Parenting role in LBTH, why had it not been alerted to the SCR on Child F? 4) Why had the Overview report and action plans arising from the SCR been published in an obscure part of the LSCB website and not properly press released? 5) Given that the learning from the SCR and associated report had implications for those organisations working with young people, who have mental health problems and are in institutions, sharing the learning would have been helpful for many other organisations across the country and is the whole point of SCRs, so why was the SCR report buried and not properly publicised so that it could be learned from? 6) Will the Corporate Director now write to all members of the Council, in their Corporate Parenting role, setting out the learnings from the case and how the Council has taken action to ensure no other child in the Council's care will be failed in the same way that Child F was?
Action by: Angus Taylor (Principal Committee Officer, Democratic Services, LPG) Mark Cairns (Senior Strategy Policy & Performance Officer, Corporate Strategy & Equality Service, LPG).
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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.
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Co-option of Roman Catholic Church Representative to Overview and Scrutiny Committee PDF 73 KB Minutes: Please note that the order of business was varied by resolution of the OSC earlier in the proceedings to allow this item of business to be considered after agenda item 5. However for ease of reference, OSC deliberations in respect of agenda item 10.1, and subsequent decisions taken, are set out below in the order detailed in the agenda.
Report Tabled, a copy of which would be interleaved with the minutes.
Special Circumstances and Reasons for Urgency
The Chair informed OSC members that the special circumstances and reasons for urgency associated with the proposals were detailed on the front page of the report and that the Authority’s constitution required that he agree these before OSC consideration of the report could take place. The Chair subsequently agreed the special circumstances and reasons for urgency as set out on the front page of the report and also set out below: · “The nomination of a Roman Catholic Church Representative to the membership of the OSC was received after the agenda for the 30 September OSC meeting was finalised for publication, and a report just drafted to comply with good practice in committee administration.
· The agreement of this co-option will provide for fuller representation from faith communities in Tower Hamlets in respect of education matters considered by the OSC and ensure the OSC and LBTH meet their statutory and constitutional obligations as far as is possible.
· The co-option will enable this nominated representative, in relation to education matters considered by the OSC, to take part and vote during the meeting, the agenda for which includes an item relating to the school curriculum.”
Angus Taylor, Principal Committee Officer, introduced and summarised key points in the report, which:- · Informed the OSC of the nomination to its membership of a Roman Catholic Church Representative. · Requested the OSC to agree the co-option of the nominated representative in respect of education matters in accordance with statutory requirements and the Council’s Constitution (as amended).
The Chair Moved the recommendations, as contained in the report, and it was:-
Resolved
That the co-option to the membership of the OSC of a Roman Catholic Church representative in respect of education matters, as set out at paragraphs 3.1 to 3.7 of the report, be agreed.
Action by: Angus Taylor (Principal Committee Officer, Democratic Services, LPG)
At this juncture the Chair welcomed Victoria Ekubia, the newly co-opted Roman Catholic Diocese representative.
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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: 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.
SUMMARY OF EXEMPT PROCEEDINGS
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EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES Nil items. Minutes: Nil items
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EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS 'CALLED IN' There were no decisions of the Mayor in Cabinet (03 September 2014) in respect of exempt/ confidential reports on the agenda, and therefore none eligible for ‘Call In’.
Whether any recent exempt/ confidentialdecisions of the Mayor outside Cabinet, taken under executive powers, were “Called In” will be notified at the meeting.
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.
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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