Agenda and minutes
Venue: Room C1, 1st Floor, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG
Contact: David Knight, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4878 E-mail: david.knight@towerhamlets.gov.uk
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Councillor Amina Ali.
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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: There were not declarations of disclosable of pencuniary interest.
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UNRESTRICTED MINUTES PDF 104 KB To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 30th November, 2015. Minutes: The Chair Moved and it was:-
RESOLVED
That the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 30th November, 2015 be approved as a correct record of the 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 on 1st December, 2015 in respect of unrestricted reports on the agenda were ‘called in’.
Minutes: Nil items |
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SCRUTINY SPOTLIGHT Minutes: Nil items
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UNRESTRICTED REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION |
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Update on Audits of Leasehold Services & Charges PDF 84 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee noted that at its meeting on 2nd November 2015, a further report on the two audits that had been undertaken on the leaseholder and leasehold service charges. As a result of consideration on this submission the Committee agreed that it wished to receive a further report outlining all actions in relation to those audits within the next two to three months at a spotlight session that would involve the Chief Executive and Chair of the Tower Hamlets Homes. The Committee also indicated that they wanted to know the details of the proposals for establishing a monitoring group made up of leaseholders and tenants. Accordingly, the Chair Moved and it was:-
RESOLVED to receive:
1. A further report outlining all actions in relation to the audits that had been undertaken on the leaseholders and leasehold service charges within the next two to three months at a spotlight session that would involve the Chief Executive and Chair of the Tower Hamlets Homes; and 2. Details of the proposals for establishing a monitoring group made up of leaseholders and tenants. |
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Corporate Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Q2 2015/16 (Month 6) PDF 87 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee received and noted the monitoring report that outlined the financial outturn position of the Council at the end of Quarter 2 for 2015/16 compared to budget, and service performance against targets. This included projected year-end position for the:
· General Fund Revenue, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme; · Summary of the movement on Reserves
The discussions on this report may be summarised as follows:
The Committee:
· Heard that at present there are savings in Children’s Services of £1.489m which are yet to be allocated across the Directorate - £500k of these relate to the review of administration, which leaves £0.989m as savings which need to be delivered, mitigated, or a case made for additional corporate resources via a target adjustment due to slippage/non-deliverability, these savings are being reviewed by the Directorate DMT – the achievability of mitigating savings remain a high risk for the Directorate and will continue to be closely monitored. It was noted that these savings would be achieved through recommended reductions submitted from the directorates; · Heard that the overall projected Housing Revenue Account underspend is the net result of a number of variances. The high number of Right to Buy sales means service charges are projected to be higher than budgeted, although offsetting this, dwelling rental income is forecast to be lower – in the first six months of 2015/16 there were 127 Right to Buy sales. Energy costs are forecast to be lower than budgeted, along with other utilities, although this is a volatile budget and will be closely monitored. The additional net income needs to be seen in the context of emerging pressures on future rents brought about by changes in government policy, and the need to support future investment in existing or new stock as part of a sustainable HRA business plan; · Heard that whilst any ongoing revenue overspends during 2015/16 will have a negative impact on the Medium Term Financial Plan. At present a broadly break even position for Directorates is predicted for 2015/16, however there are cost pressures within social care that potentially require the use of earmarked reserves during the year; · Heard that the capital budget for 2015/16 now totals £119.3m, decreased from the £211.1m reported to Cabinet in October 2015. The decrease primarily being due to the re-profiling of budgets into future years; · Heard that there will be a report to a future meeting on the mechanism to replace Ward Forums; · Stated that in future it would want to receive more information/narrative behind the rationale for each decision; and · Asked to be provided with more details on the new locations mentioned in the Capital Control Budget (Housing Revenue Account, New Supply) to replace Christian Street; Brick Lane; Spelman Street and Mile End Road. |
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Six Month Strategic Performance Monitoring Report PDF 56 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee received and noted a monitoring report that outlined the Council’s progress in delivering activities within the Strategic Plan and performance for Strategic Measures at the six month stage.
The summary of the Committees discussions is outlined below:
1. Heard that the percentage of council tax collected performance is 49.3 percent; the target has been exceeded by 0.8 percentage points; 2. Heard that 4.9 per cent of 16-19 year olds were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in August (most up to date data); better than target; 3. Noted that recent changes to regulations have placed a requirement on Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) to adopt a specific sampling methodology and to make public (via Environment Agency reporting) their throughput volumes of the various types of recyclates. This requires each MRF to establish the quality of materials that they receive and process. In addition the recyclates market has been impacted by economic conditions which mean that the value of materials in the recyclable stream has dropped significantly, affecting prices and demand, especially for low grade materials. This has made the MRF contractors more vigilant in terms of what they accept from councils, so more of the waste sent for recycling has been rejected as being contaminated; this rejected waste is sent for processing to generate energy and does not contribute towards recycling targets. Accordingly, Clean, Green & Highways, alongside the Veolia Outreach and Education Team, are currently working closely with registered providers to tackle and prevent contamination and increase the quality and quantity of recycling collected from estates. A new communications campaign to compliment this work and increase participation is being rolled out during November/December. In addition, work is being carried out to encourage households to take part in the food waste collection scheme in houses. Early indications show the recycling rate is improving and it is expected that targets will be met by the end of the year and that further improvement will be achievable next year. It was noted that there would be a scrutiny challenge session to look at recycling on the 19th January, 2016; 4. Asked if there be consistency between recycling provision in the town hall and for residents in the future. (Subsequent to the meeting it was noted that Facilities Management has implemented and manage the system at Mulberry Place. The waste is generally office waste somewhat different to household waste. The scheme implemented is essential to prevent contamination, and it has helped providing the segregated bins. The waste at the Town Hall is classified as Commercial Waste; the recycling is collected by Veolia, the residual waste by East India Dock management. Moving to the future LBTH needs to think more collaboratively to implement an effective waste management system for the New Civic Centre, and Clean, Green and Highways are more than willing to provide advice on the options and best practice); 5. Heard that in overall terms Tower Hamlets is considered to perform well for cleanliness and is a top performing. ... view the full minutes text for item 7.3 |
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Gambling Policy Review 2012 -2016 PDF 130 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee noted that all Local Authorities have to review and adopt a policy every three years which defines how they will administer and exercise their responsibilities under the Gambling Act 2005. A statutory consultation process had therefore commenced on the 19th October 2015 which will continue until the 15th January 2016. The policy it was noted had also been to the Licensing Committee on the 8th December 2015. All comments received will be analysed and incorporated into the policy where necessary. Then the policy will finally be agreed by full Council upon the recommendation of the Cabinet. The main points of the discussion may be summarised as follows. The Committee: · Expressed concern regarding the increase in the number of fixed odds betting terminals (FOBT) and wanted to know how this might be addressed; · Indicated that it wanted to consider this issue again after the consultation. In particular they wanted to consider the impact of the FOBTs upon the quality of life of those poorer residents who gamble; to know what can be done to reach out effectively those individuals with addictive behaviour and how community leaders can be involved; to see what other Councils are doing two address the increase in fixed betting terminals; encourage schools to address the negative impact of gambling through their Personal, Social and Health Education (PHSE) programmes and accepted that there was an need to have properly evidenced cases to be put forwarded to address these concerns with the relevant bodies; · Wanted the current consultation exercise to reach out to the greatest number of individuals and organisations within the community; · Wanted LBTH to lobby central government to make a legislative changes for the future; and · Accepted whilst gambling cannot be stopped it can be minimised through policies on when and how companies can advertise. |
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VERBAL UPDATES FROM SCRUTINY LEADS (Time allocated – 5 minutes each) Minutes: Committee Members were asked to email their updates to Mark Cairns Senior Strategy Policy & Performance Officer. |
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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: The following questions were submitted:
Agenda Item 5. 5 – Housing Revenue Account Rent Setting Report
Page 119 - Rents
Question: What mechanism will be in place for tenants should they wish appeal against any increase in their rent?
Subsequent to the meeting the following was received:
Response: There is no formal mechanism for tenants to appeal against any increase in their rents. However, the report sets out a 1% reduction in rents, not an increase.
Agenda Item 5.7 - Six Month Strategic Performance Monitoring Report
Committee asked for details on the following:
Page 229 – Create 800 additional places to offer disadvantaged 2 year olds?
Questions –
Subsequent to the meeting the following was received:
Response:
Subsequent to the meeting the following was received:
Response:
Page 235 – Convert SEN statements into Education Health and Care (EHC) Plans
Questions –
Subsequent to the meeting the following was received:
Response:
Page 251 – Undertake a campaign to ensure children are registered with a GP and Dentist
Question
Why has there has been no report yet to HWBB?
Subsequent to the meeting the following was received:
Response:
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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: 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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EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES Nil items Minutes: Nil items |
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EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS 'CALLED IN' Nil items 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 |