Items
No. |
Item |
1. |
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
To receive any apologies for
absence.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Denise
Jones.
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2. |
DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST AND OTHER INTERESTS PDF 214 KB
Members are reminded to consider the
categories of interest in the Code of Conduct for Members to
determine whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any
action they should take. For further details, please see the
attached note from the Monitoring Officer.
Members are reminded to declare the nature of
the interest and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that
ultimately it’s the Members’ responsibility to declare
any interests form and to update their register of interest form as
required by the Code.
If in doubt as to the nature of your interest,
you are advised to seek advice prior to the meeting by contacting
the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The following Councillors declared a potential
interest in relation to the Item 8 Pre-Decision Scrutiny
Questions:
·
Councillor Marc Francis due to his wife
Councillor Rachel Blake being the Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member
for Adults, Health and Wellbeing; and
·
Councillor Ehtasham Haque due to wife
Councillor Sabina Akhtar being the Cabinet Member for Culture, Arts
and Brexit.
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3. |
UNRESTRICTED MINUTES PDF 2 MB
To confirm as a correct record
of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the
Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 26th October,
2020.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Chair Moved and it
was: -
RESOLVED
That the unrestricted minutes of the
meeting of the last meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
held on 26th October 2020 be approved as a correct
record of the proceedings and the
Chair was authorised to sign them accordingly.
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4. |
REQUESTS TO SUBMIT PETITIONS
To receive any petitions (to be notified at
the meeting).
Additional documents:
Minutes:
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5. |
FORTHCOMING DECISIONS PDF 448 KB
The Committee are asked to note the Forward
Plan.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
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6. |
UNRESTRICTED REPORTS 'CALLED IN' - Proposed changes to the Common Housing Register Allocations Scheme
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Committee noted that a decision from the Mayor
on the proposed changes to the Common Housing Register Allocations
Scheme was awaited.
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7. |
UNRESTRICTED REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION
Additional documents:
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7.1 |
Strategic Performance Reporting
Members are asked to
refer to the report included in the Cabinet agenda 25th
November, 2020.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The
Committee received a presentation on the
delivery and performance information for Quarter 2
(July – September 2020) by Mayor John Biggs; Will Tuckley,
Chief Executive and Thorsten Dreyer, Head of Intelligence and
Performance. The main points of the discussion on this report may
be summarised as follows:
The
Committee noted that:
- The
Council was exceeding performance in many areas, but areas of
under-performance was recognised.
- This
period has been impacted by the pandemic. Notably, the Council’s ability to conduct
the Annual Residents Survey, and collect qualitative information on
residents’ views.
- The
Service and officers are seeking to accurately capture that information based on comparable survey
techniques with other local authorities in London.
- LBTH
are working with their supplier to develop different options
including how any face to face consultation would be undertaken in
a COVID-19 secure way or with whatever restrictions are in position
at the time (e.g. a doorstep interview with 15-minute maximum at a
safe distance or telephone survey as an alternative). Accordingly,
LBTH are working on different models for
delivery with the contractor to make sure that a survey can be
undertaken during January 2021 to February 2021.
- As
consequence of the pandemic there has been the development of
better methods of remote monitoring of public opinion (e.g.
telephone survey methods have undergone a serious methodological
development regarding the coverage of households with increased
access to telephones justifying its use and provided you get
representative samples). However, it is recognised that it can
produce slightly differing results from face to face surveys and it
is important to take this into account when the data is being
interpreted.
- One of
the good things about the approach that has been adopted in Tower
Hamlets is that the Council now has a good set of core questions
and techniques developed over many years now.
- Regarding Households prevented from becoming homeless the
Outturn for Q2 2020/21 shows an increase by 20.99%.
- LBTH
have recruited Tenancy Sustainment Officers to work with social and
private landlords, and directly with clients to address
homelessness.
- This
is related to the new target that flows from the Homelessness
Reduction Act, that places new more challenging duties on housing
authorities to intervene earlier to prevent homelessness and to take reasonable
steps to relieve homelessness for all eligible applicants, not just
those that have priority need under the Act.
- The
nature of the housing market in East London makes it challenging to
provide sustainable tenancies for people in the private sector and
the Mayor indicated that he would very much welcome a more detailed
scrutiny on how LBTH as a housing authority can address this
effectively.
- Although LBTH performance regarding preventing homelessness has
improved the increased volume of work that the Homelessness
Reduction Act has brought to the Housing Options Team and the
impact of the pandemic has had a significant influence on
performance.
- Noted
that LBTH as a housing agency needs to take a fundamental look at
the way which the Housing Option Services is working
...
view the full minutes text for item 7.1
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7.2 |
Covid 19 Update PDF 119 KB
The Committee to
receive an update from Dr Somen Banerjee, Director of Public
Health.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Committee
received an update from COVID-19 by Somen Banerjee – Director
of Public Health regarding:
1.
COVID-19 infection: weekly incidence, variation
across Tower Hamlets.
2.
Local Outbreak Control Plan Priorities.
3.
Mass testing (Targeted Asymptomatic
Testing).
4.
Vaccination.
5.
Post lockdown; and
6.
Regional Tiering.
The
main points of discussion on the presentation are outlined as
follows:
The
Committee noted that:
- There
was under assessment before the introduction of local testing
sites.
- In the
Borough there is monitoring of data by ethnicity/deprivation and
although there have been quite significant disparities these have
now narrowed and the testing uptake in different groups has
improved.
- One of
the key concerns from the data being received from the test and
trace programme was that 20% of the people contacted are not
self-isolating which is a real concern.
- One of
the purposes of the Test and Trace model is not just about
identifying contacts but working with people to support them to
self-isolate and linking them into support services.
- The
data seems to show that in some of the least deprived areas of the
Borough there seems to be a lower incidence of Covid-19. Therefore,
it is important to understand why the rates are so low and is it
necessary to increase uptake of testing.
-
Importance of addressing anti-vaccine
content online and that the Councils Communications and Marketing
Team monitor online content to counter with facts the
baseless conspiracy theories about a
coronavirus vaccine that have been spreading on social
media.
-
It will be a significant challenge to
develop the trust of the population by the circulation of the correct information through the right channels if there is to
be a widespread uptake of the vaccine.
-
With regard to the types of workplaces
that have been negatively affected as a result of the pandemic
these tend not to be the large workplaces, but the small businesses
might be a part of the business sector that would benefit from the
introduction of mass testing.
-
It was difficult to predict which of the
new Tiers Tower Hamlets would fall into but if the Borough moved
into Tier Two which would means for example that you must not
socialise in a group of more than 6 people outside, including in a
garden or a public space – (i.e. the ‘rule of 6) pubs
and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality
venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals. The Council would need to be strong on local
compliance and Local Enforcement because there is a risk that cases
will start to go up again as it did last time with the easing of
the lock down last time.
In conclusion, the Chair:
1.
Thanked Somen Banerjee – Director
of Public Health for his presentation and for the level of
pertinent detail that he had provided; and
2.
Informed the Committee that he had received the
Mayor’s response to the Committee’s COVID Review, and
that the Committee would review these responses in greater depth
... view
the full minutes text for item 7.2
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7.3 |
Improving Resident Engagement PDF 128 KB
The Committee to
receive a presentation on Improving Resident Engagement.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Committee received a detailed presentation on
how the Council is Improving Resident Engagement by Mayor John
Biggs; Sharon Godman, Divisional Director for Strategy Policy and
Performance; Andreas Christophorou, Divisional Director,
Communications and Marketing and Emily Fieran-Reed, Senior Strategy
and Policy Manager. In addition, the
Chair informed the meeting that Claire
Harding from the Centre for London was in attendance –
to share an external perspective on community
engagement. An outline of the
discussion is set out below:
The Committee noted that:
-
Communications and Marketing Team have a Bengali Press Officer who is tasked with making
pitches to the Bengali media including Channel S (which has an audience of 500,000
British Bangladeshis) all the time and
produces a media report every week to the Bengali media. The Team
also (i) produces a Bengali Newsletter; (ii) works closely with
Mosques across London including work specially on Covid-19 with the
East London Mosque); (iii) works with Housing Association’s;
(iv) advertises in community languages; and (v) provides translated
material in community languages.
- 62% of people in the last residents survey indicated
that they felt involved although this could be improved upon and
there is the potential to get a
lot better. This works on a number of levels as whilst a good
consultation hub is important LBTH also needs to have an accessible
website and introduction of the Public Sector Bodies
Accessibility Regulations 2018 is intended to ensure that public
sector websites and mobile applications are accessible to all
users which are all local authorities and
public sector organisations have to abide by. Whilst LBTH is
working to improve accessibility all the time the pandemic has
prevented the face-to-face element both through the Council and
partner agencies. For example, LBTH held a Community Day last year
with 300 people in attendance and it is the mixture of (i) digital;
(ii) face to face; (iii) partnership work; and (iv) targeted work
that can give access to a wider audience.
- With
regard to the “Seldom-Heard” or the under-represented
it is the responsibility of agencies to reach out to such excluded
people, ensuring that they have access to services and that they
are heard by service professionals and decision-makers.
Accordingly, it is important to find out how to reach them and
often it will be (i) partner organisation; (ii) the resident route;
(iii) or that they already part of a certain community that is the
best way to get the content out. The Council recognises that there
are others with closer links to “Seldom-Heard”
communities.
- Consultations can be too narrow and directive and excluding
participation from a wider audience to share views and ideas e.g. a
technical issue with the SEND/SLS consultation which made it
difficult for residents who are not parents/carers to respond.
[NB: Subsequent to the meeting this has now been rectified
and the Service confirms that this is an open consultation to which
anyone can respond.]
- Even
in the Bengali community the Communications and Marketing Team found that adult children
have ...
view the full minutes text for item 7.3
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7.4 |
Councillor Call for Action Guide PDF 319 KB
The Committee to
receive a presentation on the Councillor Call for Action (CCfA)
Proposals.
In addition, an
advanced copy of the report for consideration by General Purpose
Committee on 8th December 2019 in attached.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The
Committee received and noted a presentation from Adam Boey Senior
Strategy & Policy Manager on a report regarding the Councillor
Call for Action guidance which is to go to the Council’s
General Purposes Committee on 8th December, together
with draft guidance intended to improve clarity and processes
around Councillors being able to raise local matters of concern,
where all other avenues have been exhausted. The main points of the
discussion on this report are outlined as follows:
The
Committee noted that:
- The
CCfA guide has been developed as part of the strengthening local
democracy framework. It allows Councillors to raise issues or
matters of local concern and affecting their ward for consideration
by OSC. The Localism Act 2011 broadens this so that councillors can
refer matters which are not restricted to local
government.
- A CCfA
can be used to tackle problems on a neighbourhood or ward specific
level which has been unable to resolve through normal channels e.g.
corporate complaints, petitions, Member’s Enquiries, Freedom
of Information (FOI) requests and mediation. It is at the
discretion of each councillor as to what issues they wish to raise
for a potential review through the CCfA. However, councillors must
demonstrate that other methods of resolution have been exhausted
first. A CCfA request should not be considered as merely
‘scrutiny process’ it should be viewed as a whole
council approach, that can assist councillors to resolve issues on
behalf of their constituents.
- There
is some circumstance where a CCfA will not be dealt with under this
scheme as specified by the limitations of a CCfA; or any other
circumstances which, in the opinion of the Statutory Scrutiny
Officer would mean the CCfA would be better dealt with using a
different Council procedure.
- Depending on the nature of the request once it has been
considered a report will be produced together with a set of
recommendations and those responsible for implementing the
recommendations to a relevant service area will provide an update
report as necessary to the Committee.
The Chair then
Moved, and it was:
RESOLVED that:
In
general, the Committee welcomed this work and the embedding of the
Councillor Call for Action in the constitution, and the guidance
for Members and officers.
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8. |
PRE-DECISION SCRUTINY OF UNRESTRICTED CABINET PAPERS PDF 2 MB
To consider and agree
pre-decision scrutiny questions/comments to be presented to Cabinet
LINK
(Time allocated
– 30 minutes).
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Following comments by the Committee the Pre-Decision Scrutiny
Questions (PDSQ) were agreed for submission to the Mayor
in Cabinet on the 25th November 2020
(See attached appendix).
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9. |
ANY OTHER UNRESTRICTED BUSINESS WHICH THE CHAIR CONSIDERS TO BE URGENT
To consider any other unrestricted business
that the Chair considers to be urgent.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
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10. |
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.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
As 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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11. |
EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES
Additional documents:
Minutes:
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12. |
EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS 'CALLED IN'
Additional documents:
Minutes:
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13. |
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).
Additional documents:
Minutes:
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14. |
ANY OTHER EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIR CONSIDERS URGENT
To consider any other
exempt/ confidential business that the Chair considers to be
urgent.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
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