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
Media
No. | Item | |
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DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST PDF 67 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.
Additional documents: Minutes: It was noted that there were no Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interest.
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UNRESTRICTED MINUTES
Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair Moved and it was:-
RESOLVED
That the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on ……………… be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of the proceedings.
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Additional documents:
Minutes: The Chair Moved and it was:-
RESOLVED
To agree the minutes of the meeting held 24th January, 2018 as a correct record.
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Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair Moved and it was:-
RESOLVED
To agree the minutes of the meeting held 22nd February, 2018 as a correct record.
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REQUESTS TO SUBMIT PETITIONS To receive any petitions (to be notified at the meeting).
Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items |
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OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE QUERY AND ACTION LOG 2016/17 Additional documents: Minutes: Item deferred to 22nd March, 2018
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UNRESTRICTED REPORTS 'CALLED IN' No decisions of the Mayor in Cabinet 27th February, 2018 in respect of unrestricted reports on the agenda were ‘called in’.
Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items |
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SCRUTINY SPOTLIGHT Additional documents: |
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Mayor John Biggs Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee received and noted a presentation from the Mayor John Biggs in which he set out outlined his vision for Tower Hamlets and looked at the key complements for how Tower Hamlets will deliver the wider aspirations of residents. In addition, consideration was given to the 2017-18 Quarter 3 (October-December) Strategic Performance Monitoring report. As a result of a full and wide ranging discussion that may be summarised as follows:
The Committee:
· Noted the position since the Mayors election in June, 2015 and the transformation as to the way LBTH is now perceived which is set against a background of severe spending cuts which must be achieved whilst striving to address the needs of the community across a range of services. It was noted that LBTH needs to develop an outward-facing culture with an outward focus and working on the development of greater self-sufficiency; · Noted that with the move to outcome based budgeting LBTH could break down silos and allowing officers to get things done · Noted that to address any polarisation in the Borough’s neighbourhoods it will be necessary to look at the provision of affordable housing and to empower people to make a difference; · Noted that through the development of the Health Economy and Further and Higher Education LBTH would act as a facilitator/enabler with partner agencies and other boroughs; · Noted that Councils need to provide to help key workers in adult social services and children’s’ services; · Noted that with regard to the waste management contract a review of how the contract is managed; · Noted that with the development of former commercial buildings into residential buildings it needs to be recognised that the benefits of growth must be balanced that against any increase in high density housing; · Noted that through the Infrastructure Delivery Board the Council can oversee the management of Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy to support development by funding infrastructure that the Council; local community and neighbourhoods want; · Noted that as part of the Budget there are a schedule of reserve’s that show how we slice and dice the budget happy to look at that in detail at a future meeting but was considered by Council in February; · Noted need to give consideration as to how to meet the aspirational needs of children including the post 16 offer; · Noted that Community hubs can provide a means for alternative approaches to service delivery underpinned by the principles of community involvement and partnership. Such Community hubs can facilitate this by providing a place where different local partners in a Neighbourhood can come together and address the issues that matter most to them. The Community hubs can therefore support a neighbourhood focussed community led approach; · Noted that the Tower Hamlets Education Partnership established by school leaders to deliver high quality school improvement to all Tower Hamlets schools including addressing the gap in the strategic funding in education; and · Noted that regarding the management of the night time economy this is being addressed through a tasking approach. |
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Councillor Denise Jones - Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Community Services PDF 63 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee received a presentation from Councillor Denise Jones (Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Community Services) that highlighted a number of key points in relation to learning disability; mental health, physical disability; dementia; older adults; carers; integrated commissioning with the NHS; the Health and Wellbeing Board; public health; school nursing and health visiting; support in hostels and other housing related support; drugs and alcohol both treatment and care. The questions and comments from Members on the report may be summarised as follows:
The Committee:
· Noted that there is a very clear vison for the East London Health and Social Care Partnership and the need to focus on where we can address specific issues such as those with very challenging behaviour who until now have been in long term accommodation; · Noted that there is a need to look at how the benefit from the sale of capital receipts of the sale of land is used to support key issues e.g. Key Worker Housing; · Noted there is a need to deliver cultural in the Directorate; · Noted whilst there is a high percentage of agency staff at 30% within the Directorate a campaign based upon the experiences of the Children’s service Directorate and has highlighted the need for a targeted approach to recruitment and the establishment of a social work academy to support staff and to maintain them within LBTH and encouraging career development to retain staff e.g. moving between children’s and adults to gain experience and develop their careers; · Noted that a High Risk Panel has been established to look at young people in transition to adulthood which is more difficult and complicated than in the past e.g. There is no sharp distinction between childhood and adulthood: it is a complex mixture of continuing dependency on parents stretching into the twenties and beyond; · Noted regarding mental health issues there is a link to the levels of depravation and the degree of need e.g. Patients from the poorest areas in the Borough have a much lower chance of recovery after treatment on the NHS for common mental health problems like depression or anxiety than those from the more affluent parts of the Borough; and · Noted that the Borough’s growing young population (e.g. Those in Further and Higher Education) is one that also requires support. |
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Brexit impact on the Council Scrutiny Challenge Report PDF 108 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee received a report that outlines the findings and recommendations from the Brexit Scrutiny Challenge Session, which was part of the Overview & Scrutiny Sub-Committee’s work programme for the 2017/18 municipal year. The questions arising from the discussions on this report may be summarised as follows:
The Committee:
· Noted that as part of his work programme for 2017/18, the Scrutiny Lead for Governance, Councillor Ayas Miah had undertaken a Scrutiny Challenge Session focused on the potential impact of Brexit on the Council. There were a total of 10 recommendations that were agreed at the Challenge Session; · Noted that the Challenge Session had offered the opportunity to begin exploratory discussions on the Council’s resilience planning and to recommend key priorities for mitigation planning. However, due to uncertainty around Brexit negotiation, limited time, resources and scope, the Challenge Session was not able to discuss the impact of Brexit on Tower Hamlets as a place, such as our economic stability and community cohesion; · Noted the key questions that the Challenge Session explored and addressed were (i) what impact could Brexit have on Tower Hamlets as a Local Authority, particularly in relation to our legal powers and responsibilities; (ii) what are the likely challenges and opportunities of Brexit for our workforce and funding for core services; (iii) what is the likely impact of this on our local residents and regeneration schemes; (iv) how could the Council ensure that it develops a comprehensive and proactive plan to mitigating the impact of Brexit; (v) in preparing the Council for Brexit what should be the priority areas of contingency planning and how do we ensure that this is effectively communicated to all our internal and external stakeholders; · Noted that the Council should develop policies and targeted marketing strategies to promote the Borough to retain and attract business and enable the future economic growth e.g. LBTH needs to be more proactive about that how do we keep businesses here; · Noted that that consideration needs to be given on the impact of Brexit on schools and colleges across LBTH; · Noted the need to consider the statutory local partners element in any consideration regarding Brexit; and · Noted that the local economy includes that element which takes part in national economic activity but within LBTH.
The Chair Moved and it was:-
RESOLVED to:
1. Agree the report and the recommendations; 2. Authorise the Divisional Director, Strategy, Policy and Partnership to amend the draft report before submission to Cabinet, after consultation with the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and 3. Agree the scoping for the Brexit Scrutiny Review. |
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VERBAL UPDATES FROM SCRUTINY LEADS (Time allocated – 5 minutes each) Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee received and noted the updates from the Scrutiny Leads which may be summarised as follows:
Councillor Clare Harrisson (Scrutiny Lead for Health, Adults & Community
Noted that the final Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee although not quorate had undertaken a positive discussion on Sexual Health.
Councillor Danny Hassell (Scrutiny Lead for Children's Services)
Noted that the Gangs and Serious Youth Violence Scrutiny Review would be considered at the meeting of this Committee on the 22nd March, 2018. Whilst on the 19th would see the start of the Social Care Practice Week.
Councillor Andrew Wood (Scrutiny Lead for Resources)
Noted that Recreational Activities Report had been presented to the Grants Scrutiny and Grants Determination (Cabinet) Sub-Committees but would not come before this Committee until the 2018/19 Municipal Year. |
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PRE-DECISION SCRUTINY OF UNRESTRICTED CABINET PAPERS PDF 64 KB To consider and agree pre-decision scrutiny questions/comments to be presented to Cabinet. With particular reference Quarter 3; Corporate Performance Report.
(Time allocated – 30 minutes). Additional documents:
Minutes: Noted that copies of the agenda for Cabinet meeting were available at tonight’s meeting and that comments on the Cabinet agenda could be submitted up until 12:00 noon on Friday 16th March, 2018 for submission to Cabinet on the 20th March, 2017. |
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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.
Additional documents: 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. 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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EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES Nil items Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items
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EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS 'CALLED IN' No decisions of the Mayor in Cabinet 27th February, 2018 in respect of exempt/ confidential reports on the agenda were ‘called in’.
Additional documents: 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). Additional documents: 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.
Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items |