Agenda item
PRE-DECISION SCRUTINY OF SECTION ONE (UNRESTRICTED) CABINET PAPERS
(Time allocated 15 minutes)
Minutes:
The Committee considered thoroughly the proposed questions to submit to Cabinet and agreed that the following should be referred:
Agenda Item 7.1: Integrated Commissioning of Health and Social Care Services for Adults (CAB 097/078)
1. How will the Lead Commissioning process affect staff status for example in terms of annual leave, pensions etc if they are being paid from a ‘pooled’ budget but hold employment contracts from different organisations?
2. If the integrated commissioning strategy is to ensure the well being of vulnerable people why does it not include the housing directorate in the integration?
3. Can Cabinet confirm that the transfer of resources from Acute community care will not result in hospital or ward closures?
Agenda Item 7.2: Adults Health and Wellbeing – Extension of Service Level Agreements 2008-2009 (CAB 098/078)
1. With reference to paragraph 3.3 and the increased ‘mixed economy’ of care, would it be possible to have information on how Tower Hamlets compares with other similar London Boroughs, and what the advantages and disadvantages have been of this approach?
2. With reference to paragraph 3.12, do the respite care provisions within the current service level agreements ensure that respite care can be provided in the home when it is required by the patient/carer?
3. With reference to paragraphs 3.9 – 3.12, are there existing providers who are not having their SLAs extended to 31 March 2009? If so, how many and which providers have been excluded and why? Can Cabinet confirm that it will not lead to spot purchasing of services at a later date and at higher cost?
4. With reference to paragraph 3.14 have the proposed extensions to current SLAs been discussed with providers to ensure that communication is clear from the outset and to ascertain that providers are able to continue to deliver against the extended SLAs?
5. Were the contracts to Camden Society and Map Squad put out to tender under as per the OJEU regulations? – If not why?
Agenda Item 7.3: Hostel and Move-on Strategy (CAB099/078)
1. Does the London Borough of Tower Hamlets share the Mayor of London’s concerns about the plans to include the Supporting People programme grant in the new non-ring fenced Area Based Grant?
2. Will the Cabinet commit to maintain expenditure on housing-related support in Tower Hamlets at a level equivalent to the Borough’s annual Supporting People programme grant?
Agenda Item 8.1: Review of Street Markets Fees and Charges 2008/2009 (CAB101/078)
1. Paragraph 4.6 is rightly responding to the growth in illegal trading. However, what is being done to tackle the root causes and the increasing levels of illegal trading particularly in the Whitechapel area?
2. Which organisation manages the Street Traders Account? How will the proposed increased revenue of £75,000 be used?
3. Can Cabinet clarify what measures are being taken to regenerate the Burdett Road Market?
Agenda Item 9.1: Children’s Services – Strategy, Partnerships & Performance – Contract Negotiations 2008-2011 (CAB 101/078)
1. Under paragraph 4.7, what would be the cost of extending the summer provision for children with disabilities to provide a service throughout the year?
2. While negotiating with service providers, would it be possible to include play / activities / learning plans alongside care plans for all service users?
3. In appendix 1 (point 6.6.7 page 155) out of the ten organisations providing services only the Coram Family (page 129 point 4.7) has been recommended for a fund, the nine others are spot purchased, why are they not included for funding like the Coram Family?
4. Can Cabinet confirm that there are provisions in place to safeguard children in premises which are used to deliver other Council contracts, and particularly by organisations who may be raising revenue from their premises by privately renting unused space?
Agenda Item 10.10: Housing Revenue Account 2008/2009 First Budget and Rent Setting Report (CAB111/078)
1. What criteria will be used to determine the allocation of the £6 million from reserves to fund service improvements?
Agenda Item 10.11: Options for Multi-Faith Burial Facility for Tower Hamlets (CAB 112/078)
1. The report suggests that option (3) of 1.4 is the viable option for a temporary solution (medium - 5/10 years) and so the Cabinet should approve this report. Can the Cabinet clarify whether they are still looking for a permanent site within the borough?
2. If the LDF fails to identify a permanent site, will the Cabinet look again at the Bow Gas Work site?