To receive verbal updates from each of the Scrutiny Leads.

(Time allocated – 5 minutes each)

1.    Councillor Bex White Scrutiny Lead for Governance advised the Councillor Bex White Scrutiny Lead for Governance advised the Committee that (i) A Communications Challenge Session had been held that had looked at a number of issues including (i) internal communications and (ii) increased resident engagement. In addition, it was noted that on the 27th November, 2018 at Harford Community Centre there would be an evidence gathering session of the Brexit Commission to consider evidence in relation to (i) Migration; (iii) Charities; and (iii) Social Cohesion.

2.    Councillor Kahar Chowdhury Scrutiny Lead for Health, Adults & Community advised the Committee that (i) In July there had been a meeting with the Health and Social Care Partners; (ii) In September the Sub-Committee had, had a presentation by Menara Ahmed the Council’s VAWG Domestic Abuse and Hate Crime Manager.  Topics covered had included (a) the identification and management of residents at risk of domestic violence, (b) reporting levels, (c) the impact of universal credit on domestic violence; and (d) the provision of services for those residents with no recourse to public funds.  The Sub-Committee had also received a verbal summary of the Healthwatch Annual Report 2017/18, which had been presented by Dianne Barham – Chief Executive of Healthwatch Tower Hamlets.  Finally, going forward the Sub-Committee it was noted would be considering a number of themes including (i) Adult Social Care and (ii) Alcohol and Substance misuse

3.    Councillor Marc Francis Scrutiny Lead for Resources advised the Committee that at the meeting of the Cabinet on the 31^st October, 2018 he had on behalf of the Chair provided an update on the Scrutiny Challenge Session in relation to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

4.    Councillor Sufia Alam Scrutiny Lead for Lead for Children’s Services advised the Committee that (i) on 12^th November, 2018 the latest Safeguarding Training Session had been held; (ii) on 19^th November, 2018 the Young Peoples Summit had taken place which had been a positive event; (iii) on 23^rd November, 2018 meeting with Judith St John the Council’s Divisional Director Sports Leisure and Culture on the preparation for a Workshop to consider the Borough’s Leisure provision and (iv) on 30^th November, 2018 was the date of the Mayors Young Peoples Summit.

5.    Councillor Abdal Ullah, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee advised that on 31st October, 2018 he had attended the meeting of the Cabinet to provide an update on the work of the Committee. He reported on a number of issues including (i) the most recent Scrutiny meeting that had focussed on educational aspirations and included presentations from head teachers, officers and the Cabinet Lead Member. He had told the Mayor that this session had been very valuable and a report would be following on at a later date (ii) that the Committee had started to consider how they would be responding to the Council’s budget proposals and had received the quarterly budget monitoring report; and (iii) the Committees work on fire safety had been presented to Cabinet on the 31^st October with an overview report and action plan.