LONDON BOROUGH OF CAMDEN

THE LONDON BOROUGH OF CAMDEN

At a meeting of the OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMISSION held on TUESDAY 13th DECEMBER 2005 at 7.00 p.m. in Committee Room 2 at the Town Hall, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE.

MEMBERS PRESENT

Councillor Janet Guthrie (Chair)

Councillor Peter Brayshaw

Councillor John Bryant

Councillor Pat Callaghan

Councillor Martin Davies

Councillor Charlie Hedges

Councillor Andrew Mennear

SUBSTITUTE MEMBER

Councillor Martin Davies

MEMBERS ABSENT

Councillor Nasim Ali

Councillor Sheila Gunn

Mr Ricky Drackett (Parent Governor)

OTHER MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

Councillor Geethika Jayatilaka – Executive Member - Children

The minutes should be read in conjunction with the agenda for the meeting.

1.              APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Nasim Ali and Sheila Gunn.  An apology for lateness was also received from Councillor Andrew Mennear.

2.              DECLARATIONS BY MEMBERS OF PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS IN RESPECT OF ITEMS ON THIS AGENDA

Councillors Peter Brayshaw and Charlie Hedges declared personal interests in Item 9 Housing Revenue Account Budget Setting 2006/2007 as a leaseholder and council tenant respectively.

3.            DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

4.            ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Chair announced that John Beric, a long serving parent Governor representative has resigned due to work pressures.  The Commission thanked him for his contributions.

Councillor Guthrie provided an update on Healthy Starts, Healthy Futures.  She noted that the Joint Scrutiny Panel was unable to approve the unfinished PCT consultation document as it was presented to the last meeting and had asked to see a revised document.  She expressed concern that the proposed consultation on health services in North East London was split into two separate strands, the Healthy Start, Health Futures consultation and a Healthy Hospitals consultation covering Barnet and Chase Farm Trust.

In response to the constitutional power of the Joint Scrutiny Panel, the Commission noted that if the Scrutiny Panel were unhappy with the Joint PCT proposal, as the Strategic Health Authority had been delegated the duty to the Joint PCT, they could write to the Secretary of State.  Officers noted that the power of referral could only be exercised after due process had taken place.  The Chair noted Members might want to raise dissatisfactions with the Secretary of State earlier in the process, before the consultation took place.  She acknowledged that the Strategic Authority could also be asked to resolve the issues before this happened.

5.            NOTIFICATION OF ANY ITEMS OF BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIR DECIDES TO TAKE AS URGENT

There was no urgent business.

6.            MINUTES

RESOLVED -

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 22nd November 2005 be approved with an amendment recording Councillor Keith Moffitt being present at the meeting and Councillor John Bryant absent.

Councillor Mennear asked for his vote against the approval of the minutes to be recorded on the grounds that he considered they provided no proper record of the discussion, and that the Chair had no opportunity to provide proper input before they were circulated.

7.            PERFORMANCE: CORE PI MONITORING APRIL – SEPTEMBER 2005

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

The Commission received a report setting out the quarterly performance information on Core PIs for the period April to September 2005.  Members considered performance data on 71 core indicators and looked in detail at 6 indicators which were currently performing below target for the quarter.

Philip Colligan informed Members that the Council’s Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) rating for 2005 would be announced on Thursday 15 December 2005.  The announcement would contain an overall judgment of the Council’s performance and provide a direction of travel.  Under the new structure, a Council’s overall performance rating would be between 0 to 4 stars, with 4 stars being the highest.

The following general comments were made -

It was noted that twice as many pupils were excluded from primary schools compared to secondary schools.  Officers noted that the Behaviour Improvement programme had impacted on secondary school performance, reducing permanent exclusions from 13 to 2.  Similar work would be undertaken in primary schools which had only 4 permanent exclusions.  Members noted that the invoices paid in 30 days target was met but 88% was soft compared to the performance of other authorities.  Officers noted that the council still operated a paper-based system and needed to avoid duplicate payments.  Disputed invoices were excluded from the figure.

Members noted that the target for days lost to sickness absence had been poor.  Officers responded that the increase was a result of data cleansing due to the introduction of a new HR system.  Senior managers were rigorously reviewing cases of sickness absence which would result in future improvements.

Members noted that the target for private sector homes vacant for more than 6 months was 0.9%, but currently, there were 1.9% of private sector homes empty for more than 6 months, and asked what the Council was doing to achieve the target.  Officers agreed that the Council should be doing better, but thought that if the data behind the top line figure was examined, the Council was probably doing better than the figures indicated. Officers agreed to supply more information to the Commission.

Action by: Deborah Day (Productivity & Information Team)

A Member expressed concern that three of the finance indicators relating to housing benefit were negative.  The average time to process new claims had deteriorated due to computer failure.  Officers noted that contingency arrangements were activated with an excellent response to get the system back online after the fire at Hemel Hampstead.  Officers were confident that all the indicators would be met by the end of the year.  Members were concerned at the direction of the target on the number of delayed transfer of cares target was moving.  Officers responded that the target was a joint one with the NHS.  Fluctuations were mainly due to NHS delays which could be attributed to having two large acute hospitals within the borough.

A Member noted that whilst the report was fully an indication of performance the council ran the risk of managing by PIs.  Members should be worried about what else was not done to achieve these targets.  He felt that the council had gone too far with monitoring and was spending too much time chasing PIs.  In response, officers noted that the Departmental Annual reports would be reporting and taking into account the softer information such as customer feedback, complaints, customer survey and perceptions.

The Commission noted on the whole that the performance was positive but expressed concern on the performance of the Housing Benefit Service.

RESOLVED -

That the report be noted.

8.            DRAFT REVENUE BUDGET 2006/7 UPDATE

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance.

The Budget Scrutiny Panel at its meeting on 8th December 2005 considered two reports which are due to be considered by the Executive on 14th December 2005.  Councillor Peter Brayshaw introduced the report providing highlights of the budget settlement.  Officers noted that there were still mounting pressures across the council which would still need to be addressed.  Members were concerned at the size of the reduction in the supporting people budget.  Councillors Bryant, Davies and Mennear were of the view that the Council should not pursue a 3% Council tax increase in light of the better than expected budget settlement. 

The Commission considered and endorsed their recommendations.

The Overview and Scrutiny Commission resolved -

(1)       THAT the report be noted.

(2)       THAT the Executive be informed that it:-

(i)            welcomed the announcement of the funding settlement for both 2006/7 and 2007/8, and the benefits this would have for medium-term financial planning;

(ii)        noted that the funding settlement for 2006/7 represented a marginal improvement on the Council’s planning assumptions, that the increase for 2007/8 was significant and that the increases announced for both years were better than the London average;

(iii)            expressed concern about the phased reductions in Supporting People funding and the implications for social care provision, noting that the demand for these services in Camden remains high;

(iv)       noted, with disappointment, that, despite lobbying, Camden had received a lower than London average per-pupil increase in the schools funding announcement, apparently because a greater increase was given to those with a historically low spend on education; it was felt that this had effectively penalised the Council for its tradition of relatively high investment in the borough’s schools; 

(v)            expressed concern about the potential level of the GLA precept and the pressure this could place on council tax, and looked ahead to receiving more details in the new year.

(vi)            considered that, in the round, the announcement would make it slightly easier to achieve the budget strategy adopted earlier in the year, of aiming for a Council tax increase of around 3%, possibly facilitated by a judicious drawing on reserves for 2006/7.  The Opposition parties reserved their position on the level of council tax.

(vii)      invited the consideration of a firmer two year financial plan in the light of the two-year Government announcement

9.            HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT BUDGET SETTING 2006/2007

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Housing and Adult Social Care.

Councillor Peter Brayshaw introduced the report considered by the Budget Scrutiny Panel at its meeting on 8th December 2005.  The report outlined the first stage in preparing the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2006/07 seeking approval for budget variations to enable the HRA to be balanced in 2006/07, subject to the decision of the Executive in February 2006 on the level of rents and charges.  Members noted that the deficit in the housing reserve had been forecast a few years ago and wanted the massive changes in heating pool addressed.  A member asked what was the capital financing cost of PFI to the HRA.

Action by: Rhys Makinson (Housing and Adult Social Care Department)

Officers noted that there had been a 44% rise in gas prices which had not been passed onto the tenants. Tenants will be consulted on whether to introduce a 30%, 40% or 60% increase in heating charges reflecting an increase over time.  The amount allocated in reserves was sufficient to cover the PFI financing cost.  Members advised that all tenants must be informed directly of the increase not just through District Management Committees.  Articles in Camden Living should help in publicising the increase.

Action by: Rhys Makinson (Housing and Adult Social Care Department)

RESOLVED -

(1)       THAT the report be noted.

(2)       THAT the Executive be informed that it:-

(i)            welcomed the report and particularly the clear presentation of reserves and the helpful level of detail provided; and

(ii)            expressed concern at the gradual withdrawal of transitional protection arrangements which had previously softened the impact of adverse changes in the Management and Maintenance, and hoped that the representations being made to government about this would be successful.

10.            Grant Aid for Voluntary Sector Organisations 2006/7

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Culture and Environment.

The Commission considered a report outlining the proposed grant and rent awards to voluntary sector organisations for 2006/7.  The report recommended funding for the final year of a three-year funding process.  Grants would be reviewed again over the coming year for new allocations from April 2007. 

It was noted that the officer structure supporting grants to the voluntary and community sector (VCS) had changed.  Grants officers were now part of the Capacity Building and Funding Management service in the Community Development and Regeneration Division of the Culture and Environment Department.  This new structure would provide greater ability for officers to enable the VCS to access funds and for discretionary funds to be distributed more effectively.

The Chair informed Members of an email received from Camden Victim Support requesting a review to increase their funding to support their work with young victims of crime in Camden in order to compensate for the withdrawal of Neighbourhood Renewal Funding.  Officers noted that the request was premature, as decisions on Neighbourhood Renewal Funding grants had not been made yet.  Members asked for an explanation of the term ‘negative reserves’.

A Member asked why arts grants were not eligible for organisations in Kilburn and West Hampstead areas.

Action by: Christine Collins (Culture and Environment Department)

Members thanked officers for the thoroughly researched and well-written report.

RESOLVED -

(i)         THAT the report be noted.

(ii)        THAT the Executive be informed that the Commission hoped in light of the budget settlement that there might not need to be reductions in revenue grant to Camden Citizens Advice Bureau and Camden Community Law Centre as previously anticipated.

11.            RESPONSE TO CAMDEN ASSOCIATION OF STREET PROPERTIES (CASP) MATERIAL TO THE COMMISSION

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Housing and Adult Social Care.

The Commission received a report responding to the main concerns highlighted by Camden Association of Street Properties at its meeting on 14th June 2005.   Some Members disagreed with some of the officers’ response.  They were of the view that street property tenants were treated differently to tenants living on estates.  Access to services was not equitable with street property tenants’ concerns often dismissed. Evidence from their casework showed that street properties were not individually surveyed as implied.  It was noted that more crack houses have been set up in street properties.

Members inquired about the following issues:-

·        How closely does the Council monitor who actually lives in street properties against who is suppose to live in them?

·        Why had the council previously decided to employ consultants and not appointed Clerks of Works who would be more accountable to the council?

·        In the last four years how many street property tenants have taken the council to court to ensure repairs were undertaken?  

·        How much had been spent on street properties and housing estates over the last four years?

Action by: Catherine Illingworth (Housing and Adult Social Care Department)

David Rodgers and Petra Dando spoke on behalf of CASP requesting better treatment for street property tenants by the council with well-defined procedures in place to resolve issues, as they could not access services.  Better management of problems with sensitivity was required, as they felt their concerns were not taken seriously.  Street property tenants were left out of major tenant consultations and therefore have not been able to contribute to the development or design of services.  Only 4 – 5 street property organisations participate in DMC activities in the borough.  CASP committee will respond formally to the report.

Members supported and requested the swift implementation of some of the proposals outlined in the report, such as the review of the sign up process, reprinting of the booklet, recruitment of in-house Clerks of Work and production of a technical standards manual.

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be noted and requested officers to implement the proposals identified above.

12.       THE OFFICE FOR STANDARDS IN EDUCATION (OFSTED) AND THE COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL CARE INSPECTION’S (CSCI) ANNUAL PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES 2004/5

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Children, Schools and Families.

The Commission received a report stating that the Camden’s performance overall assessed by Ofsted and CSCI has been positive across both education and children’s social care services.  As a consequence Camden’s social care services for adult and children’s have been rated 3 stars by CSCI.  Members congratulated the Director and staff for the hard work in achieving this high rating.

Members noted the following areas which required further progress:-

• Recruitment and retention of social workers.
• Reducing teenage pregnancy rate
• Raising sports achievement in schools 
• Increasing healthy drug education rate in secondary schools from 66% to 100%
• Reducing the number of 14 – 19 years olds leaving school with any qualification.

Officers informed Members of the work being undertaken to address these issues.

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be noted.

13.            COMMISSION FOR THE SOCIAL CARE INSPECTORATE (CSCI) ANNUAL REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE FOR ADULT SOCIAL CARE 2004/05

Consideration was given to the report of the Director Children, Schools and Families

Members were informed that the overall assessment by the Commission for Social Care Inspection regarding the Council’s performance had been extremely positive and combined with the children’s social care element of the children’s services assessment means that Social Services have been awarded 3 Stars.  This will contribute towards the Council’s CPA assessment.

Members congratulated all the staff for all their hard work and were pleased with the significant improvement for adult social care.  In doing so, the Commission noted that the recruitment and retention of Social workers required further attention and requested officers to ensure a that the was a right balance in their approach to introducing Direct payment.

RESOLVED -

THAT the report be noted.

14.            SERVING OLDER PEOPLE STRATEGY FOR THE LONG TERM CARE AND SUPPORT STRATEGY FOR OLDER PEOPLE IN CAMDEN – ANNUAL UPDATE

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Housing and Adult Social Care.

Members considered a report providing an update of the actions contained within the Long Term Care and Support Strategy for Older People, the officers responsible and the timescales involved.  Members noted that the action plan had been used as the basis for the implementation of the strategy which was monitored by the Long Term Care and Support Strategy Steering Group. 

Members noted the proposals to develop more extra care sheltered housing and inquired about how the schemes will be funded if the bids to the Housing Corporation failed.  Officers responded that alternative funding revenue sources would have to be explored with Partners.  Officers were asked to monitor the impact of the restructuring and reconfiguration of services of the Royal Free Hospital.  It was requested that packages of care had to be in place to reduce discharge delays and to prevent remission occurring.  Members were pleased with the work of the Projects for Older People Partnership and the Telecare pilots roll out especially its use of technology. It noted the support for Black and minority ethnic communities dealing with mental health issues.  Officers noted that a further report would be submitted in January 2006.

At this point in the proceedings, which were three hours after the commencement of the meeting, in accordance with Standing Order 19(a), the Commission agreed to continue sitting until 10.05 p.m.

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be noted.

15.            OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMISSION WORK PLAN

Consideration was given to a report of the report of the Chief Executive.

The Commission considered the content of the report and agreed for a briefing note to be circulated on the UDP and the Alcohol Misuse Scrutiny Panel report to be deferred until the 31st January 2006 meeting.

RESOLVED: -

THAT the report be noted.

16.       DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission was scheduled to take place on Tuesday 10th January 2006.

17.       ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIR CONSIDERS URGENT

There was no such business.

The meeting ended at 10.05 p.m.

CHAIR

Contact Officer:              Kayode Adewumi

Telephone No:      020 7974 5642

Email:                              Kayode.Adewumi@camden.gov.uk

MINUTES END

File: S:DemServ/ComServ/O&SCommission/Minutes/2005/051213