Summons to Attend
Full Council
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To: The Mayor and Councillors of Haringey Council.
Dear Sir/Madam,
A meeting of the Council of the London Borough of Haringey will be held at the on MONDAY, 14TH JULY, 2008 at 19:30 HRS, to transact the following business:
AGENDA
1. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
2. TO ASK THE MAYOR TO CONSIDER THE ADMISSION OF ANY LATE ITEMS OF BUSINESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 100B OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature
of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.
A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgment of the public interest and if this interest affects their financial position or the financial position of a person or body as described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct and/or if it relates to the determining of any approval, consent, licence, permission or registration in relation to them or any person or body described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct.
4. TO APPROVE AS A CORRECT RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 MAY 2008 (PAGES 1 - 8)
5. TO RECEIVE SUCH COMMUNICATIONS AS THE MAYOR MAY LAY BEFORE THE COUNCIL
6. TO RECEIVE THE REPORT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE (To follow)
7. TO RECEIVE THE REPORTS OF THE MONITORING OFFICER AND HEAD OF LEGAL SERVICES (To follow)
8. TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE BODIES (To follow)
9. TO CONSIDER REQUESTS TO RECEIVE DEPUTATIONS AND/OR PETITIONS AND, IF APPROVED, TO RECEIVE THEM
10. TO CONSIDER OPPOSITION BUSINESS SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE NO.12
11. TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, IF ANY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE NOS. 9 & 10
Oral Question 1 - To the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Wellbeing from Catherine Harris:
If he would like to make a statement about last year’s performance indicator results for adult social services?
Oral Question 2 – To the Leader of the Council from Councillor Gorrie:
Which of the recommendations made in the Roots Report to officers following the Middle Lane files fiasco in February 2008 has the Council formally adopted?
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Oral Question 3 - To the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation from Cllr Cooke:
What recent progress has been made repairing potholes in the borough?
Oral Question 4 - To the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Lifelong Learning from Councillor Reid:
How much money will the Council receive from the government to implement free swimming for over 65s and when will this start in Haringey?
Oral Question 5 – To the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement from Cllr Bull:
If the Cabinet Member can provide us with an update of awards made by Area Assemblies under the Making the Difference scheme and her assessment of the impact this scheme is having?
Oral Question 6 - To the Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Safer Communities from Councillor Winskill:
Why has Haringey Council failed to prosecute or even fine contractors following a series of failures to protect trees on a Council building project in Crouch End?
Oral Question 7 - To the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People from Cllr Dogus:
What provision and activities will be available for our children and young people during the summer holidays?’
Oral Question 8 – To the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People from Councillor Engert:
How many schools in Haringey have a functioning and effective School Council and what action is the Council taking to provide support to encourage such school councils as was recommended in Scrutiny Review of Youth Democracy of 2005?
12. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM THE FOLLOWING BODIES (PAGES 9 - 44)
a) Standards Committee – Annual Report – Report No.1 – 2008/09 (to follow) b) The Cabinet – Report No.1 – 2008/09 c) The Cabinet – Report No.2 – 2008/09 d) The Cabinet – Report No.3 – 2008/09 (to follow) e) General Purposes Committee – Report No.1 – 2008/09
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13. TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING MOTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE NO. 13
Motion A (2008/09)
Councillor Meehan has given notice that he will move in the following terms:
“This Council celebrates the significance of the 90th birthday on 18 July 2008 of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, former President of the Republic of South Africa. The struggle for freedom and multi-racial democracy by the people of South Africa is one that has had the support of this Council for many years.
During the height of the apartheid regime’s repression in the 1980’s, this Council was active in drawing attention to the efforts of the international community in bringing pressure to bear on the South African government, including calls for the unconditional release of Nelson Mandela and all political prisoners. The borough was home to Oliver Tambo, the then leader of the ANC and his family. On the eve of independence in South Africa, as the Tambo family prepared to return home, Haringey Council bestowed the Freedom of the Borough on Oliver and Adelaide Tambo.
Since the negotiated settlement and the advent of multi-racial elections in April 1994, this Council has continued to support efforts to build local democracy in the new South Africa; most recently through its links with schools and the support we have received from the High Commissioner for South Africa, Her Excellency Dr Lindiwe Mabuza. Our links with schools in Johannesburg and Pretoria continue to develop with two visits from officers from the Children and Young People’s Service and from staff and young people from our schools. Several schools have now good links, especially Alexandra Park Secondary school. The party was honoured to meet Nelson Mandela whilst in South Africa.
Last October, we were especially pleased to commemorate what would have been the 90 th birthday of Oliver Tambo by commissioning a bust which is now on display at the Albert Recreation Ground. On that occasion the Council was honoured to welcome the first lady of South Africa Zanele Mbeke, the Secretary of State for Justice, the Rt Hon Jack Straw MP and other distinguished guests.
This Council applauds the extraordinary achievements of Nelson Mandela and the many millions of South Africans who made the sacrifices necessary to achieve democracy and to work together towards a better life for all.
This Council recognises that at a time of rising economic and political uncertainty in South Africa and the region, the need for ongoing practical support for South African local communities remains strong.”
Motion B (2008/09 )
Councillor Thompson has given notice that he will move in the following terms:
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“This Council recognises the cultural diversity of Haringey and wishes to celebrate the contribution of the Jamaican community, particularly in the fields of race relations, community and police relations, education, and the judiciary.
This Council notes that the proposal for this link has come from Councillor Sheik Thompson following discussions with the office of the Jamaican High Commission in London. The proposal will establish links between organisations in the Borough, especially Haringey Young Musicians, and organisations in the parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica, specifically the School Chorale and the Jamaican Combined Cadet Force of Mannings High School in Savanna-la-Mar. A full programme of cultural events is proposed to promote a mutual understanding of both cultures, beginning with cultural exchange visits and concerts.
Subsequent to the meeting at which this motion is tabled there shall be no financial burden to the Council.
It is resolved that this Council recognises and approves a linking arrangement between Westmoreland in Jamaica and Haringey”.
Motion C (2008/09 )
Councillor Butcher has given notice that he will move in the following terms:
“This Council;
Is strongly opposed to the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport on the grounds that it will result in hugely increased CO2 emissions and noise pollution for the residents of Haringey and will make it virtually impossible for the UK to hit its targets for reducing carbon emissions, which we must do if we are to hold global warming to below 2ºC.
Does not believe that maintaining a healthy economy in Haringey and London's position as a major financial centre is dependent on a third runway. And resolves to,
To join the 2M (Two Million Voices) campaign against the Heathrow expansion as many other local authorities, such as neighbouring Camden and Islington, have already done”.
Motion D (2008/09 )
Councillor Alexander has given notice that she will move in the following terms:
“This Council notes:
• that 16 and 17 year olds can leave school, get married, have a full-time job, must pay taxes on their income, and can join the armed forces, but are not allowed to vote in public elections;
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• that 16 and 17 year olds have been calling for the right to vote for many years through the Votes at 16 coalition;
• that disconnection between young people and the political establishment is growing.
• the continuing good work by Haringey’s Youth Council and its members
This Council believes:
• that young people are interested in politics and have valid views on issues that affect them;
• that 16 and 17 year olds are old enough to have the right to vote in public elections;
• that refusing to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote is likely to further depress turnout and encourage young people to give up on formal political structures.
This Council resolves:
• to support the moves to lower the voting age for all public elections to 16;
• to call on the Government to establish the Youth Citizenship Commission with a clear remit to develop the necessary framework for reducing the voting age to 16.
• that the leader of the Council write to Bridget Prentice MP, minister in charge of reform in electoral administration, to show the Council’s commitment to pushing for votes for 16 and 17 year old and requesting that the government seriously considers decreasing the voting age”.
Dr Ita O’Donovan Chief Executive River Park House 225 High Road Wood Green London N22 8HQ
Friday, 4 July 2008
6 Page 1 Agenda Item 4 MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL MONDAY, 19 MAY 2008
Councillors Dobbie (Mayor), Vanier, Adamou, Adje, Aitken, Alexander, Allison, Amin, Basu, Beacham, Bevan, Beynon, Bloch, Bull, Butcher, Canver, Cooke, Diakides, Dodds, Dogus, Edge, Egan, Engert, Gorrie, Griffith, Haley, Hare, B. Harris, C. Harris, Hoban, Jones, Rahman Khan, Knight, Kober, Lister, Mallett, Meehan, Mughal, Newton, Oakes, Oatway, Patel, Peacock, Reid, Reith, Santry, Stanton, Thompson, Weber, Whyte, Williams, Wilson and Winskill.
Apologies Councillor Baker, Davies, Demirci and Rainger
MINUTE ACTION NO. SUBJECT/DECISION BY
CNCL01. FILMING OF MEETING
The Mayor requested agreement to the proceedings being filmed. The Council agreed.
CNCL02. TO ELECT THE MAYOR FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
The Mayor called for Nominations for the Office of Mayor for the Municipal Year 2008/09.
Councillor Sheila Peacock moved and Councillor Catherine Harris seconded that Councillor Alan Dobbie be elected Mayor.
Councillor Gorrie moved and Councillor Aitken seconded that Councillor Oakes be elected Mayor.
Having put the vote to the meeting there being 31 votes for Councillor Dobbie, and 22 votes for Councillor Oakes, the Council:
RESOLVED:
1. That Councillor Alan Dobbie be elected Mayor for the Municipal Year 2008/09.
2. The Mayor made and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, which was witnessed by Councillors Peacock and Catherine Harris.
3. The Mayor then addressed the Council, gave thanks for his election and outlined his objectives for his year of office.
4. The Mayor’s Consort Lance Chinnian, was then invested with his Badge of Office. Page 2 MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL MONDAY, 19 MAY 2008
CNCL03. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Baker, Davies, Demirci and Rainger.
CNCL04. TO ASK THE MAYOR TO CONSIDER THE ADMISSION OF ANY LATE ITEMS OF BUSINESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 100B OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 See Minutes 11, 12, 13, 15,17 & 18.
CNCL05. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were asked by the Mayor to declare any personal interest in respect of items on the agenda. In accordance with Part 2 of the Members Code of Conduct set out in the Council Constitution, any Member disclosing a personal interest which was also prejudicial would be asked to withdraw from the Chamber during consideration of the item and neither were they to seek to improperly influence a decision on the said item.
There were no declarations of interest.
CNCL06. TO APPROVE AS A CORRECT RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON 31 MARCH 2008 Copies of the Minutes of the last meeting having been circulated, they were taken as read.
RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 31 March 2008 be signed as a true record.
CNCL07. TO RECEIVE WRITTEN NOTIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY MAYOR The Chief Executive reported that the Mayor had signified in writing the appointment of Councillor Bernice Vanier as Deputy Mayor for the ensuing year.
Councillor Vanier was invested with her Badge of Office. The Deputy Mayor’s Escort – Mr Vernon King was then invested with his badge of office.
CNCL08. TO PASS A VOTE OF THANKS TO THE RETIRING MAYOR AND MAYORESS AND THE RETIRING DEPUTY MAYOR AND DEPUTY MAYOR'S ESCORT. A vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor and Mayoress and the retiring Deputy Mayor and Escort was moved by Councillor George Meehan and Page 3 MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL MONDAY, 19 MAY 2008
seconded by Councillor Neil Williams.
The retiring Mayor was presented with a badge marking his year of office. The Leader also presented the retiring Mayor with a photograph album. The Mayor presented the retiring Mayoress with a framed photograph.
RESOLVED:
That the Council extend to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Sheik Thompson, the retiring Mayoress Mrs Kyoko Thompson , the retiring Deputy Mayor, Councillor Dilek Dogus, and the retiring Deputy Mayor’s Escort - Mr Mustafa Dogus , its sincere thanks and appreciation for the services they had rendered to the Borough during the past year.
The retiring Mayor addressed the Council.
CNCL09. TO RECEIVE SUCH COMMUNICATIONS AS THE MAYOR MAY LAY BEFORE THE COUNCIL 1. The Mayor thanked the flower children Muganthan Yogaratnam, Anitalia Nangozi and Damla Kurt from Noel Park Primary School for attending the ceremony. The Council gave them a round of applause.
2. The Mayor announced and presented his Parish Priest, Fr. Simon Clark of St. Mark's Church in Noel Park with a Chaplain's Badge as the Mayor's Chaplain for the year ahead.
3. The Mayor congratulated Councillor Thompson on receiving the Freedom of the City of London award for services to music and theatre art.
CNCL10. TO ELECT THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE MUNICIPAL YEAR 2008/09. Councillor Kober proposed that Councillor George Meehan be elected Leader of the Council for 2008/09. Councillor Reith seconded.
RESOLVED:
That Councillor George Meehan be elected Leader of the Council for 2008/9.
CNCL11. TO AGREE THE NUMBER OF COUNCILLORS TO BE APPOINTED TO THE CABINET AND APPOINT THOSE MEMBERS OF THE CABINET FOR THE MUNICIPAL YEAR 2008/09. The Mayor agreed to the admission of this report as urgent business. Appointments had only recently been finalised at Party Group Meetings and needed approval to permit Cabinet meetings to be convened. Page 4 MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL MONDAY, 19 MAY 2008
It was moved by Councillor Kober that the tabled proposals be adopted.
RESOLVED:
That the numbers of Councillors and names of Councillors appointed to the Cabinet, as detailed in the tabled proposals, be agreed.
CNCL12. TO AGREE THE APPOINTMENTS PROCEDURE AND TO APPOINT COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES AND OTHER BODIES FOR THE MUNICIPAL YEAR 2008/09 INCLUDING THE SELECTION OF THE CHAIRS AND DEPUTY CHAIRS. The Mayor agreed to the admission of this report as urgent business. Appointments had only recently been finalised at Party Group Meetings and needed approval to permit committees to be convened.
It was moved by Councillor Kober that recommendations 1 – 2 as detailed be adopted.
Councillor Wilson moved an amendment to recommendation 2, that Councillor Hare be appointed Chair of the Planning Committee. Councillor Allison seconded.
In respect of the amendment for the nomination for the Chair of the Planning Committee there being 22 votes for Councillor Hare, and 31 against, the amendment was lost.
RESOLVED:
1. That the process for appointing to Committees, Sub- Committees and Chairs be approved on the “slate” basis prescribed.
2. That the membership of committees, sub-committees and appointment of Chairs be agreed as attached at Appendix 1 of the report.
CNCL13. TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE BODIES.
The Mayor agreed to the admission of this report as urgent business. Appointments had only recently been finalised at Party Group Meetings and needed approval to permit appointments to outside organisations to be made.
RESOLVED:
That the appointments to outside bodies be approved, as detailed in the schedule attached to the report. Page 5 MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL MONDAY, 19 MAY 2008
CNCL14. TO RECEIVE THE REPORT OF THE MONITORING OFFICER AND HEAD OF LEGAL SERVICES RESOLVED:
1. That the appointment of Annabel Loyd to serve as an independent member on the Standards Committee from May 2008 for four years be agreed.
2. That the term of appointment of Irene Francis and Roger Lovegrove be extended for a further year until May 2009.
CNCL15. TO RECEIVE THE REPORT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, NOTING THE APPOINTMENTS MADE BY THE POLITICAL GROUPS, AND TO TAKE SUCH ACTION AS MAY BE APPROPRIATE. The Mayor agreed to the admission of this report as urgent business as it dealt with matters considered at Party Group meetings within the last few days.
RESOLVED:
That the composition of the following political groups be noted:
The Labour Group
Leader: Councillor George Meehan Deputy Leader: Councillor Lorna Reith Chief Whip: Councillor Claire Kober Chair: Councillor Matt Cooke Vice Chair: Councillor Ray Dodds Secretary: Councillor GMMH Rahman Khan Assistant Whips: Councillors Councillor Sheila Peacock & Pat Egan Group Treasurer Councillor Sheila Peacock Non-Executive members: Councillors Alan Dobbie and Sheik Thompson
Councillors:
Adamou Dogus Mallett Adje Griffith Patel Amin Haley Santry Basu B. Harris Stanton Bevan C. Harris Vanier Bull Jones Canver Knight Diakides Lister
The Liberal Democrat Group
Leader: Councillor Robert Gorrie Deputy Leader: Councillor Richard Wilson Page 6 MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL MONDAY, 19 MAY 2008
Chief Whip: Councillor Monica Whyte Deputy Whip Councillor Matt Davies Group Chair Councillor Laura Edge Group Deputy Chair Councillor David Beacham
Councillors:
Aitken Engert Reid Alexander Hare Weber Allison Hoban Williams Baker Mughal Winskill Beynon Newton Bloch Oakes Butcher Oatway Demirci Rainger
CNCL16. TO AGREE THE SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS FOR THE 2008/9 MUNICIPAL YEAR.
It was moved by Councillor Kober that the recommendations as detailed be adopted.
RESOLVED:
That the schedule of meetings for 2008/09, as circulated with the tabled amendment for May and June 2008, be approved.
CNCL17. TO RECEIVE A STATEMENT OF COUNCILLORS’ ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL, COMMITTEES AND SUB- COMMITTEES IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULES.
The Mayor agreed to the admission of this report as urgent business. The statement was not available at the time of despatch as information was still being gathered.
It was moved by Councillor Kober that the statement of attendance be noted subject to any changes being reported to the next meeting.
RESOLVED:
That the statement of members’ attendance be noted, subject to any changes being reported to the next meeting.
CNCL18. TO NOTE THE END OF MUNICIPAL YEAR FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 2007/08. The Mayor agreed to the admission of this report as urgent business. The statement was not available at the time of despatch as information was still being gathered. Page 7 MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL MONDAY, 19 MAY 2008
It was moved by Councillor Kober that the end of Year statement be noted.
RESOLVED:
That the allowances paid to each Member for 2007/08 be noted.
COUNCILLOR ALAN DOBBIE
Mayor Page 8
This page is intentionally left blank Page 9 Agenda Item 12 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 01/2008-09 Page 1 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 Chair: Deputy Chair: Councillor George Meehan Councillor Lorna Reith
INTRODUCTION
1.1 This report covers matters considered by the Cabinet at our meeting on 18 March 2008. For ease of reference the Report is divided into the Cabinet portfolios.
1.2 We trust that this Report will be helpful to Members in their representative role and facilitate a fruitful dialogue between the Cabinet and all groups of Councillors. These reports are a welcome opportunity for the Cabinet on a regular basis to present the priorities and achievements of the Cabinet to Council colleagues for consideration and comment. The Cabinet values and encourages the input of fellow members.
ITEMS OF REPORT
Children and Young People
2. PROVISION FOR 0-19 YEAR OLDS (OUTSIDE STATUTORY SCHOOLING)
2.1 We considered a report which outlined a model for 0-19 provision (outside statutory schooling) for children, young people and their families within the structure of the Children’s Networks which included a number of changes to the way in which the management of the five Council-run children’s centres and the Council-run play centres operated. It also informed us of the results of the consultation which had been held on this matter.
2.2 We noted that the approach outlined in the report aimed to build upon the early intervention and prevention strategies of the Children and Young People’s Service (CYPS). This approach would join up all those services for children and young people outside statutory schooling and focus them in an integrated and co-ordinated way across each Network, thereby providing families with co-ordinated wraparound care. The approach would also enable universal services to provide low and medium targeted intervention across the 0-19s, working with children and families who did not meet the statutory thresholds for specialist services, but needed support and intervention which would, over time, reduce children and families falling into greater degrees of vulnerability.
2.3 We also received a deputation which addressed our meeting and expressed concern about the consultation which the Council had undertaken regarding the future of the Children’s Centres at Noel Park, Woodside, Park Lane, Stonecroft and Triangle. Whilst welcoming the changes in the Council’s position since the matter had last been considered at our meeting in July 2007 as reflected in the report. In particular they believed the consultation period had not been long enough.
2.4 Having considered the report, the concerns raised by the deputation and the response given to them by the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People who advised that the review of the five Council-run children’s centres had started over six months ago and that parents and staff had been consulted during this process in particular, during the
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Page 10 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 01/2008-09 Page 2 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 formal consultation period. Most staff within the play service had been consulted at staff meetings and the managers of the five Council-run children’s centres had been involved throughout the review. Children’s centre managers had met and discussed the proposals with their staff. Following approval of the proposals contained in the report further discussions would be held with parents, staff and others on a centre by centre basis.
2.5 We report that we approved the model for 0-19 provision (outside statutory schooling) for children, young people and families within each Children’s Network as outlined in the report and, in principle, the proposal for the management of three of the five Council run children’s centres (Stonecroft, Park Lane, Woodside and Noel Park) to be delegated to, or delivered via a Service Level Agreement (SLA), from nearby primary schools. In the first instance for formal discussions to take place with Campsbourne, St Paul’s and All Hallows and Earlham Primary Schools respectively given their locations and relationship with the centres.
2.6 Approval was also granted in principle to the proposed management of Noel Park Children’s Centre being delegated to or delivered via a SLA from Noel Park Primary School and to further discussions taking place with the school and local stakeholders on the detail given that it operated on a different model to the other children’s centres. We also agreed to a proposal that further local consultation on the best management model for Triangle Children’s Centre be considered in partnership with Urban Environment and the NDC (or its successor body) before any final decision was taken and in this connection we noted that the following possible management models had been suggested -
• appoint a new head of an integrated Centre who would develop the facility as an inter-generational Centre providing work across the whole community and being accountable as now to the local authority; • appoint a third party from the national or local voluntary sector to manage and develop the centre as an integrated service with current staff remaining as Haringey employees but seconded under contract to this organisation for a number of years, working in close partnership with the NDC (or its successor body) and the local community;
2.7 Finally, we approved in principle a proposal that some or all of the Council-run play centres be managed by local schools (as part of their extended schools programme) or children’s centres and that formal discussions bee held with those schools identified as the ‘best fit’ given their location and links with existing play centres
3. ADMISSION TO SCHOOLS DETERMINATION OF ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS
3.1 We noted that Section 89 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 required all admission authorities to consult on the content of their admission arrangements. Regulations required that, for the school year commencing September 2009, such consultation should be completed by 1 March 2008 and the arrangements determined by 15 April 2008. We considered a report which set out the statutory framework for the admission arrangements proposed for determination, including the statutory School Admissions Code, which came into force in February 2007. These arrangements complied with the statutory framework. In particular the priority given to looked after children reflected the duty on an admission authorities to give such children the highest
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Page 11 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 01/2008-09 Page 3 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 priority. In addition the authority was required to have an In-Year Fair Access Protocol in place from September 2007. The proposals referred to in the report concerning the appointment of Choice Advisers reflected the new duty on the authority, under Section 86(1A) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, to provide advice and assistance to parents regarding their expression of preferences within the admission arrangements for that area.
3.2 We report that we approved the proposed admission arrangements for determination for all community primary and secondary schools and St Aidan’s Voluntary Controlled Primary School and the admission arrangements for sixth form provision in Alexandra Park School, the Highgate/Hornsey Consortium and the Sixth Form Centre. We also approved the determination of the Qualifying Schemes for the co-ordination of arrangements for admission to reception classes in all maintained primary and secondary schools in Haringey. In so doing, we noted that, at secondary level, this entailed the Council’s continued participation in the Pan-London Scheme.
4. BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE – STRATEGY FOR CHANGE (2)
4.1 We considered a report which advised that the Strategy for Change Part 2 (SfC2) built upon Part 1 which had set out our intention to transform the outcomes for young people (11-19) and their communities in Haringey. SfC2 would take forward our responsibility to transform secondary education, and especially to facilitate robust dialogue with Governing Bodies on implementing the Government’s diversity, choice and fair access agenda. This would include plans for potential changes to the status of some schools to enable greater levels of self governance. The decision around the change of status of any school rested with the Governing Body of that school.
4.2 We noted that Haringey was well advanced in implementing aspects of its Strategy for Change as part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. Industry- standard programme management systems (Managing Successful Programmes and PRINCE2 [ PR ojects IN Controlled Environments]) had been used to ensure that all elements of the programme moved forward effectively. We also noted that the BSF programme had good ownership within the Council and that there was confidence that effective systems were in place to lead and manage this complex change programme and achieve our vision.
4.3 Framework agreements had been established, through EU procurement processes, for
• educational advice; • design team partners; and • construction partners. A team of construction project managers was in place and cost consultants had appointed core teams to each of the Wave 2 schools. Most of the Wave 2 schools were already at RIBA Stage C and by April 2008 all would have reached stage D, at which stage contractor partners would join the design teams.
4.4 Design proposals for Wave 2 projects had been judged good overall by Partnerships for Schools (PfS) and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) Produced by Local Democracy & Member Services Contact - Cabinet Committees Team 8489 2923
Page 12 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 01/2008-09 Page 4 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 and one of the more advanced designs an exemplar. ICT procurement was also well advanced. Using a competitive dialogue process we had two potential Managed Services Provider (MSP) partners and final bids were to be submitted in March 2008, with a milestone to have the MSP preferred bidder in place by April 2008.
4.5 We noted that good progress was being made through the BSF programme and that SfC2 provided an overview of the actions that were planned to be taken to achieve the transformation we set out in our vision, supported by the construction and ICT elements of the programme. In response to concern expressed about how the Government’s diversity and choice agenda would work in practice and about the need for robust dialogue with both parents and the Government on these issues in particular for stakeholders to be made aware of all of the options open to them rather than having one imposed on them, we were informed that Strategy was intended to start a dialogue with the Government which already held strong views about these matters with the outcome in terms of status being a decision for the Governors of the individual school and what was being proposed in the report was a process.
Regeneration and Enterprise
5. LEGAL AGREEMENT WITH THE OWNERS OF THE GLS SITE FOR GROWTH AREA FUNDING
5.1 The Council will be aware that on 20 February 2007 we agreed to enter into a funding agreement with Ferryboat Properties Limited the then freeholder of the GLS site. We considered a report which informed us that the ownership of the GLS site had been transferred from Ferryboat Properties Limited to Hale Village Properties LLP a special purpose vehicle set up for the purpose of redeveloping the site and which sought our authority to enter into a funding agreement with Hale Village Properties LLP instead.
5.2 We have entered into a Funding Agreement with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) for Growth Area Funding (GAF) and we noted that the GAF Funding Agreement contained the conditions of the grant with which the Council must comply making the Council the accountable body. We were advised that in order to protect the Council’s position and to ensure that the grant recipient complied with these grant conditions a separate funding agreement must be entered into with the grant recipient. The recipient in this case is the owner of the GLS site.
5.3 We report that we noted the change of ownership of the GLS site from Ferryboat Properties Ltd. to Hale Village Properties LLP and agreed to the Council entering into a funding agreement with them for a total Growth Area Funding grant of £2,502,000.
6. IMPLEMENTING A CHARGING REGIME FOR PRE-APPLICATION PLANNING ADVICE
6.1 We considered a report which recommended a more structured approach to the way in which the Council dealt with the pre-application phase of planning applications in the Borough. The report considered two different charging regimes one for basic Pre- Application Planning Advice (PAPAs) and one for Planning Performance Agreements
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Page 13 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 01/2008-09 Page 5 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 (PPAs) which would introduce a project management approach to preparing Major, Strategic, and Complex Applications.
6.2 We noted that several local authorities including a number of our neighbours were charging for theses services and the report demonstrated the advantages of doing so and recommended that we implement a charging regime benchmarked against our neighbours. We were informed that PPAs were a new concept which had been piloted by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) via the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) and the Advisory Team for Large Applications (ATLAS) and had now been put forwarded as an option for Local Planning Authorities to consider.
6.3 Officers spent much time giving pre-application advice to developers on schemes which might prove only to be speculative. The charges proposed were in line with Government recommendations which would result in developers, who benefited from the advice, paying for the service, instead of the cost of this advice falling on the general Council Tax payer. The new services would be available to any agent/developer interested in receiving advice on a proposed planning application for a development of two units or more. This would remove the average householder from the charges. Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) would only be considered for applications of major or strategic significance to the Borough.
6.4 During the course of our deliberations, reference was made to discussions at meetings of the Planning Committee about this matter and about the possibility of imposing charges for retrospective planning applications. We were advised that while this was possible the majority of retrospective applications were householder applications whereas the proposed charge for this service, which was in line with Government recommendations, was primarily in respect of pre-application advice to developers.
6.5 We report that we approved the proposal to proceed with the implementation of a formalised service for pre-application planning advice (PAPA) and a charging regime benchmarked against neighbouring local authorities. We also approved the proposal to proceed with the implementation of Planning Performance Agreements (PPA’s) and the associated charging regime based on guidance from Government. We asked that a further report be submitted to our April meeting on the question of the imposition of charges for retrospective planning applications.
Environment and Conservation
7. HIGHWAYS ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN
7.1 The Council will be aware that our highways infrastructure is by far the most valuable set of assets for which we are responsible providing a vital contribution to the prosperity of the Borough. The availability of a safe, serviceable highways network is essential to allow ready access around and through the Borough, as well as providing access for business and residents. The Borough’s economic vitality depends upon highway links that are safe and fit for purpose. Efficient, effective management of this valuable asset is therefore one of the Council’s key responsibilities.
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Page 14 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 01/2008-09 Page 6 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 7.2 The highways network comprises 313.5km of carriageway (roads) and 652km footways (pavements). These assets alone have been valued at approximately £224million. In addition, there are assets including street lighting, bridges, drainage, signs, street furniture, car parks, trees and amenity areas, the value of which is currently unknown but certainly runs into many millions of pounds.
7.3 The Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP) sought to develop a strategic approach to managing this vital asset and used tools and techniques to enable better, more robust and accountable management of the highway infrastructure. Development of the strategic approach drew on the corporate vision of Haringey coupled with the Council’s commitment to the Mayor’s Transport Strategy through the production of the Local Implementation Plan. In order to achieve this, the HAMP had been developed to develop knowledge and understanding of the network in terms of what was owned (inventory), condition and treatment options. This would enable longer term programming of work and a better understanding of funding needs over time and implications on change in budgets with regards to service levels defined or expected.
7.5 The Highway Asset also contributed to many of the Council Priorities including: • Greenest Borough • Better Haringey – cleanliness and safety • Customer perception • Regeneration
7.1 We report that we considered the draft Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP) as prepared by OPUS and agreed the action plan that had been developed from it. In agreeing the draft as the first HAMP we recognised the need for much more work to be done to make it a truly meaningful document. We also noted that the HAMP was not, in itself, a Highways Asset Valuation but the plan on what to do with that asset. We also noted the status of the current asset valuation and the need for significant investment in survey work; software enhancements and ongoing staff costs in order to compile and maintain a proper asset register in order to be able to produce the current asset valuation at any time in the future.
7.2 Work undertaken to date on developing the HAMP indicated that substantial additional investment funding would be needed to meet the resources shortfall identified to improve highways assets so that they are fit for purpose and on-going costs to maintain them in decent condition. Different sources of funding both external and internal needed to be assessed and prioritised to meet this need including the possibility of using prudential borrowing and other funding mechanisms as appropriate to renew or improve assets. The Plan would be taken into account in formulating the annual Highways Works Programme and used as a basis for bidding for funds either through the Council’s financial planning process or from external sources.
7.3 The Government was working towards the production of commercial-style accounts for the whole of the public sector including local authorities. The valuation of highway assets under this system would not only assess replacement value, but also assess the level and rate of depreciation - demanding a detailed knowledge of condition and maintenance plans.
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Page 15 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 01/2008-09 Page 7 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 7.4 We report that we approved the draft Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP) as an important first stage towards Infrastructure Asset Management for local borough roads and their associated structures which would be required in the future for the Whole of Government Accounts. We also agreed that the Highways Works Programme (see following item below) be used annually to update Members on the development and implementation of the plan and, in particular, to consider the future work programme based on the principles of the HAMP and where necessary to update the HAMP.
8. HIGHWAYS WORKS PLAN 2008/09
8.1 We considered a report on the progress of projects approved in the Highways Work Plan for 2007/8 and which sought our approval for the Highways Work Plan for 2008/9. The report also, and for a first time, sought approval in principle for the Plan for the subsequent year (2009/10) subject to capital funding being available. This set out the programme of highway and traffic schemes that would be carried out on the Borough’s roads in 2008/09 as well as those proposed for 2009/10. In addition the report provided the initial draft proposals for Local Implementation Plan (LIP) submission for 2009/10. The projects were based on those proposed for 2009/10 in the LIP for 2008/9, the re- submission of projects unfunded in 2008/9 where appropriate and new initiatives the Council wanted to pursue.
8.2 We noted the progress on the 2007/8 Highways Works Plan and approved the 2008/09 Highways Works Plan and, where available, the 2009/10 Plan subject to financing and review in March 2009. We also approved the consultation type for each scheme within the agreed processes as set out in the Plan and we delegated to the Director of Urban Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation authority to approve the final LIP APR submission for 2009/10 with Appendix 7 to the report as the basis for the submission but with further schemes added or others removed as necessary prior to submission. Approval was also granted to the inclusion of roads which could be brought forward from the 2009/10 Plan if extra funding was available or if schemes in the 2008/9 plan were delayed due to utilities work, consultation or any other unforeseen reason.
9. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ACT 2004 AND ADOPTION OF A PERMIT SCHEME
9.1 We considered a report which advised us that In July 2004 the Traffic Management Act had gained Royal Assent. The Act comprised of seven parts and accompanying schedules which were being implemented in stages. We noted that the relevant parts of the Act that had a direct impact on Highways Services were as follows -
Part 2- Network Management Duty
Placed a statutory duty on all local authorities to expedite the movement of traffic (including pedestrians and cyclists) safely on its own network and facilitate the same on networks of neighbouring authorities and in London Transport for London. It required local authorities to appoint a Traffic Manager which the Council had done.
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Page 16 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 01/2008-09 Page 8 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 If it could be demonstrated that any authority was failing in its Network Management Duty the Act provided for the Secretary of State for England to appoint a Traffic Director and sets out the procedure for such intervention. The regulations also provided for the cost of intervention to be charged to the local authority and this cost was anticipated to be up to £245,000 depending upon the level of duties taken over by the Traffic Director.
The Traffic Management Act 2004 Intervention Criteria came into effect under of the Act in May 2007. This provided the guidance on what basis the Secretary of State would take enforcement action against an authority deemed to be failing in their Network Management Duty (NMD). Part of the criteria for judging an authority’s performance in its NMD would be the extent to which they had exercised any powers in support of that action. The introduction of the permit scheme was seen as an important step in demonstrating this.
Part 3 – Permit Schemes
This made provision for highway authorities (individually or by two or more acting together) to set up and operate Permit Schemes for the management and control of activities on the highway in accordance with Regulations made by the Secretary of State under Section 37 of the Act. The Council could now attach conditions to permits such as
• The days of the week and the times of the day on which works might be carried out. • The duration of the works • The amount of highway space that the works might occupy • The provision of advance information and publicity measures
Regulations were made in November 2007, coming into force on 1 April 2008. Where a Permit Scheme was submitted and approved (with such modifications if any as the Secretary of State may direct) a separate statutory order would be made specifying the date the Permit Scheme would come into effect.
9.2 The report was the Council’s response to Part 3. The implementation of the Permit Scheme was fundamental in giving the Council the necessary tool to control utility works efficiently and effectively. The delegation to the Director of Urban Environment of the authority to prepare and submit an application under Part 3 of the Act would enable the correct procedures to be carried out with the other authorities.
The implications of Haringey not adopting a Permit Scheme were as follows
• It would fail in its network management duty to co-ordinate work on the highway in a more effective way • It would lose out on a significant income stream • It would reduce the Council’s ability to make Haringey a safer and better place to live.
9.3 We report that we authorised the Director of Urban Environment to make the necessary arrangements to prepare and submit, in conjunction with the London Permit Scheme Group, an application to the Secretary of State under Part 3 Traffic Management Act
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Page 17 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 01/2008-09 Page 9 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 2004 to operate a highway authority Permit Scheme. We also authorised the Director of Urban Environment to agree any variations to the Scheme agreed by the London Permit Scheme Group to achieve consistency throughout participating Boroughs in London, or as Directed by the Secretary of State. Further, that following the Secretary of State approving the scheme it be adopted and brought into effect after notice had been given to interested parties as required under the Regulations.
Housing
10. EMPTY PROPERTIES COMPULSORY PURCHASE OF 209 MOUNT PLEASANT ROAD N17, 87 CARLINGFORD ROAD N15 (LEFT HAND SIDE) AND 82 MOSELLE AVENUE N22
10.1 We considered a report which set out proposals to make Compulsory Purchase Orders at 207/209 Mount Pleasant Road, N17, 87 Carlingford Road (left hand side) N15 and 92 Moselle Avenue, N22. The Council will be aware that the use of compulsory purchase powers forms part of Haringey’s Empty Properties Strategy, Housing Strategy, and Sub- Regional Strategy to bring back into use residential premises that had been long term vacant and where no other course of action was appropriate or could be pursued. It was also in pursuance of achieving a year-on-year increase in the number of privately owned empty properties brought back into use through advice or intervention (Best Value Performance Indicator 64).
10.2 The report described the condition of the properties and the work which had been undertaken to date by officers in the Strategic and Community Housing Services of the Urban Environment Directorate and of the North London Private Sector Housing Sub- region, to bring the properties back into use.
10.3 We report that we approved the use of Compulsory Purchase powers under Section 17 of the Housing Act 1985 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 to compulsorily acquire the above-mentioned properties and we authorised the Head of Legal Services to make and seal the Orders for submission to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for consideration and approval. We also authorised the Head of Legal Services to confirm the Compulsory Purchase Order in the event of the Secretary of State returning the Order and upon confirmation of the Compulsory Purchase Order to proceed with the acquisition.
10.4 In the event that any of the owners agreeing, in the form of a legally enforceable undertaking, to bring the relevant property back into residential occupation use within a reasonable timetable, then the Head of Legal Services in consultation with the Director of Urban Environment was authorised to accept and enforce such an undertaking instead of proceeding with the Compulsory Purchase Order for the property in question.
10.5 We also agreed, subject to the confirmation of the Compulsory Purchase Orders by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government or the Council, to the disposal of the property to a Registered Social Landlord (RSL) in the first instance, or to a Private Developer (in which case the sale would be by way of auction with covenants applied to bring the property back into use as soon as possible) and to the re-cycling of the receipt from the disposal back to the capital programme budget for the continued private sector Produced by Local Democracy & Member Services Contact - Cabinet Committees Team 8489 2923
Page 18 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 01/2008-09 Page COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 10 housing Compulsory Purchase Order programme. Further, that the financial costs of the Compulsory Purchase Orders be met through the capital programme.
Safer Communities and Enforcement
11. RESPONSE TO SCRUTINY REVIEW ON RESOURCING OF SAFER AND STRONGER COMMUITIES
11.1 We considered a report which proposed a response to the recommendations made by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee as a result of the Scrutiny Review of the Resourcing of Safer and Stronger Communities LAA Targets.
11.2 We noted that the terms of reference for the review were as follows: “To consider the future resourcing of actions to achieve strategic targets within the Safer Communities block of the Local Area Agreement for Haringey 2007 – 2010 and to make recommendations thereon to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.” The recommendations made in the original Scrutiny Review report, and our responses to them, would affect all Council departments. The whole Council plus its key statutory partners had a role to play in achieving the Safer Communities’ targets.
11.3 We also noted that in Haringey there were eight external sources of funding totalling £6,207,750 which were utilised to achieve the safer communities’ targets. The core funding allocated to this area of work by the Council was £1,053,400. From April 2008 the introduction of the Area Based Grant would integrate a number of the external funding sources which had traditionally been received by the Council’s Safer Communities Business Unit. In managing the allocation of the Area Based Grant funding for key activities within the Safer Communities Business had been prioritised and recommendations 1 – 3 covered this issue.
11.4 In terms of legal Implications, Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 clearly stated “(1) Without prejudice to any other obligation imposed on it, it shall be the duty of each authority to which this section applies to exercise its various functions with due regard to the likely effect of the exercise of those functions on, and the need to do all that it reasonably can to prevent, crime and disorder in its area.
(2) This section applies to a local authority, a joint authority, a police authority, a National Park authority and the Broads Authority.” Recommendations 4 – 8 covered this requirement.
11.5 We report that we welcomed the recommendations made in the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee into its review of Resourcing of Safer and Stronger Communities Local Area Agreement Targets and we granted approval to the action plan which was set out as an Appendix to the report for the achievement of the recommendations where appropriate.
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12. SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT
12.1 We considered a report which outlined the proposed Sustainable Procurement Strategy and Policy of the Council. An Appendix to the report outlined the proposed Sustainable Procurement Policy and Strategy and explained how the Council’s spending power could be utilised in support of sustainable development and contribute to the achievement of the Greenest Borough Strategy (in particular Priority 4: Leading example – managing the Council sustainably and Priority 5: Sustainable design and construction).
12.2 We noted that procurement was a considerable element of an organisation’s economic power. As a local authority with responsibility for spending public money, the Council had a duty to ensure it is spent in the community’s interests now and for generations to come. In order to deliver outcomes that supported sustainable development, the procurement process had to take account of social, economic and environmental objectives. In line with the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy, the Equality Public Duties Scheme and the Council’s Guide to Equalities in Procurement, the social objectives in the proposed Strategy embraced the promotion of equality of opportunity at all stages of the procurement process.
12.3 The strategy and policy had been developed in support of the Greenest Borough Strategy and following the increasing UK Government emphasis around sustainable procurement. This included the UK Sustainable Procurement Task Force, which identified benefits arising from adopting sustainable procurement as:
• better stewardship of taxpayers’ money; • environmental and social benefits; • public sector support for innovation; • encouragement for more environment-friendly technologies; • better management of risk; mitigation of concerns about upfront costs through less waste; • better information about purchasing patterns; and improved supplier relationships; and management.
All of these elements of sustainable procurement were, at the same time, examples of good procurement practice.
12.4 In addition to offering real value for money over the long term and contributing to meeting the targets in Greenest Borough Strategy, adoption of the strategy and policy would demonstrate leadership of the Borough. This would show the Council living its values. There were also increasing regulatory and policy requirements in the UK and Europe, primarily around financial reporting, waste management, energy use and sustainable production and consumption. The UK Government had set the target for the UK to be among the EU leaders in sustainable procurement by 2009, an aspiration shared by the Local Government Association. There were higher expectations of Councils in leading the corporate social responsibility agenda locally.
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Page 20 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 01/2008-09 Page COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 12 12.5 In order to help authorities take the steps needed to bring about sustainable procurement, the UK Sustainable Procurement Task Force had developed a Flexible Framework for implementation. The Framework outlined, step by step, the things that organisations needed to achieve in order to implement sustainable procurement. It broke these into 5 levels of achievement: from foundation, at Level 1; through to leading, at Level 5. Following a self assessment against the Flexible Framework, Haringey was currently averaging Level 1.5. We were informed that the framework had been endorsed by the Local Government Association and was recognised in the new Comprehensive Area Assessment (2008/09) as an indication of effective use of resources. The Strategy proposed called for Haringey to work in line with this Framework.
12.6 We report that in adopting the Sustainable Procurement Policy and Strategy we asked that our thanks be placed on record to the team who had produced it.
Leisure, Culture and Lifelong Learning
13. SUBSIDY AND PRICING SCHEDULE AMENDMENT
13.1 We reported to the Council meeting on 18 February 2008 on the decisions we had taken following consideration of the Recreation Subsidy and Pricing Policy Review at our meeting on 22 January 2008.The report recognised both the challenge regarding 65+ user related implementation and the need for phased introduction. Recreation Services initiated implementation of those decisions in accordance with the Communications and Promotion Plan of the Review report. The latter included targeted consultation with 65+ users and the Older People’s Forum, on the implementation of the revised policy and prices, and in particular how the Council could support the transition from free to charged use.
13.2 We considered a report which provided feedback from consultation on the implementation of the new subsidy and pricing policy and which sought our approval to the proposed pricing amendments for Borough 65+ resident users, to take effect from 7 April 2008. We noted that the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had agreed that the decision in respect of this matter was both reasonable in all the circumstances and that it should be treated as a matter of urgency for the purposes of Paragraph 18 of Part 4 Section H of the Constitution and that the call in procedure should not apply to the action being taken.
13.3 The key concerns / feedback and responses reported to us were as follows:
‘Users and stakeholders had expressed concern regarding the lack of consultation upon policy principles’. The ‘ability to pay’ principle was central and fundamental to the revised policy, and Members have previously agreed to focus on implementation consultation.
‘Concern as to how “means testing” would be managed’. It was not the Council’s intention to introduce a new and additional process. Ability to pay would be determined through reference to and use of existing Council Tax Benefit claims/ assessment. This would be done through a sensitive and properly
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Page 21 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 01/2008-09 Page COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 13 managed procedure, including information and advice on the Benefit assessment criteria and process.
‘Collective impact of a range of Council and/or partner change actions e.g. Housing rent increases’. Clearly services to residents were provided in a number of settings, by a range of public and voluntary sector providers, and within a value for money environment. The Council had actively sought to respond to these demands by targeting price reductions and public subsidy to the most financially disadvantaged, whilst recognising the need to make specific interim arrangements for 65+ users, and at the same time improving income generation through premium prices and payment options.
‘A common strength of feeling amongst older users as to the eligibility and authenticity of some other unwaged/ low income users’. Clearly there would be individuals who seek to ‘bypass the system’, particularly where there was direct financial gain. The Council used existing thorough means/status testing assessment processes in determining leisure discount eligibility. Clearly status could and did change, and thus unwaged status would now be checked every 6 months rather than annually.
‘Possible negative impact/ increased demand and cost for health and social care services’. The Council and PCT were already piloting a GP Exercise/ Physical Activity Referral Scheme which could provide the blueprint for more joint effective/ targeted use of public subsidies. The Council subsidy contribution was reflected in the pricing policy e.g. Swim retail price £3.50, Advantage /Advantage+ rate of £1.00/£1.50 = £2.00 to £2.50 subsidy.
‘Concern as to how user and usage patterns would be monitored and reviewed, and whether prices would be further amended’. User numbers, frequency and patterns of use would be monitored through the Active Card and associated Leisure Management IT System. This information would be used to assess the impact of the new pricing policy and 65+ discount arrangements, to determine what, if any, further amendments might be required, whilst monitoring information would be reviewed at least monthly. Overall evaluation would be considered through the 2009/10 Business Planning process.
‘Support for further targeted concessions for 65+ users, particularly for users just above the ‘Advantage’ (maximum discount) threshold’. A number of ideas have been put forward, and a package was proposed and set out below:
The following 65+ resident user package was proposed as an amendment to the fees and charges we approved in January 2008 -
For 65+ users :- • Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm = Free access to all activities excluding specialist classes and pre-booked courses. Haringey residents only.
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Page 22 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 01/2008-09 Page COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 14 • Charges outside these times are on a flat day rate: o £1.50 Advantage+ = residents not eligible for Council Tax Benefit, and non residents. o £1.00 Advantage = residents eligible for Council Tax Benefit. • Haringey residents may also opt to pay monthly by direct debit at £10 per month.
13.4 Our previous decision had assumed a total level of additional income of £215,000 per annum, a proportion of which related to income from the new fees and charges to the over 65’s. The overall estimate of additional income included a number of different assumptions in respect of take up and demand, which would need to be closely monitored once implemented. The change proposed would have the impact of reducing the additional income by an estimated £35,000 to £40,000 but this would be managed within the overall existing approved budget for the Leisure Service.
13.5 We report that we acknowledged the feedback and strength of feeling from residents aged 65 plus and groups and we agreed to vary our earlier decision so as to allow for the fees and charges schedule amendment outlined above. We also agreed that a progress report be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in six months time.
Leader
14. HARINGEY’S LOCAL AREA AGREEMENT 2008/09 – 2010/11
14.1 This matter was the subject of a report to the meeting of the Council on 31 March 2008.
15. THE COUNCIL’S PERFORMANCE – JANUARY 2008
15.1 We considered the regular finance and performance report which monitored the Council’s position in relation to a number of indicators that would be used to assess the Council in the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA). Performance against these measures would determine Haringey’s rating in 2008. The report also gave an indication of the level and quality of services delivered on the ground and sought our approval to a number of virements.
15.2 We noted that good progress was being made across all the priorities with 86.5% of indicators achieving green or amber status as at January 2008. We continued to make good progress on promoting independent living (87%, 13 indicators green or amber), encouraging lifetime well-being (100% or 14 indicators green or amber) and delivering excellent services (88% or 45 indicators green or amber). In summary, the balanced scorecard showed that for service delivery 87% of indicators were on target or close to the end of year target as at January 2008. For 12 of the 15 (80%) customer focus measures, performance targets were being met or close to being met. For financial health, 25 of the 27 traffic lighted measures achieved green or amber status, meaning for 93% of traffic lighted indicators performance levels were achieving target or being maintained at an acceptable level. Our organisational development /capacity indicators showed that for 6 of the 8 (75%) measures, performance was meeting or close to expectation. In addition 89% of indicators had maintained or improved performance since the end of last year.
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15.3 Overall revenue budget monitoring, based on the December position, showed a forecast net under spend of £0.5 million. The main budget pressure related to Adult Social Care, and this was partly offset by additional treasury investment income. The DSG element of the overall Children and Young People’s Service budget was projected to under spend by £0.4 million in respect of the Network Family support budget. This would be the subject of a carry forward request in due course to meet the summer term 2008 commitments. In relation to the HRA, the net current revenue projection was a surplus of £0.6 million against the approved budget mainly due to additional one-off rent income.
15.4 The aggregate capital projected position in 2007/08 was an under spend of £18.9 million. The key variations and reasons for the projected under spend included programme slippage for the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, Mortuary and IT/Achieving Excellence projects of £11.5 million that was recommended for re-profiling to later in the programme. 15.5 In accordance with financial regulations we approved a number of proposed budget changes and these are shown in the table below. These changes fell into one of two categories: • budget virements, where it was proposed that budget provision be transferred between one service budget and another. Explanations were provided where this was the case; • Increases or decreases in budget, generally where notification had been received in-year of a change in the level of external funding such as grants or supplementary credit approval. 15.6 Under the Constitution, certain virements were key decisions. Key decisions were: • for revenue, any virement which results in change in a directorate cash limit of more than £250,000; and • for capital, any virement which results in the change of a programme area of more than £250,000. Key decisions are highlighted by an asterisk in the table.
15.7 The following table sets out the agreed changes. The first amount column relates to changes in the current year’s budgets and the second to changes in future years’ budgets (full year). Differences between the two occur when, for example, the budget variation required relates to an immediate but not ongoing need or where the variation takes effect for a part of the current year but will be in effect for the whole of future years. Virements we agreed are set out in the following table:
Period Service Key Amount Full year Description current Amount year (£’000) (£’000) 10 ACC Rev* (424) (433) Trainee Social Worker Scheme - transfer of the Children's element of the budget to CYPS 10 Children and Rev* 424 433 Trainee Social Worker Scheme - Produced by Local Democracy & Member Services Contact - Cabinet Committees Team 8489 2923
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Period Service Key Amount Full year Description current Amount year (£’000) (£’000) Young transfer of the Children's element of People's the budget to CYPS Service 10 POD Rev (89) Organisational Development and Learning one off income received 10 POD Rev 89 Organisational Development and Learning one off income received 10 ACCS Rev 175 389 Adults and Strategic Structure realignment. Payments and Brokerage Teams. 10 ACCS Rev (175) (389) Adults and Strategic Structure realignment. Payments and Brokerage Teams. 10 UE Cap 58 Tottenham Marshes funding from Lee Valley Regional Park Authority 10 UE Cap* (497) Private Sector Renewal Grant. From 2007/08 changes in allocation of funds from North London Sub-Region pot, means that no individual borough allocations are being made in 2007/08 10 UE Cap 75 LDA approved grant funding in respect of NLSA co-ordinator 10 UE Cap 158 Bruce Grove Core Centre Townscape Heritage Initiative, budget adjustment to reflect current year spend 10 UE Cap 133 Tottenham High Road Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme, budget adjustment to reflect current year spend 10 CYP Cap* (7,026) Re -phasing of BSF project budget. 10 UE Cap* (1,634) Re -phasing of Mortuary project budget. 10 CR Cap* (1,801) Re -phasing of IT project budgets. 10 CR Cap* (1,000) Re -phasing of Achieving Excellence project budget
16. ACTIONS TAKEN UNDER URGENCY PROCEDURES
16.1 We were informed of the following decisions taken by Directors in consultation with Cabinet Members under urgency procedures -
Chief Executive Appointment of Councillor Amin to serve as one of the Council’s representatives on the Haringey Strategic Partnership Board for the remainder of the 2007/08 municipal year.
17. DELEGATED DECISIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACTIONS
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17.1 We were informed of the following significant action taken by Directors under delegated powers -
Director of Corporate Resources
Stroud Green Library Building - Approval for the revision of contract for repair works in accordance with Contract Standing Order 11.02.
Review of the Commercial Portfolio - Approval for award of contract in accordance with Contract Standing Order 11.02.
Enfield Crematorium Exterior Building Works – Approval to award of contract in accordance with Contract Standing Order 11.02.
Ashley Road Depot Priority Electrical Refurbishment Works - Approval to award of contract in accordance with Contract Standing Order 11.02.
Director of the Children & Young Peoples Service
Building Schools for the Future - Gladesmore School - Approval to the award of a pre- construction contract following a mini competition to Balfour Beatty Construction in the sum of £82,196.38.
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This page is intentionally left blank Page 27 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 02/2008-09 Page 1 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 Chair: Deputy Chair: Councillor George Meehan Councillor Lorna Reith
INTRODUCTION
1.1 This report covers matters considered by the Cabinet at our meeting on 22 April 2008. For ease of reference the Report is divided into the Cabinet portfolios.
1.2 We trust that this Report will be helpful to Members in their representative role and facilitate a fruitful dialogue between the Cabinet and all groups of Councillors. These reports are a welcome opportunity for the Cabinet on a regular basis to present the priorities and achievements of the Cabinet to Council colleagues for consideration and comment. The Cabinet values and encourages the input of fellow members.
ITEMS OF REPORT
Children and Young People
2. PRIMARY STRATEGY FOR CHANGE
2.1 The Council will be aware that In December 2007 the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) launched the Primary Capital Programme, announcing that £1.9 billion would be available to local authorities for major improvements to primary school buildings and infrastructure. This was intended to be the beginning of a 14 year investment programme with specific resources identified for the current comprehensive spending review period, 2008 to 2011. For Haringey the additional identified resources comprised £4.790 million for 2009/2010 and £7.168 million for 2010/2011.
2.2 The stated objectives of this investment programme were as follows:
• Strategic, joined up approach to capital investment • Supporting national policy agenda: world-class standards, ECM, diversity and responsiveness to parents, extended services, personalisation • Driving infrastructure changes needed to deliver Children’s Plan • Targeted to address deprivation nationally and in every local authority • Primary schools equipped for 21st century learning, at the heart of the community, with children’s services in reach of every family
2.3 In order to release these new resources the Council was required to submit a Primary Strategy for Change (PSfC) document by a deadline of 16 June 2008. The guidance specified that this document must contain the following elements:
• Local perspective: setting out high-level strategic vision and describing the local area, its people and its schools. • Baseline analysis: where are you now? Analysis of information on places, building condition, educational performance, deprivation, extended and community services.
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Page 28 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 02/2008-09 Page 2 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 • Long-term aims: where do you want to be? What will be different after up to 14 years in strategic investment? • Approach to change: how will you get there? Highlighting local challenges and priorities, the approach to planning and prioritisation, capacity building, design, ICT and procurement. • Initial investment priorities: what are you going to do first? Details of initial projects and how these contribute to long-term aims
2.4 The first part of this must incorporate our primary strategy, that is our aspirations for primary education in Haringey, including a long-term vision taking account both of the local needs and characteristics of this Borough and of the full range of national Every Child Matters policies. We were also required to demonstrate that we had consulted with a wide range of stakeholders, including formal consultation with the Roman Catholic and Anglican diocesan boards.
2.5 The PSfC must also demonstrate a joined up approach to capital investment showing not only how the new funding stream would be used to deliver our strategy but also how we would link to other funding streams to deliver the maximum effect. We noted the range of funding streams potentially available to support primary school investment and while not all could be spent directly on primary schools, the convergence of our strategies for play, children’s centre provision and extended schools was, as it should be, possible to develop investment strategies that maximised the joining up of these streams. The existing Asset Management Plan would underpin the formulation of the allocation of investment resources.
2.6 Delivering an effective PSfC would require a considerable amount of co-ordinated work and a considerable amount of consultation. This work would be completed by mid May in order to allow for final drafting and approval of the PSfC document. As we were not scheduled to meet in May, the report set out progress at the time of our April meeting and indicated the work still to do and we report that we authorised the Director of the Children and Young People’s Service in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People to signing off the final PSfC submission in early June.
3. FUNDING FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS MEALS
3.1 We considered a report which had been progressed under Urgency Procedures which considered the recommendation of the Schools Forum for changes in the Schools Funding Formula for primary sector school meals. We noted that the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had agreed that the decision in respect of this matter was both reasonable in all the circumstances and that it should be treated as a matter of urgency for the purposes of Paragraph 18 of Part 4 Section H of the Constitution and that the call in procedure should not apply to the action being taken.
3.2 We noted that the funding for primary school meals had been delegated to schools in the 2001/02 financial year. Prior to that, the Council had provided for a subsidy on paid meals and this was included in the delegation. We also noted that the School Finance Regulations required that the funding must be distributed between schools on an agreed formula, which could not be actual or estimated costs. The formula agreed at the time of delegation distributed 75% of the budget pro-rata to the number of pupils taking free
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Page 29 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 02/2008-09 Page 3 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 meals and 25% pro-rata to school rolls.
3.3 The methodology had been reviewed as part of the autumn 2007 consultation on changes to the Schools Funding Formula and it had become apparent that schools with a high proportion of pupils taking free school meals were bearing significantly higher costs, not fully recompensed in the formula, compared to those with low numbers of such pupils. Options offered in the consultation were to maintain the status quo or to change the ratio to 90% free school meals and 10% roll. Following feedback from schools, a third option, fully funding free school meals and distributing the remainder pro-rata to paid meals was put forward. After considering the options, the Schools Forum had recommended the third option as the one that best matched resources to costs. The Forum also established a group to review school meals funding policy for the future.
3.4 The change in formula proposed would result in relatively small changes in the amount received by most schools. Under the proposed formula, all schools would have a subsidy approximately equal to or greater than the actual cost of meals to the school except one whose loss would reduce from £5,474 to £16. At current levels of take-up paid meals would be subsidised as at present, by 20p per meal but if there was a disproportionate increase in the numbers of pupils taking free school meals, then the level of subsidy on paid meals would fall. However, it was not expected that this would be to an extent that would wipe out paid meal subsidy. It was proposed that the schools forum school meals review group monitor this during 2008/09.
3.5 We report that we agreed that from 1 April 2008, the Schools Funding Formula be amended so that primary sector free school meals were fully funded and that the remaining budget was allocated pro-rata to paid meals taken. In so doing we noted that this meant that schools not providing meals would not receive an allocation, but they, and schools receiving a reduced allocation, would be protected by the Minimum Funding Guarantee.
4. GLADESMORE COMMUNITY SCHOOL REMODELLING AND REFURBISHMENT OF THE SPORTS HALL
4.1 We considered a report which had been progressed under Urgency Procedures which followed on from a decision of our Procurement Committee to award a construction contract for the addition to and the remodelling and refurbishment of the existing Gladesmore Community School’s sports hall. We noted that the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had agreed that the decision in respect of this matter was both reasonable in all the circumstances and that it should be treated as a matter of urgency for the purposes of Paragraph 18 of Part 4 Section H of the Constitution and that the call in procedure should not apply to the action being taken.
4.2 Gladesmore Sports Hall a 1970’s building which formed part of the Gladesmore Community School estate. In 2003 the school had been awarded £491,000 of Big Lottery Funding in order to refurbish the existing facilities, provide disabled access and a new dance studio. At the time, it was decided to await until the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme so that both projects could be designed in parallel.
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Page 30 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 02/2008-09 Page 4 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 4.3 Once the BSF scheme design was underway the Big Lottery Fund were contacted to clarify the constraints surrounding the funding the main one being that the funding had to be fully expended by the end of 2009. In order to achieve this, the Sports Hall project had to reach practical completion by November 2008 and open for use in January 2009. This would allow for a full year of monitoring by the Big Lottery Fund and the issue of the final 5% of their funding in December 2009. We noted that the timescales did not fit in with the BSF project and so the overall Sports Hall project had been split off from the other BSF works and a separate contractor sought from Haringey Major Works Construction Framework.
4.4 Our Procurement Committee had approved the award of the construction contract for the Gladesmore Community School’s sports but their decision had, of necessity, been subject to our approval to underwrite funding of this Sports Hall project to a maximum of £0.9 million from the Children and Young People's Service 2009/10 capital contingency in the event that the Final Business Case for the main Gladesmore Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project was not approved. We report, for information, that we agreed to the underwriting of the costs of up to £900,000 for this sub-project being underwritten as outlined above.
Regeneration and Enterprise
3. UPPER LEE VALLEY FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS
3.1 We considered a report which set out the external funding bids being made through the Councils Economic Regeneration team to support our new regeneration strategy and Upper Lee Valley Vision. We were advised that Haringey specific bids had a value of £1million while the bids being submitted for the Upper Lee Valley had a value of £7.366 million although these bids would be covering a three borough area.
3.2 The report set out a proposal that the Council act as the accountable body for a number of the programmes in order to improve the co-ordination of funding and to ensure projects effectively linked to new strategic objectives. The report also looked at our changing relationship with Urban Futures who were now carrying out a review of their board membership following Enfield Council’s withdrawal in the light of which the report also proposed authorising the Council’s withdrawal from membership of the Urban Futures Board subject to the conclusions and progress of that review.
3.2 We report that we approved the bids put forward for external funding to support employment and enterprise in Haringey and the Upper Lee Valley and agreed that the Council acting as the accountable body for the London Development Agency (LDA) employment programme and the European Regional Development Fund Capital projects (measure 3.2) programme in the event of the bid being successful. Having regard to changes in funding arrangements and the changing relationship with Urban Futures, we authorised the Director of Urban Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise to withdraw from membership of the Urban Futures Board subject to the progress of the review of board membership.
Leisure, Culture and Lifelong Learning
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Page 31 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 02/2008-09 Page 5 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 4. HARINGEY’S PARKFORCE
4.1 The Council will be aware that protecting and Improving the natural environment is an integral part of our draft Haringey’s Greenest Borough Strategy which is also reflected in the Local Area Agreement priorities and targets. Establishing more effective open space supervision is a key component to realising these aspirations. Similarly, the use of our parks through the provision of good quality, accessible and well supervised facilities and activities would make a significant contribution to our Wellbeing and Quality of Life priorities and, in particular, increased participation in sport and physical activity.
4.2 Parkforce was launched by CABE Space (Commission for Architecture and Built Environment) in September 2005. The initiative set out to bring public perceptions about park staffing and supervision up to date and to challenge and support public authorities to re-invent and take an innovative approach to the way they managed parks. The Haringey Friends of Parks Forum were supportive of a review and expressed concerns over current limitations. Essentially they would like to see more on site supervisory presence in our parks and open spaces. Improving on site supervision and engagement was essential to sustain our recent investment in parks regeneration and encourage more people to enjoy using their parks. There needed to be overall co-ordination and engagement to ensure our open space was achieving the optimum presence from a range of services and agencies in the delivery of Haringey’s Parkforce.
4.3 We considered a report which proposed that the Parkforce ‘Model’ be based upon current Area Assembly /Ward areas to engage services and partners through the developing Area Based Working approach to local service delivery.
4.4 We noted that although initial consultation had been undertaken with staff, Haringey Friends of Parks Forum, Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), Safer Communities Unit and Neighbourhood Management, it was essential that further consultation was undertaken on the proposed ‘Model’ to ensure buy in and final shaping before sign off. Meetings with the Haringey MPS had enabled the Council to receive an in principle agreement to work with Haringey in the provision of additional Safer Neighbourhood Team officers based in Finsbury Park but deployable to other parks and open space crime hotspots and/or joint park enforcement operations with other existing SNTs. A commitment to working with the Council to enhance existing protocols in line with the Parkforce ‘Model’ had also been given and the Haringey MPS were committed to crime intervention and tackling crime hotspots based on intelligence gathered through area working, this being a key objective of the Haringey Parkforce ‘Model’.
4.5 During the course Concern was expressed about the proposed winding up of the Parks Constabulary Service and confirmation was sought and given that the Service would not be withdrawn pending consideration of a further report. It was also noted that the Council was seeking to redirect revenue subsidy including £35,000 for a Finsbury Park Development officer post and in this connection we agreed to a suggestion that Islington Council and Hackney Council be approached about the establishment of a Parks Constabulary for Finsbury Park. We also agreed that a meeting be arranged with the MPS to discuss the availability of resources to maximise supervision and presence in Haringey’s open spaces.
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Page 32 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 02/2008-09 Page 6 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 4.6 We report that we approved, in principle, the proposed Haringey Parkforce ‘Model’ and we authorised the Director of Adults, Culture and Community Services to proceed with consultation on the proposed ‘Model’ and development plan. We also agreed that a further report, drawing together consultation findings and establishing an implementation and resource plan be brought back to us and, in principle, to the dissolution of the current Parks Constabulary Service subject to a further report. We shall report to the Council further on this matter
5. ENCROACHMENTS AND EXPIRED LEASES ON COUNCIL LAND
5.1 We considered a report concerning the separate issues of occupation of Council land under lease which had expired with the tenants holding over, at Parkland Walk Local Nature Reserve, and encroachment onto Council land at Parkland Walk Local Nature Reserve and Palace Gates Embankment Nature Reserve.
5.2 We were informed that, historically, the Council had leased areas of Parkland Walk to a number of private house owners seeking to extend their back gardens, and in a few cases had sold plots. All the leases had now expired. However, it had become aware that at both Parkland Walk and Palace Gates Embankment private house owners had illegally extended their back gardens onto the nature reserves. As well as being illegal, the encroachments, if not dealt with, would be contrary to a number of regional and local plans and strategies.
5.3 In addition, the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006 imposed a duty on local authorities to take into account the conservation of biodiversity in undertaking their wider duties and responsibilities and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had stated that it would be reviewing the performance of local authorities and local area partnerships in respect of NERC in 2009.
5.4 We noted that there were legal, financial and public relations issues to consider in determining the best course of action for the Council to take in order to regularise arrangements on these sites. We also noted that extensive consultation had taken place with residents living adjacent to Palace Gates Embankment Nature Reserve which had resulted in the formation of a new ‘Friends’ group, a consensus that the largest encroachments should be dealt with as a priority, that encroachments should be dealt with individually and initially through dialogue with Council Officers as opposed to legal action.
5.5 Both Palace Gates and Parkland Walk had active Friends of Groups working with the Council to preserve the nature reserves and we had agreed to work with these groups in writing new management plans for the sites. Internal liaison had also taken place with Property Services regarding boundaries, Legal Services regarding the law on encroachment and possible enforcement action and costs, and Planning Enforcement regarding enforcement. Natural England had confirmed that it should be fully consulted if there is any change to the boundary of a Local Nature Reserve and the Greater London Authority had confirmed that any proposal to change the boundary of a Site of Metropolitan Importance or Metropolitan Open Land should be through consultation.
5.6 Our policies relating to the protection of open space and the environment were found in Council documents including Haringey’s Open Spaces Strategy and Unitary Development
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Page 33 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 02/2008-09 Page 7 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 Plan and had been developed and adopted through wide public consultation and we report that we agreed a course of action which would involve enforcement action being taken against all home owners who had encroached on to Council land at Parkland Walk Local Nature Reserve and Palace Gates Embankment such action to proceed on a case by case basis with advice from the Head of Legal Services. We also agreed that as leases of Council land to private home owners expired these be re-offered but at full ‘market’ value and if not taken up then the land be returned to the nature reserve with the advice of the Head of Legal Services. An approach to new encroachments and to old/complicated encroachments was also approved as was the ring fencing of lease income to support more effective management of the process and sites.
Housing
6. HOME FOR HARINGEY PERFORMANCE REPORT
6.1 The Council will be aware that the Audit Commission’s rating of Homes for Haringey as a 2 star organisation with promising prospects for improvement had enabled the Council to benefit from the Government’s funding stream to facilitate major repair improvements under the Decent Homes programmes.
6.2 In order to ensure that Homes for Haringey provided value for money, quality housing services and administered the decent homes programme that met the aspirations of residents, the Council had jointly approved a 36 performance indicator set to monitor the ALMO’s performance. Homes for Haringey’s performance was systematically assessed through quarterly and monthly monitoring review meetings.
6.3 We considered a report which provided us an update on Homes for Haringey performance against the key indicators set. The performance data covered the monitoring period of November 2007 through to the end of February 2008.
6.3 We noted that Homes for Haringey had performed well against a number of the performance indicator set. The position of arrears management, with the exception of the percentage of tenants seven weeks in arrears, was healthy and the direction of travel was likely to lead to the remaining indicators being achieved. Customer services indicators for answering calls and for stage 1 and 2 complaints were on track and there was reason to believe that the target indicator for Members enquires would be realised.
6.4 However, an analysis of the indicators set highlighted certain areas of underperformance including around welcome visits which were below target and case closure around anti social behaviour cases which was an area of significant weakness. Repairs and maintenance performance remained below target on all indicator sets, with gas and safety management unlikely to achieve the target. The performance across voids remained weak and the shared target of 27 days would not be achieved this fiscal year.
6.5 We noted that the areas mentioned in the preceding paragraph were core functions of housing management which would be assessed in a future inspection. Retention or exceeding a 2 star status would require robust monitoring and management of the key service delivery areas to ensure demonstrable improvements across the target set.
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Page 34 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 02/2008-09 Page 8 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 7. 97/99 PHILIP LANE N15 COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDER
7.1 We considered a report which set out proposals to make a Compulsory Purchase Order in respect of 97/99 Philip Lane, Haringey, N15. The Council will be aware that the use of Compulsory Purchase powers formed part of Haringey’s Empty Properties Strategy, Housing Strategy, and Sub-Regional Strategy to bring back into use residential premises that had been long term vacant and where no other course of action was appropriate or could be pursued. It was also in pursuance of achieving a year-on-year increase in the number of privately owned empty properties brought back into use through advice or intervention (Best Value Performance Indicator 64).
7.2 This report described the condition of 97/99 Philip Lane and the work undertaken to date by officers in the Strategic and Community Housing Services of the Urban Environment Directorate and of the North London Private Sector Housing Sub-region to bring the property back into use. 97/99 Philip Lane was a long-term, problematic empty property that the Council needed to tackle, it had attracted more complaints then any other empty property in the Borough.
7.3 We report that we approved the use of the Council’s compulsory purchase powers to acquire the properties and authorised officers to submit the Order to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and, subject to the approval of the Order, proceed with the acquisition. We also authorised officers to accept and enforce a legally enforceable undertaking, by the owners, to bring 97/99 Philip Lane back into residential use and occupation without the need to proceed with the CPO where this could be achieved within a reasonable timescale.
7.4 We also authorised the disposal of the property, subject to the confirmation of the Compulsory Purchase Order, to a Registered Social Landlord (RSL) in the first instance, or to a private owner or developer (in which case the sale would be by way of auction with covenants applied to bring the property back into use as soon as possible) and the re-cycling of the receipt from the disposal back to the capital programme budget for the continued private sector housing CPO programme. The financial costs of the Compulsory Purchase Order would be met through the capital programme.
Safer Communities and Enforcement
8. SAFER FOR ALL STRATEGY
8.1 We considered a report inform us of the statutory 3-year partnership plan for Safer Communities entitled Safer for All 2008 – 2011. We were advised that the delivery and performance structure in this Strategy formalised much of what was already being done. The overarching strategic priorities identified should be tackled at a local level according to residents’ concerns and local intelligence. The approach advocated the application of partnership problem solving at an area based level, assisted by intelligence and guidance from the Safer Communities Service. The area based working priorities would be linked to the new Assessment of Police and Community Safety priorities.
8.2 We noted that closer joint working, planning and the maximising of effort and outcome was proposed across key Council departments and with partner agencies, notably with a
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Page 35 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 02/2008-09 Page 9 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 view to joining up work in support of better outcomes for young people and those resettling back into the community in need of simultaneous assistance with housing, treatment, and employment. This would require strong links with, for example, the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board, Integrated Housing Board and Enterprise Board.
8.3 We also noted that The key resources available to support achievement of the agreed priorities outlined in the attached strategy principally come from three sources –
• the Area Based Grant (ABG); • the National Treatment Agency (NTA); and • funding aligned by other HSP partners – largely the Police.
The ABG formed the largest portion of funding.
8.4 The Council will be aware that 2008/09 would be a transitional year in terms of the allocation and use of the ABG pending the introduction of a new performance framework which would allow for more strategic decision making on how and where this funding was directed and a move towards a commissioning framework was envisaged. We were cognizant that this could impact on the level of funding available beyond 2008/09 to support implementation of the Strategy/Partnership Plan. We also noted that NTA funding had also only been confirmed for 2008/09 but indicative figures were available for the following two years.
8.5 We report that we endorsed the Strategy and noted that it complied with the statutory framework.
Resources
9. ANNUAL AUDIT AND INSPECTION LETTER
9.1 We considered a report which recommended the Council’s response to the issues set out in the Audit Commission’s annual audit and inspection letter. The Council had continued to work positively with District Audit and the Audit Commission during the last year and good progress had been made. This was recognised in the overall CPA score in December 2007, with the Council achieving 3 ‘stars’ (good), and a positive Direction of Travel statement that categorised the Council as ‘improving well’.
9.2 Within the CPA scorecard it was recognised that good progress had been made in priority areas such as children and young people, environmental services and safer and stronger communities and that the majority of performance indicators had shown improvement. All elements of the CPA scored at a three for the Council other than the score for Social Care (adults), which remained at two.
9.3 The two separate service inspection areas in the last year were for Homes for Haringey and Benefits Fraud. Both inspections recognised the services being delivered were sound and a number of recommendations were made to improve services further. The Use of Resources score, including value for money, maintained an overall assessment score of three, although one of the five elements, financial reporting, had reduced to a
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Page 36 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 02/2008-09 Page COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 10 two. This was mainly in respect of the need to refresh our statement of accounts consultation process.
9.4 In the area of accounts and governance the comments were generally positive and this was reflected in the important auditor opinions that the accounts for 2006/07 were unqualified and that the value for money conclusion was also unqualified.
The key areas for action from the Audit and Inspection letter are set out in the table together with the suggested response and proposed actions:
Recommendation Response
The Council needs to:
Improve adult social An action plan is in place for adult social care and accelerate the care and is now being implemented; the pace of improvement in housing service improvements continue housing to be monitored and further stretching targets are part of the business planning process.
Develop its A detailed action plan has been jointly arrangements for the agreed with the auditors and is being production of the implemented; refreshed consultation with annual accounts our partners has taken place at the HSP on the format of the annual report and summary accounts for 2007/08.
Continue to enhance The Council is continuing to enhance its risk management risk management processes and this is a across the Council and key feature of business planning and its partnerships decision making.
Maintain focus on The Council will continue its drive for improving its improving value for money. It is a key understanding of costs component of the business planning and their relationship process and a separate rolling with its priorities and, in programme of value for money reviews, particular, on ensuring including zero based budgeting, is that costs are progressing under the Achieving commensurate with Excellence programme. performance levels
9.5 We report we noted the key areas for action from the Audit and Inspection Letter and approved the responses and actions proposed and outlined above.
Leader
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Page 37 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 02/2008-09 Page COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 11 10. SCRUTINY REVIEW OF HIGH IMPACT USERS OF HEALTHCARE
10.1 We considered a Scrutiny Review of High Impact Users of Healthcare which had been endorsed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and we noted the Review’s executive summary that a relatively small percentage of patients were known to generate a disproportionately high percentage of hospital admissions. The majority of these people were old, vulnerable and came from deprived areas. Many of them could be treated more effectively in their homes but health and social care services required further co- ordination and development before they would be able to do this effectively.
10.2 Although there were currently proposals in the “Healthcare for London – A Framework for Action” report to remedy this, community based services would require up front investment before savings could be achieved: this had still to be addressed. In particular, there would not be the number of GPs in post within the Borough by 2011/12 to deliver the model proposed. Keeping more people out of hospital not only had the potential benefit the NHS in the long term by saving it money and freeing up resources, but perhaps more importantly it could greatly improve the quality of life of patients.
10.3 It was the view of the Scrutiny Panel that health and social care services needed to be better integrated in order to improve services for high more impact users. There needed to be clarity concerning which patients should be targeted for interventions and how. Good information was key to effective targeting but NHS information systems were currently unable to do this effectively and not compatible with social services systems. Information systems that focussed on the overall patient experience rather then episodes of care or diseases needed to be developed.
10.4 Information technology and telecare initiatives designed to support patients in their own homes currently had some limitations and shortcomings but had immense potential. However, costs could deter patients from taking advantage of it as well as providing a disincentive for Adult Services to invest in it. However, the savings that could be made by the NHS from the use of this equipment could considerably exceed its costs. The transfer of resources from the NHS to Adult Services to support this would not only save it money but would improve the quality of life for patients and carers.
10.5 Community matrons were already working well within the Borough but the PCT had not met its target for the number of posts to be created. Although evidence on their effectiveness was not yet conclusive, there were substantial indications that that they were working effectively enough to justify their numbers being increased to target levels within the Borough. In addition, evaluation of their effectiveness should not simply be in terms of reducing hospital admissions and should give prominence to their role in improving quality of life for patients and their carers.
10.6 A significant number of high impact users were suffering from mental illnesses and it was important that this was identified by local hospitals. There was a shortfall in psychiatric liaison provision, particularly for older people, at the North Middlesex Hospital and it was important that the TPCT worked with its partners to resolve this issue speedily.
10.7 High impact users were likely to be significant users of out-of-hours services and it was essential that these were linked into other health and social care services so that
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Page 38 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 02/2008-09 Page COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 12 appropriate health professionals were properly informed about the patients that they saw and other services were alerted to any concerns.
10.8 Finally, there was a lack of patient support groups within the Borough for people with long term conditions. These could play a useful self help role in building confidence, sharing information and spreading advice on disease management as well as articulating the views of service users. A relatively small investment in developing and sustaining them might have the potential to provide benefits and generate savings.
10.9 Whilst we noted that Part 4 Section G Paragraph 1.3 (viii) of the Constitution stated that following endorsement by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, reports on NHS, non- executive or regulatory matters would be copied to the Cabinet for information only we agreed that if on consideration of the Review the TCPT should accept its eight recommendations then a number of them would involve joint working with the Council’s Adult Services service and that a response with an action plan would need to be submitted to us at that time.
11. THE COUNCIL’S PERFORMANCE – FEBRUARY 2008
11.1 We considered the regular finance and performance report which monitored the Council’s position in relation to a number of indicators that would be used to assess the Council in the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA). Performance against these measures would determine Haringey’s rating in 2008. The report also gave an indication of the level and quality of services delivered on the ground and sought our approval to a number of virements.
11.2 We noted that good progress was being made across all the priorities with 87.5% of indicators achieving green or amber status as at February 2008. We continued to make good progress on promoting independent living (87%, 13 indicators green or amber), encouraging lifetime well-being (100% or 14 indicators green or amber) and delivering excellent services 88% or 46 indicators green or amber). In summary the balanced scorecard showed that for service delivery 87% of indicators were on target or close to the end of year target as at February 2008. For 12 of the 15 (80%) customer focus measures, performance targets were being met or close to being met. For financial health 26 of the 27 traffic lighted measures achieved green or amber status, meaning for 96% of traffic lighted indicators performance levels were achieving target or being maintained at an acceptable level. Our organisational development /capacity indicators showed that for 6 of the 8 (75%) measures, performance was meeting or close to expectation. In addition 87% of indicators had maintained or improved performance since the end of last year.
11.3 The overall revenue budget monitoring, based on the February position, showed a forecast general fund under spend of £1.5 million net of planned transfers to reserves. Draft carry forward requests of £1 million had been made that reduced the forecast net general fund under spend to £0.5 million. The main budget pressure, as previously reported, related to Adult Social Care, but this was offset by additional treasury investment income. 11.4 The aggregate capital projected position in 2007/08 was projected to under spend by £8.4 million. This projected under spend related to £1.4 million for Children and Young
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Page 39 REPORT OF THE CABINET No. 02/2008-09 Page COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008 13 People, £0.7 million in Corporate Resources, £1.6 million in Urban Environment, £3 million for the HRA, £1.5 million in Adults, Culture and Community and PPPC £0.2 million. These were mainly due to slippage and were likely to be the subject of carry forward requests in the final outturn report.
11.5 In accordance with financial regulations we approved a number of proposed budget changes and these are shown in the table below. These changes fell into one of two categories: • budget virements, where it was proposed that budget provision be transferred between one service budget and another. Explanations were provided where this was the case; • Increases or decreases in budget, generally where notification had been received in-year of a change in the level of external funding such as grants or supplementary credit approval. 11.6 Under the Constitution, certain virements were key decisions. Key decisions were: • for revenue, any virement which results in change in a directorate cash limit of more than £250,000; and • for capital, any virement which results in the change of a programme area of more than £250,000. Key decisions are highlighted by an asterisk in the table.
11.7 The following table sets out the agreed changes. The first amount column relates to changes in the current year’s budgets and the second to changes in future years’ budgets (full year). Differences between the two occur when, for example, the budget variation required relates to an immediate but not ongoing need or where the variation takes effect for a part of the current year but will be in effect for the whole of future years. Virements we agreed are set out in the following table:
Period Service Key Amount Full year current Amount year (£’000) (£’000) 11 C&YP Cap 150 2007/08 City Learning Centres funding through Standards Fund confirmed Jan 2008 11 C&YP Rev 180 Additional spend and funding in the Change for Children budget. This is Sure Start grant/ Standards Fund for Accelerating the Extended Schools Programme 11 CR Rev* 300 One-off £300K virement from IT to Legal for the Local Land charges overspend
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11 CR Cap* (939) Accommodation Strategy Review Feb 2008 11 PPPC Rev 144 CEDS Projects (ERDF 05/148) – additional spend and external income in Partnerships budget.
12. ACTIONS TAKEN UNDER URGENCY PROCEDURES
12.1 We were informed of the following decisions taken by Directors in consultation with Cabinet Members under urgency procedures -
Director of the Children and Young Peoples Service
Gladesmore Community School - Approval to the underwriting of costs of up to £900,000 of the Sports Hall sub-project from the Children & Young People’s Service’s capital contingency in the event that the final business case for the main Gladesmore BSF project is not approved.
Funding for Primary Sector School Meals - Approval to amendment of Schools Funding Formula with effect from 1 April 2008 so that primary sector free school meals are fully funded and that the remaining budget is allocated pro rata to paid meals taken.
13. DELEGATED DECISIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACTIONS
13.1 We were informed of the following significant action taken by Directors under delegated powers -
Director of Corporate Resources
Salix Project - Installation of Power Perfector – Approval to Waiver of Contract Standing Order (CSO) 6.04 (Requirement to Tender) in accordance with under CSO 7.
Director of the Children & Young Peoples Service
Haringey Autism and Markfield Summer Play Scheme - Classroom Refurbishment - Approval to a Waiver of Contract Standing Order (CSO) 6.04 (Requirement to Tender) in accordance with under CSO 7 and to the award of a Tender (£56,900)
Classroom Refurbishment – Award of Contract (£126, 717) in accordance with CSO 11.2
48 Station Road First Floor Office Move – Award of Contract (£113,979) in accordance with CSO 11.2
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method – Award of Contract (£59,300) in accordance with CSO 11.2
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Approval to fund 26 projects funded by Voluntary Sector Sustainability Grant (£338,260) in accordance with CSO 13.03.
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REPORT OF THE GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE No. 01/2008-09 COUNCIL 14 JULY 2008
Chair: Deputy Chair: Councillor Eddie Griffith Councillor GMMH Rahman Khan
INTRODUCTION
1.1 This report to full Council arises from two reports considered by the General Purposes Committee.
COMMISSION FOR LOCAL ADMINISTRATION INVESTIGATION REPORT INTO COMPLAINT NO. 07/1/04966
2.1 The committee received a report to consider an investigation report of the Local Government Ombudsman, to determine action to be taken in the light of the finding of maladministration, and the Ombudsman’s recommendations.
2.2 Officers informed the committee that they planned to compensate the relevant landlord for rent lost, and to issue guidance on the general topic of direct payments to landlords. It was noted that temporary procedures had been in place until 7 th April 2008. Permanent rules were now in operation.
2.3 Following discussion of the report at the committee, the following resolutions were made.
WE RESOLVED:
That the findings of the investigation report be noted.
That the General Purposes Committee agree a payment to Mr Oak of £700 compensation and £150 (£50 of which has already been paid under the Council’s complaints procedure) for his time and trouble in pursuing the complaint.
That with regard to the Ombudsman’s recommendation that guidance be issued to officers who deal with disputes over direct payments to landlords, it be noted that interim guidance has already been issued to benefits assessment staff, pending introduction of new regulations relating to the Local Housing Allowance in April 2008.
(The Cabinet Concurs)
.
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EQUAL PAY REVIEW PACKAGE AGREEMENT
3.1 The committee received a report to endorse the implementation of a revised set of employment terms for Council staff in accordance with the NJC for Local Authorities staff National Pay Settlement in 2001 relating to Equal Pay/Single Status.
3.2 Members noted that agreements had been reached with the Unions locally at the end of 2007, with the package now with the national unions for comment. Indications were that the national unions would sign-off the package, but the Council was still awaiting official notification. Members noted that the agreement included the identification of a timetable to evaluate all grades of staff under a single job evaluation scheme. New arrangements for notice periods, improvements of annual leave entitlements for manual staff and proposals to better approach recruitment and retention allowances were contained within the proposals. It was noted that of the c7,000 staff implicated by the deal, c4,300 would be evaluated in April, with the remainder falling in other groups.
3.3 Members raised concerns over the compensation offer; however they were assured by Officers that the package offered was broadly similar to what would be gained by a claim against the Council, and that the Unions were on board with the offer. Staff who had left within six months would be identified and invited to claim compensation. Staff who had left the Council after longer than six months would be free to contact the Council to claim compensation should they so wish.
WE RESOLVED:
That the terms of employment as described in the appended papers be implemented. That the compensatory payments described be made as a part of individually binding agreement with staff as required.
(The Cabinet agreed the terms of employment and the compensatory payments detailed in the Appendix to the report as a part of individually binding agreement with the staff as required. In so doing, it was noted that the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had agreed that the decisions in respect of this matter were both reasonable in all the circumstances and that it should be treated as a matter of urgency for the purposes of Paragraph 18 of Part 4 Section H of the Constitution and that the call in procedure should not apply to the action being taken).