Scrutiny Report 2012-2013 List of Scrutiny reviews and mini-groups reporting in 2012-13

Family and Children’s Services Housing and Property

• The Early Help and • Self-Financing and the Targeted Services Strategy Housing Revenue Account Sub-Group Public Realm Health, Environmental • Tabernacle Working Group Health and Adult Social Care • Core Strategy Review Working Group • Review of Assistive Technology

• Review of Carers Resources

Main image: Performer at the annual Notting Hill Carnival. Small images (left to right): Olympic Men’s Cycle Race in Brompton Road, Holland Park (Photo credit: Cllr J Gardner), Kensington and Chelsea Town Hall.

2 Robust Review, Constructive Challenge Table of contents

Scrutiny Chairman’s Foreword...... 4

Cabinet and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee...... 6

Family and Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee..... 10

Health, Environmental Health and Adult...... 14 Social Care Scrutiny Committee

Housing and Property Scrutiny Committee...... 18

Public Realm Scrutiny Committee...... 22

Committee Membership...... 26

Contact details...... 27

Robust Review, Constructive Challenge 3 Scrutiny Chairman’s foreword Scrutiny is a Councillor-led statutory function within the Council. It is responsible for holding decision makers to account on behalf of borough residents and helping to develop policies and initiatives that make the borough a better place to live and work.

read some examples which an important role to play in show how each individual how the Council responds to Scrutiny Committee has risen this and in ensuring that our to this challenge. priorities are correct.

The Scrutiny Steering Group During the year, the Scrutiny (SSG), which comprises the Committees continued to look five Scrutiny Chairmen, met at innovative ways of working. with the then Leader, Sir This included involving Merrick Cockell, the Cabinet external agencies and Member for Finance and residents of the borough more IT and the Town Clerk and in our work. For example, Executive Director of Finance the Health, Environmental to scrutinise and probe the Health and Adult Social Care Councillor Joanna Gardner, Scrutiny Steering Group Chairman financial performance of Scrutiny Committee hosted the Council, firstly as a mid- a major public meeting on The past year has been one year review and secondly Shaping a Healthier Future of further challenge with just before the 2013-14 which gave residents an Scrutiny closely monitoring budget was agreed. These opportunity to have their say. the achievement of promised sessions provided a useful The Public Realm Scrutiny efficiency gains from working oversight of issues across Committee encouraged with our neighbouring the departments and to the more public involvement on boroughs, Council’s approach to the items such as the operation & Fulham and the City of challenges ahead. We all of Exhibition Road and Westminster on Bi and Tri- anticipate that our funding subsequently to TNT on their borough front line services, as from central government in new postal service in the well as examining the bedding future years will continue to borough, as the committee in of these services. In the decrease and that this will meetings were opened up Committee specific sections present ever more challenges to questions from the public. of this Annual Report, you can to the Council. Scrutiny has The Family and Children’s

We welcome and encourage members of the public who live or work in the borough to get involved in Scrutiny. If you have any suggestions for the work of scrutiny we would welcome your comments by post or email to [email protected]. For more information about scrutiny and to view current and past reports, please visit our website at www.rbkc.gov.uk/scrutiny.

4 Robust Review, Constructive Challenge Services Scrutiny Committee As outgoing chairman of Cllr Hargreaves, who steps took their meeting to a new both the SSG and the Public down as Vice-Chairman of venue, by holding one session Realm Scrutiny Committee, the Cabinet and Corporate in the newly opened Holland I would like to thank all Services Scrutiny Committee, the members of scrutiny Park secondary school. as each of them is joining the committees and Council Cabinet. I very much hope Following the election of a new officers for their support and that they and I will use our Leader of the Royal Borough, hardwork, as they are key to experience of scrutiny to for the first time in 13 years, the success of scrutiny. My benefit our work as Cabinet a comprehensive change to thanks to Cllr Mary Weale members and ensure early Cabinet members or portfolios as outgoing chairman of the Health, Environmental and regular involvement of and the retirement of our Health and Adult Social Care joint Chief Executive at the scrutiny in our work. Scrutiny Committee and end of 2013, Scrutiny has an excellent opportunity to review and refresh its approach so Congratulations to Cllr Freeman as the new Chairman of the Health, Environmental Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee and to as to provide robust reviews, Cllr Rossi as the new Public Realm Scrutiny Committee Chairman. alongside constructive challenge. Whilst finance is key to most of the services the Council delivers, it is important that we do not lose sight of the importance of services to our residents and that scrutiny keeps residents at the Cllr Freeman, Cllr Rossi, forefront of all service delivery. Chairman Health, Chairman Public Realm Environmental Health and Scrutiny Committee Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee

Robust Review, Constructive Challenge 5 Cllr. Emma Dent Coad, Chairman

Cabinet and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee

The Royal Borough’s Cabinet and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee has a wide remit to scrutinise business handled by the full Cabinet that does not fall within the remit of another Scrutiny Committee.

It carries out the functions of a crime and disorder committee in accordance with the Police and Justice Act 2006. It also considers matters of corporate management or interest including local democracy, decision-making by the Council, the Council’s budget and overall financial management; corporate policy, information and communication technology, corporate grants, community relations, and regeneration and economic development.

6 Robust Review, Constructive Challenge Community safety Financial matters and was a key part of its ongoing management. The Committee considered The Committee considered the the fifth Safety Corporate Services revenue Section 106 Agreements are Plan and commented on and capital budgets and made under S106 of the Town its impact on fire stations in budget proposal for 2013/14 and Country Planning Act Kensington and Chelsea. and made recommendations 1990. They are negotiated Key officers from the Fire to the Cabinet as part of the between the local planning authority and parties with a Service, including Borough budget process. legal interest in a development Commander Jane Philpott, The Committee invited the site. As part of its remit to were invited to attend a Cabinet Member for Finance, scrutinise the Council’s overall meeting to discuss the plan Councillor Lightfoot, to attend financial management, the and to listen to concerns. one of its meetings and Committee considered a answer questions about key detailed paper on the schedule The Committee also finance issues for the Council. of funds accumulated, and considered the draft police spent, and information on and crime plan. The new The Committee had previously the amounts that can be Borough Police Commander, been consulted on the spent for certain purposes. Chief Superintendent Adrian establishment of a Kensington The Committee was kept Roberts, attended to discuss and Chelsea Credit Union, informed of the proposals for the plan and crime trends. to allow residents to access the Community Infrastructure appropriate, mainstream Levy (CIL) and questioned At the Committee’s request, financial services. The lead officers on the outcome the Chief Community Safety Committee had supported of the Tri-borough Community Officer submitted a report its development. By way of Budget pilot. on the incidences of a follow-up, the Committee domestic violence reported had a progress report from The Committee was also in the borough. Councillor Jonathon Read who consulted on revised criteria had been instrumental in the for awarding Discretionary Credit Union’s establishment Rate Relief to voluntary organisations.

Cabinet and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee Photo credit: Cllr J Gardner

Robust Review, Constructive Challenge 7 Bi and Tri-borough It questioned key officers The Committee also received working and consultants involved in a paper on the key role and promoting the Council’s case functions of the Media and Joint working with for such a station. Communications office in the Hammersmith and Fulham Council. and the City of Westminster is Other matters As part of a drive towards expected to save £40 million reducing printing and costs across the three boroughs. During the past year the of despatching documents, A standing item on the Committee has submitted several members of the agenda for each Committee numerous reports to Committee undertook to join meeting is a regular update the Cabinet, including a pilot to test the use of iPads from the Chief Executive or recommendations about the at meetings. the Town Clerk on progress Children’s Centres Strategy, in respect of key Tri-borough the new Tri-borough Public It would be fair to say that developments. Members of Health Service and the design some subjects engage the Committee also have the and build contractors at committee members more opportunity to ask questions Kensington Academy and than others, but we have had of lead officers. Leisure Centre and Middle Row Primary School. some very forthright and lively discussions during the year. Regeneration and The Committee also received One matter that unites us in employment matters regular updates about the frustration, however, is the Council’s workforce and the difficulty of scrutinising Bi or As part of its remit to consider roll-out of superfast broadband Tri-borough working. employment and regeneration across the borough. We intend to focus on this in matters, the committee the coming year and hope to considered an overview of Initial results from the 2011 find ways to unlock its recent, current and planned Census were reported to dark recesses. activities in relation to the Committee. The data employment initiatives of available at the time of the the Council. report showing a slight fall in the borough’s resident The Committee heard in detail population and this would be about the Council’s plans challenged with the Office for for a Crossrail station in National Statistics. .

8 Robust Review, Constructive Challenge Photo credit: Cllr J Gardner

Police on duty

Photo from Image Bank

Robust Review, Constructive Challenge 9 Cllr. David Lindsay, Chairman

Family and Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee

Family and Children’s services covers a wide remit, many important services, and the focus of this committee is shifting away from education and towards family and children’s services. Schools are increasingly more autonomous, financially, operationally and in terms of governance, and have markedly less responsibilities nowadays to local government. What the longer-term implications are of this is as of yet unclear.

10 Robust Review, Constructive Challenge The first year of my assist local authorities in • The annual Child chairmanship has continued supporting ‘troubled Protection Report 2011- to scrutinise the increasing families’, of which it is 12. Particular attention was given to systems in reality of Tri-borough working estimated there are around and ongoing financially place for transferring 400 in Kensington and straightened circumstances, case conference papers as well as the good work Chelsea. and responsibility when of my predecessor, Cllr a family moves away from Professor Sir Anthony Coates, • The range of social care Kensington and Chelsea. who completed the work of services available to the Early Help and Targeted disabled children and • The proposed approach Services Strategy Sub-group. their families, the to delivering the Troubled Families Programme in At every Scrutiny meeting we philosophy underlying RBKC and on a Tri- have reviewed the progress of service provision, and how the Tri-borough proposals, the borough basis. services are accessed. effects of budget reductions and have regularly sought updates on the proposals for the provision of help for early years, early help and targeted services. We have also sought to have regular presentations, to enable the Committee to hear about topics that might not otherwise catch members’ attention to the same degree. These presentations have covered the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, an update on the progress and future plans for the libraries, the Adolescents Service, and most recently, the Fostering and Adoption Service.

Over the year, the Committee has looked at a wide variety of topics, including the following:

• The implications of government’s proposals to spend an additional £448 million over the coming three years to Holland Park School

Robust Review, Constructive Challenge 11 • The Annual Looked After School on 20 March, following very high level of interest and Children Report, where a tour of the School by senior had led to a large number abuse and neglect was staff for all councillors. We of applications for vacant the largest category of heard the Headmaster, Colin teaching jobs. need. The Cabinet Hall, express his gratitude Member offered a place for the Council’s support in Working groups on the Corporate Parenting providing a new, state-of- Panel to a member of the-art secondary school at 1. The Early Help and the Committee. Holland Park. He referred to Targeted Services Strategy the school’s recent academic Sub-Group continued • A report on the working of achievements in being in the under Cllr Professor the Care Proceedings Pilot. top 3 per cent of schools Sir Anthony Coates’s nationally, and in the top chairmanship, and duly • The draft capital and 1per cent for modern foreign reported revenue Budget proposals languages. Indeed the school for the forthcoming year. was one of only a small Reflecting widespread The Committee noted the number to be listed in the concerns about the intention under Tri-borough Good School Guide, and had implications of the change in to raise service been rated ‘outstanding’ by funding for children’s centres, performance standards to Ofsted in its 2011 inspection. we held an extensive review that of the best-performing Mr Hall paid tribute to of the provision of funding of of the three councils and the great dedication and full-time nursery places, with reduce unit costs. commitment shown by the significant input from parents, 70 teaching staff, and looking in particular from Chelsea. As • The benefits of Tri-borough to the future, he referred to with the Adolescents Service Working in which specific changes anticipated in the and Fostering and Adoption examples of where bigger, global picture and to Service, the importance better services could be the impact on students of the of early intervention and delivered in a more cost- present Government’s plans prevention being better - efficient way. for education, stressing his financially and practically view that some of the less - than cure was apparent. • The results of the Ofsted academically gifted children The challenge for the FCS inspection of safeguarding would struggle more with the Department is to continue to and Looked After Children. proposed exams than with balance real needs with hard the current system. choices in an unfavourable Off-site visits financial environment, and He took a number of ensure that those most in All members of the questions, touching on need are given the support Committee have been asked Academy status, community they require. to make visits to see first- use, admissions policy, hand educational or children’s children with learning 2. Capital Requirement services. Reflecting this disabilities or emotional for Schools and Children’s commitment, the Committee problems and vocational Services was very pleased to be able training. Last, he made the to meet at the new and very point that a recent ‘open day’ Whilst the focus of the impressive Holland Park for teachers had attracted a Committee is moving away

12 Robust Review, Constructive Challenge from education, the borough c) consider the relationship Children in particular, receive still has responsibility between investment priorities the best health options for much of the capital and funding sources, against available to them. expenditure for new schools the broader background of – we are spending slightly demands and policies across The coming year more in 2013/4 than we the Council. It has met on did in 2010/11 - £40m, as 5 occasions and is due to We will continue to scrutinise compared with £38m, which report this summer. Tri-borough workings, the is slightly less than that spent proposals for the Children’s 3. A joint working group in Hammersmith and Fulham Centres and how places (£51m), but much more than of both the Families and are to be allocated, as well in Westminster (£2m). This Children’s Services and the as keeping an eye on the is a very strong indication of Housing, Education and budgetary constraints. the Council’s commitment to Adult Social Care Scrutiny We have already planned the future, and the need for Committee presentations and briefings both high quality schools and on Youth Offending, Special special needs provision. This has just been set up, to look at the health needs of Needs, Social Workers and Reflecting this, a working children in Kensington and the impact of welfare reform party has been set up to Chelsea. Its remit has yet to on school-age children. a) review key investment be confirmed, but it will look priorities for schools and at the priorities of the Health children’s services over the and Wellbeing Board next 5 years; and how the Council can b) review funding sources and ensure that children in future funding trends; and, general, and Looked After

Robust Review, Constructive Challenge 13 Councillor Mary Weale, Chairman

Health, Environmental Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee

This Committee not only scrutinises council run and commissioned services but also those provided by partners and the National Health Service.

14 Robust Review, Constructive Challenge Adult Social Care review reports (on food do in their capacity as GPs, safety, pest control, health but buy health services from Adult Social Care is a Tri- and safety, trading standards providers of healthcare, such borough delivered service and and noise and nuisance). as Hospital Trusts, Mental at every meeting this Scrutiny These service reviews Health Trusts and community Committee receives a report covered achievements organisations. Senior on important current projects. delivered to date and representatives of the Major initiatives are reported future plans to maintain West London CCG routinely in greater depth. For instance the quality and resilience attend all meetings of the in November 2012 a report of services whilst delivering Scrutiny Committee. was received on establishing savings. Additionally, the integrated Health and Social Scrutiny Committee sought During the last 12 months Care Community Services; to satisfy itself that RBKC the Committee has continued here Tri-borough is linking sovereignty and the particular to receive visits from up with the Central London characteristics of the Royal representatives of local health Community Healthcare Borough (as a major tourist bodies. Often it has been the NHS Trust. destination) were fully health body itself who has taken on board in these requested the opportunity Whilst the Scrutiny Committee service reviews. to explain future plans of buys into the potential action. Ahead of the Olympics efficiencies offered by Tri- the London Ambulance Health Scrutiny borough arrangements, it has Service visited in July 2012. always sought to satisfy itself After a year in shadow form, Central London Community that new systems are robust the NHS West London Healthcare NHS Trust has and that major risks are Clinical Commissioning Group twice visited as part of its fully covered. For instance, (CCG) took full control as a Foundation Trust consultation. during the course of the year commissioning organisation Central and North West the Scrutiny Committee has on 1 April 2013, when the London NHS Foundation received two detailed reports local primary care trust Trust has also twice visited on the progress of the Tri- was disbanded. Clinical to explain its proposals for borough Information and Commissioning Groups better mental health care in Communications Technology do not provide any health Kensington and Chelsea and (ICT) programme outcomes services directly, although Westminster. and deadlines for the delivery their members individually of improvements.

Environmental Health Service Reviews

The borough has a Bi- borough managed Environmental Health Service Group with Hammersmith and Fulham. In May 2013 the Scrutiny Committee Elderly people received five in-depth service walking in Holland Park

Robust Review, Constructive Challenge 15 Shaping a The LINk and assurances that the borough’s healthier future the transition to residents will receive a fair deal in terms of its relative Healthwatch In 2012 the Royal Borough spend in comparison to respective population. joined with eight neighbouring The Committee’s relationship boroughs to set up a Joint with the Local Involvement Health Overview and Scrutiny Network (LINk) has Working Party on remained invaluable with the Committee (JHOSC) to Assistive Technology organisation’s Chair, Christine consider options for the 2011-12 Vigars, sitting alongside reconfiguration of hospitals Councillors and reporting This Working Party submitted in the region. Shaping a on LINk activities at each its Final Report in July 2012. Healthier Future (SAHF) was of our Scrutiny Committee Led by Councillor Mosley, a very major development meetings. To give an example it provided a vision for the covering nearly two million of the important role played development of Assistive people in the North West by the LINk, in July 2012 Technology (AT) and a set London region. the LINk Dignity Champions of challenging objectives submitted an in-depth that required the bringing As well as its involvement review of RBKC’s home care together of a wide range of through membership of the services. Alongside this report stakeholders across health JHOSC (which met a number on the meeting agenda was a and local government. of times around the member response report submitted by The development of the boroughs), the Scrutiny Adult Social Care officers. Tri-borough structure has Committee received a number created great potential for of visits from officers of NHS The successor body to the joined up working. To drive North West London to explain LINk, Healthwatch Kensington forward these opportunities the latest situation. and Chelsea, was launched in the Scrutiny Committee has April 2013 and there is every already received one six On 11 September 2012, the expectation that the close month update report with a Scrutiny Committee hosted working relationship with further one promised. a major public meeting on this Scrutiny Committee will remain in place. Shaping a Healthier Future. Working Party on Over 120 members of the Carers 2011-12 public attended this meeting, Public Health – giving residents of RBKC a A new responsibility This Working Party, chaired full opportunity to express by Councillor Freeman, On 1 April 2013, public submitted its Final Report their views. The Scrutiny health once again became in November 2012. With its Committee agreed the the responsibility of local findings informed by two borough’s formal response authorities. This is a Tri- consultation meetings with after the public meeting. borough service with the City carers this review produced a of Westminster being the host number of recommendations borough. In early 2013 the for identifying, recognising Scrutiny Committee received and supporting carers. Once detailed budgetary reports on again there will be an update the new public health service report (later in 2013) to ensure and has sought and received sustained progress.

16 Robust Review, Constructive Challenge The coming year

Working Party activity on specific subject areas continues. There are two Working Parties in progress at time of writing: Hospital Discharge and the Interface with Adult Social Care; and Costs of Residential and Nursing Placements. Additionally, a Joint Working Party (with the Family and Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee) on Meeting the Health Needs of Children in the borough is just about to begin.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

Robust Review, Constructive Challenge 17 Councillor Quentin Marshall, Chairman

Housing and Property Scrutiny Committee

Difficult economic times increase the need for the Council to have a coherent, well thought out strategy to make best use of its property assets. It is Housing and Property Scrutiny Committee’s responsibility to review this strategy and ensure it is implemented effectively. This Committee also assesses how the Cabinet Member is responding to important housing issues which impact upon the lives of local residents.

18 Robust Review, Constructive Challenge Potential impact The effect of the reforms social housing resources. of housing benefit was to cap the payment of Council Officers undertook a changes on those Housing Benefit to address proactive campaign to alert the widely publicised cases of in the private rented those affected in good time families living in private rented sector accommodation that cost the and to explain their options to The Coalition Government borough and the Government them. The Committee has introduced several many times average income took great interest in this significant reforms designed to subsidise. Although some work given the potential to maximise the impact of might be able to remain in impact of the changes scarce public resources in the their existing homes, the and has kept abreast of housing sector. The Housing Council anticipated a number the increase in temporary and Property Scrutiny of people would present Committee continued to themselves as homeless, accommodation placements focus on the preparations and potentially putting great strain outside the Capital. implementation of changes to on our already very scarce Housing Benefit.

Housing Benefit advice

Robust Review, Constructive Challenge 19 New Tenancy social rented sector in the tends to focus on identifying Policy and Housing borough. There are rules those parts of its own estate and guidelines that govern that could be refurbished. The Allocations Policy increased rents. With inflation press often refers to “super The Committee has taken a running at above-target levels prime property developments” close interest in changes to and the prospect of deficits in central London and the tenancy policy and housing in the Housing Revenue wider impact on the housing allocations policy both areas Account, the borough set an market. We discussed issues where the Localism Act average rent rise of 4.5 per linked to Overseas Investment has allowed greater scope cent for 2013. The Committee in the Central London Housing for local discretion. A key engaged with the Cabinet Market following a presentation principle we have sought in Member and Officers to from a specialist consultant in the new draft Tenancy Policy understand why rent needed this area. It seemed that key is to allow flexible tenancies to be increased by this data is not currently collected but also to provide stability amount. The Committee which could inform further for households which need also investigated the level exploration of the issues these it, particularly vulnerable of heating and hot developments raise. households. The use of water charges. flexible tenancies should lead Review by Sub Property department to the best use of stock, Committees enabling tenants housed in units that are too large We also scrutinise the new Two sub-committees met or small to move to more Property department within during the year, one on suitably sized property. the Council. The Council the Self-Financing and the owns non housing related Housing Revenue Account We have been keen to ensure property assets worth and the other Housing that allocation policies strike over £750 million. The Occupancy which is examining a balance between meeting Committee took an interest data on changing densities acute housing need and in developments including in occupation. I would like contributing to broader social the refurbishment of Middle to thank Councillors Mingay and economic well being. The Row Primary School and and Mackover for leading this Committee wants allocation the Clearings and New work and also the members policies to keep open a variety Marlborough Primary of their sub-committees and of housing opportunities School development. the officers who supported for those seeking work or them. The Self-Financing sub- currently working and that Issues related to high committee explored how the recognition be given to land values Council could use the greater those making a contribution flexibility over setting rent levels to building sustainable Over the course of the year, and raising funding. Sub- communities. there was a presentation on committee work will continue innovative ways of funding on housing occupancy and Rent setting development of brown field a new Sub-committee will sites in the London Borough of investigate the conclusions Each year the Council Barking and Dagenham. This of the recent stock condition decides what rent to set for provided an interesting contrast survey and report completed the properties it owns in the with the Royal Borough which earlier this year.

20 Robust Review, Constructive Challenge Other matters The coming year There will also continue to be considered effects from the change to Many changes as a result Housing Benefit on the level of The Committee also of new central government Temporary Accommodation, undertook a ‘deep dive’ policy have been initiated which we will monitor scrutiny session on the over the last year. The year carefully. Housing Planning Policy ahead may see fewer big Review at which planning policy changes but will be New Cabinet Member officers briefed the Committee a year of implementation so that it understood how and bedding down. The Following the election of Nick changes in planning policy move to self-financing allows Paget-Brown as Leader of the could reflect the borough’s local authorities to plan with Council, Cllr. Tim Coleridge housing needs. It is a complex much greater confidence, has been asked to take up subject and one that requires in particular on the level of new responsibilities. I would ongoing investigation to investment required in their like to take this opportunity ensure the system is delivering housing stock. Kensington to thank Tim for his unfailing against its objectives. Not least and Chelsea has significant courtesy and helpfulness was the issue of providing on investment requirements over to the Committee and to or off site affordable housing or the next thirty years but can welcome his successor, whether this provision should plan with some confidence Cllr Rock Feilding-Mellen, to be out of borough or not. as a result of sound financial his new post. Finally, the Committee management of the Housing considered a review of the Revenue Account. Over the condition of the Council’s coming year, we expect to housing stock and in the spend much time reviewing coming year will be exploring the assumptions behind our the level of investment and its investment needs and the timescale for improving options to meet them. the stock.

Tavistock Road

Robust Review, Constructive Challenge 21 Councillor Joanna Gardner, Chairman

Public Realm Scrutiny Committee

The variety of day-to-day services scrutinised by this Committee are relevant to almost everyone who lives or works within the Royal Borough.

The wide-ranging Public Realm remit covers planning and licensing, parks, leisure facilities, transport, arts museums, and much more. The Committee also takes responsibility for monitoring waste management, highways and parking operations.

22 Robust Review, Constructive Challenge Introduction much of it behind the scenes, new Bi-borough services to ensure the success of and has taken a special The past year has proved to these events in the borough. interest in the many be very busy and exciting for service reviews that have a number of the areas that The Committee will continue commenced, for example the Committee scrutinises, to look at ways to capitalise trade waste, parks police, due to the Olympics and on the excellent volunteering parks, cemeteries, ecology Paralympics, as well as the that was seen over the services and highways. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Olympics and Paralympics aim of this review programme A number of events were and the development of is to compare and contrast held in the borough’s public the sporting legacy in the services between the Royal realm, specifically the Olympic borough. The Committee Borough and Hammersmith Cycling Road Races on the carried out a detailed and Fulham and propose borough’s roads, Olympic review of Exhibition Road savings of a minimum target Volleyball at Earls Court and at its Committee meeting in of 10 per cent in each service the Olympic flame being March 2013, which involved area. The reviews are set welcomed into Holland members of the public. We up to look at a wide range Park and in Sloane Square, looked specifically at the of areas to achieve these together with Exhibition Road street scene and cultural savings including additional being used to celebrate the matters and how the road income generation, joint Olympics and the Queen’s and space would be utilised contracting and alignment Diamond Jubilee. The going forward. of systems and processes Committee was very proud as well as the potential for of the excellent work done The Committee has been reducing staff. The Committee across the business groups, acclimatising to the many will continue to monitor these

Exhibition Road

Robust Review, Constructive Challenge 23 reviews closely and ensure who included a diverse and Design, Enterprise and that the quality of services is range of market traders, Housing. The Working Group not diminished, albeit services local residents, shop owners, has and will continue to may be delivered at less cost antiques dealers and land provide detailed input and or in a different manner. owners. The Working Group comments as part of these has now completed their reviews and into the Involving This past year’s work has extensive investigations People in Planning and varied extensively, which is and is meeting to put CIL proposals. unsurprising considering the forward a set of findings and vast remit of the Committee. recommendations to the Tabernacle Working The Committee has examined full Committee. A full report Group a number of issues across is due to be submitted in the borough including summer 2013. It was agreed at a meeting waste contamination and of the Public Realm Scrutiny recycling, street cleansing, Core Strategy Review Committee in March 2012 highways maintenance, Working Group that a Working Group be Carbon Performance, established to consider the litter bins in the borough, The Council’s Core Strategy, longer term future of The Opera Holland Park, the which sets out the planning Tabernacle and to understand performance of the Planning policies for the borough, the added value that its department, the charging was adopted in December operator, Carnival Village, structure for the Community 2010. Despite the relatively contributes to the borough. Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and recent date of adoption Councillor Barbara Campbell enforcement. Detailed reviews there have been a number (Chairman), together with have continued through the of changes to Government Councillors Mason and Committee’s Working Groups, policy relating to planning and Rutherford drew evidence from which include looking at the the Planning Department’s officers across the Council’s Tabernacle, the Portobello first annual review of Core Business Groups, consulting and Golborne Markets and Strategy policies as part of with colleagues in Property the review of the Council’s the Annual Monitoring Report Services, Finance, and Culture Core Strategy. has now been published. This Services. In addition, other indicated that a partial review individuals and bodies such The Portobello and would be timely. In order as the Tabernacle Board, Tom Golborne Markets to deal with the number of Fleming Associates (which Working Group reviews and their timing, the conducted the social capital Committee set up a Working audit of the Tabernacle), and In last year’s Annual Report it Group in 2012 to take an staff at The Tabernacle, as was reported that the Working active role in this process. well as the previous Chief Group on the Portobello Councillor Gardner (Chairman) Executive, David Elford, have and Golborne Road Markets was joined by Councillors also provided evidence. The were conducting fact-finding Blakeman, Donaldson, Working Group submitted their interviews to get to grips Husband, Mason and Miss interim report to the 9 May with the complexities of the Weatherhead to look at Committee meeting and plan market. They met with a a series of Core Strategy to continue their review and number of key stakeholders review areas, including report again at a later date. over a series of meetings, Public Houses, Conservation

24 Robust Review, Constructive Challenge Royal Mail and scrutiny expansion and job creation The coming year visit to the TNT Post in the borough and that they were keen to hear of any After three years as chairman In June 2012, the Chairman issues regarding their service, of the Public Realm Scrutiny held a further public meeting so that they could address Committee I am stepping with the Royal Mail and Post these. At the invitation of the down. I have no doubt that my Office group to discuss the Chairman two representatives experience of scrutiny has been operation of the new Post from TNT Post attended the an excellent training ground Office in Kensington High 9 May Committee meeting for my forthcoming work as Street and other mail issues. and presented, among other a Cabinet member. I would A series of questions arose things, their plans for growth, like to thank my committee regarding TNT Post, which regulation, work experience members and all the Council had started letterbox delivery and future in the Royal officers for their hard work and in West London in April 2012, Borough. The Committee diligence in scrutinising an often but were not within their stressed the importance of complex and diverse area of remit. As a result a group of TNT communicating their Council services, which have Committee Members visited contact details to residents so a daily impact on the lives of the TNT Delivery Unit in SW1. that they could get in touch our residents. Whilst I hope The Members were shown with TNT directly to address my successor will continue the operational aspects of any issues that arose. some of the excellent work and the business including the The Post Offices Working innovative scrutiny methods extensive scanning facilities Group will continue to monitor we have trialled, I am also keen which could track a letter the workings of TNT post, to leave them to set their own from collection to delivery. Royal Mail and the Post agenda for the coming year. TNT explained their plans for Office group.

Portobello and Golborne Market took the honour of Best Street/Outdoor Market in the national 2013 Market of the Year awards. This photograph shows the Portobello and Golborne Markets Working Group at the launch of “Love Your Market” together with Mark Barr (holding the award), Chairman of the Portobello and Golborne Management Committee (PGMC), Mark Atkinson, Markets Development Officer, and Photo credit Olivia Woodhouse) Cllr Paget-Brown.

Robust Review, Constructive Challenge 25 Scrutiny Committee Membership 2012-13

Cabinet and Corporate Co-opted voting members: Health, Environmental Services Scrutiny • Dr Samar Al-Zaher Health and Adult Committee (parent governor) Social Care Scrutiny • Mr Richard Derecki Committee Councillors Emma Dent Coad (parent governor) (Chairman), Councillors Mary Weale Gerard Hargreaves • Mr John O’Donnell (Chairman), (Vice-Chairman), (Roman Catholic Diocesan Charles Williams Barbara Campbell, Board of Education) (Vice-Chairman), David Campion, • One vacancy Abbas Barkhordar, Carol Caruana, (London Diocesan Board Terence Buxton, Todd Foreman, for Schools). Maighread Condon- David Lindsay, Simmonds, Co-opted non-voting Julie Mills, members: Robert Freeman, Daniel Moylan, Pat Healy, Matthew Palmer • Mrs Kathleen Williams Bridget Hoier, and Mrs Frances Taylor. (head teacher Louis Mosley, representative) Linda Wade Family and Children’s • Mr Kieran Parsons and Paul Warrick. (teacher representative). Services Scrutiny Committee Public Realm Scrutiny Housing and Property Committee Councillors David Lindsay Scrutiny Committee (Chairman), Councillors Joanna Gardner Elizabeth Rutherford Councillors Quentin Marshall (Chairman), (Vice-Chairman), (Chairman), Barbara Campbell Robert Atkinson, Tony Holt (Vice-Chairman), (Vice-Chairman), , Emma Dent Coad, Abbas Barkhordar, Professor Sir Anthony Coates, Sam Mackover, Judith Blakeman, Bt, BSc, MD, FRCPath, FRCP, Robert Mingay, Deborah Collinson, Catherine Faulks, Matthew Palmer, Ian Donaldson, Tim Jones, Will Pascall, James Husband, Sam Mackover, Jonathon Read, Tim Jones, Dez O’Neill, Marie-Therese Rossi, Pat Mason, Jonathon Read Elizabeth Rutherford Matthew Neal and Emma Will. and Linda Wade. and Miss Doreen M Weatherhead.

26 Robust Review, Constructive Challenge Contacts This report, along with further information about all aspects of the work of Scrutiny, can be found at www.rbkc.gov.uk/scrutiny or by contacting:

• Jacqui Hird Scrutiny Manager Telephone: 020 7361 2634 Email: [email protected]

• Address for correspondence The Scrutiny Manager Governance Services The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Hornton Street London W8 7NX

• Website: www.rbkc.gov.uk/scrutiny

Robust Review, Constructive Challenge 27 Please insert FCS Logo