Agenda and minutes

To note the appointment at the Special meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 17 May 2004, under the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 11.2, of Councillor Thammaiah as Chair of the Sub-Committee for the Municipal Year 2004/2005.

RESOLVED: That the appointment at the Special meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 17 May 2004, under the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 11.2, of Councillor Thammaiah as Chair of the Sub-Committee for the Municipal Year 2004/2005, be noted.

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             after notifying the Chair at the start of the meeting.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Members:-

To receive declarations of interest (if any) from Members of the Committee arising from business to be transacted at this meeting.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members in relation to the business transacted at this meeting.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

RESOLVED:  That all items be considered with the press and public present.

To appoint a Vice-Chair of the Sub-Committee for the Municipal Year 2004/2005.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Seymour be appointed Vice-Chair of the Sub-Committee for the 2004/2005 Municipal Year.

That the minutes of the meetings held on 2 February and 30 March 2004, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as correct records.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings held on 2 February and 30 March 2004, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as correct records.

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 9.

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were put, or petitions or deputations received at this meeting under the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules 8, 9 and 10 respectively.

Report of the Executive Director (Organisational Development).

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Executive Director (Organisational Development).

Members were updated by an officer from the Partnership Unit on the progress on Community Cohesion throughout West London including Harrow.  It was explained that following troubles in 2001 in parts of the North, a Government initiative had been established to bring communities together.  It was recognised that the riots had been exacerbated by the lack of understanding amongst communities who felt isolated and polarised.  The media, public sector and the police had been criticised in the report that followed.  The Government-funded Pathfinder programme had been established to set up various community cohesion projects with the aims of moving forward with the Race Relations (Amendment) Act and promoting good community relations.  The officer explained that it was also important to target young people particularly those in disadvantaged areas such as Council estates where some youths may feel isolated.

As part of the Pathfinder programme, Members were invited to participate in a seminar being held on 1 September 2004 at the Civic Centre.  The aim was to allow joint working between Members and officers on community cohesion with a particular focus on local Community Strategy objectives.

RESOLVED:That (1) the progress in the Pathfinder Programme be noted; and

(2) the current and planned work in Harrow to ensure that principles of Community Cohesion are being implemented locally, be noted.

Report of the Director of Financial and Business Strategy.

A report of the Director of Financial and Business Strategy was presented to the Scrutiny Sub-Committee on the Strategic Review of Grants.

An officer updated Members on the progress of the ongoing Grants review, the consultation phase of which had been conducted by MORI. The consultation had been in 2 stages.  The initial consultation involved responses from the 12 umbrella organisations, and the 2^nd stage was extended to over 400 community groups who were in receipt of some form of support from the Council.  Areas being addressed were:-

·         Concessionary lettings

·         Payments direct from departmental budgets

·         Free/discounted use of premises

·         Discretionary rate relief

Members were informed that there had been a 20% response rate, which was seen as a reasonable return. It was anticipated that the findings would be available towards the latter end of the week following the meeting, and that they would be reported to the Grants Advisory Panel in July and Cabinet in September 2004.

Members agreed that more emphasis should be given to monitoring the performance of the groups against targets set in order to qualify for funding.  In addition, it was felt that the Council should offer more support for those who no longer qualified for local authority funding under the new criteria. It was felt that at least community representatives would be able to obtain advice on where funding can be obtained outside the Authority.  The Chair requested that the MORI findings be brought to the next meeting of the Strengthening Communities Scrutiny Sub-Committee in September.

RESOLVED:That the officer feedback the comments made by Members of the Sub-Committee to the Grants Advisory Panel, for consideration at the Panel’s meeting on 27^th July 2004.

Report of the Director of Organisational Performance.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Executive Director (Organisational Development) outlining proposals for the way forward with regard to the proposed closure of Post Offices in Harrow following consultation by Post Offices Ltd.

An officer outlined the scrutiny review group’s findings. Members were presented with three options on how to proceed. The officer suggested that there was sufficient interest to warrant a public consultation, and that the Authority should act upon this during the formal consultation period and incorporate the findings in a written response to Post Office Ltd.

The Sub-Committee agreed with the view that the community should be consulted and their comments incorporated into a response. Members’ views were that the Authority should be seen to be acting as a conduit and should exercise community leadership rather than miss the opportunity to contribute to the process. In addition, it was unanimously agreed that the officer should notify all Ward Councillors of the proposed Post Office closures within their Wards, and provide them with relevant information such as maps in advance of the forthcoming 6 week consultation by Post Office Limited.

RESOLVED: That (1) the interim report of the scrutiny review group, including the proposals for the formal consultation by POL in September/October 2004, be adopted; and

(2) the Sub-Committee’s findings be forwarded to Cabinet.

FOR INFORMATION

The Sub-Committee considered its current work programme for 2004/05.

A Member suggested the Deputy Leader (Partnership and Property Portfolio Holder) should be asked to reserve two of the scheduled dates for meetings of this Sub-Committee in his diary.

The following topics were put forward for the forthcoming meeting on 28 September 2004, and agreed by Members for inclusion in the Sub-Committee’s Work Programme for 2004/05.

• Strategic Grant Review – Consultation Response
• Community Cohesion

RESOLVED: That (1) the Deputy Leader (Partnership and Property Portfolio Holder) be invited to attend the meetings of the Sub-Committee on 28 September 2004 and 13 April 2005; and

(2) the Sub-Committee’s Work Programme, as amended to include the items outlined above, be noted.