Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies received

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and reported the apologies received.  He added that an apology for lateness had been received from Andrew Morgan (Chief Executive, Harrow Primary Care Trust).

The Chair reported that Malcolm Parr (Harrow In Business) would be replacing Allen Pluck and joining the Board as a Business Sector Representative.  The Chair added that Allen Pluck would be joining the HSP Executive. 

That the minutes of the Board Meeting held on 4 August 2005, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 August 2005 were agreed as a correct record.

(if any)

(i)                 Minute 4:  Local Development Framework and Sustainable Communities

In response to a query from the Chair, Joyce Markham (Chief Executive, Harrow Council) stated that she would ensure that the briefing pack comprising the slides, including reports on the LDF and Neighbourhood Renewal, referred to in the final paragraph of the preamble, would be circulated to members of the Board provided that these documents had not been circulated before.   

The Chair reported that there would be a meeting, to discuss some of the issues facing the PCT following the HSP Board meeting and that, given the nature of the private meeting, members of the public would be excluded.

The Chair stated that agenda items 4 (Governance of the Harrow Strategic Partnership), 6 (Amendment to HSP Constitution) and 8 (Vacancy for a Business Sector Representative on the Board) would be considered prior to the remaining items on the agenda.

Paper submitted by the Director of People, Performance and Policy (Business Development), Harrow Council

The Director of People, Performance and Policy (Harrow Council) introduced the report and highlighted the need to reconsider the governance of the HSP.  He drew members’ attention to the proposed HSP structure set out on page 10 of the report which formed the essence of the proposals.  He emphasised the changes, as set out below:-

Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership – to include Every Child Matters Outcomes and 0?19 learning.

Adult Health and Social Care – no change.

Stronger Harrow – to be set up in order to create a separate group to focus on community cohesion.

Safer Harrow – to include the liveability agenda.

Sustainable (rather than ‘Economic’ as stated in the report) Development and Enterprise – to include Adult Learning Skills and the Green Belt and Bio Diversity Strategies.  This group would also look at environmental sustainability issues.

In response to questions, the Director stated that:

·                    the operational aspects of the public realm, such as the street scene, would come under the Safer Harrow Group and that the strategic planning issues would be addressed by the Sustainable Development and Enterprise Group;

·                    the report did not propose any changes to the sub-groups and that each main group could review its own sub?groups;

·                    he would liaise with the Council’s Director of Community Care regarding co?ordination of Mental Health and Carers Partnership Boards.

Following a short discussion on the title ‘Safer Harrow’ and whether it required amendment  in order to reflect its operational aspects, it was

AGREED:  (1)  That the title ‘Safer Harrow’ not be amended but that the operational aspects be reflected under public realm;

(2)  that a review of Governance of the HSP was timely given the requirements of the Local Area Agreement (LAA) and local issues;

(3)  that, subject to the discussions set out in the preamble above, the structure, as set out under section 4 of the report, be agreed;

(4)  that the proposed Sustainable Development and Enterprise Group be chaired by Graham Jones (Director of Strategic Planning, Harrow Council);

(5)  that the possible future opportunities available to the HSP in the light of the Council’s Strategic Business Partnership with Capita, as set out in the report, be noted.  

Paper submitted by the Chief Executive’s Department, Harrow Council.

AGREED:  That the arrangements for reporting and communication links between the Reference Groups and the Executive, as set out on page 92 (paragraph 5.3.5) of the HSP Constitution, be agreed.

Oral report of the Policy and Partnership Service, Harrow Council.

AGREED:  (1)  That Allan Conway (President of the North-West London Chamber of Commerce) be invited to attend meetings of the HSP Board; and

(2)  that the minutes of this meeting be sent to Mr Conway.

Presentation by Capita

The Chair welcomed John McGuire (Partner and Director of Capita), to the meeting to speak on the Business Transformation Partnership, which the Council had entered into with Capita, in order to drive through a programme of change would that improve Council services for citizens and make Harrow Council more efficient and effective.

The Director of Capita reported that the Partnership agreement was unique, innovative and incremental.  He added that the Partnership had initially identified three projects – First Contact, Enterprise Resource Planning and Management Information Systems - which would help improve and streamline Council services in order to obtain significant value for money and provide accountability.

The Director of Capita outlined the objectives of the projects, which were

·                    to increase customer satisfaction

·                    to drive through efficiencies and to meet demands of local residents and central government

·                    to ensure flexibility which would help divert resources to front line services.

The Director of Capita stated that:

·                    the Council had formed this important partnership to enhance its capacity for change and improved public services

·                    the Council was keen to ensure a return on its investment and that Capita had submitted proposals which would ensure that there was a return on the projects proposed

·                    Capita had also put a proportion of its own money into the Partnership

·                    flexibility had been built in and that a business case for each project would be made and justified before it was implemented.

The Director of Capita explained the objectives and the benefits of each of the three projects and when these would be delivered.  He explained how Capita would support the Council to:

·                    streamline and modernise the way services were delivered

·                    procure from a smaller supply base.

In response to questions from the Board, the Director of Capita stated that:

·                    the process would not involve transfer of staff to Capita but that Capita would provide a manager to oversee projects

·                    new systems would ensure exchange of information from the Council to its partners and vice-versa, and that information on the services provided by the partners would also be available at the Contact Centre(s).  He added that, given the importance of collaboration and joint working, these issues would be the subject of further discussions.

The Director of People, Performance and Policy (Harrow Council) stated that Capita would also work with the HSP Management Groups and assist with mapping exercises.  He raised the issue of vitality profiles and how these could be delivered as part of the Project.  The Director of Capita stated that other opportunities would also be available. 

Joyce Markham, (Chief Executive, Harrow Council), stated that systems would need to be in place before other organisations could benefit from them.  She responded to a number of questions from the Board as follows:

·                    that it was intended to build a robust knowledge base which would be provided through the Council’s website (internet)

·                    that the knowledge base would help direct people to appropriate organisations for assistance

·                    that the Council would be investing in a new website and search engine  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

Paper submitted by the Director of People, Performance and Policy (Business Development), Harrow Council

The Director of People, Performance and Policy (Harrow Council) tabled an additional paper which outlined the process for negotiation, of and amendments to, the draft LAA.  He thanked all members of the HSP Board and the HSP Executive for their support, guidance and contributions during the preparation and submission of the LAA to GOL.

Both the Director and Joyce Markham (Chief Executive, Harrow Council) referred to the outcome of the discussions that had taken place on the LAA at the HSP Executive meeting held on 24 November 2005 and identified areas where further work would be necessary.  They explained that the Council had taken a different approach when setting targets for the LAA which had superseded the LPSA.  They reported that targets were being tested first and that they were being linked to the priorities of the Council.

The Director reported that GOL would also be discussing the targets with each of the Leaders of the Blocks and he suggested that:

·                    a meeting be held between Leaders of each of the Blocks and officers prior to Christmas 2005

·                    weekly surgeries be held to ensure that all the partners and officers were aware of the discussions that had taken place with GOL

·                    weekly updates of the discussions be produced and circulated

·                    where changes to the LAA were significant, Members and Chief Officers kept informed.

The Director stated that negotiations with GOL would conclude on 6 February 2006.  He sought a steer from the Board on the following matters:

·                    the targets that the Board felt ought to be delivered should GOL request that the Council reduce its targets from 15 to 12

·                    the allocation of revised grants.

Following a short discussion it was

AGREED:  (1)  That Harrow’s LAA submission to GOL be noted;

(2)  to note that some areas would need to be addressed during the negotiation stage;

(3)   to note that further work would be done on all stretch targets and associated funds;

(4)  to note process for negotiation of, and amendments to, the draft LAA;

(5)  that the Safer and Stronger Communities Block was a pivotal block in the agreement;

(6)  that the final draft agreement be submitted to the next meeting of the Board;

(7)  that the reward grant paid by central government on achievement of the stretched target be split 50% between the partners involved in the achievement of each stretched target and 50% pooled back to the HSP to be redistributed amongst the partners for further partnership working;

(8)  that the officers be thanked for their hard work on the production of the LAA.

The next Board Meeting is scheduled for 6.00pm on Thursday 9 February 2006

Members noted that the next meeting of the Board was scheduled to be held on Thursday 9 February 2006 at 6.00 pm.