Agenda and minutes

Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting any relevant financial or other interest in the items on the agenda.

Councillor Kabir declared an interest in relation to item four, the call in of the Executive decisions in relation to restructuring short break residential provision in Brent for children with disabilities, as a governor of the Village School.  However, she did not consider the interest to be prejudicial and remained present to consider and vote on this item.

The minutes are attached.

RESOLVED:-

that the minutes of the last meeting held on 27 April 2011 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

None.

Decisions made by the Executive on 11 April 2011 in respect of the report below was called in for consideration by the Call In Overview and Scrutiny Committee in accordance with Standing Orders 6 (b) and 18.

Restructuring short break residential provision in Brent for children with disabilities

The reasons for the call in are:-

·         To consider in detail the implications of closing one of the two centres (in particular before the new Village School is completed).

·         To consider what mitigating measures are being planned/developed to assist parents who currently use the centre.

·         To explore in more detail the reasons for the closure of Crawford Avenue.

·         To explore the impact on children and their families who currently use the Clement Close centre.

Suggested action for the Call In Overview and Scrutiny Committee to take:-

·         To consider alternative proposals for Executive.

·         To consider in further detail the implications for the young people and their parents who currently attend the centre.

The Executive report is attached.

The Lead Member and Lead Officer are invited to the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

Decisions made by the Executive on 23 May 2011 in respect of the report below were called in for consideration by the Call In Overview and Scrutiny Committee in accordance with Standing Orders 6 (b) and 18.

Restructuring short break residential provision in Brent for children with disabilities

The reasons for the call in were:-

·         To consider in detail the implications of closing one of the two centres (in particular before the new Village School is completed).

·         To consider what mitigating measures are being planned/developed to assist parents who currently use the centre.

·         To explore in more detail the reasons for the closure of Crawford Avenue.

·         To explore the impact on children and their families who currently use the Clement Close centre.

Suggested action for the Call In Overview and Scrutiny Committee to take:-

·         To consider alternative proposals for Executive.

·         To consider in further detail the implications for the young people and their parents who currently attend the centre.

The Chair invited Councillor Lorber, one of the councillors who had call in the decisions, to summarise the reasons for the call in.  Councillor Lorber referred to the reasons for the call in as set out in the agenda and highlighted some additional points, emphasising the importance the service provided at Crawford Avenue and Clement Close short break respite centre units.  He felt that the implications of closing Crawford Avenue needed further consideration.  Whilst acknowledging that facilities for the service needed to be improved and the decision to relocate to the Village School had been made over a year ago, the original proposals had been to close the Crawford Avenue and Clement Close units only after the Village School was open and fully operational.  Councillor Lorber therefore felt the Crawford Avenue closure was premature and suggested that alternative ways of achieving the improvement and saving objectives should be considered in view of the closure’s impact on service users and carers.

Members had before them written representations submitted by Romana Bhatti, Noreen Scott and Fitzroy Lee for consideration.  The Chair confirmed that he had received some requests from non-Members to address the committee.  He then invited George Fraser, representing the General, Municipal, Boilermakers and Allied Trade Union (GMB), to address the committee.  George Fraser explained that he was representing the views of GMB members who were staff members in this service area, and also concerned parents and councillors.  He stressed the importance and value of the service that was provided and whilst acknowledging that savings needed to be made, he expressed concern that the closure of Crawford Avenue would affect a vital front line service, involving eight job losses and reducing respite care facilities for children and their parents.  George Fraser suggested that accommodating the 67 users of Crawford Avenue in Clement Close would be impractical as Clement Close was not large enough, whilst there would also be the loss of emergency cover within the borough.  Although the move to direct payments would afford greater flexibility, the ability to ensure quality  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The list of decisions that took place on 23 May 2011 is attached for information.

RESOLVED:-

that the Executive list of decisions for the meeting that took place on 23 May 2011 be noted.

The next meeting of the Call In Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, 29 June at 7.30 pm and will take place in the event of there being any call-ins of decisions made by the Executive on 13 June 2011.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Call In Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled for Wednesday, 29 June at 7.30 pm, however it would only take place in the event of there being any call ins of decisions made by the Executive on 13 June 2011.

Notice of items raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Democratic Services Manager or his representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 64.

None.