Agenda item
Scrutiny Progress Update - Recommendations Tracker
This report updates the Committee on the Scrutiny Recommendations Tracker.
Minutes:
The Committee was then invited to consider the progress and updates provided in relation to the Resources & Public Realm scrutiny recommendation and information request tracker.
The Chair invited Committee members to ask officers questions relating to the progress of the previous recommendations, suggestions, and information requests made by the Committee as detailed in Appendix A of the report.
The following queries were raised by the Committee:
· In relation to the Committee recommendation to “Use Council’s role and relationship with the NHS to lobby for more support for our residents to strengthen our efforts in helping them through the Cost of Living crisis” the Committee required assurances that this was being actively explored, particularly with regard to discharge care packages that included support for patients who required financial support to keep the cost of vital medical equipment running at home. Officers confirmed that a full response would be included ahead of the next Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee in February 2023.
· In terms of the suggestion made to the Brent Council Grants Programme, to “Ensure monies distributed as part of the Carbon Offset Fund are targeted to communities/areas in most need” the Committee clarified that they felt it should state that the funding should be used in the areas of the highest emissions in order to maximise impact of the carbon offset fund in reducing emissions.
· In relation to the point on the Draft Borough Plan 2023-27 to “Involve the worker community (i.e trade unions) in the consultation/engagement process”, the Committee welcomed the response that this had been undertaken, however it was felt that this had not been strongly reflected in the written report. In response the Committee were advised that when the report was finalised for adoption by Full Council details of the engagement undertaken with the Trade Unions would be clearly reflected.
· In further discussion members considered the benefits of broadening the range of Trade Unions engaged as part of future consultation processes to align with the number of business consultees. The Committee were advised that any suggestions to significantly increase the range of Trade Unions would require consideration and review through the Council’s Executive arrangements.
· In relation to the suggestion on the Safer Brent Annual Report 2021/22 to “Reinstate a health representative on the Safer Brent Partnership Board” it was confirmed that the Chief Executive would write to NHS partners to prompt increased attendance from health partners at meetings.
· In relation to the recommendations made regarding the Redefining Local Services Integrated Street Cleansing, Waste Collections and Winter Maintenance Services Contract Procurement, agreed by Cabinet on 16 January 2023, the Committee felt that it was important to re-emphasise the recommendation that where possible recycling sacks were replaced with wheelie bins and sought some assurance that this was being actively looked in to. Carolyn Downs, Chief Executive, confirmed that the cabinet report had been amended following the feedback from the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee with active discussions underway with Veolia to explore this further. As per the recommendations tracker the Committee re-iterated that they required a written update report by 10 February 2023 to update the Committee on the progress made. The Committee felt it would be helpful for Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action to attend the 22 February 2023 Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee meeting to respond to any further queries following the Committees receipt of the update. Moving forward the Committee reiterated that they would continue to monitor the implementation of the contract, with the Committee keen to invite the contractors to a future meeting in order to review service provision and performance in relation to the new contract arrangements.
· In response to a query regarding the functions and implementation of the Financial Inclusion Dashboard, Tom Cattermole, Director of Customer Access advised the Committee that a video had been produced to be shared with members that illustrated the range of services that the dashboard encompassed.
· In relation to Brent Council’s Grants Programmes the Committee required an update on the progress of the information request, seeking a feasibility report that investigated different options for voting on ‘You Decide’ decision days to increase accessibility. Lorna Hughes, Director of Communities, clarified that an internal audit review had taken place, with the findings of this currently being worked through with a view to collating a management response. The Committee were advised that upon completion a report would be provided to the Committee and Cabinet.
· The Committee queried the level of engagement from the Disability Forum in terms of the consultation on the Borough Plan, with members advised that the Forum had been actively involved in the consultation process. Given the issues raised, however, it was agreed that further clarification would be provided on the membership and operation of the Forum
· Councillor J. Patel extended his thanks to Lorna Hughes and her team for the progress made in providing the NCIL funding to projects in Kingsbury and Queensbury, he felt the process had been straightforward and the residents were able to quickly realise the benefits of the funding provided.
Councillor Conneely thanked members and officers for contributing to the Recommendations Tracker Update before summarising the additional actions and information requests following the updates provided, which were NOTED as follows:
(i) Information request for Lorna Hughes to confirm the mechanism to become a member of the Disability Forum and to confirm the number of participants on the last Disability Forum that were consulted on the Borough Plan.
(ii) For Councillor Krupa Sheth to attend the next RPR Scrutiny meeting when the revised RLS monitoring was discussed.
(iii) When the Borough Plan report goes to Full Council for approval, the report should include the information regarding consultation with Trade Unions.
Supporting documents:
- 8. Recommendations Tracker Report, item 8. PDF 129 KB
- 8.a Appendix A - Recommendations Tracker, item 8. PDF 215 KB