Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Deputy Fraser, Marianne Fredericks, Deputy Jones, Barbara Newman, Delis Regis, Deputy Merrett, Alex Bain Stewart, Emma Price, Deputy Haines, Keith Bottomley, Deputy McGuiness, Ann Holmes and Laura Jorgensen.

Mr Moore declared an interest in all housing related matters, as he was a tenant on the Golden Lane Estate.

To agree the minutes of the previous Committee meeting.

Resolved – that the minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate record.

To receive a presentation from Professor Roger Green.

The Committee received a presentation from Professor Roger Green regarding social isolation and noted that whilst the actual prevalence of social isolation and loneliness across the City of London is still an unknown figure the following findings indicate it is a significant experience for many of the City’s residents.

Members considered the following issues:

1. ‘Bumping’ Spaces – further develop and create more imaginative community spaces for people to meet and greet.
2. ‘A glass half-full?’ Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) Approach – grow the existing good community development practice.
3. Community Groups – build on the current excellent group opportunities by further developing new, different focused and more inclusive groups.
4. Computer Skills – develop a more co-ordinated response to the existing opportunities that exist – reach those residents in need of computer skills.
5. Estate Connections: Building Social and Community Capital – further develop the existing good practice by supporting residents from the estates to share ideas for joint community development activities; help further develop social and community capital.
6. Loneliness and Social Isolation Forum – develop a more strategic response by creating a forum to bring together all key stakeholders including service users and residents.
7. Pets - Ownership of a pet enhances individuals health and general wellbeing, and  promotes increased social capital across a community. Consideration should be given to revisiting the current policy.
8. Volunteering and Befriending - A more co-ordinated response to volunteering and consequently befriending should be considered across the City of London.
9. Learning from residents not experiencing social isolation or loneliness - people with social connections, friendships, and social networks and a high degree of personal resilience, for e.g. moving on from a situation that creates loneliness such as losing a life partner, seemed to be either embedded within positive community and social networks and/or have a high degree

The Committee received a presentation from Chief Inspector Hector McCoy regarding ward policing and noted updates on the following matters:

·        Terrorism: the current level of threat remained at severe due to an attack being likely.

·        Challenging Financial Climate: to tackle the amount of resources spent, Officers focussed on early intervention to prevent issues from erupting in the community.

·        Communication and Engagement: a consultation was due to commence regarding the levels of communication and engagement exercised by the City of London Police and the community in the City.

Members noted that the Health & Wellbeing Board was working closely with the City of London Police to help prevent suicides on bridges in the City. Signs had been erected along London Bridge to deter people from jumping and provide assistance to members of the public who encountered a situation with a suicidal person along the bridges.

Resolved – that the update be received.

Report of the Remembrancer.

The Committee considered the housing and planning act report and noted that the Act requires the sale of higher-value council housing in order to fund the extension of the right to buy, directs new housing provision away from affordable rental housing towards “starter homes? for first-time buyers, requires higher rents to be charged to social tenants earning high incomes, limits the duration of new secure council tenancies, and creates “planning permission in principle? for housing development on designated sites.

Amendments were made during the passage of the Bill (following representations by the City Corporation and other bodies) which are intended to mitigate the effect of higher-value housing sales in more expensive areas and to ensure that sold homes are replaced on a two-for-one basis in Greater London.

Officers informed Members that the date of completion quoted in the report should be amended to 2026, not 2020. The Committee noted that of the 3,700 home, 700 would be the responsibility of this Committee as they would be built on the existing housing estates.

Resolved – that the report be received.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered the implementation of the grants review report and noted that the overarching Education and Employment Central Grants Programme funding theme was agreed at the March 2016 Policy and Resources Committee, and the corresponding level of funding available for 2016-2018.

Members were requested to agree that the existing eligibility criteria for the Combined Education Charity and City Educational Trust Fund remain in place until March 2017, and that the Education Charity Committee be charged with reviewing and implementing any required amendments to the eligibility criterion for the 2017-2018 funding cycle (prior to the quinquennial review to be undertaken by City Bridge

Trust).

As the Policy and Resources Committee did not approve the level the staffing

required to run the Central Grants Unit, consultation is being undertaken with each

individual grant-giving committee to better understand the resource implications of

managing their specific theme. The outcomes of all consultation undertaken will

form the basis of a report to be submitted to the Policy and Resources Committee

requesting approval for the required levels of staffing and resource.

Resolved – that Members:

· Note the agreed Education and Employment overarching funding theme and the

level of funding available for the 2016-2018 Central Grants Programme.

· Make a recommendation to the Education Board as to whether the existing

eligibility criterion for the Combined Education Charity and City Educational Trust

Fund should remain in place until March 2017.

· Make a recommendation to the Education Board as to whether the Education

Charity Committee should review and implement any required amendments to

the eligibility criterion for the 2017/2018 funding cycle (prior to the quinquennial

review).

· Note that the Policy and Resources Committee will approve the proportionate

management fee for the Central Grants Programme resourcing.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Following the Community and Children’s Services Committee in May, consultation had been undertaken with Officers and the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of this

Committee to ensure that the revised eligibility criteria have taken into account the points raised by Members at Committee.

Members were reminded of the following points which were resolved at the May 2016 Committee meeting:

· Noted the agreed ‘Stronger Communities’ overarching funding themes and the level of funding available for the 2016-2018 Central Grants Programme.

· Agreed that the award of grants will be determined by Officers of Community and

Children’s Services in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the

Grand Committee.

· Noted that the Policy and Resources Committee will approve the proportionate

management fee to be charged for resourcing.

As a point of clarification, Officers informed the Committee that any unspent monies from the £70,000 allocated from the City’s Cash for a two-year period would be placed in an endowment for that charity.

Resolved – that Members:

· Noted that an annual report listing all organisations awarded funding through the

‘Stronger Communities’ funding theme and the corresponding amounts granted will

be reported to this Committee.

· noted that where there is a need for an urgent decision to be made between

meetings on an application, these may be approved by Officers in consultation with

the Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

· Agreed the amended eligibility criteria for the ‘Stronger Communities’ funding theme.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members noted that the last inspection of the adult skills and education service took place in 2010. Since that date the Ofsted Inspection framework had changed and stronger evidence of quality, performance and outcomes for learners is now required.

The 2016 Ofsted Inspection focused on, amongst other things, the levels of

qualifications achieved by learners and apprentices, the numbers and types of

employment secured and the quality of teaching and learning.

During 23 – 26 May 2016 the Adult Skills and Education Service (ASES),

including the Apprenticeship programme, was inspected by HMI Ofsted. The

Inspection focused on the following areas:

· Effectiveness of Leadership and Management

· Quality of Teaching Learning and Assessment

· Personal Development, behaviour and Welfare

· Outcomes for Learners

· Adult Learning Programmes

· Apprenticeships

· Overall effectiveness at previous inspection.

All areas of the service were graded as Good (Grade 2). Therefore the overall

effectiveness of the service was graded as Good (Grade2). A copy of the full

inspection report is available to Members on request.

The Committee thanked Professor Lumley for taking the time to be interviewed as part of the inspection, and congratulated Officers on the results of the inspection. Members thanked all Officers for their hard work and commended them for a job well done. Members noted that the Children’s Services inspection had begun on Monday 4th July and would last for four weeks.

Resolved – that the update be received.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members noted that as part of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the City of London Corporation is responsible for promoting the wellbeing of all the people who live or work in the City.

As the determinants of people’s health lie largely outside the healthcare system,

social, physical and economic policies can have a substantial impact upon health.

There is currently no systematic approach for officers to consider the health and

wellbeing aspects of their proposed policy changes; however, all new policies must

be approved through the committee process. It is proposed that the committee paper template be revised to include guidance on health implications for officers. Incorporating an additional paragraph of guidance will have zero cost implications, and will help the City Corporation to work towards meeting its statutory responsibilities for public health and health promotion.

Resolved – that the report be received.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members noted the progress made during Quarter 4 (Q4 – January to March

2016) against the refreshed 2015-17 Community and Children’s Services Business

Plan. It shows what has been achieved and the progress made against our five

departmental strategic aims:

· Safeguarding and early help

· Health and wellbeing

· Education and employability

· Homes and communities

· Efficiency and effectiveness.

Departmental performance and progress for Q4 are overall good. This strong

performance in Q4 is echoed in the full year performance for 2015-16 with some

areas of outstanding performance. At the end of year reporting period, 10

performance indicators were achieved or exceeded and three were within the

tolerance of -10% of the set target. One indicator was below the tolerance of -10% of the set target. Three indicators are linked to education performance and the

information on these will not be available until the end of the academic year.

Resolved – that the update be received.

Report of the Chamberlain and the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members noted that the Director of Community and Children’s Services local risk budget was underspent by £276,000 with an overspend on all risks of £48,000

The Director is proposing to carry forward £276,000 of his local risk underspend for identified purposes of this Committee. These proposals will be considered by the Chamberlain in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee and, if agreed, will be added to the Director’s budgets for 2016/17.

The Committee considered a resolution from the Housing Management and Almshouses Sub Committee regarding the Welfare Benefits and Financial Inclusion Programme

Resolved - that that Committee voted unanimously to give their support to the Resources Allocation Sub Committee to urge that the DWP grant allocated for Universal Credit Personal Support in 2015-16 but only received in March 2016 be carried forward into next year’s budget in order to continue the financing for support given to vulnerable households transitioning to universal credit.

Report of the Chamberlain and the Director of Community and Children's Services

Members noted the total net transfer to reserves for the year was £1.895m, whereas

the final agreed budget assumed £0.577m, representing a reduced

requirement of £1.318m. Revenue Reserves ended the year with a

balance of £9.610m. The Major Repairs Reserve ended the year with a balance of £6.226m, £0.845m less than expected, mainly due to the Avondale decent

homes improvements program, progressing ahead of original schedule.

Resolved – that the update be received.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

At the February 2016 Committee meeting, Members approved the Gateway4/5

report enabling the project to proceed. However, Members also raised queries in

relation to the visibility of the playground from the podium area of the Golden

Lane estate.

Members tasked officers with investigating possible alterations to the perimeter

wall that could help enhance the visibility of the playground.

Officers have consulted City planners, Historic England, structural engineers and

an independent safety play adviser to assess whether alterations to the wall

would achieve enhanced visibility, and to identify design improvements that

would contribute to further reduce opportunities for anti-social behaviour.

The City planners’ and Historic England’s advice is that the perimeter wall makes

a significant contribution to the special architectural and historic interest of the

Grade II listed estate. The structural constraints and impact of significant

alterations to the wall have also been carefully considered. However, some

enhanced visibility can be achieved through design adjustments, such as further

raising the proposed levels of the new playground and incorporating motion

sensor lighting in key locations as a deterrent.

Resolved – that the update be received.

Report of the City Surveyor.

Due to the complexity of the remedial works required to repair the externally exposed concrete elements of Cullum Welch House and the ongoing significant design element involved, it is proposed to split these works off from the main Golden Lane and Middlesex Street concrete testing and repair project and run it as a stand-alone project. Specialist design works for Cullum Welch House would therefore be able to progress with expediency; these would be unhindered by the more prosaic   concrete repairs anticipated for the other blocks which are covered by the wider project, and where testing remains ongoing ahead of a potentially lengthy specification and tender process.

Resolved – that Members:

1) Approved the change in project approach to separate out the works to Cullum Welch House from the wider Golden Lane and Middlesex Street Estates concrete repair project.

2) Noted the estimate project budget range of £1,050,000-£2,050,000 for the replacement and repair of concrete elements at Cullum Welch House and the potential inclusion of

window renewal. A full options appraisal is to be brought to Committee at Gateway 4.

3) Authorised the transfer of the existing estimated £600,000 works budget and £90,000 fees earmarked for Cullum Welch House from the estimated budget of the wider Golden Lane and Middlesex Street Estates concrete repair project.

4) Retrospectively approve the consultancy fees (design, structural and testing

expenditure), totalling £74,005, already spent to reach the current position and allocate them to this project. These fees are currently charged to HRA local revenue.

5) Approve a sum of £28,000, comprised of £26,000 to complete the investigative work to the south elevation and £2,000 staff costs, to reach the next Gateway.

There were no questions.

City Play East:

The Committee considered a report regarding City Play East. Members noted that the project to date had been awarded £43,000 of external funding from Awards For All and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Resolved – that Members endorsed the involvement of officers in Phase 2 of the project,

London Youth Games

Officers informed the Committee that the London Youth Games had recently taken place and the highlights included the City being awarded a top five finish in mini tennis, a gold medal for swimming and a silver medal for cycling.

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act as follows:-

Resolved - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the

public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the

grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined

in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

There were no questions.

There was no urgent business.