Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Rooms, West Wing, Guildhall

Contact: Julie Mayer tel. no.: 020 7332 1410  Email: julie.mayer@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Members' Declarations under the Code of Conduct in Respect of Items on the Agenda

Minutes:

Munsur Ali declared a general non-pecuniary interest by virtue of his position as a Trustee of Aldgate Community Events (at item 11 on the agenda).

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Matthew Bell, Graeme Harrower, Deputy Henry Jones, Henrika Priest and James De Sausmarez.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 90 KB

To approve the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 8th February 2019.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

 

Susan Pearson asked for an amendment to  be recorded in the draft minutes of 8th February 2019 in respect of her declaration of interests.  The suggested text had been emailed to the Town Clerk, and agreed by the Chairman, and the amendment would be made before the minutes of 8th February 2019 were agreed as a formal record of the meeting. 

 

RESOLVED, that – the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 8th February 2019 be approved as a correct record, subject to recording Mrs Mary Durcan as having been present, and the inclusion of the amendments in respect of Ms Susan Pearson’s interests, which had been emailed to the Town Clerk and agreed by the Chairman.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Outstanding Actions pdf icon PDF 54 KB

Members are asked to note the Committee’s Outstanding Actions list.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received the Committee’s Outstanding Actions list and noted the items thereon which either had or would be discharged on this and future agendas.  Members asked if target dates could be added wherever possible.

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Brexit Update

Director of Community and Children’s Services to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Minutes:

The Director was heard in respect of the latest implications arising from BREXIT. Members were reminded that the position was likely to be clearer following the Commons vote on 12th March 2019.  For the time being, the Director and his team continued working with colleagues across services on contingency planning.

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Integration Update

A presentation from the Integration Programme Manager.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Minutes:

Members received a presentation from Devora Wolfson, Programme Director, Integrated Commissioning, City and Hackney CCG.

 

In response to questions, Members noted that there wasn’t a dedicated workstream for mental health as it was covered by all of them.  The rise in the number of children and young people with mental health issues was discussed and Members noted that CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services) were working on a model for young people up to 25 years, in consultation with schools and community groups, so as to avoid a ‘dip’ once a young person reached adulthood.  Members also noted that the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) were spending more comparatively in this area and it was a key objective of the Mayor of London.

 

The Chairman and Members thanked the Programme Director for an insightful presentation.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

City & Hackney Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 67 KB

Report of the Independent Chair of The City & Hackney Safeguarding Children Board.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Independent Chair of the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children Board (CHSCB) and noted that the Annual Report for 2017/18 was currently embargoed, subject to finalisation and publication to the CHSCB web site.  The Town Clerk had emailed the draft to Members separately, noting this caveat. 

 

 

The Chair highlighted the key points from the report and Members noted that the data would evidence confident and competent staff; a very  pro-active safeguarding provision and exemplary early interventions.  Members also noted that the team were doing excellent work with partners on suicide prevention.  The Chair thanked the City of London Corporation for funding the Safeguarding Children Conference, which had focussed on contextualising safeguarding issues.  There were further commendations for strong leadership, which encouraged professional curiosity and promoted challenge.  Members were reminded of the City Corporation’s 2016 Outstanding Ofsted rating for leadership and there was strong evidence of this continuing.

 

The Independent Chair explained that the Board was carrying 3 vacancies but recruitment had been suspended pending deliberations as to the structure of the new Board.  Members noted that, as the current Board was working very well, there were no plans to alter its structure any more than was necessary. Members would receive a report to their next meeting as to how this might be accomplished. 

 

RESOLVED, that – the draft report be noted, subject to receipt of the final version which would be published on the CHSCB website.

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Carers Strategy: 2019-23 pdf icon PDF 95 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 Members considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services and noted that this was a very high-level strategy, which would lead to an action plan and measured outcomes.  Members commended a good report.

 

Members noted that only 55 carers were registered as being eligible for assistance but 576 were self-identified.  The Director advised that the Department were seeking to address this via a rigorous communications campaign across GP surgeries and other effective means.    The challenge of assisting young carers was also discussed and officers advised that awareness of self-identification was raised through schools and youth services.  Members noted that appreciation for carers was shown at various events across the City Corporation.

 

RESOLVED, That – the Carers’ Strategy, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Departmental Business Plan Quarter 3 Update pdf icon PDF 263 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services which provided the Quarter 3 update of the Department’s 2017-22 Business Plan.  During the discussion on this item, the following points were noted:

 

  • The number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETS) peaked in the autumn but this was largely a reflection of the time of year, with a lot of young people recorded as ‘unknown destination’ in the Autumn term and the number was likely to settle in the next quarter. 

 

  • The recent rise in homelessness was being actioned through the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee’s work stream.  The Chairman of the Sub Committee advised that a briefing note would be circulated to all Members of the Court, ahead of the Wardmotes in March.  Members were encouraged to feed back on any questions raised at their wardmotes.  Members also noted the importance of clarifying the definition of long-term rough sleeping’; which was being considered by the Sub-Committee.

 

  • The circulation of the Business Healthy Newsletter had dropped recently, due to the impact of GDPR.

 

  • Whilst it was accepted that some risks could not be controlled, focus should remain on performance to enable scrutiny by the Integrated Commissioning Board.  Members noted there was a key national indicator on partnership working. 

 

RESOLVED, That – the Quarter 3 Progress of the Community and Children’s Services 2017-22 be noted. 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Departmental Business Plan 2019-2020 pdf icon PDF 64 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services which presented the Department’s business plan for 2019-20.  Members noted that the plan was high level and the work underway below it contained more detail. 

 

There was some discussion as to whether rough sleepers were residents or part of the local community, particularly in respect of their health care requirements. Member noted that, given priority was based on need, it was important to try to reconnect rough sleepers. Officers agreed to look at a definition and Members noted that the Integrated Commissioning Board was considering rough sleepers’ health care requirements.

 

RESOLVED, That – the high level Business Plan for 2019-20 be approved.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Stronger Communities Grants Programme pdf icon PDF 71 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of the recent round of Stronger Communities Grant Funding, which had closed in November 2018.  Members noted that the deadline for the next round would be advertised widely, via the Communications Team, and Members would be notified. The officer advised that applications were generally only accepted on-line, to ensure speed of assessment and cost efficiency.  However, to ensure the programme was fully accessible, applications could be accepted in other formats where required.  

 

RESOLVED, That – the report be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Sir John Cass's Foundation Primary School pdf icon PDF 75 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of the educational outcomes for primary school-aged children living in the City of London.  During the discussion on this item the following points were noted:

 

  • Since September 2018, free school meals had been provided for all primary school children at Sir John Cass School from Year-3 to Year-6. This was in addition to the offer of free school meals for all children in Reception and Years 1 and 7.   Members would receive a report to May’s committee on the impact from this.

 

  • Good Key Stage 1 results and a focussed improvement on Key Stage 2, following a dip last year.  Members noted that, whilst there had been some intervention in respect of girls’ performance in maths no particular groups were under-achieving.  Furthermore, given that governors received termly reports, any such trends would be noticed immediately.  Members commended the school’s successful Anti-bullying Policy and the buy-in from both students and parents.

 

  • The school had an excellent SEN provision and the identification of more children with additional needs had resulted in an increase in the numbers. 

 

  • Whilst some parts of the country had experienced difficulty in recruiting Governors, the last round of recruitment at Sir John Cass had been over-subscribed.  The school had set up a parents forum to ensure that those parents who had expressed an interest, but not been appointed, still had an opportunity to contribute.  Members noted that following the School’s reconstitution more governors would be appointed.

 

RESOLVED, That – the report be noted.

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Introducing Agile Working pdf icon PDF 60 KB

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

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of Agile Working; a corporate objective of the City of London Corporation.  Members noted that staff were fully engaged and the City Corporation’s IT infrastructure was now robust enough to support this, with the introduction of ‘skype for business’ etc.  Members noted that officers would continue to work with IT colleagues and provide clear guidance for managers and staff. 

 

RESOLVED, That – the report be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Fire Safety Update - Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Properties pdf icon PDF 71 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services which updated them on progress in respect of Fire Safety matters since the last update in October 2018.

 

During the discussion on this item, the following points were noted:

 

  • Members noted that, under the Housing Act, local authorities had certain responsibilities relating to private residential buildings within their boroughs.  Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) had identified over 100 privately-owned high-rise residential buildings within the City’s area of responsibility. The MHCLG instructed that the City provided confirmation that none of these buildings had been fitted with ACM cladding that had been fitted at Grenfell. This was a considerably onerous task. The Assistant Director wrote to all these properties requesting information and identified one, a hotel, which had ACM cladding.  The hotel is working with the London Fire Brigade and, in accordance with the Housing Act, the City Corporation is required to monitor this.  Members noted that the Government continues to work with other cladding manufacturers to assess the safety of their products in the event of fire. Local authorities concerned have been alerted to the possibility of further investigations. 

 

  • Fire door testing continues in the specialist facility in Poland and once all the results have been analysed, priorities for the door replacement programme will be finalised. 

 

  • The City Corporation has a detailed review procedure for fire risk assessments across the whole of the Corporation, which is scrutinised by the Health and Wellbeing Board quarterly, in addition to internal reviews within the Community and Children’s Services Department. 

 

  • In accordance with case law, if the door replacement programme was classified as an improvement, then leaseholders could not be re-charged.  Furthermore, leaseholders were not required to allow the City Corporation access to replace
 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Housing Delivery Programme - Resident Consultation Update pdf icon PDF 64 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of the progress made on consulting with residents and stakeholders on proposals for new homes on the Sydenham Hill Estate, Sumner Buildings, Avondale Square Estate, Windsor House Estate and York Way Estate.  Members noted that the City Corporation now has a good track record for consulting with residents and gaining support and the Director thanked Members for championing this.

 

RESOLVED, That – the report  be noted.

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Update on roleout of Fibre Broadband to City of London Housing Estates pdf icon PDF 82 KB

Report of the City Surveyor.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of the role-out of fibre broadband to the City of London Housing Estates.  The officer advised that he had been updated that morning in respect of the fibre coils, which would be concealed behind panelling.  Members noted that the project covered estates under the City Corporation’s ownership but the companies engaged were very active across London.  The officer agreed to investigate whether the project could extend to Mansell Street.

 

RESOLVED, That – the report be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

Petticoat Tower Fire Doors pdf icon PDF 90 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services which sought authority to start work on Petticoat Tower Fire Doors.  Members asked if residents could be updated on progress ahead of the Ward Motes in March 2019. Member noted that they would receive an update on a commercially sensitive matter on this contract, during the non-public part of the agenda. 

 

RESOLVED, That –

 

1.     Ventro be appointed to carry out the works.

2.     The works budget of £274,268.09 be approved.

3.     An additional budget of £20,570.11 be approved to cover staff costs.

4.     Fees of £2,000 be approved in respect of the building regulations application.

5.     Expenditure to date of £1,590 be noted.

6.     The new overall project cost (including expenditure to date) be noted.

 

At 1pm, Members agreed to suspend standing orders for 15 minutes to conclude the business on the agenda.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Any Other Business that the Chairman Considers Urgent

Minutes:

Subsequent to the meeting, the date and time of the May Committee meeting  was confirmed as 2.30pm on 8th May 2019.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Exclusion of the Public

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.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 20.

Minutes:

MOTION – That under Section 100(A) 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 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 

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<AI21>

21.       Non-Public Minutes

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Non-Public Minutes

To approve the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 8th February 2019.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 21.

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that – the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2019 be approved, subject to the amendments in respect of Ms Susan Pearson’s interests, which had been emailed to the Town Clerk and agreed by the Chairman.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

22.

Major Construction Works (Housing) Framework - Stage 2 Award report

Joint report of the Chamberlain and City Surveyor, on behalf of the Construction and Property Category Board.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 22.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

Renewal of Roof Coverings at Dron House, Tower Hamlets

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 23.

Minutes:

Members considered and approved a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Service.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee whilst the public are excluded.

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

Any Other Business that the Chairman Considers Urgent and which the Committee Agree Should be Considered Whilst the Public are Excluded

The Chairman agreed to the admission of an item of urgent business in respect of Great Arthur House (report of the City Surveyor).

 

 

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 25.

Minutes:

There were 2 items of business considered whilst the public were excluded;

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.