Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Deputy Billy Dove, Revd Dr Martin Dudley, Deputy Henry Jones, Alderman Sir Paul Judge, Professor John Lumley, Deputy Catherine McGuinness, Emma Price, Virginia Rounding, James Tumbridge, Patrick Streeter and Laura Jørgensen.

There were no declarations.

To agree the minutes of the previous Committee meeting.

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

Matters Arising:

·         The Assistant Director (People) of Community and Children’s Services gave a verbal update in regards to Item 5 ‘Carers’ Strategy’.

The Committee received a presentation from Neal Hounsell (Assistant Director, Commissioning and Partnerships) regarding the Portsoken Float for the Lord Mayor’s Show 2015. The Committee noted that the float would follow the theme of ‘Portsoken past, present and future’ and were shown visual aids of the float as well as information regarding the Workshops leading up to the Show and activities taking place after the Show.

In response to a number of queries, Officers informed the Committee that the following people could attend the show with the float:

• 50 places available
• 4 for drivers/Emergency Exit Arts staff
• 4 in the gift of Portsoken Members
• 2 in the gift of the Chairman of Community & Children’s Services
• 40 chosen from people attending workshops.

Members noted that the float would return to park in the playground of Sir John Cass School for refreshments and discussions regarding the next steps in the build up to the community play.

Received.

Report of the Remembrancer.

The Committee received a report of the Remembrancer regarding the Psychoactive Substances Bill seeking to tackle the growing use of ‘legal highs’ by criminalising their production and supply.

In response to a query, Members were informed that boroughs are currently in the process of working together to form an agreement on the definition of a Proactive Drug however progress remains slow.

Received.

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

The Policy and Resources Committee have approved this report.

The Committee received a joint report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services and the City Surveyor setting out the Corporation’s ambition to increase the supply of homes in the capital. This commitment recognises that housing shortage is both a problem for London’s communities and a risk to the economic competitiveness of the capital. It is an ambition that this includes a commitment to increase the supply of homes on its social housing estates by 25 per cent, and provide 3,000 additional homes on development sites in the City Corporation’s ownership.

In response to a number of queries, Members were informed that a paper would be forwarded in the early stages of next year outlining the proposals in detail. This would include details of potential sites, the priorities for schemes, and the resource implications for their delivery.

The Chairman noted that the remit of this committee would be in relation to those homes proposed for delivery on the City’s social housing estates. Development in these areas would include in-fill opportunities and Members were reassured where housing density was increased this would not be to the detriment of existing residents but would seek to improve estates and amenities.

Received.

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

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding the revised City of London Corporation Housing Allocation Scheme. The Scheme has been revised in the light of changes in local practice, legislative developments and to better respond to the challenges faced by the Corporation from increasing demand for its limited housing stock.

The changes were subject to consultation with members of the Housing User Board – a group of City tenants – who supported the proposed amendments, and the document has been externally reviewed by independent legal advisors. The Housing Management and Almshouses Sub committee recommended the revisions to Members.

In response to a Member’s questions, the Committee was informed that the longest wait at the moment to be allocated a suitable property is from 2005. However, the average wait for a household in housing need is approximately eight months, and depends on household’s requirements.  The Committee was also informed that teachers working in the City’s academies do not currently count as City of London employees and are therefore not eligible to apply to the City’s housing waiting list.

Resolved – that the revised City of London Corporation Housing Allocation Scheme be approved.

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

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding the Local Authorities Designated Officer (LADO) activity for the period of April 2014 to March 2015, which is contained in the annual report for the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children’s Board.

In response to a query, Members were advised of the activity that had taken place to raise the profile of this role and the recommendations for 2015/2016 in relation to multi-agency training.

RESOLVED – it was moved by the Chairman, seconded by the Deputy Chairman and unanimously agreed by the Committee that the report be circulated for information to the following Committees:

·         Establishment Committee

·         Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee

·         Board of Governors for the City of London School

·         Board of Governors for the City of London School for Girls

·         Board of Governors for the City of London Freeman’s School

·         Board of Governors for the Guildhall School for Music and Drama

·         Barbican Centre Board

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

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding the document Corporate Parenting in the City of London – Annual Report 2014/15. The Annual report provides an overview of the City Corporation’s role as a corporate parent, and the outcomes that have been achieved for the children in our care.

Members were informed that the children in the City’s care have received good services and benefit from very stable accommodation in private foster homes. Formal measures of wellbeing are high, and better than those recorded in London as a whole and nationally. It was noted that two young people in care had incidences of going missing, and that officers were working to address any issues relating to this.

The report sets out goals for the current year. Members were also informed of a recent sailing holiday for children in care aimed at developing skills and confidence.

Received.

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

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding Private Fostering arrangements and the duties that are placed on partner agencies and parents and carers in notifying the local authority of any such arrangement or proposed arrangements. The report explained the Local Authorities function in safeguarding children and young people when they have been Privately Fostered, by assessing the arrangements that have been put in place.

Members were informed of how the City of London was meeting National Minimum Standards for Private Fostering by raising awareness around this agenda with professionals and City of London residents.

In response to a query, Members were assured that responses to notification by children and families would result in a professionally judged response based on the circumstances of each case with the aim of supporting the child and carers during this arrangement, which could include initiating child protection procedures if required.

Received.

There were no questions.

There was no urgent business.

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:-

MOTION – it was agreed 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 Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous Committee meeting.

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

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

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding our work with rough sleepers in fulfilment of the City’s function as a local authority in accordance with the policy commitments of central government and the Mayor of London.

There were no questions.

There was no urgent business.