Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chair for the meeting.

RESOLVED –

THAT Councillor J Headlam-Wells be elected as Chair of the Committee for the meeting.

There were no apologies.

There were none.

There were no deputations.

There was none.

There was none.

At its meeting on 18 June 2007, the Council constituted the “Joint Chairs of Scrutiny Committee”, as follows: 

Joint Chairs of Scrutiny Committee Terms of Reference [Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution]: To discuss the Leader’s Annual Statement to the Council and other relevant cross-cutting matters arising from the business of the Cabinet.

The membership of the Joint Chairs of Scrutiny Committee will comprise the chairs of the five scrutiny committees, with the Chair being appointed by the Committee. The Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council will attend each meeting of the Committee to discuss issues arising from the Leader’s Annual Statement to the Council. [Part 2 (Article Six) of the Council’s Constitution].

The Joint Chairs of Scrutiny Committee shall meet annually. The Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council shall attend this meeting to discuss issues arising from the Statement. [Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution].

RESOLVED –

THAT the Terms of Reference of the Joint Chairs of Scrutiny Committee be noted.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th July 2012

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th July 2011 be agreed.

Report of the Leader of the Council.

To consider the Leader of the Council’s Annual Statement to Full Council made by her at the full Council meeting held on 25^th June 2012.

A copy of the Camden Plan has also been attached.

Consideration was given to the Annual Leader’s Statement, as presented to Full Council on 25 June 2012, and the 2012 – 2017 Camden Plan.

Councillor Sarah Hayward, Leader of the Council, directed the Committee to the contents of her annual statement and the recently published Camden Plan.

The Leader and Deputy Leader gave the following responses to Members questions:-

·         Council Housing – the Leader confirmed that the Council intended to secure 2,000 more homes for social housing, and this included council housing, in the Borough over the period of the Camden Plan 2012 – 2017 which would include 40% of social housing and a proportion of this was planned to be council housing.  The details of the proposals were to emerge as developments were progressed.  The Deputy Leader added that within housing there was also a need to continually consider the needs of people with disabilities.

·         Getting it right first time – the Leader hoped that this objective of the Camden Plan was an objective that should not be noticed by people as this should just happen but sometimes doesn’t, so continual improvement was being made to reduce the occasions of not getting it right first time

·         Changes to benefit entitlement – the Leader explained that the content and implications of the Welfare Reform Bill was likely to have a significant impact on a large proportion of residents in Camden and the Council services would try to minimise impact but this was going to be difficult due to the size and potential impact of the changes to the benefit entitlement.  The Deputy Leader added that the changes in benefit were also likely to have a significant impact on certain people within the Borough e.g. People with hearing impairments and this would result in additional pressure on council resources to address the impact.

·         Local people in decision-making – the Leader explained that despite Cllr Bryant concerns that residents were not significantly engaged in the Area Action Groups, this was considered to not be the case across the Borough.  The Leader suggested that ward members may wish to arrange for Cabinet members to attend future Area Action Groups to update residents on key issues to attract a large attendance and encourage engagement.

·         Review of democratic structures – The Leader confirmed that one of the Camden Plan’s strategic objectives was to ‘provide democratic and strategic leadership fit for changing times’ involving a cross party review of the Council’s constitutional arrangements and the development of a new strategic partnership framework. 

·         Review of Public Health – the Leader and Deputy Leader explained it was critical to progress a merger of services to ensure efficiencies on a larger scale and to retain a high level of service.

·         Inequalities – Universal child care – the Leader explained that Camden had the highest level of free child care in the country and this had still been maintained throughout financial restraints.

·         Further cuts and the impact on policing and community safety – it was agreed that local government financing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

There was none.