Issue - meetings

The Scrutiny Manager gave an oral update report in relation to the Overview and Select Committees work for 2019-2020.

That Panel noted that as part of the scrutiny review, the final proposal on changes to the current scrutiny structure would be considered by Members in a couple of weeks’ time.  The agreed proposal will then be submitted to the Local Democracy Working Group and the Constitutional Working Party, before submission to the Council AGM.

Also noted by the Panel was that the work programmes for select committees were progressing, and all those identified for in-depth reviews were on track, with a view to conclude this municipal year:

In relation to current work undertaken by the Housing Select Committee (HSC), the Panel was pleased to note that work relating to residents’ engagement review was nearing completion. The HSC’s would consider recommendations Mayor and Cabinet at its meeting on 30 January 2020

The Scrutiny Manager further advised the Panel that the final report and recommendations on commercialisation and culture change in relation to work by the Public Accounts Select Committee (PASC) would be considered in March 2020.  It was stated that an evidence session with officers from LB Waltham Forest currently took place, that Members of the PASC would be attending a pilot commercialisation training session.

In relation to work of the Sustainable Development Select Committee, the Scrutiny Manager advised the Panel that the final report on parks management would be considered in March 2020, with a view to include suggestions for closer working with parks user groups and issues relating to planned insourcing of the service.

The Scrutiny Manager also provided an update on the work of the Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee, advising the Panel that the draft report for the equalities review would be considered in March 2020.  It was further advised that prior to the meeting in March meeting, 4 evidence gathering events would have taken place, including a visit to Glasgow City Council to see how they embed equalities, including socio-economic deprivation, into their services.  It was stated that a session on Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessments, and another on Lewisham’s Commissioning processes and the consideration of equalities during service redesign/tendering would also would have taken place, including a meeting with the Chair of Lewisham’s Disability Commission.

An update relating to the work of the Children and Young People Select Committee (CYPSC) was also provided by the Scrutiny Manager.  It was noted that the CYPSC had considered the effect of out-of-borough temporary accommodation placements on children and young people, and would be making recommendations at its next meeting.

Chairs of select committees were invited to comment on their respective work programme.

The Chair, Councillor Bill Brown reported that he would be attending a meeting of senior council managers, at the invitation of the Chief Executive, to speak about the role and importance of scrutiny.  The Chair invited suggestions and comments from chairs of select committees via email directly to him on the issue.

Councillor Curran reiterated the importance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 274

The Scrutiny Manager gave an oral update report in relation to the Overview and Select Committees’ work for 2019-2020.

Chairs of Select Committees were invited to provide their own oral updates on in relation to their respective Committee’s work.

The Panel noted that in terms of scrutiny review, work was underway to finalise proposal on changes to the current structure, and that Members would be consulted prior to recommending it to the Local Democracy Working Group in January 2020.  It was recognised that the proposal would subsequently be considered at full Council for approval prior to inclusion into the Constitution after the Annual Meeting in 2020.

In response to questions about in-depth reviews, the Scrutiny Manager provided the following updates:

·                     Housing Select Committee

Work was underway to conclude the review into residents’ engagement.  The evidence to be collated would analysed and submitted to the next meeting of the Committee, in order to allow recommendations to be formulated by Members.

·                     Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee

The timetable for reviewing equalities had to be extended because of the restrictions in place during the pre-election period.  Thus, some of the more active community engagement work had to be postponed.  Notwithstanding that, evidence gathering was continuing.

·                     Sustainable Development Select Committee

Review into parks management was concluding, following visits to a number of parks across the Borough.  It was confirmed that the final report was being drafted.

The Scrutiny Manager gave an oral update report in relation to the Overview and Select Committees work for 2019-2020.

The Panel noted that work was underway to analyse comments received alongside other evidence gathered as part of the Member-consultation by the executive on scrutiny review.  It was stated that a proposal would shortly be submitted for consideration on the issue.

Also noted by the Panel was information that the Select Committee Work Programmes were progressing well, and that Chairs of Committees could provide their own oral updates in relation to their respective Committee’s work.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Panel received an update report presented by the Scrutiny Manager in regards to Overview and Scrutiny Select Committee activities.  It was noted that Members were currently being consulted on potential changes to the scrutiny structure in Lewisham.  There would be a roundtable on Friday 18 October between 11am and 1pm, in Room 101 at Laurence House.  Thereafter, two drop in sessions would take place on Wednesday 23 October between 11am – 1pm and Tuesday 29 October  between 6-7pm.

The Scrutiny Manager further advised the Panel that Mayor and Cabinet would meet on 30 October to consider the budget cut proposals and referrals from the select committees on the cuts will be considered. 

The Panel also received confirmation by the Scrutiny Manager that those Select Committees undertaking in-depth reviews were collating evidence via written submissions, engagement activities and visits.  It was noted that the activities were progressing well.

Commenting on other aspects of work of currently undertaken by select committees, the Panel expressed a concern that the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the Local Democracy Review excluded executive arrangements.  It was recognised that that was what was agreed by Members when the ToR was discussed, however, with hindsight, executive arrangements should have been included.  The Panel also suggested that contact should be made with Children and Young people representatives, and it was recognised that Calabash centre had been scrutinised by the Healthier Communities Select Committee, and the Mayor & Cabinet deferred decision on it.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Panel received an update report presented by the Scrutiny Manager in regards to Overview and Scrutiny Select Committees activities.  Councillor Muldoon, Chair of the Healthier Select Committee, highlighted progress about the Clinical Commissioning Group merger proposals currently being scrutinised by the South London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Panel considered the submissions, and suggested that the Housing Select Committee should receive regular updates on the proposed redevelopment of Achilles Street Estate.

RESOVED – That updates on the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Select Committees, be noted.