Croydon Scrutiny & Overview Committee’s The Scrutiny & Overview Committee Year 6 ... Mike Selva...

Croydon

Scrutiny & Overview Committee’s

Annual Report 2006-7

� Scrutiny Annual Report l 2006-07

Contents

Section Page

1 Foreword by Councillor Jan Buttinger 3

2 Scrutiny Committee Membership 4

3 The Scrutiny & Overview Committee Year 6

4 Health & Social Care Scrutiny Sub-Committee 8

5 Children’s Services Integration Scrutiny Sub-Committee 11

6 Education & Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Sub-Committee 13

7 Clean & Green Scrutiny Sub-Committee 16

8 Safer Communities 19

9 Working Living and Leisure Scrutiny Sub-Committee 22

10 Looking Forward 25

Scrutiny Annual Report l 2006-07 �

Foreword

by the Chair of Scrutiny Councillor Jan Buttinger

The Local Elections on 4th May 2006 returned a new administration. About a third of the Members elected are new to the role of Councillor, and this proportion holds true for this year’s Scrutiny Members. Induction was therefore an important part of life for many of us before the summer recess.

Two half-day development sessions were organised by the Scrutiny Support Team. The first on 4th July was particularly for new Scrutiny Members. With the help of the Deputy Council Solicitor we explored the Legal Framework and then moved on to look at how the Scrutiny role has been interpreted and developed over the last four years. We also examined the task of ‘Challenging as a Critical Friend’ and how Members can engage with the public and reflect their views.

The second session on 5th March was also at Heathfield Training Centre. We welcomed Simon Baddeley from the School of Public Policy, University of Birmingham, as our guest speaker. We looked at Scrutiny developments elsewhere and the implications for Scrutiny of the Government’s White Paper Building Strong and Prosperous Communities. Simon’s enthusiasm and considerable knowledge played havoc with the timing of our planned programme but feedback from Members demonstrated it had been a worthwhile and enjoyable event.

One of the ways we tried to reflect public views was via the public meeting we held on 25th September on the proposed Abolition of Patients’ Forums. This was very well attended and the views gained were forwarded to the Department of Health which has since modified its proposals. More details of this can be found on Page 8.

I have enjoyed working with a diverse group of colleagues and am very grateful to those who gave their time and energy to progress Scrutiny work both at formal meetings and outside of the Town Hall. This external work includes meetings and visits to partner organisations and community facilities such as children’s playgrounds, talking to those who use them and have views on the Council’s provision.

This is the nub of our Scrutiny work - gathering information from all sources to make recommendations to improve the well-being of people in Croydon.

I hope that this Annual Report provides a flavour of the work undertaken this year and our aspirations for the coming years.

Best Wishes,

Councillor Jan ButtingerApril 2007

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Scrutiny Membership 2006-7

�SCRUTINY & OVERVIEW COMMITTEE (S&O) - 12 Members

Jan Buttinger Chair Chair of Education & Lifelong Learning Donald Speakman Deputy Chair Chair of Working, Living & Leisure Pat Clouder Vice-Chair Chair of Clean & Green Lynne Hale Vice-Chair Chair of Health & Social Care Timothy Godfrey Vice-Chair Chair of Safer Communities Robert Askey George Ayres Sue Bennett Maria Garcia Karen Jewitt Andrew Price Mike Selva

CLEAN & GREEN (C&G) SUB-COMMITTEE - 7 Members Pat Clouder Chair Donald Speakman Vice-Chair Luke Clancy Maria Garcia Simon Hall Simon Hoar Greta Sohoye

SAFER COMMUNITIES (SC) SUB-COMMITTEE - 7 Members Timothy Godfrey Chair David Osland Vice-Chair Carole Bonner George Filby Mike Mogul Helen Pollard Andrew Price

WORKING, LIVING & LEISURE (WLL) SUB-COMMITTEE - 7 Members Donald Speakman Chair Raj Rajendran Vice-Chair Brian Cakebread Tony Harris Karen Jewitt Pat Ryan Yvette Hopley


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HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (HSC) SUB-COMMITTEE - 9 Members Lynne Hale Chair Bernadette Khan Vice-Chair George Ayres Graham Bass Sue Bennett Brian Cakebread Russell Jackson Helen Pollard Sherwan Chowdhury

CHILDREN’S SERVICES INTEGRATION SUB-COMMITTEE (CSI) - 7 Members Lynne Hale Chair Jan Buttinger Vice-Chair Robert Askey George Ayres Graham Bass Bernadette Khan Mike Selva

EDUCATION & LIFELONG LEARNING (ELL) SUB-COMMITTEE - 17 Members Jan Buttinger Chair Matthew Kyeremeh Vice-Chair Robert Askey Luke Clancy Tony Harris *Brenda Kirby Terry Lenton *Maggie Mansell Andrew Price Mike Selva *Manju Shahul-Hameed Susan Winborn Rev. Leonard Marsh Diocesan Rep Mrs. Ann Scowcroft Diocesan Rep Mr. Christopher Griffiths Parent Governor Ms Sandra Owen Parent Governor *Mr. Graham Cluer Teacher Rep.* denotes non-voting Member

SCRUTINY SUPPORT OFFICERS Trevor Harness HSC, ICS, ELL, SC Ilona Kytomaa C&G, SC, WLL

Joan Matlock S&O, HSC, ELLErnest Nighy S&O, ICS, C&G, WLL


�The Scrutiny & Overview Committee Year by Councillor Jan Buttinger

The municipal year 2006-7 began with the local elections in May and a change in the administration from Labour to Conservative. All new Councillors were offered a general induction and the Chairs of Scrutiny asked the new Scrutiny Support Team to organise a specific half day development session for new Scrutiny Members in early July with a follow up on 5th March 2007.

The annual work programme was agreed at the first meeting in June as follows:

SCRUTINY & OVERVIEW COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2006-7

Date

6th June 2006

25th July 2006

12th September 2006

31st October 2006

19th December 2006

6th February 2007

6th February 2007

4th April 2007

Agenda items

Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair Update on Facilities Management Contract Work programme for 2006-7

The Leader, Cllr. Mike Fisher - The Leader’s plans for the year Revenue and Capital Outturn Expenditure and Draft Final Accounts 2005/06 Confirmation of the Annual Work programme

Public Question Time - Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, Cllr. Tim Pollard Members’ Q&A session - Cllr. Tim Pollard South Norwood Leisure Centre Construction Contract Review of Local Elections

Public Question Time - Cabinet Member for Culture & Sport, Cllr. Steve Hollands Members’ Q&A session - Cllr. Steve Hollands The procurement and use of Consultants Progress on Previous Scrutiny Reviews

Performance Management in Croydon Development of Croydon’s Website Procurement Process for the bid for Croydon Parking Services Procurement of External Consultants

Joint meeting with the Education & Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Sub-Committee Primary School Provision in Ashburton: Outcome of Formative Consultation

Public Question Time - The Leader, Cllr. Mike Fisher Members’ Q&A session - Cllr. Mike Fisher Draft Budget 2007-8 and Council Tax Call-in of Phase 2 Budget Options 2007-8 Disability Discrimination Act - Implementation Age Discrimination - Implementation White Paper - Building Strong and Prosperous Communities

Public Question Time - Deputy Leader, Cllr. Dudley Mead Members’ Q&A session - Cllr. Dudley Mead Scrutiny Annual Report Draft Scrutiny Work Programme for 2007-8


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The Leader of the Council attended both the July and February Committee meetings. He was questioned about his programme for the year and specifically about the Council’s financial position. It was at the latter meeting the Leader confirmed that the increase in Council Tax would be 3.9%. The Director of Finance attended the 7th February Committee to discuss the budget following the final grant settlement from the Government.

Two decisions taken by the Cabinet this year were called in by the Scrutiny & Overview Committee. They were both dealt with on 6th February. The first was heard at a special Joint meeting with the Education & Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Sub-Committee on Primary School Provision in Ashburton. This involved the outcome of the formative consultation with parents and others and the subsequent recommendation to close Tollgate School. Members believed that the consultation had been conducted properly and while understanding that the resulting proposal was disappointing for those connected with Tollgate School, could not see how a closure could be avoided given the falling school rolls. The location of a Children’s Centre at the site will bring together a range of children’s services and benefit to the local community.

The second call-in concerned the Cabinet decision on the Phase 2 Budget Options for 2007/08. The aim of these options agreed at Cabinet in January was to allow managers additional time to implement service changes to meet current year pressures. The Cabinet was then to consider and approve Council Tax levels based on the earlier decisions made. Although there had been a budget gap it was confirmed that the Council had never allowed a deficit to be created and a balanced budget was required to be set.

Concern was expressed regarding the effects which these Budget Options would have on residents and services. The Committee offered to participate in a pre-decision review on the Council’s Budget Options in early autumn. This offer was accepted.

The implications of the 2005 Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and how the Council needs to respond, were discussed in some detail. The Committee commended the recommendations put forward by the presenting officer.

Public Question Times continued to bring up a range of issues and Councillors would like to thank the members of the public who took the trouble to send these in and attend the meetings. Scrutiny Members would welcome suggestions for effective ways of encouraging questions from a greater range of residents. The Cabinet Members’ responses to members of the public’s supplementary questions often prompted follow-up questions from Scrutiny Councillors.

As highlighted in previous years, Scrutiny is still not being factored into all decision-making timetables. The published Forward Plan still makes no reference to Scrutiny in its section on principal groups that need to be consulted before a decision is taken.

The Scrutiny Annual Work Programme was reported to the full Council on 18th September 2006 and this annual report was presented to Council on 23rd April 2007.


Health & Social Care Scrutiny Sub-Committee

by Councillor Lynne Hale�With so many new Members on the Sub-Committee I was keen to explore several possible areas for scrutiny work, and the work programme (see below) agreed at our first meeting reflected this.

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE SCRUTINY SUB-COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2006-7

Date

15th June 2006

13th September 2006

25th September 2006

21st November 2006

30th January 2007

20th March 2007

Agenda items

Funding Changes to Croydon NHS services Update on Crosfield Sheltered Workshop Annual Work Programme 2006-7

Chief Executive of Croydon Primary Care Trust Orthodontal Services in Croydon Croydon Wheelchair Service

Public meeting on the proposed abolition of Patients’ Forums

Public Question Time - Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, Cllr. Margaret Mead Chief Executive of Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust, Helen Walley Annual Report of the Director of Public Health Meals on Wheels Service

Chief Executive of South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Stuart Bell Day Care and Home Care Services Healthy Communities Peer Review

Public Question Time - Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, Cllr. Margaret Mead Learning Disability Social Care Change Programme Healthcare Commission’s Annual Health Check process Sub-Committee Work Programme 2007-8

The public meeting we held in September to consult on the proposed abolition of Patient’s Forums was attended by over 70 people. Their views were shared and discussed with Members so that we could include these in our reply to the Department of Health consultation, ‘A Stronger Local Voice’. Minister Rosie Winterton published a response in December which did include recognition of the concern raised in Croydon at the proposed reduction in statutory powers to monitor and inspect health premises. Local authorities will be expected to set up the support arrangements for the replacement Local Involvement Networks

(LINks) although it is not yet clear when these will come into being, or what the level of funding for this will be.


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Having been advised by the PCT Community Dietician that around 10% of the elderly population is thought to be malnourished, Councillors have looked to see whether the uptake of the Meals on Wheels Service (MoW) is as good as it could be. It is important that every person who needs a hot meal each day gets one and we are keen that all our elderly residents are aware of the extensive range of hot and frozen meals available and the well-being check that comes with it. Feedback from existing service users is good but there is very low take-up from black and minority ethnic people. The reasons for this are not entirely understood. Members were keen that this gap in knowledge is further researched before any changes are made to the service.

I met with the managers of the Paediatric Speech & Language Therapy Service who are looking at ways to develop parent and carer involvement. The only current route for contact after their child’s initial assessment was via the complaints procedure. It was agreed that the working party would try to assist and a draft questionnaire has been drawn up and sent to the service for comment and the details of its use discussed. The information it yields will need to be analysed and proposals drawn up on what information to provide, how parents would like feedback on their child’s progress to be given,

and how they can more actively engage in their child’s therapy. A meeting with parents and carers is being planned to test the acceptability of these proposals and refine the details before final recommendations are made by the working party.

I visited the Access Ability Centre in Boulogne Road and met with staff and members of the Wheelchair Service Users Group and Cllr. George Ayres subsequently made a follow-up visit. It was agreed that the working party should seek clarification regarding the criteria used by health professionals when referring people to the Wheelchair Service. Full assessments are very time consuming and if inappropriate are disappointing to the applicant e.g. if the access to their home does not allow a wheelchair to be manoeuvred in and out of the building. Members also want to know what alternatives are offered to people with a primary diagnosis of obesity. Councillors are pursuing these points with the PCT.

10 Scrutiny Annual Report l 2006-07

I was delighted to meet Helen Walley the new Chief Executive of Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust before her first appearance at a Croydon Scrutiny meeting in November. Members wished her well in this responsible role at the helm of our local hospital.

In January, Councillor George Ayres attended a seminar organised by the Healthcare Commission on the Annual Health Check process. It provided feedback on the last year’s responses from Scrutiny Committees around the country. The process requires all health trusts to self-assess their performance against 24 core standards. Strategic Health Authorities, Patient Forums and Scrutiny Committees are asked to contribute their own comments based on their direct experiences. The trusts are obliged to include these comments unedited within their declarations. The final ratings given to each trust by the Commission are partly dependent on this process. The last Sub-Committee meeting of the year included agreeing the Croydon Scrutiny’s comments for inclusion in each of the three local health trusts’ declarations.

At that meeting we also discussed suggestions for next year’s work programme. One of the possible topics for a full review in 2007-8 is Planning and Health which would focus on how the Planning Department works with local health trusts. I would like to acknowledge and thank our health colleagues for their valued input during the year. Thanks must also go to the Patients’ Forums for their time and contributions. We look forward with interest to receiving details from the government on its proposed Local Involvement Networks (LINks).

Health & Social Care Scrutiny Sub-Committee - continued

I attended a Department of Health seminar ‘Informing Healthier Choices’ in November, which highlighted the health benefits to local communities of close working between local authorities and health partners. It illustrated how improving information sharing opportunities between PCTs and Councils enables both to make better decisions and positively influence heath outcomes for local people. Croydon’s Director of Public Health, Tim Crayford was a keynote speaker in his capacity as the Chair of the Association of Directors of Public Health. Members regard his Annual Report for Croydon as a pivotal document for improving the well-being of Croydon residents.

Scrutiny Annual Report l 2006-07 11

�Children’s Services Integration Sub-Committee

by Councillor Lynne Hale

This Sub-Committee was introduced this year to give some oversight to the formation of the new Children’s Trust. Its Members are drawn from the Health & Social Care Scrutiny Sub-Committee and from the Education & Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Sub-Committee. Three formal meetings were scheduled as follows:

CHILDREN’S SERVICES INTEGRATION SUB-COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2006-7

Date

10th July 2006

7th November 2006

13th March 2007

Agenda items

Progress towards a Croydon Children’s Trust

Looked After Children - Corporate Parenting

The Organisation of the new Children, Young People and Learners Department

The first meeting concentrated on progress towards the creation of a Croydon Children’s Trust. Croydon was one of the 35 pilot authorities for Children’s Trusts in 2003. Members questioned Steve Liddicott, Divisional Director, Children’s Services Division of the Social Services Department and Peter Wylie, Director of Education who gave a presentation which illustrated the background to the creation of the Trust, Croydon’s current position and the challenges and targets to be faced.

The 2004 Children Act created a statutory framework to support the aims of the Green Paper, ‘Every Child Matters: Change for Children’. These are:• be healthy• stay safe• enjoy and achieve• make a positive contribution• achieve economic well-being

Other provisions in this legislation include the creation of a Local Safeguarding Children Board with key local partner agencies, and a Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership. The Act also requires the appointment of a Lead Member for Children and a Director of Children’s Services. The Children and Young People’s Plan reflects

the agreement approved by the Council and the Primary Care Trust management board. Governance, commissioning and frontline service arrangements were explored through Members questions and they were advised that the development of the Children’s Trust encompasses other initiatives such as the Childcare Strategy, the implementation of the Extended Schools Prospectus and the aims contained in the current Youth Green Paper.

The November meeting was conducted in a seminar format and invitations were sent to all new Councillors. The sole item was ‘Looked After Children’ and the role and responsibilities of Corporate Parenting.

1� Scrutiny Annual Report l 2006-07

David Jobbins, Director of Strategy and Systems Development, from the Croydon Primary Care Trust joined Steve Liddicott, (Children’s Services Division) and Peter Wylie, Director of Education, in a three-handed presentation on Corporate Parenting. Issues covered included:• Circumstances that lead to a child coming under

‘the care of the authority’ • The responsibilities of Councillors as corporate

parents • An overview of the range of young people in the

‘care of the authority’ • The content and potential implications of the

Green Paper “Care Matters: Transforming the Lives of Children and Young People in Care” that was published in October 2006.

During discussion it was noted that the services required for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children were different from those of other Looked After Children as the former have usually fled their home country in fear of their lives.

Health provision in Croydon for Looked After Children was thought to be good with Health Improvement Plans for individuals and dedicated staff within the health service for Looked After Children. Some 88% of Looked After Children receive medical and dental checks, but education for this group, whilst better than the average authority, was lower than average for children generally. While the Green Paper reinforces the direction the Council is already taking, there is still considerable progress to be made before Looked After Children do as well as children of the background population.

The performance of the Children & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) was noted as meeting the service standards in respect of Looked After Children. The responsibilities of individual Councillors were described including meeting with Looked After Children to obtain their views on the services provided. Inspection arrangements of Children’s Homes (Regulation 33 Visits) were being revised with officers undertaking formal aspects but Members would be undertaking visits separately to better fulfil their corporate parenting responsibilities. All Members were cordially invited to official functions of Looked After Children.

On 1st February 2007 the previous Education and Social Services Departments formally metamorphosed into two new departments - Children, Young People & Learners and Adult Social Services. The whole of the last meeting was therefore devoted to the new arrangements for the Children, Young People and Learners Department.

Peter Wylie, the Director introduced a sequence of presentations on the rationale, responsibilities and different aspects of his new department. Members were aware of the national agenda to ensure that services work effectively together to support children and their families. It is clear that full integration will take several years but it is most encouraging to note the ongoing commitment by all involved both in reaching the current position and in looking to the future.

The different steps were identified and Members questions were focused on a variety of issues including child protection, partnership working, times scales and special educational needs. Concern was raised about the resources required to make it all work. For example the ability of different computer systems (education and social services use different systems) to talk to each other and funding pressures.

Children’s Services Integration Sub-Committee - continued

The membership of this, the largest Scrutiny Sub-Committee, includes five co-opted Members and I would like to begin this section by thanking all Members for their work and support during the last year. I was particularly pleased to welcome the newly elected Parent-Governor Member.

EDUCATION & LIFELONG LEARNING SUB-COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2006-7

Date

27th June 2006

10th October 2006

5th December 2006

6th February 2007

13th February 2007

Agenda items

Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair Briefing on the role of Local Education Authorities (LEAs) Work Programme for 2006-7

Public Question Time - Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning, Cllr. Maria Gatland Update on the School Workforce Agreement Secondary Education Review – feedback on Consultation Special Education Needs – Transport

Standards and Quality Report – Key Stage and GCSE Results 2006 School Catering – report on the current position in Croydon Monitoring – Scrutiny Review of School Sports

Joint meeting with the Scrutiny & Overview Committee Primary School Provision in Ashburton: Outcome of Formative Consultation

Public Question Time - Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning School Funding arrangements Annual Exclusions and Attendance report Work Programme for 2007-8

At our first meeting Peter Wylie, Director of Education and Andy Parkin, Senior Assistant Director (Performance, Commissioning and Resources) explained the current role of Croydon Council as a Local Education Authority (LEA) and highlighted those areas for which the Council has a statutory responsibility and those which, under the Local Management of Schools (LMS), now falls to individual schools and their governing bodies.

Members and Officers discussed the potential impact of the removal of the minimum funding guarantee and the work being undertaken with the Schools Forum to help mitigate the changes to funding that could result.

�Education & Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Sub-Committee

by Councillor Jan Buttinger

Scrutiny Annual Report l 2006-07 1�

Croydon has more young people in the Borough’s primary and secondary schools than most other LEAs with over 29,000 pupils in primary schools and almost 19,000 in secondary schools. Members were advised that at age eleven, 30% of Croydon’s children do not progress to Croydon’s secondary state schools: a third of these move into the independent sector and two-thirds to secondary schools outside of the Borough. 10% of young people currently in Croydon’s secondary schools come from outside of the Borough. In recent years, the achievement level profiles of those leaving and coming into the Borough’s secondary schools has equalised.

The Sub-Committee recognised the need for a more flexible model of Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision within the Borough so that fewer young people have to travel out of Croydon.

The progress being made in implementing the provisions of the School Workforce Reform Agreement were reported, but concern was voiced as to whether the spirit, as well as the letter, of the agreement was being met, for example in relation to Planning, Preparation and Assessment (PPA) time. Budgetary pressures, were acknowledged by the Cabinet Member, to have increased the workload of Headteachers and senior staff in meeting the specifics of the agreement.

School admissions was discussed in October and in response to their questions Members were told that the majority of the 400 families not to have been offered a school place by 1st March 2006 had either applied only for one or two schools, rather than the five the form requests, or applied for schools whose selection criteria they did not meet.

Members expressed concern that some looked after children have to leave care during their GCSE year as they become 16 and Members asked to be advised on the range of educational support offered to young people in care. The importance of ensuring that all is being done to ensure that looked after children get into the correct school was also recognised. The Sub-Committee welcomed the improved Key Stage results achieved by Croydon’s looked after children, but asked that the table also include comparator figures for all young people as the goal should be that looked after children attain the same academic level as their fellow pupils.

Cheryl Butler, the Head of Integrated Support Service, responded to Members’ questions on school exclusions. These are concentrated in a small number of schools and there were surprising disparities in exclusion rates between schools serving similar areas that could only result from different managerial styles. Officers provided Members with details of the reasons for the permanent exclusion of four looked after children during 2005-06.

A presentation on school catering was given in December at the request of Members concerned about the incidence of childhood obesity which has trebled in the last twenty-five years. Officers summarised the work done since 2004 to improve the quality of the food on offer, in partnership with

�Education & Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Sub-Committee - continued


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the Primary Care Trust’s Community Dietician. Since then the government’s 2006 food standards for schools placed restrictions and requirements on what food children are offered. Press claims that the move to healthier school meals had resulted in a drop in the take-up of meals were refuted by officers and examples to the contrary were given. The importance of working with teachers and governing bodies to ensure that the food on offer met the diverse needs of their pupils was reiterated.

The Annual Quality and Standards in Education report, as usual, was of great interest to Members. The depth and breadth of data collected enables comparisons to be made within the Borough and without. The underperformance of some black and minority ethnic (BME) groups has led to the adoption of different teaching styles, support and the managing of teachers’ expectations.

The Sub-Committee welcomed the work being undertaken at the Foundation Stage, e.g. around Personal, Social and Emotional Development, which is so important in the wider social context. They also welcomed the rise in achievement levels that means there are now no floor target schools in Croydon at Key Stage 4.



�Clean & Green Scrutiny Sub-Committee

by Councillor Pat Clouder

I was delighted to be appointed to Chair this Sub-Committee and it has been a real pleasure to engage with professionals and local groups who are genuinely committed to creating and maintaining a healthy environment.

Some of the Sub-Committee’s energy focused on following up the work begun last year in the areas of waste management, highways and transport services, but we also looked at other topics and received valued input from external agencies - Network Rail, Thames Water Utilities and Sutton & East Surrey Water. Thank you to all the conscientious people who assisted us in carrying out our work programme this year. A summary is set out below CLEAN AND GREEN SCRUTINY SUB-COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2006-7

Date

11th July 2006

24th October 2006

27th November 2006

9th January 2007

6th March 2007

Agenda items

Members’ questions to Cabinet Member for Streets and Environmental Services, Cllr. Phil Thomas Carbon Management Programme – progress and future plans Tree maintenance on Parks, Woodland and Highway sites School parking issues Work Programme 2006-7

Public Question Time - Cabinet Member for Streets and Environmental Services, Cllr. Phil Thomas Members’ questions to Cllr. Phil Thomas Network Rail - graffiti removal Public Realm Strategy Monitoring the Recommendations of the Scrutiny Review on ‘Green Travel Plans’

Additional meeting to agree recommendations to Network Rail on graffiti removal

Public Question Time - Cabinet Member for Planning & Environment, Cllr. Chris Wright Members’ questions to Cabinet Member for Planning Regeneration and the Environment Cllr. Chris Wright Public Transport Services in Croydon Transport and Highway Projects - Borough Spending Plan 2006-7 Local Implementation Plan Funding Allocation for 2007-8 Walking and Cycling - findings of ‘Talkabout’ Survey Parking issues in the vicinity of schools - follow up

Public Question Time - Cabinet Member for Streets and Environmental Services, Cllr. Phil Thomas Members’ questions to Cllr. Phil Thomas on Waste Management and Cleansing Thames Water Utilities, Sutton & East Surrey Water Work Programme 2007-8


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Trade Waste Recycling was selected as a review topic because Sub-Committee Members felt that recycling should be made more widely available to businesses and taken up more widely than is currently the case. A working party comprising Councillors Maria Garcia (Chair), Luke Clancy, Simon Hall and myself, visited sites in Bexley and Mitcham to see first-hand the systems they operate and what we could learn from them. We also conducted a survey to seek the views of local businesses on trade waste recycling and were especially keen to find out what local businesses saw as barriers to recycling their waste. The analysis of this survey will not be available in time for the publication of this report but the findings will be discussed with all stakeholders, in order to shape Scrutiny recommendations for improved trade waste recycling services in Croydon.

Cleansing And Waste Management Members have invested a considerable amount of time pursuing detailed questions with the Cabinet Member for Streets & Environmental Services, Cllr. Phil Thomas, and senior Council officers on: • Waste collection and recycling services for flats• Missed waste and recycling collections• How the Council aims to respond to residents’

demand for the expansion of plastic, cardboard and green waste recycling services to the whole borough

• Early feedback on the “Your Street” initiative • How best to encourage local residents to keep

their environment tidy

Network Rail Representatives of Network Rail were invited to the 24th October meeting and gave a detailed presentation about litter and graffiti on their Croydon properties. Subsequent discussions focused on the issues and practices used in maintaining the land they own and Members made three recommendations to Network Rail for further improvements.


Water Supply and Conservation Last year’s drought and the implications of ongoing climate change, prompted invitations to Thames Water Utilities, and Sutton & East Surrey Water to the 6th March Sub-Committee meeting. Members discussed a range of issues with their representatives connected to the local water supply and water conservation methods. An additional item explored with Thames Water Utilities was the arrangements for the 18 months’ work to replace the Victorian water mains under Croydon roads beginning this Spring.

Follow-Up To Topics Scrutinised In Previous Years The Sub-Committee followed up work carried out in previous years on: • The Scrutiny Review of Green Travel Plans• Parking in the vicinity of schools• Walking and cycling - follow-up to the 2004

walking and cycling survey

Clean & Green Scrutiny Sub-Committee - continued

Clean & Green Scrutiny Topics for 2007-8 Members were invited to put forward topics for scrutiny next year. Their suggestions include:• Transport • Cleansing and Waste Management • The Highways• Environmental risks • Environmental sustainability These could be addressed either through brief investigations or more extensive Scrutiny reviews.


This Sub-Committee scrutinises issues relating to public safety and equalities. It maintains regular contacts with external agencies whose task is to keep the borough safe and to minimise crime and antisocial behaviour. I would like to thank all of those who have contributed to its programme of work this year. SAFER COMMUNITIES SCRUTINY SUB-COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2006-7

Date

4th July 2006

17th October 2006

12th December 2006

27th February 2007

Agenda items

Human Resources & Organisational Development Division work Statutory Framework for Equalities and Diversity Issues and Croydon Council’s Planned Response Key Challenges facing the Public Protection Division of the Environmental, Cultural and Sports Services Department Work Programme 2006-7

Public Question Time - Cabinet Member for Public Protection & Crime Reduction, Cllr. Steve O’Connell Members’ questions to Cllr. Steve O’Connell Review of the Operation of the Licensing Act 2003 The Gambling Act 2000

Public Question Time - Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion, & Customer & Organisational Services, Cllr. Enley Taylor, Members questions to Cllr. Enley Taylor Disability Discrimination Act 2005 - Disability Equality Strategy Policy & Corporate Services Department - Equalities Integration

Public Question Time - Cabinet Member for Public Protection & Crime Reduction, Cllr. Steve O’Connell Members’ questions to Cllr. Steve O’Connell Police Borough Commander, Mark Gore London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) Work Programme 2007-8

The Borough Commanders for Croydon Police and the Fire Service joined the Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Crime Reduction, Cllr. Steve O’Connell for question and answer sessions at our last meeting. Members looked at the partnership working with the Metropolitan Police in community protection, e.g. the Safer Neighbourhood Teams, the Joint Action Group and the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum.

At the October meeting Members learned of the introduction of uniformed Neighbourhood

Enforcement Officers (NEOs) across all wards in the Borough. New civil powers under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 mean that NEOs would be better placed to address a wide range of issues including litter, fly-posting, noise, nuisance parking, and abandoned cars and would also be able to enforce historic bye-laws, e.g. relating to anti-social behaviour in the Borough’s parks.

The Sub-Committee also looked at the work of the centrally funded Drug and Alcohol Action Team

Safer Communities Scrutiny Sub-Committee

by Councillor Timothy Godfrey�

(DAAT) which is responsible for the local delivery of the National Drugs Strategy 2002. Members recognised the far-reaching impact of drugs and alcohol on crime and public safety in Croydon and welcomed the work of the DAAT.

A review of the operation of the Licensing Act 2003, revealed that 999 premises licenses have been issued in Croydon with about 38% of these being for extended hours. Only two premises, both large supermarkets, have 24 hour licenses as Police representations had resulted in the withdrawal of a third. The Act removed local authorities’ discretion to set licence fees and the new national structure has resulted in some negative impacts. One is the greatly increased charges for premises such as sports clubs and recreation centres applying for licenses and another is the drastic reduction in revenue to some local authorities, in Croydon Council’s case an estimated loss of £200,000 in the current year.

Croydon’s Family Justice Centre (FJC) opened in December in 2005 to provide advice and services from a range of partner agencies to victims of family and domestic violence at a single location. Members congratulated officers on providing this landmark service in the borough and wanted to be assured that the operational framework enables all partners to sustain their contributions to this lifeline service. (In the photograph below the features of people using this centre have been deliberatley obscured).

The Public Protection Division of the Environmental, Cultural & Sports Services Department has a very wide remit. Members examined the work being undertaken with the Borough’s 2,300 food premises, especially those smaller businesses where English is not the first language, to enable them to meet the new European Union Food Directive that requires risk assessments and hazard control procedures to be documented for all food businesses.

The Specialist Pollution Team is responsible for risk assessing the 6,000-7,000 potentially contaminated sites in the Borough before remedial work can begin.

Safer Communities Scrutiny Sub-Committee - continued�

�0 Scrutiny Annual Report l 2006-07

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Challenges facing the Bereavement Service include the shortage of burial sites. Greenlawn Memorial Park only has space for another five years, Queens Road and Mitcham Road cemeteries have no new but only reclaimed graves available. There is a need to reduce cremation emissions and to be able to offer cremation services on Saturdays to meet the religious requirements of the Borough’s different communities.

The work of the Human Resources & Organisational Development Division was examined at our first meeting. Pam Parkes, the Divisional Director outlined the different initiatives being undertaken to address the percentage of Council employees with a disability compared to the percentage of economically active disabled people in the local authority area, the percentage of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) employees against the comparable figure for the Borough as a whole, the under-representation of women, BME

Groups and employees with disabilities in the top 5% of earners and the Council’s ageing workforce (average age of 47).

The Council’s planned response to the Statutory Framework for Equalities and Diversity Issues was explored with the Head of Equalities and Community Partnerships, who outlined the statutory framework which is changing from one of outlawing discrimination to one that places a duty on public bodies to actively promote equality. The work needed to enable Croydon Council to progress from Level 4 to 5 of the Equality Standard for Local Government was identified as was the need to continue to scrutinise the work of individual departments in this area. Members welcomed the Council’s Statutory Disability Equality Strategy which aims to provide the same opportunities for disabled individuals in the borough, that able-bodied residents have long taken for granted.

Scrutiny Annual Report l 2006-07 �1

�� Scrutiny Annual Report l 2006-07

�Working, Living & Leisure Scrutiny Sub-Committee

by Councillor Donald Speakman

The remit of this Sub-Committee is extremely wide, covering economic activity, housing and leisure services. The work programme was agreed at the first meeting as follows:

WORKING, LIVING & LEISURE SCRUTINY SUB-COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2006-7

Date

13th June 2006

5th September 2006

14th November 2006

22nd January 2007

Agenda items

Members’ questions for Cabinet Member for Finance & Regeneration, Cllr. Tim Pollard Implementing Local Improvement Strategies Supporting the Local Economy – the Role of Planning Work programme 2006-7

Members’ questions for the Cabinet Member for Planning & Environment, Cllr. Chris Wright Room sizes in new housing developments Planning and Transportation Department’s budget Building Control – service and budget Structure and Drainage – service and budget The Council’s use of Section 106 monies from developers Play areas in the Borough

Public Question Time - Cabinet Member for Housing, Deputy Leader, Cllr. Dudley Mead Members’ questions to Cllr. Dudley Mead South-West London Sub-Regional Housing Partnership Business Improvement District (BID) Planning & Transportation - Structures and Drainage Service Housing Space Standards

Public Question Time - Cabinet Member for Culture and Sports, Cllr. Steve Hollands Members’ questions to Cllr. Steve Hollands The Clocktower Complex – use of accommodation and income generated Cultural Strategy – including Open Spaces Library Strategy 2005-8, consultation and outcome Lifetimes Museum – update on progress Fairfield Development Leisure Budgets Work Programme 2007-8

Scrutiny Annual Report l 2006-07 ��

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Business Perspectives in Croydon was an additional Agenda item of great interest to Members. The Head of Innovation & Enterprise and the Business Liaison & Inward Investment Manager answered questions on business retention in the borough. Pressures reported included business rationalisation and bigger companies being managed from outside the UK. Whilst efforts are being made to encourage the development of small businesses large businesses were also needed and the size, number and location of premises were a real issue. Major building developments do present opportunities to attract new businesses to Croydon which has been the most successful borough in south London in this respect.

Local Improvement Strategies associated with the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme were designed to address the problems of deprived areas. In 2006/7 and 2007/8 Croydon will receive £1M per year which will be focused on the most deprived areas of the borough. The additional

financial input of Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) funding will also be used to help to reduce the large discrepancies between areas within Croydon. Whilst Croydon nationally is an average borough it has some of the safest and some of the highest crime rate areas in the country.

The role of planning in supporting the local economy was explored with the assistance of the Head of Planning Control. Following previous Scrutiny input, officers had worked to enhance the business friendliness of the planning service, e.g. improving accessibility and the Planning Website and changes to the pre-application service which now provides the clarity required by businesses.

The recruitment and retention of planning staff is a London-wide problem although Croydon is not the most severely affected. Market supplements have been applied to the salaries of Planning Officers in Croydon and the classification of planning staff as key workers had also been helpful in aiding retention.


Members were pleased to learn that Croydon was successful in addressing housing quality and overcrowding targets within social housing sector but problems still exist in the private rented sector.

The Sub-Committee turned its attention to room sizes. Croydon’s Supplementary Planning Guidance on Residential Conversions includes minimum room sizes for the sub-division of dwellings to provide self-contained flats and bedsitters. No compulsory minimum standards apply to new housing developments. Members undertook an investigation into new-build homes because of concerns that rising property prices and the local housing shortage may be impacting on this issue. Local research has confirmed that some lower cost housing developments in the borough do have very small rooms. Smaller room sizes have negative social consequences.

Having ascertained that an opportunity may arise with the production of Croydon’s Local Development Plan to shape guidance on space standards locally, Members plan to meet with planning officers to investigate this opportunity in greater detail. The Sub-Committee sought advice on how to set standards for adequate room sizes as part of any development. While the previous Parker Morris building standards were very

Working, Living & Leisure Scrutiny Sub-Committee - continued

generous but costly to developers, the Housing Corporation’s building standards are not quite as generous but are still better than those of many private developments. The Sub-Committee felt that cross-sector support from Council Planning Departments, Housing Departments, the Housing Corporation and private developers should be sought and that existing standards should be used to encourage house builders to improve their room size standards.

Members have also undertaken research on children’s playgrounds. They have visited a large number of playgrounds around the borough and have reported back on their current condition, and forwarded their detailed findings to officers for comment and feedback. Members have been pleased to hear that a major programme of refurbishment is planned for playgrounds around the borough over the next two years.

I would like to take all the Members, officers and members of the public who have helped us to carrying out our work programme this year and look forward to the next.

Nationally the increasing emphasis on community involvement has clear implications for Scrutiny and not just in respect of the health agenda. The ‘Community Call to Action’ outlined in the Government White Paper has a wide remit and may lead to more Scrutiny work being prescribed by external demands rather than being generated by Scrutiny Councillors.

Next year will probably see a further reconfiguration of the Scrutiny Structure. If so this will be clarified at the Corporate Services Committee on 25th April 2007.

Scrutiny has benefited from lots of new Members this year and although there may be some personnel changes in the coming year we hope that many of the ‘newer recruits’ will continue to contribute to Member led Scrutiny. Its aim of improving the services provided to people living in, working in or visiting Croydon, by making recommendations to those taking the decisions which affect us all, is a worthy ambition which is reflected in its four main roles:

• Holding the Council decision-makers (Cabinet and Chief Officers) to account;

• Scrutinising Health bodies providing services to the local population;

• Contributing to policy development and policy review and giving the public and its communities a voice;

• Conducting Scrutiny Reviews on current topics of concern, and making an impact on the delivery of public services.

As in any year, one of the tasks of the first meeting in 2007-8, will be to develop a new Work Programme which will need to be agreed and presented to full Council early in the new municipal year. Some suggestions have already been received and Members would welcome further contributions for the work programme whether these are for a brief investigation or for a full Scrutiny review. Anyone who wishes to put forward ideas for consideration should contact Joan Matlock (details below) who will ensure that these are made available to the new Scrutiny & Overview Committee in 2007-8.

Joan Matlock, Scrutiny Support Team [email protected] & Legal Services, Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 3JS Tel. 020 8760 6000 Extn. 62669 Fax. 020 8633 9516

10Looking Forward

Scrutiny Annual Report l 2006-07 ��


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