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Scrutiny Report 2009-2010
Cabinet and Corporate Services
• Equalities:ReportontheWhistlerWalkChildren’sHome,St.Mark’sChildren’sHomeandKensingtonandChelseaRegisterOffice
• Rapeprosecutions
• Regeneration
• Investmentdecisions
• Contractshandling
Family and Children’s Services
• Financeandpriorities
Housing, Environmental Health and Adult Social Care
• Chargingforsocialcareservices
• IllegalSublettingReview Health
• DentistryReview
• HealthPrioritiesReview
Public Realm
• PostOfficesreview
• AirQualitySeminar
List of Scrutiny Reviews Reporting in 2009-2010
2 RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
Chairman’sforeword......................................................... 4
CabinetandCorporateServices........................................ 6
FamilyandChildren’sServices........................................ .10
Housing,EnvironmentalHealthandAdultSocialCare........... 14
Health............................................................................. 18
PublicRealm................................................................... 22
CommitteeMembership.................................................. 26
Contacts......................................................................... 28
Table of contents
3RobustReview,ConstructiveChallengeRobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
Wecontinuetoliveuptoourstrapline“Robust Review, Constructive Challenge”.
Intoday’slocalgovernmentworld,fewdecisionsaretakeninfullCouncil.ActionstemsfromKeyDecisionsissuedeitherbyindividualCabinetMembers,orbytheCabinetasawhole.Outsideofthefour-yearelections,theCabinetisregularlyheldtoaccountonlybyScrutinyandthusitsroleiscriticalinourdemocraticenvironment.
ScrutinyprovidesausefultraininggroundfornewMemberswhoseehowtheCounciloperates,whilstalsogivingthemanearlyopportunitytocontributetheirknowledgeandskills.
Overthepreviousyear,ScrutinyCommitteeshaveregularlyreviewedandchallengedtheperformanceoftheCouncil;undertakenworkbehindthescenestohelpformulateandshapepolicy;andusedpre-decisionscrutinytobringanindependent,citizens’focusonthedecisionsoftheCabinet.
ThevalueaddedbyScrutinyCommitteesgoesbeyondtheirworkwiththeCabinet.InthisreportwegiveexamplesofrecommendationsmadebyScrutinyCommitteesandacceptednotjustbytheleadershipoftheCouncilbutalsobyexternalorganisationsasdiverseasthelocalandLondon-widehealthagencies,thePostOfficeandthepolice.
ThisyearScrutinyhasenhanceditsonlinepresencebylaunchinganewmicrositecontainedwithinthemainCouncilwebsite.Aselectionofbackgroundinformation,currentandpastreports,helpfullinksandcontactdetailscanbeaccessedatthefollowingwebaddress:www.rbkc.gov.uk/scrutiny
We continue to live up to our strapline ‘Robust Review, Constructive Challenge’. The Cabinet is regularly held to account only by Scrutiny and thus its role is critical in our democratic environment.
4 RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
Scrutiny Chairman’s foreword
CouncillorChristopherBuckmasterChairman:ScrutinySteeringGroup
Followingtheelectionstherehavebeenmanychangesinvariouschairmanships.Iwanttothankthosechairmenwhohavenowmovedontootherroles–specificallyElizabethCampbellfromFamilyandChildren’sServices;KeithCunninghamfromCabinetandCorporateAffairsandFrancesTaylorfromPublicRealm.Theirexperienceandcontributionshavebeenconsiderableandtheywillallbesorelymissed.
Finally,Scrutinycannotfunctionwithoutthesmallbutdedicatedteamofofficerswhohaveservicedthecommitteesandtheworkingpartiesovertheyear.Their
hardworkandknowledgehasalwaysbeenconsistentandofaveryhighstandard.
>> Cllr Christopher Buckmaster
5RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
CllrElizabethCampbell,FamilyandChildren’sServicesScrutinyCommittee
CllrKeithCunningham,CabinetandCorporateServicesScrutinyCommittee
CllrMrsFrancesTaylor,PublicRealmScrutinyCommittee
HandingoverthekeytothenewChelseaAcademy.
Our thanks to previous Chairmen in 2009-2010
The Committee continued its important scrutiny of how the Council’s equality policies have been implemented on the ground with further visits to Council establishments.
Cabinet and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee
>> Chairman: Councillor Judith Blakeman
6 RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
TheRoyalBorough’sCabinetandCorporateServicesScrutinyCommitteehasawideremittoscrutinisebusinesshandledbythefullCabinetthatdoesnotfallwithintheremitofanotherScrutinyCommittee.
ItcarriesoutthefunctionsofacrimeanddisordercommitteeinaccordancewiththePoliceandJusticeAct2006.Italsoconsidersmattersofcorporatemanagementorinterestincludinglocaldemocracy,decision-makingbytheCouncil,theCouncil’sbudgetandoverallfinancialmanagement;corporatepolicy,informationandcommunicationtechnology,corporategrants,communityrelations,andregenerationandeconomicdevelopment.
IbecametheChairmanofthiscommitteeinMay2010,somostoftheactivitiesoutlinedinthissectionofthereportwerecarriedoutduringthechairmanshipofCllrCunningham,whohadchairedthiscommitteeforthepreviousfouryears.
Equalities
Thecommitteehas
continueditsscrutiny
ofhowtheCouncil’s
equalitypolicieshavebeen
implementedontheground
throughitsprogramme
ofsitevisitstovarious
Councilservices,suchas
theWhistlerWalkChildren’s
Home,StMark’sChildren’s
HomeandKensingtonand
ChelseaRegisterOffice.
Suggestionsweremade
aboutimprovingtheservices
providedbytheseplaces.
Police and Community Safety
TheBoroughPolice
Commanderpresented
hisannualreporttothe
committeeinOctober,
coveringimportantissues
suchastheoperationofthe
borough-widecontrolled
drinkingzone,aggressive
beggars,Anti-Social
BehaviourOrders,young
people’sprojects,youth
offending,demonstrations
outsidetheIsraeliEmbassy
andtheNottingHill
Carnival.
Thecommitteeconsideredthevoluntarysectorgrantsprogrammeforthecomingyearandestablishedasub-grouptomeetwiththeCabinetMembertoconsiderinitialgrantrecommendations.
ThecommitteereceivedpositionpapersonanumberofCouncilactivitiesincludingemergencyplanning,communityengagement,partnerships,thewardinitiativesprogrammeandcommunitysafety.TheCabinetMemberforCorporateServiceswasquestionedonareasofherremitincludingElectoralServices,hot-deskingandthecostsassociatedwithhandlingFreedomofInformationenquiries.
ThecommitteealsoconsideredthedraftCabinetBusinessPlanandtheCorporateServicesrevenueandcapitalbudgets.Aspartofitsremittomonitorinformationandcommunicationtechnology,thecommitteereceivedpapersonwebsiteredevelopmentandwebsitestatistics.
7RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
Rape prosecutions
Thesub-group-setupbythecommitteetoexaminehowtheRoyalBorough’sperformancecompareswithotherLondonboroughsandseewhatstepscouldbetakentoimproveratesofprosecution-reporteditsfindingsandmaderecommendations.
Theserecommendationsincludedestablishinganannualforumonthisissue;publicisinghowtominimisetheriskofbecomingavictimofsexualassault;reviewingthefundingforvictimsupportagencies,particularlytheWomen’sTrust;andmonitoringthenew
centralisedarrangementsset
upbytheMetropolitanPolice
toinvestigatesexualoffences.
2011 census
TheCommitteetookan
interestinthepreparations
forthe2011census.It
acknowledgedthepoor
responserateacrossthe
boroughatthetimeofthe
2001Census,notingthat
therearecommunalblocks
andcommunitiesincertain
partsoftheboroughthat
aredifficultforcanvassers
toreach.Thecommittee
suggestedthatalistof
known‘difficultaddresses’
bedrawnupandtargeted
priortothecensus.
Regeneration
Thecommittee’s
Regenerationsub-group
reportedbackonthe
borough’sregeneration
activity,includingthe
impactoftherecession,
employment,fundingactivity
andtherecently-launched
WedgeCardscheme.
Economy, Efficiency and Effectiveness
TheEconomy,Efficiency
andEffectivenesssub-group
metthreetimesbetween
2009and2010toreview
keythemesintheCouncil’s
agendatomaximisevalue
formoney,includingwork
relatingtotheSmartest
Councilprogrammeandthe
long-termaffordabilityofthe
LocalGovernmentPension
Scheme.
Thesub-groupsubmitted
itsannualreporttothe
CommitteeinMarch2010
andatthistimeitwas
agreedthatworkshouldcontinueinto2010/11.
WedgeCard,partofaschemetoenhancetheborough’sregenerationactivity.
8 RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
Two short, sharp reviews
ThecommitteecarriedoutashortreviewoftherobustnessoftheCouncil’sprocessesfordealingwithinvestmentdecisions.AmongstitsrecommendationsweretoreviewtheCouncil’scontractswithfundmanagers,implement
decisionstakenbytheInvestmentCommitteeonthenextworkingday,andtokeeptheInvestmentCommitteeChairmaninformedofanypotentialproblemsinimplementingadecision.
Anothershort,sharpreviewwasconductedonthehandlingofcontracts,whichrecommendedthat
allprojectsshouldconformtoPRINCE2standards;thatprojectboardsshouldbesetupforallmajorprojects;thateffectiveriskmanagementarrangementsshouldbeinplace;andthatauthorisationforexpenditureshouldnotbetheresponsibilityofatemporarymemberofstaff(inrespectofcontracts).
Muraldesignedandmadebyyoungpeople
(Earl’sCourtYouthClub)
9RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
Family and Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee
>> Chairman: Councillor Professor Sir Anthony Coates
10 RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
…a process of deep level scrutiny, the purpose of which is to provide proper scrutiny of topical and important subjects in real time...
IbecamechairmanofthiscommitteeinMay2010;therefore,thissectionoftheScrutinyAnnualReportreflectstheachievementsofmypredecessor,CllrElizabethCampbell,whochairedthiscommitteebetweenMay2009andMay2010.Ihavesetoutplansforthenextyearattheendofthissection.
In-depth Review of Finance and Priorities
In2009thecommitteeappointedasub-grouptoconsiderthefinanceandprioritiesofFamilyandChildren’sServicesinviewofthelikelypublicsectorexpenditurereductionsoverthenextfewyears.
Thereviewrecognisedthatitsdiscussionswerepartofawiderexerciseandthereportrepresentedearlythinking.Therefore,thepointsmadeneededtobetakenasawholeandnotconsideredinisolation.
Itconcludedthatitshouldbepossibletomakesavingsofthreepercent,fivepercentortenpercentoverthenextthreeyears.However,itwasacknowledgedthatatenpercentreductionwillbehardertoachievewithouthavingasignificantimpact
onsomeserviceareas,andthatabalancewillneedtobestruckbetweenwhatisdesirableandwhatisaffordable.
Thereviewspecificallyexaminedthoseareasofexpenditurethatweresubstantiallyhigherthanthelevelofstatutorygrant.Itconcludedthattherewassubstantialscopefornarrowingthisgap,butthatcertainareasofexpenditurerepresentedtheCouncil’spreferenceinquality,styleandcontentofdeliverywhichoughttobemaintained.However,althoughdesirable,thiswillmostcertainlyneedtobereconsideredinthelightofsignificantlydiminishingresources.
Thereviewalsorecognisedthattherewasscopeforintroducingnewchargesforcertainservicesand
increasingsomeexistingchargesinotherareas,asthiscouldbeasignificantsourceofsavings.
Pupil performance
ThecommitteewasdelightedtonotethatstudentsinRoyalBoroughsecondaryschoolsweretopinthecountrywhenitcomestogettingfiveormoreA*toCGCSEs.
ChildrenreceivingfreeschoolmealsintheRoyalBoroughgotbetterGCSEresultsthanchildrenonfreeschoolmealsinanyotherlocalauthorities.ThenumberofRoyalBoroughschoolchildrenreceivingfreeschoolmealsandgettingfiveormoreA*toCgradesatGCSEs,includingEnglishandmathematics,is59percent–12percentaheadofthesecondbestcouncilinthecountry.
PupilsfromSionManningSchool
11RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
ResultsnotincludingEnglishandmathematicswereevenhigher,withboroughpupilsagainleadingthewaywith80percentachievingfiveA*toCgradesatGCSEs–sevenpercentaheadofthenextbestperformingauthority.
Looked After Children’s Council – For Us, By Us
Fiveyoungpeople,whoareinthecareoftheCouncil,cametothecommitteetospeakabouttheircontributiontotheLookedAfterChildren’sCouncilcalled‘ForUs,ByUs’.
TheyspokeabouttheirexperienceofbeingLookedAfterbytheCouncilandabouttheiractivitiesinForUs,ByUswhichincludedsettingupawebsite,virtualmeetingsandpeersupport.
Theseyoungpeoplewereclearlynotpassiverecipientsoftheservice,butwereactiveincontributingideas.ThisisanextremelyimportantsubjectforthecommitteebecauseCouncillorsareresponsibleforensuringthattheCouncilactsasagood‘corporateparent’forallthechildrenitlooksafter.Thecommitteerecognisedthattherole
ofthecorporateparentistohelpchildreninpubliccarefulfiltheirpotentialthroughoutlife,aseverygoodparentwouldwanttheirownchildrentodo.
Thelocalauthorityhasalegalandmoraldutytoprovidesuchsupporttothechildrenitlooksafter.
New secondary school in the north of the borough
Followingtheworkofthesub-groupinthepreviousyear(whichhadhelpedtoestablishthecaseforanewschool),thecommitteewaspleasedtoseethattheCouncil’sStrategyforChange:Part2submissionhadbeenacceptedbytheDCSFandapproximately£22mhadbeenallocatedtotheproject.
Holland Park School redevelopment
Ataspecialmeeting,thecommitteeconsideredthereporttotheCabinetbytheExecutiveDirectorsforFamilyandChildren’sServicesandforFinance,InformationSystemsandProperty.
Thecommitteeconcentratedonvalueformoney;the
generalconsenttodisposeofthesouthernsite;andtheprocessofmarketingthesite.Itsoughtassurancesaboutthefinancialstandingofthefirststagecontractorandwasbriefedontheproposedactiontosignificantlymitigatetherisksdescribed.
Thecommitteewaspleasedthatover99percentoftheschemehadbeentenderedtoaminimumofthreecompaniestoensurethattheCouncilachievedvalueformoney.ThecommitteeconcludedthatitwassatisfiedthateverythingpossiblehadbeendonetomitigatetherisksassociatedwiththeprojectandtoprotecttheCouncil’sfinancialposition.
Themarketingofthesouthernsitewasdiscussedandthecommitteewastoldthateachofthetopthreebidswouldprovidesufficientfundstobuildthenewschool,aswellasprovidingtheaffordablehousingandanewchildren’scentre–inadditiontomakingacontributiontoaneducationaltrust.
Followingthediscussion,thecommitteerecommendedtheCabinettopressaheadandbuildthenewschool.
12 RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
Looking ahead to next year
Astheincomingchairmanofthiscommittee,Ihaveinstitutedaprocessofdeeplevelscrutiny,thepurposeofwhichistoprovideproperscrutinyoftopicalandimportantsubjectsinrealtime.Thiswillhelpthe
Cabinetinitsdecision-makingprocess,andhelptheCouncilasawholetocometogripswithkeyissues.
Topicsfordeeplevelscrutinywillbesoughtfrombothmembersandfromofficers,withthefirsttopicbeingStrongerFamilies.
TheyouthorchestraatCadoganHall
13RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
>> Chairman: Councillor Mary Weale
Housing, Environmental Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee
The needs of elderly persons in the borough remained a continuing matter of interest to the committee...
14 RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
Illegal Subletting Review
Thisin-depthreviewwassetupin2008andpresenteditsfinalreportinMarch2010.Itinitiallyestablishedthattherewerenoagreedproceduresonhowtoidentifyillegallysubletproperties.Thereviewgroupthereforeundertooktotestanumberofdifferentwaysofidentifyingunauthorisedoccupantsandgatheringevidenceofillegalsubletting.
Onemethodtestedbythereviewgroupwastowritetoresidentsofsocialhousingintwowardsaskingthemtosendinformationabout
propertiestheysuspectedofbeingillegallysublet.Theywerethenencouragedtorespondtothechairmanofthereviewgrouponaconfidentialbasis.Thiswasfollowedupbyanotherexercisewhereresidentswereofferedamonetaryincentiveof£200toprovidesuchinformation.Neitherapproachprovedparticularlyfruitful.
Thereviewgroupdidnotdiscoveranysignificantevidenceofillegalsubletting,butitdiddeterminethattherewaslittledeterrence.
Anumberofvaluablerecommendationscame
outofthereviewincluding:providinghigherincentivesfortip-offsregardingunauthorisedsubletting;makingbetteruseofdatamatchingtechniques;andestablishingaphotographicrecordoftenantsatthebeginningofatenancy.
Mental Health Services
InJanuary2010thecommitteereceivedareportonchangestomentalhealthdayservicesprovideddirectlybytheCouncil.Theserequiredashiftfrombuilding-baseddrop-inservicestoapatternofsupportbasedonthe
Healthyeatingforolderpeople
15RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
needsofindividualusers,deliveredonaone-to-onebasisthroughoutreachandbefriendingservices.
AfurtherreporttothecommitteeinJune2010indicatedasignificantincreaseinreferralsofwomen,youngerpeopleandpeoplefromBMEcommunitiestotheservice,themainobjectiveofthechange.Thecommitteeheardfromaserviceuserwhowasverysatisfiedwiththechangeandaserviceuserwhohadconcerns.
Takingbothoftheseviewsintoaccount,thecommitteedecidedtokeepawatchingbriefontheissueandaskedforafurtherprogressreportattheendof2010.
Tenant Management Organisation (TMO)
TheKensingtonandChelseaTMOhasfaceddifficultchallengesintherecentpast–particularlywithregardtogovernanceissuesandsomeareasofserviceperformance.ThecommitteewasthereforedelightedtoreceiveapositivereportontheTMO’sperformanceinJune2010.
ThereportdescribedtheTMO’scompliance
withthetermsofitsown
ImprovementPlan,putin
placeinMarch2009and
completedinJanuary2010.
Thecommitteeconcluded
thatnotonlywastheTMO’s
currentperformancegood,
butalsothatthetrendwas
encouraging.
Review Group on Charging
Historically,theCouncilhad
chargedpeopleusingits
socialcareservicesatalow
level,butthiswasnolonger
sustainableinthecurrent
economicclimate.The
reviewgroupwastherefore
establishedtoadvisethe
Executiveonhowaservice
user’scontributiontowards
theirPersonalBudgetcould
bedetermined.
Thereview’sconclusions
werethat:serviceusers
shouldberequiredtomake
a100percentcontribution
towardstheiroverall
PersonalBudget,subject
toaweeklymaximum;the
existingcapitallimitshould
beincreasedfrom£25.000;
andthereshouldbean
amendmenttothefinancial
assessmentprocesstoallow
forahigherlevelofservice
userincometoberetained.
Housing Allocation Scheme
ThereportofanindependentreviewoftheCouncil’sHousingAllocationSchemecamebeforethecommitteeinJanuary2010.Itconcludedthattheexistingschemeallocatedpropertiesinlinewithexistingpolicyandwasthereforefairandconsistent.
However,thereviewalsomadeanumberofrecommendationsincludingsimplifyingandpublishinganamendedpolicy;removingthecurrentdisallowedpoints;reviewingtheuseoflocalresidenceasadeterminingfactorinassessinghousingneedandimprovingtheadministrationofthescheme.Committeemembersaskedthattheybekeptintouchwiththedevelopmentofanynewpolicy.
Elderly persons in the borough
Theneedsofelderlypersonsintheboroughremainedacontinuingmatterofinteresttothecommittee,whichreceivedreportsonPersonalisingOlderPeople’sDayOpportunitiesandontheOlderPeople’sHousingStrategy2010to2015.
16 RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
Revised eligibility criteria for Supporting People Services
InMarch2010thecommitteereceivedareportonchangestotheeligibilitycriteriaforSupportingPeople(SP)services.
TheprincipalaimsoftheSPprogrammearetosupportpeopletoliveindependentlyinthecommunityandtopreventhomelessness.However,annualreductionsintheGovernment’sSPgrantandremovalofringfencingposeasignificant
challengeandtheneweligibilitycriteriawillallowamoreeffectivetargetinganduseofservices.
Thecommitteewelcomedthethrustofthereportandaskedthatgreaterattentionbegiventolessexpensive,lowerlevel,preventativeservices.
What the committee will be doing in 2010-2011
TheworkofthereviewgroupsonTemporaryAccommodationand
InformationforSelf-fundingAdultSocialCareclientswillbereportedtothecommittee.ThenextreviewgrouptocommencewilllookattheNoiseandNuisanceService.
ThecommitteewillcontinuetomonitortheperformanceoftheTMOandlooksforwardtocontributingtotheforthcomingreviewoftheHousingAllocationScheme.
AdairTower
17RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
Health Scrutiny Committee
>> Chairman: Councillor Christopher Buckmaster
18 RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
The landscape for the commissioning and provision of health services is likely to change considerably in the coming years… There never was a more important time for Scrutiny.
HealthScrutinyincludesnotjusthealthservicesforpeoplewhoareill,butalsothehealthimprovementofthegeneralpopulationandplansbytheKensingtonandChelseaNHStrusttoreducehealthinequalities.
WithintheRoyalBorough,thescopeofHealthScrutinyincludesourlocalPCT(NHSKensingtonandChelsea);twoacuteTrusts(ChelseaandWestminster,andtheImperialCollegeNHSTrust);CentralLondonCommunityHealthcare(providerofcommunityhealthservices);thelocalGPconsortiumprovidingprimarycareservices;theCentralandNorthWestLondonMentalHealthTrust(CNWL);andtwospecialisthospitals(RoyalMarsdenandRoyalBrompton).
BothCNWLandtheRoyalMarsdenwerecalledinforquestioning.
Dentistry Review
TheDentistryReviewfoundthat,historicallyspeaking,thetake-upofdentalservicesaswellastheexpenditureondentistryintheboroughhasbeenatacomparativelylowlevel.However,thecommitteerecognisedthatNHS
KensingtonandChelseahadinheritedtheseproblemsandwasmakingsignificantprogressintacklingthem.
Recommendationsincluded:NHSKensingtonandChelseashouldgainabetterunderstandingoftheextentofchildoralhealthintheborough,wheretherecordondentistrywaspoor;itshouldpromotedentalhealthinschools,children’scentresandnurseries;improvetheprovisionofdentalcheck-upsforchildren;examinethelowtake-upofdentalservicesamongsttheunder17yearolds;andestablishwhetherthecurrent‘referraltospecialistservices’systemisfitforpurpose.
Initsresponse,NHSKensingtonandChelseawelcomedtheScrutinyCommittee’srecommendationsandsaidthatoverthenextyearit
wouldfocusonincreasingthedemandfordentistryintheboroughby40percent;promoteawarenessandtake-upofdentistryservices;andcontinuetoworkonimprovingcarepathwaysforpeoplewithspecialneeds.
Health priorities
ThecommitteelookedatNHSKensingtonandChelsea’sprioritiesinthecontextofthecurrentfinancialclimate.TheReviewdrewattentiontotwopossiblethreatstoserviceprovision:firstly,thepoorstateofpublicfinances;andsecondly,thefactthatNHSKensingtonandChelseareceivesanallocationthatisabout20percenthigherthanwhatmightbeexpectedonthebasisoftheborough’spopulation.
Thecommitteebroadlysupportedandwelcomed
Residentsatayogaclass
19RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
theprioritiesassetoutintheTrust’sCommissioningStrategy–inparticularthetenpriorityoutcomesandthecurrentcommissioningintentions.AmongstitsrecommendationswereforNHSKensingtonandChelseatomonitorandevaluatethechangesinpatientflowfromhospitaltocommunitysettings,inordertoestablishthatpatientoutcomesarebeingimproved.
Thereportwasconcludedbeforetheelectionandanysubsequentpolicychangeswhichthenewgovernmentmightintroduce.
The Kensington and Chelsea Local Information Network (LINk)
ThecommitteewaspleasedtonotetheimprovementinthewaythattheLINkwasmanagedand,consequently,itsachievementsoverthecourseof2009to2010.Membershiphasincreasedfrom274inNovember2009,to570inJune2010.
InJanuary2010thecommitteeapprovedaprotocolforenablingtheLINkandtheScrutinyCommitteetoworktogetheronissuesofcommoninterest.
Stroke and trauma services
InOctober2009theJointCommitteeofPrimaryCareTrusts(JCPCT)acceptedtheresponseofthepanLondonJointHealthOSC(JHOSC)coveringall33Londonboroughsandchairedbyme.
Thiswasamajorpieceofworkinvolvingquestioning53witnessesandresultedinareport,withappendices,of311pages,onitsconsultationproposalsonhealthcareforLondon.TheJCPCTsaidthatitfoundthereport’scommentstobebothinsightfulandchallenging,andthattheJHOSC’srecommendationshadbeenextremelyusefulinhelpingtoformulateitsfinalrecommendations.
Mental health
ThecommitteereceivedabriefingonthementalhealthserviceatitsSeptember2009meeting.Itwastoldoftherecentmajorinvestmentindevelopingprimarycaresupportforpeoplewithmentalhealthproblems,whichwouldmeanthatindividualswithabackgroundassociatedwithriskshouldbebettersupported.
Animprovedservicefor
thoseseekingcounselling
throughaGPreferralwas
beingdeveloped,with
atargetoftwoweeks
fromreferraltoseeinga
Counsellor.
Practice-based Commissioning (PBC)
Dr.MarkSweeney,Chairman
oftheKensingtonand
ChelseaPBCGroupmade
apresentationexplaining
itsrole,mainachievements
during2008to2009,
currentprojectandfuture
developments.
Thecommitteequestioned
Dr.Sweeneyonarangeof
issuesincluding:assessment
ofGPs;cancerdiagnostic
services;healthinequalities
intheborough;andtherole
ofGPsintacklingchildhood
obesity.
Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)
Thecommitteehastakenacontinuinginterestintheproductionanduseofthisdatasetsinceitsinception.IthasurgedthattheJSNAshouldbebetterembeddedintheCouncil’sdecision-makingprocesstodrivestrategiesand
commissioningdecisions.
20 RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
Joint work with other scrutiny committees
OverthecourseoftheyeartheChairmanoftheKensingtonandChelseaHealthCommitteemetwiththeChairmenoftheWestminsterandHammersmith&FulhamHealthCommitteesanumberoftimestoconsiderissuesofmutualinterests.Amongthetopicsfordiscussionwere:ajointresponsetothebidbyImperialCollegeHealthNHSTrustforFoundationstatus;andanupdatefromtheCentralLondonCommunityHealthcareAlliance
RegularmeetingswerealsoheldwiththechiefexecutiveofImperialCollegeNHSTrust.
TwomeetingswereheldinvolvingtheScrutiny
Recital,ChelseaandWestminster
Hospital
Chairmen,thePCTChairmenandChiefExecutivesfromallnorth-westLondonboroughstoconsidertheroleofthenorth-westLondonCommissioningPartnership;thenorth-westLondonProviderReviewandthereshapingofcancerservicesinnorth-westLondon.
What the committee will be doing in the future
Thelandscapeforthecommissioningandprovisionofhealthservicesislikelytochangeconsiderablyinthecomingyears–notjustintermsofrestrictionsinresources,butalsointhewaythathealthservicesarecommissionedanddeliveredandalsohowthetransferofresourcesfromtheacutetothecommunitysectoris
managed.Thecommitteewillbekeepingacloseeyeontheseandotherdevelopments.
Thenewgovernmentismovingfast,questioningsomeoftheearlierNHSthemeswiththeirtopdownapproachandmovingmoretowardsaservicedrivenbypatients’needsandwishes.BoththeStrategicHealthAuthorityandthePCT,forexample,arenowscheduledtodisappear.
ToachievethenecessaryfinancialsavingswhiledeliveringabetterprovisionofserviceforourresidentswillnecessitateevenclosercooperationbetweentheRoyalBoroughandtheNHS.
ThereneverwasamoreimportanttimeforScrutiny.
21RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
>> Chairman: Councillor Joanna Gardner
Public Realm Scrutiny Committee
Public realm affects virtually everyone in the Royal Borough, as it covers a variety of day-to-day services.
22 RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
Public Realm Scrutiny Committee
PublicRealmaffectsvirtuallyeveryoneintheRoyalBorough,asitcoversavarietyofday-to-dayservices,frompavementstoleisurefacilitiestoplanning.TheworkinthisreportwasunderthechairmanshipofCllrMrsFrancesTaylor,whoIwouldliketothankforherchairmanshipofthecommittee.
Scrutiny of Post Office reorganisations
ThecommitteesetupaworkinggrouptolookintoRoyalMail’sproposedmoveofSortingandEnquiryOfficesoutoftheboroughtotheirnewcentraliseddeliveryoperationinNW10
andtoexaminethefutureoftheKensingtonHighStreet(KHS)PostOfficeandsite.
TheworkinggroupfirstmetinOctober2009andhavesincemetwithseniorPostOfficeandRoyalMailrepresentativesanumberoftimes.MemberspushedRoyalMailintolookinghowtominimisetheimpactofthechangeofdeliveryofficesbylongeropeninghoursatthenewcollectionofficesandbettercommunicationwithresidents.
AdetailedreportonthemoveofthesortingandenquiryofficesintheW2,W8andW11areas,andthestatusofKHShasbeen
addedtotheCouncil’swebsitesothatresidentscanstayup-to-datewiththelatestnews.
MembersmadeitcleartobothRoyalMailandthePostOfficethattheKHSfacilitiesareakeylocalamenityandiftheyweretoclose,localresidentswouldneedaclearcommitmenttonearbyreplacementfacilitiesandcontinuityofservice.ThePostOfficeconfirmedthatitis“fullycommittedtotheprovisionofPostOfficeServicesinKensingtonHighStreetandwillensurethatanewofficeisdesignedtomeetcustomerneeds.PostOfficeLtd’sintentionwillbetoensure,bythedesignand
PrinceCharles,theLeaderandtheMayoratLeightonHouse
23RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
staffingarrangementsforthenewbranch,thattheserviceisactuallyimprovedforcustomers”.
ThePostOfficeandCouncilwillcontinuetoworkcloselytogetheronpostalservicesintheboroughandtominimisetheimpactofanychangesonresidents.
The Air Quality Seminar
ThecommitteeheldapublicseminarinFebruary2010to
raiseawarenessofairquality
issueswithintheborough.
Speakersfromindustry,
campaigningorganisations
andacademiawereinvited
asguestspeakersincluding
SimonBirkett,founderof
theCampaignforCleanAir
inLondon;GeorgeTaylor
fromHartridgeLtd,which
specialisesindieselfuel
injectionandemissions
testingequipment;and
ProfessorFrankKelly,
ProfessorofEnvironmental
HealthatKing’sCollege.
ProfessorKellyarguedthatmanyprematuredeathsinLondonwerecausedbypoorairquality.HestatedthattherewasaneedtoreducetrafficlevelsandthatmoredecisiveactionisrequiredbyboththeLondonMayorandlocalcouncils.Hepresentedoptionsfortacklingpoorairquality,includinggivingtaxandotherincentives,restrictionsontrafficandchangestotheLondonbusfleet.
CllrMrsTaylorandcolleaguesattheAirQualityDebatepublicmeeting
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Site visits
Duringtheyear,committeemembersattendedorganisedvisitstoinformthemselvesofdevelopmentsattheOlympicSite,LondonTrafficControlCentre,WillesdenBusGarageDriverTrainingFacilityandtheAlpertonBusGarage.
Opera Holland Park (OHP)
ThecommitteescrutinisedtheartisticandfinancialperformanceofOperaHollandPark’s2009season.Onthepositiveside,itenjoyedthehighestevernetsponsorshipandeventsrevenue,increasedmembershipandticketsales;onthenegativeside,itincurredabudgetdeficitof£180,000.
Thecommitteeheardthattheseasonwaschallengingastherepertoirewaslargeanddifficult,butitwasconsistentwiththetraditionestablishedoverrecentyearsbyOHP.Theproductionsreceivedstrongstarratingsfromreviewers,andoccupancyandsalesfiguresfortheseasonwereexceptionallyhighby‘industry’standards.
Thecommitteeconcluded
thatwhilethe2009seasonwasartisticallyoneofthebest,thismustinfuturebedeliveredwithinbudget.
Notting Hill Carnival 2009
TheNottingHillCarnivalisoneofthemostprominentartseventsintheRoyalBorough.ThecommitteereceiveditscustomaryanalysisoftheNottingHillCarnival2009.Accordingtothepolice,anestimated800,000peopleattended,downfromamillionin2008.TheCouncil’soperationswentwell,withfewcomplaintsandsomecompliments.Thecleanupwentaccordingtoplanandsomeinnovationsinthestreetwashingservicewereverysuccessful.
However,theprocessiondidnotstartasearlyasplannedandwhilethejudgingpointclosedneartoitsplannedtime,severalbandsweredisappointedastheyhadnotreachedthejudgingzonebythen.
The committee’s plans for the coming year
Asthenewcommitteechairman,Ihavesetanambitiousplanfor2010-
2011whichwewillworkhardtodeliver.WeaimtoreviewtheperformanceofthePlanningDepartment;continuemonitoringanyproposalsforthereductionofPostOffice/RoyalMailfacilitiesaffectingtheborough;andlookcloselyattheCouncil’sapproachtotheapplicationsforoutdoortablesandchairsatentertainmentvenuesintheborough.
Otherareasofreviewwillincludetheborough’sleisurefacilitiesandthePortobelloandGolborneMarkets.MemberswillalsoworkcloselywithotherScrutinyCommittees,whereremitsoverlap,toexaminethewayinwhichCouncilandpublicconsultationiscarriedout.
25RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
Family and Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee
• CllrAtkinson
• CllrBlakeman
• CllrBorwick
• CllrBCampbell
• CllrProfessorSirCoates(Ch)
• CllrDalton
• CllrJones
• CllrRutherford
• CllrWill
Co-opted voting members:
• MrJohnO’Donnell(ArchdioceseofWestminster)
• Rev.WilliamTaylor(LondonDiocesanBoardforSchools)
Parent Governors
• DrSamarAl-Zaher;
• JohnMurphyuptoMay2010
• PaulQuinnfromJune2010
Co-opted non-voting members:
• MrKieranParsons(Teacherrepresentative)
• MrsKathleenWilliams(Headteacherrepresentative)
Cabinet and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee
• CllrBlakeman(Ch)
• CllrBuckmaster
• CllrFBuxton
• CllrCampion
• CllrForeman
• CllrLindsay
• CllrMrsTaylor
Scrutiny Steering Group
• CllrBlakeman
• CllrBuckmaster(Ch)
• CllrProfessorSirCoates
• CllrGardner
• CllrWeale
Scrutiny Committee Membership
26 RobustReview,ConstructiveChallenge
Health Scrutiny Committee
• CllrBuckmaster(Ch)
• CllrTBuxton
• CllrCondon-Simmonds
• CllrFreeman
• CllrDrHanham(VCh)
• CllrHealy
• CllrMingay
• CllrPalmer
• CllrPascall
• CllrWarrick
Public Realm Scrutiny Committee
• CllrBCampbell
• CllrCollinson
• CllrDonaldson
• CllrGardner(Ch)
• CllrLamont(VCh)
• CllrMason
• CllrNeal
• CllrO’Neill
• CllrRutherford
• CllrMissWeatherhead
Housing, Environmental Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee
• CllrCaruana
• CllrDentCoad
• CllrHoier
• CllrHolt
• CllrMarshall(VCh)
• CllrPalmer
• CllrRead
• CllrRossi
• CllrWeale(Ch)
• CllrWilliams
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ThisreportandmoreinformationaboutallaspectsoftheworkofScrutinycanbefoundatwww.rbkc.gov.uk/scrutinyorbycontacting:
• Clair Bantin Scrutiny Manager Telephone: 02073612634Email:[email protected]
• Address for correspondence TheScrutinyManagerRoyalBoroughofKensingtonandChelseaPolicyandPartnershipUnitRoom248HorntonStreetLondonW87NX
Contacts
Cert no. TT-COC-2047