Minutes:
6.1 Councillor David Hubber, chair of the education & children’s services scrutiny sub-committee, reported on the sub-committee’s review of schools admissions and the intention to submit its final report to the committee in April. At its April meeting the sub-committee would consider an interim report on childhood obesity and sports provision for primary and secondary school children. The sub-committee had also considered adult education provision and would be considering the children and young people’s plan. In the next municipal year the sub-committee hoped to continue looking at safeguarding.
6.2 Councillor Neil Coyle, chair of health & adult social care scrutiny sub-committee, stated that the sub-committee was due to meet on Wednesday and would be looking at equality impact assessments. He commented on the massive changes in government health funding and that the sub-committee on Wednesday would also be receiving an update on proposed savings in Southwark. Councillor Hubber commented that the education & children’s services scrutiny sub-committee was considering reviewing the impact of GP commissioning on children’s health services and possibly holding a joint meeting with the health & adult social care sub-committee.
6.3 Councillor Coyle was concerned about the budget for overview and scrutiny in 2012 and the impact on the work of scrutiny. The chair stated that the committee would need a discussion in the new municipal year about the future structure of the overview and scrutiny function.
6.4 Councillor Gavin Edwards, chair of the housing & community safety scrutiny sub-committee, informed the committee that the sub-committee’s report on key performance indicators of the housing repairs service was going to cabinet the following day and had already received the support of Tenants’ Council. At is meeting in April the sub-committee would be agreeing its final report on unfinished security works on the Four Squares estate. A further report was in preparation on CCTV. Councillor Edwards also reported that the sub-committee was looking at fire safety works on Canada Estate and would be receiving a report from Tenants’ Council on the Housing Revenue Account.
6.5 Councillor Tim McNally, chair of the environment, transport, communities & citizenship scrutiny sub-committee, briefed the committee on the reviews of recycling and the edge of the borough. Many of the sub-committee’s recommendations on recycling had been implemented during the review. The edge of the borough review had revealed that many issues were the responsibility of Lewisham and officers were taking this up. Councillor McNally also reported on the cabinet member interview with Councillor Mohamed and that the sub-committee was waiting for written answers to some of the questions put to the cabinet member.
6.6 Councillor Paul Noblet, vice-chair, and Councillor Dan Garfield, member, of the regeneration & leisure scrutiny sub-committee, reported on the work of the sub-committee. The sub-committee had monitored the development at Canada Water, would be exploring the economic benefits of The Shard on Borough High Street and would be looking at the Peckham and Nunhead Area Action Plan. The sub-committee had also received a useful update from Councillor Veronica Ward, cabinet member, on the community games and the Olympics.