Issue - meetings

Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Scrutiny Work Stream

A report from the Scrutiny work stream is attached for consideration.

(Report No.186)

(6.15 – 6.20 pm)

Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Scrutiny Work Stream

Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) invited Councillor Mike Rye, as Chair of the Scrutiny Work Stream, to present the report (No.186) to the Cabinet.

Councillor Mike Rye presented the report and the following issues arose.

NOTED

1.               The duties placed on local authorities under current legislation, as set out in the report.

2.               Councillor Rye expressed this thanks to the Scrutiny Support Officers, Claire Johnson and Andy Ellis, and to other members of the work stream.

3.               The work stream had considered the current situation and had taken evidence from a range of partners and Council officers as highlighted within the report.

4.               Members were advised of the number of referrals which had been made by Enfield for children affected by County Lines.

5.               The recommendations set out in the report and the responses received. The report and its recommendations were commended to the Cabinet.

6.               Councillor Derek Levy as Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, reinforced the positive and important work undertaken by the Scrutiny function of the Council and, the positive recommendations arising. He emphasised the importance of Member participation in the scrutiny role.

7.               The importance of sharing information and expertise with appropriate community organisations within the Borough.

8.               Tony Theodoulou (Executive Director of Children’s Services) was pleased to report that a lead officer had now been identified within the Council and an action plan was being formulated with anticipated completion in the Autumn. To date, 200 targeted staff within the Council had received training; this would continue to be rolled out as appropriate.

9.               That the report and its findings would be shared with the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner as an example of good practice.

Councillor Taylor thanked Councillor Rye for his presentation and informative report to the Cabinet.

Alternative Options Considered: None, the Council needed to continue to raise awareness which would lead to identification of incidents which could then be reported.

DECISION: The Cabinet noted, for information, the following recommendations from the work stream and the comments of the Cabinet Member and Executive Directors as set out in Appendix A of the report and listed below:

1.               For Enfield Council to address through its procurement practices the elimination of slavery in its supply chains.

2.               The Executive Management Team had agreed to identify a lead officer to raise the profile within the organisation and produce an action plan to tackle human trafficking and modern slavery with a corporate approach and work with the police, NHS and the voluntary sector to identify and report victims via the national Referral Mechanism.

3.               As part of the action plan to approve a programme of regular training to appropriate frontline staff so that they could recognise and identify potential victims of human trafficking and modern slavery. As part of the action plan, to establish a corporate group to ensure that tackling modern slavery had a joined-up approach across the council and its partners.

4.               To provide training for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8

11.1    Enfield 2017 Scrutiny Work Stream

To receive, a report from the Enfield 2017 Scrutiny Work Stream. (Non key)

(Report No.169)

(8.50 – 8.55pm)

Enfield 2017 Scrutiny Work Stream

Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) invited Councillor Edward Smith, as Chair of the Scrutiny Work Stream, to present the report (No.169) to the Cabinet.

Councillor Edward Smith presented the report and the following issues arose.

NOTED

1.    The work stream had been completed a while ago and was a snapshot of the situation as it was seen then.

2.    Councillor Smith thanked the councillors and officers involved in the work stream.

3.    The reasons for the introduction of the transformation programmes were acknowledged. The Council had decided to move to a self service mode, with many operations and communications being accessed by electronic means. It was recognised that such a transformation was a great challenge.

4.    Examination of the hubs showed that some were very large, in particular the Gateway & Assessment Hub, which made its management very challenging, whereas others were more limited in their function. It was understood there was currently a review of the hubs and potential changes to improve effectiveness.

5.    One of the main findings related to customer services aspects. Some residents found it difficult to access the new digital services. Issues for vulnerable users needed to be addressed, and there should be more work in explaining the approach being taken and what customers should expect. The website also had similar issues with unfamiliar terminology and insufficiently thorough testing before launch.

6.    Councillor Taylor thanked Councillor Smith and the councillors involved in the work stream for the review and noted the recommendations.

7.    Councillor Levy (Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee) endorsed the report of the work stream, and clarified that monitoring would continue by Overview and Scrutiny. The work of the Quality of Communications Work Stream was also related, and the process was ongoing. He also expressed his thanks to Councillor Smith and all members of the work stream.

Alternative Options Considered: None.

DECISION: The Cabinet noted, for information, the following recommendations from the work stream and the comments of the Cabinet Member and Executive Member as set out in Appendix A of the report and listed below:

1.            The Council provide further information on the Hubs internally to all staff and councillors including clear guidance on:

·         The services each hub provided

·         How to use them

·         Contact details in the event of queries (Section 7, 10.6 of the report referred)

2.            The Council consider broadening the strategic leadership of the Hubs more widely to spread across all the Executive Directors to embed shared responsibility and ensure the necessary culture change to the new ways of working throughout the local authority (sections 4.5, 7.4 and 7.5 of the report referred).

3.            As part of the on-going review of the hubs, to look at synergies between the hubs to see if further efficiencies and greater resilience could be achieved, the work stream felt that the Performance Hub and the Data and Management Information Hub seemed to perform very similar functions and this was an area that could possibly be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11

To note that there are currently no issues arising from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration at this meeting.

NOTED, that there were currently no issues arising from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration at this meeting.

To note that there are currently no issues arising from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration at this meeting.

NOTED, that there were currently no issues arising from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration at this meeting.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Scrutiny Work Stream Report

To receive a report from the Scrutiny Work Stream.

(Report No.113)

(8.30 – 8.35 pm)

Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) invited Councillor Nesil Cazimoglu, as Vice Chair of the Scrutiny Work Stream, to present the report (No.113) to the Cabinet.

Councillor Nesil Cazimoglu presented the report and the following issues arose.

NOTED

1.               That the Government’s Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Taskforce had found that around 75% of mental health problems in adult life (not including dementia) start by the age of 18. Early help stops young people falling into crisis and avoids expensive and longer-term treatment in adulthood. One in ten children needed support or treatment for mental health problems.

2.               That the Scrutiny work stream had acknowledged the current difficult financial climate. A number of recommendations had been made and agreed by the Cabinet Member and Executive Director as set out in Appendix A of the report. The specific recommendations were highlighted to Cabinet and the implications in moving forward including maximum waiting times; public health funding; and, future procurement support.

3.               That the Care Quality Commission had recently completed an initial review of mental health services for children and young people. The Government had issued a Green Paper setting out a number of recommendations which officers were currently reviewing.

4.               Members welcomed the report. It was an important area of work and the current budget restrictions were acknowledged. The Council would continue to work closely with its partners to achieve the best outcomes possible and to fully utilise all of the services available.

5.               The positive impact of the fluoride programme, as detailed in paragraph 11.6 of the report.

6.               That the Government had recently commissioned a national review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services; ten local authorities had been inspected, including Enfield. It had been concluded that the services provided had been effective but that more were required. It was anticipated that the review would conclude next year.

7.               That whilst it was the intention to provide care as close to home as possible for children in crisis (section 9.2 of the report referred), all cases were considered on an individual basis and the most appropriate care provided.

8.               The statements made with regard to public health funding, as set out in paragraphs 11.10 and 11.11 of the report. It was noted that the funding available had to meet a number of legally prescribed functions and therefore the discretionary element of funding available was limited. The increasing pressure on available funding was acknowledged together with the need for continual review to ensure that the resources available were being allocated effectively.

9.               The importance of awareness raising of the services available to children and young people.

Councillor Nesil Cazimoglu expressed her thanks to the Chair of the Scrutiny work stream and the officers who had supported the work undertaken.

Alternative Options Considered: None

DECISION: The Cabinet noted, for information, the following recommendations and the actions agreed by the Cabinet Member and Executive Director as set out in Appendix A of the report and listed below:

1.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7

To note that there are no items to be considered at this meeting.

NOTED that there were no items to be considered at this meeting.