Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.

Apologies for lateness were received from Cllr Ergin Erbil and Ian Davis.

A one minute silence was held for the victims of the Earthquakes across Turkey and Syria.

Members of the Council are invited to identify any disclosable pecuniary, other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests relevant to the items on the agenda.

There were none received.

To agree the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 16 January 2023.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 January 2023 were AGREED.

NOTED the actions to be circulated to the committee.

The report provides an update to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on how the Council is meeting the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty and how it is delivering on the Council’s equality and diversity policy, Fairer Enfield 2021-25 objectives and outcomes. The report also includes how the Council is tackling health inequality in Enfield with our partners in the Integrated Care Board.

Councillor Ergin Erbil, Deputy Leader of the Council introduced the item by thanking Officers for their hard work including the work of everyone on the Equalities Board. 

Harriet Potemkin, Head of Policy and Strategy presented the report and summarised how the Council is meeting the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty and how it is delivering on the Councils equality and diversity policy.

Members noted that Enfield are going above statutory duties under the 2010 Equality Act. Fairer Enfield was developed during the pandemic which sets out work in the community and explains the expectations of the workforce.

In response to questions from Members, Officers confirmed a Children’s Services specialist case worker is already in place and are taking referrals from primary care and GP’s.

In response to comments from Members, the Deputy Leader and Chair of the Equalities Board explained the board brings together key stakeholders including faither representatives, Age UK Enfield and LQBTQ+ representatives. The report highlights clear points on where a difference has been made and how inequalities have been tackled.

Officers noted the Members suggestion to make reports more transparent.

Members raised concerns on youth violence in the borough and the need to work more closely with key stakeholders. Officers explained a comprehensive report had gone to Crime Scrutiny Panel in December 2022, which is published on the website and available for all members to view, which details a programme of work which is address youth violence.

Following Members questions on food pantries, Officers explained that there are 2 local authority pantries in the Edmonton Library and Enfield Town Library. Users usually visit for a fixed period and are supported during this, including help with work opportunities. They are funded through council resources, the equalities fund and DWP housing fund.

Officers explained that they are tackling inequalities at GP services but working on the black health improvement project which involves training on an anti-racist approach. Work is also being done to make it easier for the homeless and gypsy community to access GP services.

ACTION: Invite Cllr Gina Needs Cabinet Member to a OSC meeting to discuss Community Safety and strategies being used to reduce youth violence.

The impact of the cost of living increases on residents of the Borough, the current support provided by Enfield Council together with the future approach which will be taken.

Cheryl Headon (Head of Schools Traded Services), Sally Sanders (Head of Financial Assessment, Karen Lucas (Head of Housing Management) and Simon Pollock (Interim Director of Customer Experience) presented this item highlighting key points from the presentation.

Cllr Ergin Ebril highlighted that the cost of living crisis has had a worse impact on the residents of Enfield than Covid-19. Many residents are left unable to heat their homes or feed their children and this is unlikely to end any time soon.

Following a query from Members about the Household Support fund, the Officers explained they are awaiting confirmation for more information on funding. There is speculation that rather be given 6 monthly, it will be yearly. This will help to have proactive solutions rather than reactive.

In response to Members questions, Officers explained that the best way to prevent homelessness where possible is early intervention prevention. The cost of renting in the private sector in the borough is an issue and it will be some time before we see it go down steadily.

Officers explained that the community hubs allow them to find out what people’s needs are, if necessary, they can then refer them onto the relevant areas of assistance.

Cllr Ergin Erbil explained that the Local Housing Allowance that the government sets as the maximum help with rent within housing benefit and Universal Credit is not rising which is contributing to the huge strain on private renters. He explained they are continuing to pose questions on this to central government.

Members commented that they compliment the Council on its response to the cost of living crisis.

In response to Member’s query on the definition of an overcrowded home, Officers explained that the law has 2 definitions which include the number of people in a home, babies under 12 months are not accounted and children under 10 are counted as half. They also look at the number of bedrooms and living space available. The second looks at the size of the rooms. There is a trend of multi-generational families in properties due to cultural trends.

ACTION: Officers to provide a written response on how affective the £100k spent on bed blocking has been for getting people who are in hospital effectively discharged.

Following a question from Members, Officers clarified that they work closely with Citizens Advice and Job Centre Plus to discuss new ideas and new ways of doing things.

In response to Members query, officers clarified that the council tax support hardship scheme is funded by Enfield. It usually costs around £450k a year, this year we will spend closer to £470k as the need has gone up. Next year around £600k will be allocated to the scheme. Cllr Ergin Ebril elaborated to explain that the proposed Council Tax Support Scheme changed for 23/24 is more equitable and schemes are being review to meet budget requirements.

In response to members questions on Council Tax, Business Rates and rent collection including short breaks in payments and extended payment dates, officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To note the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2022/23.

AGREED that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme be noted.

To note the next business meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to take place at 7pm on Thursday, 9 March 2023.

NOTED that the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled on Thursday 9^th March 2023.