Agenda for Overview & Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 25th November, 2021, 7.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Conference Room, Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield, EN1 3XA. View directions

Contact: Email: Democracy@enfield.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

WELCOME & APOLOGIES

Minutes:

Cllr Susan Erbil (Chair) welcomed all attendees to the meeting.

 

Apologies were received from Cllr Birsen Demirel and Cllr Elif Erbil (substituted by Cllr Hass Yusuf).

 

2.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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

 

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest registered in relation to any items on the agenda.

 

3.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING pdf icon PDF 96 KB

To agree the minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny meeting held on 8th September 2021.

Minutes:

The minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on the 8 September 2021 were AGREED.

 

4.

FOOD POVERTY UPDATE REPORT pdf icon PDF 143 KB

To receive the report of Dudu Sher Arami, Director of Public Health.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Dudu Sher Arami, Director of Public Health, and Alison Asamoah, Communality Food Coordinator, introduced the report and highlighted the key points to note.

 

1.    There had been an increase in emergency food aid, particularly during the pandemic. The aim was to provide food, as well as support with early help to achieve a more sustainable solution.

2.    A current pilot included plans around development and the impact would be closely monitored.

3.    Food banks were not sustainable in the long term therefore Food Pantries had been introduced. Residents pay small membership fees and use them like a shop. So far feedback had been very positive.  The pantries were currently located in the east of borough, with the 5th panty due to open in Enfield library.

 

In response the following comments were made by panel members:

 

1.    The Chair commended the detailed report and the work that was being done.  The Chair asked about data collection and work with other departments.  Alison Asamoah stated that they were currently reliant on organisations feeding back which could prove challenging.  Work was taking place to improve working relationships and data feedback systems.  This did however create some GDPR issues so an external organisation was being considered to collate the data.  It was agreed that it was very important to have the information.  Ade Aderemi stated that data ownership had been a challenge.  An Impact Assessment Model was being considered to track how service users progress and their routes within the service.

2.    All councillors requested copies of the leaflet which they were previously unaware of.

ACTION to forward copies to councillors and provide batches in pigeon holes.

3.    Cllr Yusuf praised the council on it’s fantastic work during the pandemic.  However there were concerns that not residents that needed help were reached; some did not understand vouchers possibly due to language barriers.

Dudu advised that the food alliance was made up of a number of volunteering sector organisations who help to share information, however more work could be done to reach communities and any suggestions would be welcomed.

Ade stated that there were multiple referral pathways and lots of information on the council website.  A promotional video was shared with the panel.

4.    Cllr Aksanoglu felt this was a great initiative but needs to be better promoted. Councillors were happy to help in any way they can.  Cllr Aksanoglu asked which data was used to determine the locations of the food pantries and then the impact once they were open.  Dudu commented that the improvement works to data collation would help evaluate the impact.  The locations were determined by a variety of data sources alongside an appropriate venue.

Alison stated that the biggest demand was in the east of the borough however a pantry in the town would give support to those living closer to that area.

Ade added that some funding from the CCG had been secured to research demographics and the detailed needs of residents.

5.    Cllr Greer asked whether  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

CONSULTATION pdf icon PDF 365 KB

To receive the report of Philip Webb, Consultation Manager.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Philip Webb, Consultation Manager, delivered a presentation related to Consultation.

 

The Chair extended thanks for a very detailed report and the following comments were received:

 

1. There were issues around the engagement of BAME and residents from the east of the borough and it was questioned what was being done to improve this.  Philip stated they try to involve voluntary services and use non-English speaking press where possible.

2. Cllr Yusuf highlighting consultation verses engagement and people’s understanding.

3. Cllr Levy said people say they know nothing about it and there was a lack of trust.  Need to manage expectations.  Philip agreed it was difficult and some feel consultations were referendums.

4. Mustafa (youth rep) asked if there was work to engage the youth.  Philip advised that involving schools could be problematic as they require lots of notice which was often not possible.

5. Cllr Greer welcomed the information regarding “consultation” and “engagement”.

 

6.

UPDATE FROM SCRUTINY PANEL CHAIRS

A verbal update to be provided by the Chairs of the Scrutiny Panels.

Minutes:

Each scrutiny panel chair provided a brief update on topics discussed so far.

 

1. Cllr David-Sanders, Crime – 1 meeting so far discussing lighting, hate crime, prostitution trends, domestic abuse and the impact of Covid/lockdowns, e-scooters. There had been good attendance from the police to date.

2. Cllr Hockney, Housing – 1 meeting so far discussing building safety (fire) leading to recommendations, temporary accommodation and the need for more family accommodation.

3. Cllr Levy, Health & Adult Social Care – lots of changes in the sector meaning items have taken a slightly different direction.  3 meetings taken place so far with attendance from the NHS, mental health services and the London Ambulance Service.

4. Cllr Aksanoglu, Environment & Climate Action – fly tipping, waste, missed bins, recycling, Meridian Water, wetlands. Holding an additional meeting in January.

5. Cllr Greer, Regeneration & Economic Development – housing development pipeline, Meridian Water – ACTION report to come to this meeting. There was an issue around receiving questions.

6. Cllr Erbil and Cllr Demirel absent and therefore to update at the next meeting.

 

It was agreed that two substantial items to scrutinise each meeting was an appropriate amount.

 

7.

SCRUTINY ANNUAL REPORT 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 220 KB

To receive the Scrutiny Annual Report 2020/21 and agree to refer it to Council.

Minutes:

RECEIVED the report from Claire Johnson which was agreed to be taken to full council.

 

Cllr Levy highlighted issues around portfolio executive members attending scrutiny panels and asked for clarification around this.

 

8.

WORK PROGRAMME 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 251 KB

To note the Work Programme 2021/22

Minutes:

The Work Programme 2021/22 was noted with the following amendments:

 

1. Due to a national change the item would not be coming to the December meeting.  Cllr Levy queried about the safeguarding case – this would be taken after the petition.

2. Complaints MEQs to move forward to the February meeting.

 

9.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Business Meeting

Wednesday 1 December 2021

 

 

Minutes:

The future meeting dates were noted and agreed.