Agenda and minutes

Councillors Doolan, Chowdhury and Webbe (EM Environment and Transport) and O’Halloran for lateness

None

Declarations of interest

 If you have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest* in an item of business:

§  if it is not yet on the council’s register, you must declare both the existence and details of it at the start of the meeting or when it becomes apparent;

§  you may choose to declare a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest that is already in the register in the interests of openness and transparency. 

In both the above cases, you must leave the room without participating in discussion of the item.

If you have a personal interest in an item of business and you intend to speak or vote on the item you must declare both the existence and details of it at the start of the meeting or when it becomes apparent but you may participate in the discussion and vote on the item.

*(a) Employment, etc - Any employment, office, trade, profession or vocation carried on for profit or gain.

(b)  Sponsorship - Any payment or other financial benefit in respect of your expenses in carrying out duties as a member, or of your election; including from a trade union.

(c) Contracts - Any current contract for goods, services or works, between you or your partner (or a body in which one of you has a beneficial interest) and the council.

(d) Land - Any beneficial interest in land which is within the council’s area.

(e) Licences- Any licence to occupy land in the council’s area for a month or longer.

(f)   Corporate tenancies - Any tenancy between the council and a body in which you or your partner have a beneficial interest.

 (g) Securities - Any beneficial interest in securities of a body which has a place of business or land in the council’s area, if the total nominal value of the securities exceeds £25,000 or one hundredth of the total issued share capital of that body or of any one class of its issued share capital. 

This applies to all members present at the meeting.

None

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 22 November 2016  be confirmed as a correct record and the Chair be authorised to sign them

Annual Crime and Disorder Report

It was stated that there were still a number of outstanding responses from the Borough Commander on issues raised at the last meeting and that these would be circulated as soon as they are available

Recent Flooding Incidents – Upper Street and Stoke Newington

The Chair stated that, in view of the recent flooding incident in Upper Street due to a burst water main, and as this was the third major incident in the area in the last 20 years, that he felt that the Committee should be updated on the current situation and also consider undertaking a mini scrutiny investigation into this issue.

The Chair stated that he had also invited L.B.Hackney to be present that evening to consider taking part in a joint scrutiny due to the similarities in the flooding incidents in Upper Street and Stoke Newington.

Councillor Sharon Patrick, Chair of the Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission was present together with Tom Thorne, Scrutiny Officer and Andrew Cunningham, Head of Street Scene at L.B.Hackney.

The Chair added that he had also invited Martin Holland, the appropriate officer from Environment and Regeneration Department to brief the Committee on the current position initially, prior to formal approval of the scrutiny review initiation document.

Kevin O’Leary, Director of Environment and Regeneration and Jan Hart, Assistant Director of Environment and Regeneration were also present.

The Chair stated that he had prepared a scrutiny initiation document for the scrutiny review for consideration by Members that evening and a copy was laid round for Members consideration. (Copy interleaved).

During consideration of the presentation the following main points were made –

·         There had been a number of flooding incidents, due to burst pipes, in the London area recently, in Islington, Hackney, Streatham and Lewisham

·         There was a need for co-ordination between the boroughs affected in order to exchange information and identify any common problems/solutions

·         The view was expressed that it would be beneficial to have a joint meeting with Thames Water and TfL on 18 January to consider their response and views as to the recent floods in Islington and Hackney. In addition, it would be helpful for TfL to comment on the impact of closure of the roads concerned and whether it was felt that the larger lorries using these roads could have contributed to the burst pipes

·         Those present congratulated Council officers on their response to the floods

·         Concern was expressed at the fact that it had taken some time in order for Thames Water to respond to the initial report of the burst pipe and that this was an area for Thames Water to respond to

·         A number of businesses present expressed concern that their insurance companies had made it very difficult for them to pursue claims and that this was adding to the stress. In addition many businesses had not been able to reopen yet

·         The view was expressed that the issue of insurance and compensation should be raised with Thames Water, especially with regard to uninsured losses and whether the Council could play any role in this. Thames Water had admitted liability for the incident

·         It was stated that the Council Emergency Planning team had responded quickly to the incident in Upper  ...  view the full minutes text for item 288.

The Chair outlined the procedure for Public questions and filming and recording of meetings

Nicky Freeling, Business Engagement and Employment Support Manager, was present and outlined the report.

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the Council activity over the past year (Section 4 of the report) and progress against the scrutiny recommendations (Section 5 and Appendix C) be noted

(b)  That further progress with regard to young people will be reported under the ongoing review of Children’s Services currently underway and information also be provided on adult employment progress

RESOLVED:

That the information in the report be noted and the Committee continue to receive 6 month progress reports