Agenda and minutes

1.1  None.

2.1  None.

3.1  None.

4.1  The minutes of the meeting held on 8^th September 2014 were agreed.

4.2  Matters arising

4.2.1  The Commission agreed to invite the Corporate Director of Legal HR and Regulatory Services and the Chair of the Corporate Committee to discuss the role and remit of the Corporate Committee.

In response to the Commissions request the Corporate Director of Legal, HR and Regulatory Services informed the Commission they could recommend the committee members receive additional training about the role of the Committee.  The officer explained it was the role of the Chair and Governance Services to provide training to the Committee Members if Members were confused about the role and purpose of the committee’s work.

4.2.2  Members of Governance and Resources discussed this response and concluded the concerns raised required a broader discussion about the governance of the committee, especially in relation to clarifying the Committee’s role on:

Ø Risk management

Ø Regulatory functions

Ø Authority

Ø Powers

Ø Outputs and the committee’s contribution to the Council’s governance.

4.2.3  Members agreed to request the attendance of the responsible London Borough of Hackney (LBH) officers and invite the Members of the Corporate Committee for the discussion at the next G&R meeting in December 2014.

5.1  The Chair welcomed Shawnee Keck, Policy Advisor from LBH Chief Executive Directorate to the meeting.  Also in attendance is Joanna Sumner, the Assistant Chief Executive for Programme Projects and Performance.

5.1.1  The Chair explained the officer would be providing some information to assist with the Commission’s deep dive work looking at long term unemployment in Hackney.  The main points of the presentation are outlined below. 

5.1.2  Through the Sustainable Community Strategy LBH conducted the following reviews:

Ø  Cohesion

Ø  Child Poverty

Ø  Worklessness.

5.1.3  In the worklessness review they conducted a deep dive into the benefits to explore and understand the benefit profile in Hackney.  Through this exercise they looked at the provision offered, evaluated their success and the strategic partnership commissioning.

5.1.4  The review found employability was not a guaranteed output and there was a series of outputs.

5.1.5  The population on benefits is mixed and there is no one dominant group, therefore solutions implemented will require a mixed approach.

5.1.6  A large volume of individuals were not benefiting from the programme.

5.1.7  LBH has a core group (approximately 72%) who are classified as long term unemployed.

5.1.8  28,000 on benefits.  The number on benefits has decreased in recent years by 14% but this is due to growth and population changes.

5.1.9  14,000 on long term benefits and this number has remained static.

5.1.10  15% of the working age population are on benefits in LBH.

5.1.11  46% of the benefit claimants are on IB. 

5.1.12  The majority of claimants are men aged 45-64.  25% of men aged 55-59 and 30% of men aged 60-64.  However there has been a 3% reduction in the 45-54 age group.

5.1.13  The data on under 25s show they remain on benefit for 6 months or less.

5.1.14  In relation to the gender split men of all ages are the most common claimant population and some women are significantly affected. 

5.1.15  The data shows the gender split is 51% male, 46% female but both gender groups present for IB at age 35. 

5.1.16  For IB claimants 6420 claim for mental health and 1800 claim for musculoskeletal the remainder claim for other reasons.  IB claimant numbers have remained static over the last decade.  The officer pointed out it is difficult to get on this benefit but the numbers on this benefit in Hackney have not changed.  

5.1.17  Hackney’s cohort looks similar to the rest of East London.  Implementing solutions for this group will require intensive support that is expensive.  If individuals from this cohort receive health support it is through adult social care.  However many people fall below the threshold for adult social care support and thus are entered into the employment programme.  The single work programme assessment favours physical disability and does not recognise mental health.  The changes to the labour market have made it harder for this group to get back into employment.

5.1.18  Through their policy review work they have found the problem that needs to be fixed is primarily  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.1  The Chair informed the presentation from Lewisham Council was postponed because the officer had taken ill and was unable to attend the meeting.

6.2  The Chair referred to the presentation in the agenda and advised it outlined the lessons learned from their Universal Credit Pilot, DWP Deep Dive and Troubled Families activity. 

6.3  Upon completion of the pilot work Lewisham, Lambeth and Southwark Council produced a joint proposal for a Community Budget pilot.  This programme of work is aimed at supporting people with complex needs into work. 

6.4  The PowerPoint presentation in the agenda gives some information about this previous work and their Community Budget pilot.

6.5  Members noted the information.

7.1  The work programme for the Commission on pages 137 - 142 was noted for information. 

7.2  Members discussed the requirements for Cllr Taylor’s Cabinet Question time and requested for the Overview and Scrutiny Officer to provide performance data related to Cllr Taylor’s portfolio areas.

The Corporate Director of Finance and Resources from LBH suggested the Commission review the last Cabinet Question Time for information.

7.3  The Corporate Director of Finance and Resources suggested he provides an update following the Government’s annual Autumn Statement on 3^rd December 2014 to outline the implications for local government.

Members agreed.

8.1  The Chair reminded Members about the debate Tackling Inequalities in Hackney on 24^th November 2014 at 7pm in the Town Hall, Assembly Rooms. 

This event was being hosted by Community Safety Social Inclusion Scrutiny Commission.