Agenda and minutes

To receive (if any)

Apologies were receievd from Councillors Laurance Garrad, Jacqueline McArdle and Darren Wise.

Members are invited to disclose any interests in any of the items on the agenda at this point of the meeting.  Members may still declare an interest in an item at any time prior to the consideration of the matter.

Co-optee Julie Lamb declared an interest for item 6 as she is a social care worker.

There were no other disclosures of interests.

The Chairman will announce details of the arrangements in case of fire or other events that might require the meeting room or building’s evacuation.

The Chairman reminded members of the actions to be taken in case of an emergency.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 6^th December 2022 and 15^th January 2023 and authorise the Chairman to sign them

The minutes of the meeting held on 6^th December 2022 and special meeting held on 21^st January 2023 were agreed as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman.

Report and appendix attached

The Sub-Committee were presented with the 2022/23 policing numbers across the East Area BCU.

Chief Superintendent (CS) Stuart Bell presented the updated policing numbers to the Sub-Committee. Members noted that the vacancies of police staff had reduced across the BCU to just a 50 officer deficit. Members noted that the neighbourhood teams were fully staffed with additional resources put into Romford Town Centre. It was explained that all new recruits start in emergency response and when they move to other services it is decision made on a local level. CS Bell explained that measures had been put in place to slow them leaving without restricting them.

CS Bell explained some of the challenges the Metropolitan Police Force had faced, including needing an update to their IT system to incorporate all of the new wards across London. It was also explained to members that concerns had been raised regarding unfit officers and female safety and extra resources had been put into investigating officers who had complains made against them.

The Sub-Committee agreed for a report to be brought back by the Police on Violence Against Women and Girls.

There were no other recoomenations.

Report and appendix attached

The Sub-Committee were presented with the Adult Social Care financial outturns.

Barbara Nicholls, Director of Adult Services, explained that Havering’s financial position was not too dissimilar from the nation position surrounding adult social care. Members also noted that the funding formula applied for Havering is based on data from 2013 which had been disadvantageous as it means the Government grant is small however the Council had received £2.3million additional discharge funding. It was also explained to members that, although the cost of energy and other services had increased, the Council would still be able to provide the care that residents needed.

The Sub-Committee made no recommendations.

Report and appendix attached

The Sub-Committee were presented with an update on the Local Area Coordination (LAC).

Members noted that the LAC walked alongside 400 residents in areas covered by the LAC, which were in Rainham, Harold Hill and Collier Row/Havering Park). It was explained that due to the sustainability of the LAC it was hoped the LAC would be rolled out to Romford and Brooklands wards. Officers presented case studies to the Sub-Committee members which outlined the positive work and change the LAC was providing for residents.

The Sub-Committee agreed to bring an update report back before September 2023 to scrutinise the position of the LAC before funding runs out.