Agenda item

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to review the outstanding actions and questions from previous meetings.

The Scrutiny Committee received updates on questions and actions raised at previous meetings.

WP 8 – Provision of drug treatment in the Borough, all-Member briefing

Councillor Khan, Chair of the Community Safety Partnership Task Group, informed the Scrutiny Committee that the briefing had taken place the previous evening.  It had been a very good session with excellent speakers.  A breakdown of services provided in Watford had been explained to those present.  He said that it showed there was a good opportunity for partnership working.  Councillor Aron stated that she was aware that Spectrum approached local GP surgeries to work in partnership with them.

The Chair commented that Spectrum had been asked whether they could provide an information sheet.  Councillor Bell asked that the information was circulated to Members.

PR 7 – Update on Watford Muslim Community Project

Councillor Bell asked why Mr Yaqoob from the Watford Muslim Community Project had not been invited to the meeting.

The Head of Corporate Strategy and Client Services informed the Scrutiny Committee that the organisation no longer existed.  Officers had contacted Mr Yaqoob after the report in the Watford Observer, as it contained a number of discrepancies from the information originally given.  No response had been received.  She advised Members that if they were aware of people having difficulty accessing their required services, Members should inform officers who would be able to indicate the appropriate support agency.  She added that within the latest update from the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), residents from Pakistan were within the top five nationalities served by the organisation.  She believed the organisation had sufficient resources available within it to respond to residents’ enquiries.

In response to a further question from Councillor Bell, the Head of Corporate Strategy and Client Services advised that the Muslim Community Project had provided a premium service that catered for a specific part of the community.  The CAB, which provided services for the whole community, had increased its resources and additional rooms were available.  The number of ‘turnaways’ had reduced by 50%.  There was no evidence to indicate that there was a significant problem whereby people were unable to access services at the CAB.

Councillor Khan commented that there had been an increase in his own casework from West Watford residents.  He was aware that there had been a rush of people who had wanted help in order to meet the changes in citizenship rules at the end of October.  He understood that some people had approached an organisation in Vicarage Road who had charged £300 for advice and support.  It was possible to pay £50 to access a County Council-run immigration checking service.  He was able to report that the Muslim Community Project used to be able to give this type of advice to people.  The County Council had provided an excellent service at its Hatfield Office.  It had increased its capacity in order to meet the need.  He advised Members that the Muslim Community Project provided advice to all communities and not only the Muslim community.

The Commissioning Manager stated that the CAB had recognised that additional staff would be needed in order to meet the increased demand, particularly due to the welfare reforms.  The organisation was confident it had the resources in place to meet the increased demands on it.  Advisors had access to translation services as they were required.

Councillor Khan added that the community was becoming more diverse.  The immigration service provided by the County Council in Hatfield should have been advertised by the Borough Council.  It was a matter of sharing information.

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Watkin, informed the Scrutiny Committee that the Multi Cultural Community Centre had adapted its space in the centre and part of it might be suitable for an outreach project.

Councillor Hastrick advised that the CAB would be working in partnership with the YMCA.  This would enable its service to be accessible by a wider audience.

Councillor Aron noted the reference to Councillors in the CAB’s report attached as Appendix 2 to the update.  She said that it was important that Members supported the organisation.

The Chair noted that the Scrutiny Committee agreed that it was unfair that residents were being charged extortionate fees.  She said that Members had a duty to tell people about the alternative services available.  She suggested that the information could be advertised in ‘About Watford’.  The Chair thanked the officers for the update.  She stated that the resolution from the original scrutiny committee was to review the impact on the four organisations who would not receive any funding or had a substantial cut. 

Following a question from Councillor Hastrick, the Head of Corporate Strategy and Client Services stated that any scrutiny of the organisations currently commissioned to provide services could be carried out by Outsourced Services Scrutiny Panel.

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer reminded the Scrutiny Committee that the Chair of Outsourced Services Scrutiny Panel was required to provide an update to the over-arching committee.  If Overview and Scrutiny Committee had any concerns then the Chair could be made aware of those concerns. 

The Scrutiny Committee agreed that the information about the County Council’s immigration advice service would be circulated to Members through the Members’ Bulletin and an article in ‘About Watford’ in order to reach the wider community.

The Chair thanked the officers for the information.

RESOLVED –

1.      that the updates be noted.

2.      that an article be included in the Members’ Bulletin and ‘About Watford’ setting out details of the County Council’s immigration service.