Past scrutiny commissions
Details of past scrutiny commissions, which were conducted under previous committee structures and submitted to the Executive (now referred to as the Cabinet).
Abandoned vehicles
Completed in November 1999, this commission investigated the efficiency and effectiveness of the arrangements for disposing of abandoned vehicles, both on streets and housing estates.
Asbestos Safety in Housing Refurbishment
This commission reported to Cabinet in July 2009 with recommendations for the development of and access to, an asbestos register, support to residents impacted by works and more resident - centred communications and consultation.
Bidding strategies - Single regeneration budget outcomes
Set up by the then Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee and completed in November 2000, this commission made recommendations for improving the council's organisation, performance and outcome of regeneration activities in the borough.
Budget Commission
As part of the 2003 review of scrutiny it was recognised that while each sub-committee may wish to review individual growth and savings items in their area, there was a need to improve the scrutiny of the overall budget and financial strategy.
It was acknowledged that the starting point for the budget process, in the context of scrutiny, should be the Leader's speech in July. Overview and scrutiny reserved the right to receive and comment on a broad strategic statement about their approach to the budget at the start of the budget cycle. But full scrutiny of the development of the overall budget, which requires concentrated effort and expertise during a 5-6 month period, is not easy for Overview and Scrutiny or a Sub-Committee to accommodate alongside other on-going responsibilities.
In order to improve the process, Annual Council agreed to establish a Budget Commission, reporting directly to overview and scrutiny committee. It was agreed that the commission would run over the same timeframe as the Star Chamber strategic review process.
The Budget Commission was established as it was felt the commission would enable greater flexibility in terms of both its time scheduling and the way in which it operates. The scrutiny sub-committees were given the option to consider the budget proposals for the respective service areas, while the commission took a more a strategic view.
The first Budget Commission, for the period 2004-5, published it's final report in March 2005. Its recommendations, relating to budget consultation, the budget setting process and budget forecasting, were approved by the Executive in September 2005.
The second Budget Scrutiny Commission submitted its recommendations to the Executive on 13 March 2006.
Budget Commissions have now been replaced with the Finance Scrutiny Committee.
Climate Change Commission
This commission examined how the council was responding to the challenges of climate change. Cabinet responded to the commission in January 2008 and regular updates continue to be received by the Environment and Community Safety Scrutiny Sub-Committee (September 2008, July 2009, February 2010)
Devolved financial management
Completed in February 2001, this commission investigated the relationship between corporate finance and directorates, their finance systems and their business units with regard to finance.
Direct payments
Set up by the social services scrutiny sub-committee, the commission reviewed various aspects of this scheme through which cash payments are made to people requiring care services in order that they can choose and purchase these services independently. The final report of the commission was submitted to the Executive on 28 July 2003 for consideration and implementation.
Education finance
Completed in January 2001, this commission reviewed the financing of schools, including the budget making process for schools; capital expenditure; monies held centrally, and those services provided centrally.
Equality and Diversity Scrutiny Commission
The overview and scrutiny committee has a long standing commitment to championing equality and diversity issues. This can be demonstrated by i's decision to establish a Race Commission in 2003, the ongoing equalities monitoring work commenced by the committee in 2004 and a series of staff workshops organised by the overview and scrutiny committee in January 2005 around race equality.
As part of this long standing commitment to equality and diversity, the overview and scrutiny committee agreed, in February 2005, to establish a standing Equality and Diversity Commission, which would investigate and promote equality and diversity issues within Lambeth Council and in the extended Lambeth community. Over a period of eight months, the commission undertook a series of meetings with staff, service users, members of Lambeth voluntary organisations and members of the public. The aim was to review the effectiveness of Lambeth's current equality and diversity policies and procedures and to make suggestions for ways that the council can improve the way that it provides for its diverse community and workforce.
The Equality and Diversity Commission formally began in July 2005 published its final report in April 2006.
Extended Services Commission
This commission investigated the scope, contribution and future of extended services in the borough. It reported in March 2009 and made a number of recommendations to Cabinet to remove some of the perceived barriers to schools adopting extended services and that a clear extended services strategy be developed by the council.
Gas boiler inquiry
Completed in July 2001, this commission looked at arrangements for the servicing and repair of individual gas appliances within the council's residential housing stock.
Grimebusters
Set up by the Environment scrutiny sub-committee and completed in April 2001, this commission considered the further existence and operation of Grimebusters - grafitti removal service.
Health and fitness of looked after children
The Scrutiny Commission on the Health and Fitness of Looked After Children focused on how the council, as corporate parent, can help and support children and young people, in care, achieve optimum health through healthy living and the broad opportunities of diet, exercise, fitness and activities.
The final report of the Commission, published in June 2005, was submitted to the Executive on 13 March 2006.
Housing benefit
Completed in January 2000, this commission investigated the performance of the council's housing benefits service provided by Capita Business Services.
Housing demand and homelessness in Lambeth
Set up by the housing scrutiny sub-committee, this review examined the impact of impending homelessness legislation on council policy. The final report of the commission was submitted to the Executive on 10 May 2004 for consideration and implementation.
Housing Revenue Account Commission
In October 2007 Finance Scrutiny Sub-Committee established a commission examining the council's Housing Revenue Account (HRA).
The aim of the commission was to achieve a greater understanding of the historical reasons for the under-performance of, and current pressures on, the HRA with a view to recommending actions to address the problems identified.
The commission was chaired by Councillor Truesdale with Councillors Fitzpatrick, J. Whelan and Robbins also as members. The Housing Revenue Account Commission's report was approved for submission in July 2008.
The Cabinet response to the commission's work was produced in September 2008.
An update on the implementation of the commission's recommendations was received by Finance Scrutiny Sub-Committee in March 2009.
Non-implementation of traffic calming schemes
Set up by the Environment scrutiny sub-committee and completed in September 2000, this commission investigated and reviewed non-implementation of approved traffic calming schemes in Lambeth.
Oracle
Completed in January 2000, this commission investigated the implementation of the Oracle financial accounting system as a replacement general ledger system within the Housing, Social Services and Environment departments.
Parking Scrutiny Commission
The Parking Commission undertook a review into parking services in the borough and examined the following areas:
- Structure and funding
- CPZ consultation and implementation
- Enforcement
The commission gathered evidence and made recommendations that seek to improve the service in this area. The final report was published in May 2004 and an extraordinary council meeting was held on 15 December 2004 to consider the progress achieved in implementing the recommendations of the commission.
Patrolling the Streets Commission
The purpose of this commission was to explore the different roles and relationships between the various individuals and organisations with a presence on the streets of Lambeth. The commission looked at how these organisations work to improve community safety and environmental management in the borough, reduce anti-social behaviour and engage with the community.
The Patrolling the streets final report was published in January 2008 and the Cabinet's response to the commission's recommendations was produced in November 2008. Monitoring of the actions has taken place by the sub-committee during 2009/2010.
Placement of Lambeth Children with Special Educational Needs Commission
This commission, agreed by Members of the Education and Children's Services Scrutiny Sub Committee on 6 October 2005, reviewed certain aspects of Lambeth's Special Educational Needs provision.
The commission's final report was published in May 2006 and made recommendations as to how Lambeth's Special Educational Needs offer could be made more user friendly, cost efficient and representative of the needs of the child. It was submitted to the Cabinet on 18 September 2006.
Planning
Set up by the Environment scrutiny sub-committee and completed in March 2001, this commission examined perceptions of the planning department with particular reference to consultation, the perceived independence of the service and overall service. The commission was also charged with examining the issue of section 106 agreements.
Race
This commission assessed the progress made by the council in its duty to promote race equality. It also looked specifically at the steps the council should take to combat racial discrimination and promote equality of opportunity. The report of the commission was submitted to the Executive on 24 November 2003 for consideration and implementation.
You can download a copy of the report and appendices below:
Regeneration and employment
Set up by the Finance scrutiny sub-committee and completed in October 2002, this commission looked at how to improve employment opportunities for local people through regeneration schemes.
Respite care
Set up by the social services scrutiny sub-committee and completed in June 2002, this commission investigated the provision of respite care for carers of adults and children.
Secondary school review
Set up by the Education scrutiny sub-committee and completed in September 2001, this commission considered issues surrounding transfer from primary to secondary school and identified ways in which the admission process could be improved.
Services to leaseholders commission
This commission was set up to investigate the services that are provided by the council to leaseholders in the borough, with a view to improving services and tailoring them to the needs of residents. The commission looked at the current provision of services to leaseholders and consulted leaseholders on their views and aspirations.
The final report of the commission was approved by the Housing and Adult Social Services Scrutiny Sub Committee on 22 November 2004. It was considered by the executive on 14 March 2005, which approved the Action Plan drawn up in response to the recommendations in the report.
Streetcare services
Completed in December 1999, this commission reviewed the quality and efficiency of streetcare services in Lambeth.
Temporary Accommodation Commission
This commission was established by the Finance Scrutiny Sub-Committee in September 2009 to gain an understanding of how the overspends in the temporary accommodation budgets in 2007/08 and 2008/09 occurred.
The commission also investigated audits that had been undertaken within the area and whether there was a possibility of fraud.
Councillors Robbins and Kimm sat on the commission with Councillor Truesdale as Chair. The Temporary Accommodation Commission report was approved by the Finance Scrutiny Sub-Committee in December 2008.
The Cabinet response to the Temporary Accommodation Commission report was produced in January 2009.
In March and April 2009 an update on the implementation of the Temporary Accomodation Commission's recommendations was received by Finance SSC and Cabinet respectively.
The relationship between capital investment and revenue savings
Established by the Finance Scrutiny Sub-Committee and completed in May 2007 the commission investigated the relationship between capital investment and revenue savings. The resultant recommendations included the adoption of a single mechanism for assessing the value, needs or return of capital stock, for benchmarking Lambeth’s performance in managing that stock against other authorities, and for taking into account the interaction between the capital and revenue budgets. The report also proposed the implementation of a more systematic programme of planned repairs, which would not only save money but also reduce disruption to residents and tenants.
Working with parents
Completed in September 2003, this commission reviewed the role of the LEA in supporting parents/carers to be involved in their children's learning and ways in which good home-school links can be promoted to help children achieve their potential. The final report of the commission was submitted to the Executive on 10 May 2004 for consideration and implementation.