Agenda item

To receive an update from the Chief Executive on key issues of corporate interest.

5.1       Stuart Love (Acting Interim Chief Executive) provided an update on matters of corporate interest, which included the corporate response to Grenfell; the Health & Social Care Sustainability & Transformation Plan (STP); Devolution and Public Service Transformation.

5.2.1    The Commission discussed the City Council’s role in responding to the Grenfell fire, and sought clarification of the organisational impact of Westminster’s involvement. The Acting Interim Chief Executive confirmed that the City Council had been invited to set up a structure at Portland House to accommodate the response team, and to oversee the relocation of displaced residents. The Commission commended Officers and Members for taking a leading role when required, and highlighted the cross-departmental working that had involved 150 members of staff working long hours over four weeks. Westminster’s Emergency Plan had been considered a model of best practice, and the City Council had been complimented on how it had responded to Grenfell and on the effectiveness of its staff. The Acting Interim Page 3 Chief Executive confirmed that diverting resources had affected the City Council’s ability to perform, particularly in the housing function and in the stock for housing allocation.

5.2.2    The Commission discussed the impact that working closely with the aftermath of Grenfell may have had on staff. Although the Acting Interim Chief Executive did not consider that morale had been negatively affected, he acknowledged the need for provision to be made for any delayed support or counselling that may be needed. The Commission noted that staff had received honorariums for outstanding additional work, and were also receiving recognition through a Council-wide response which included the Staff Awards, the Staff Conference, and a reception in the Mayor’s Parlour.

5.2.3    The Commission noted that Westminster’s Finance team were still overseeing financial element of the response, and sought clarification of the financial implications for the City Council. Stuart Love confirmed that a Memorandum of Understanding agreed with the government, the Greater London Authority and London Councils provided for mutual aid in the case of emergency, but had not been designed for a situation like Grenfell. It had however been agreed that local authorities could reclaim staffing expenses over £100,000 which were incurred in assisting neighbouring boroughs. The Commission noted that while Westminster had performed some functions for which it would not be reimbursed, it would be eligible to claim staffing costs associated with the Grenfell response from LB Kensington & Chelsea. The Acting Interim Chief Executive confirmed that the City Council would similarly be seeking reimbursement of the rent for the floor at Portland House, together with other costs. Both Westminster and RB Kensington & Chelsea would also be seeking to access funds from the government’s Bellwin scheme, which offered emergency assistance.

5.2.4    The Acting Interim Chief Executive acknowledged that there were still lessons to be learned that would enable the City Council to further improve, and confirmed that a review of Westminster’s response to Grenfell and to the recent terror attacks was currently being undertaken, which would be referred to scrutiny. In view of the cross-cutting nature of the response, Members agreed that the review should be submitted to the Westminster Scrutiny Commission, and should include an evaluation of the process and outcome of the application for funding.

5.2.5    Central Government continued to maintain an overview of the progress being made by RB Kensington & Chelsea in response to the fire. The Commission noted that Grenfell could have significant long-term implications, if areas of responsibility moved to local government without the provision of additional resources.

5.2.6    Other issues relating to the City Council’s response to the Grenfell fire included the distinction in accountability between health partners and the local authority in recognising borough boundaries; the effective contribution of the voluntary sector; channeling the generosity of the public; and the importance of community cohesion and trust.

5.3       Members also discussed progress in joint working with the Metropolitan Police to provide a new system of CCTV in Westminster, and noted that the Police were proposing camera locations at 65 sites, rather than the previous 75. Although the timing of the project was out of the City Council’s control, it was hoped that the new system would become operational before the Christmas/ New Year period. Stuart Love agreed to provide the Commission with a more detailed written update.

5.4       The Commission noted that Charlie Parker would be leaving Westminster on 31 December, to become Chief Executive for the States of Jersey. Stuart Love would become Acting Chief Executive on 1 January 2018, and it was anticipated that a new Chief Executive would be in place by early May.