The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss a range of topics, including pre-decision scrutiny of executive reports, updates from policy development committees, and the committee's work plan. A key item for discussion was the Adults Emergency Duty Team Section 75 Agreement, with a recommendation to approve a new agreement for emergency social care services. The committee also planned to discuss the Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Action Plan.

Adults Emergency Duty Team (EDT) - Section 75 Agreement

The committee was scheduled to consider a report regarding a Section 75 agreement with North East London Foundation NHS Trust (NELFT) for the provision of the Adults Emergency Duty Team (EDT). The prior agreement for this service, which provides emergency social care outside of normal office hours, had expired on 31 March 2025.

The report recommended that the cabinet approve a new five-year Section 75 agreement, running from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030. The proposed agreement had a value of £1,115,079.75 for Redbridge over the five-year period.

The North-East London Adult Emergency Duty Team, commissioned by the London Borough of Havering, serves Redbridge, Havering, Barking and Dagenham, and Waltham Forest. It addresses emergency situations that cannot wait until the next working day. The team can be contacted by members of the public and health and social care professionals if a carer or vulnerable adult¹ is in urgent need or requires protection from harm. The service includes Mental Health Act assessments by an approved mental health professional.

The report stated that local authorities have a statutory duty to provide emergency duty teams as part of their adult social care services, ensuring vulnerable adults receive timely and appropriate support during emergencies.

The report also included an Equality Impact Assessment Initial Screening, which concluded that the recommendations made in the report did not give rise to any identifiable equalities and social inclusion implications or risks.

Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Action Plan

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Action Plan. Councillor Lloyd Jacob Duddridge, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, Catherine Worboyes, Judy Daniels and Angela Wellings were listed as potential witnesses.

Updates from Chairs of the Policy Development Committees and Overview and Scrutiny Sub-committees

The committee was scheduled to receive verbal updates from the Chairs of the Policy Development Committees (PDC). The following councillors were listed as potential speakers:

• Councillor Alex Holmes (Children and Young People Policy Development Committee)
• Councillor Joe Hehir (Clean and Green Policy Development Committee)
• Councillor Sunny Brar (Health and Care Policy Development Committee)
• Councillor Kumud Joshi (Homes and Neighbourhoods Policy Development Committee)
• Councillor Mushtaq Ahmed (Safe Redbridge Policy Development Committee)
• Councillor Judith Garfield (Strategy and Resources Policy Development Committee)

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Plan 2025-2026

The committee was scheduled to note and agree any changes to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Plan 2025-2026.