The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Harrow Council met on Tuesday 11 June 2024 to discuss the Youth Justice Plan for 2024-2027 and new regulatory changes affecting housing services. Key decisions included referring comments on the Youth Justice Plan to Cabinet and noting the Housing Improvement and Regulatory Changes report, with a request for more detailed data on resident engagement in future reports.

Youth Justice Plan 2024-2027

The committee reviewed the Harrow Youth Justice Plan 2024-2027, which outlines how the council will deliver and finance youth justice services in line with the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Councillor Hitesh Karia, Portfolio Holder for Children's Services, presented the plan, highlighting positive outcomes in reducing first-time entrants into the criminal justice system, re-offending rates, and the use of custody for children.

During the discussion, councillors raised concerns about the difficulty in assessing performance without timely release of performance indicators from the Youth Justice Board, noting this is a national issue. They also questioned the risks associated with transitioning IT services for the Youth Justice system, and were assured that a dedicated team is managing this with testing and training in place. The addition of a second Police Constable to the service was noted as having a positive impact on reducing re-offending and supporting victims, as well as enabling more frequent school visits.

Despite the plan indicating a reduction in youth offending, some councillors noted community feedback suggesting an increase, potentially linked to a reduction in social workers dedicated to youth services. The committee was informed that police data, used for the plan, is considered the most accurate statistical representation. Concerns were also raised about additional support for youth mental health and child sexual exploitation, particularly given budgetary constraints. The council highlighted its significant contribution to youth services funding and the role of police in preventative measures. Regarding young adults over 18, it was explained that dedicated Probation Officers manage the transition, and Harrow's lower case numbers allow for adequate support.

The committee requested that more detailed outcome data on programmes and waiting times for key services, such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), be made available where possible. The committee's comments were subsequently referred to Cabinet for consideration.

Housing Improvement and Regulatory Changes

The committee also received an update on Housing Improvement and Regulatory Changes, detailing new regulations from the Regulator of Social Housing and the Housing Ombudsman. The report covered the council's Tenant Satisfaction Measures for 2023/2024 and Housing Complaints Performance for the same period.

A key point of discussion was the tenant satisfaction rate for complaint handling, which hovered between 50% and 60%. While acknowledging this is an area for improvement, the committee was informed that Harrow's performance would be benchmarked against other local authorities nationally and in London, with results expected in the autumn. It was noted that satisfaction levels in London tend to be lower than the national average.

The new government regulations requiring housing officers with managerial responsibility to hold specific qualifications were discussed. Harrow Council confirmed that some officers already possess these qualifications, and a phased approach to training will be implemented over two years.

The committee requested that data on engagement with residents' and tenants' associations be included in future Tenant Satisfaction Measures and Housing Complaints Performance Reports to provide a more comprehensive picture. The committee's comments were noted and referred to Cabinet for consideration.

The meeting concluded with the committee noting the report and referring their comments to Cabinet. The next meeting was scheduled for 9 July 2024.