Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Nilgun Canver.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business. (Late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items will be dealt with at Item 17 below. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at Item 21 below).

There were no items of Urgent Business.

A Member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a prejudicial interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered:

(i) must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent, and

(ii) may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must withdraw from the meeting room.

A Member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Register of Members’ Interests or the subject of a pending notification must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal interests and prejudicial interests are defined at Paragraphs 5-7 and Appendix A of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet meeting held on 18 September 2012 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

There were no deputations, petitions or questions.

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for the Environment). The report seeks approval to make Dog Control Orders in the Borough.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Communities, which set out the results of consultation with respect to the introduction of Dog Control Orders (DCO) and that sought approval to make DCOs within all applicable areas within the borough.

It was noted that there had been extensive consultation with residents with regard to the introduction of DCOs and that work was also being carried out with organisations such as Wood Green Animal Shelter to raise awareness of the new restrictions. Cabinet was advised that there would be a two week period after the introduction of DCOs during which penalties would not be issued and advice would be given to members of the public during this period regarding the new restrictions.

RESOLVED:

1. That approval be given to the making of Dog Control Orders, applicable to all land within the London Borough of Haringey, which was open to the air and to which the public were entitled or permitted to have access (with or without payment) as follows:

Ø      Dog on Leads Order – dogs to be kept on a lead on roads, in car parks and cemeteries and in parks and open spaces of less that half a hectare

Ø      Dogs on Leads by Direction Order – these make it a requirement to place a dog on a lead when instructed to do so by an authorised officer

Ø      Fouling of Land by Dogs Order – these make it an offence to fail to clean up after a dog

Ø      Dogs (Specified Maximum) Order – these limit to six the number of dogs that can be walked by an individual person

2. That the making of the following Dog Control Order, relating to the specific areas set out below, be approved:

Ø      Dog Exclusion Order – dogs to be excluded from children’s playgrounds at all times and excluded from marked sports pitches when pitches are in use. (Details are set out in paragraph 5.6 of the report).

Other Options Considered

Originally a pilot scheme was considered to introduce DCO’s in five parks within the borough with dogs being completely excluded from Russell Park. Based on discussions and feedback from stakeholders it was felt that in order to be effective the scheme should be widened to cover the whole borough. In addition it was considered that the control should be extended to other land uses such as highways and land controlled by Homes for Haringey.

Reasons for Decision

Residents, Friends of Parks and Safer Neighbourhood Teams have raised with officers their concerns over dogs that appear to be out of control and how intimidating this can be. The need for responsible dog owners to exercise their dogs must be balanced with the need for residents to be able to enjoy public spaces that are free of dog fouling and where dogs are kept under control by their owners.

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Social inclusion). To approve an eight week public consultation period on the draft Highgate Conservation Area Character Appraisal. The final character Appraisal will be brought back to Cabinet for adoption in spring 2013.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Social Inclusion, which sought approval of the draft Highgate Area Conservation Character Appraisal, for an eight week public consultation period.

RESOLVED:

1. That an eight week public consultation on the draft Highgate Conservation Character Appraisal be approved.

2. That the final Character Appraisal should be brought back to Cabinet for adoption in spring 2013. 

Other Options Considered

The draft character appraisal explored the possible need for the creation of Article 4(2) Directions. In 2008 central Government extended Permitted Development Rights for householders and expects such Permitted Development Rights to be maintained unless there is a compelling case for their removal. It is not proposed to create any Article 4(2) Directions in the Highgate Conservation Area at this time. 

Reasons for Decision

To provide a clear indication of the Council’s approach to the preservation and enhancement of the Highgate Conservation Area and to provide a supplement to existing planning policies for the preservation of the Conservation Area.

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for the Environment). The report seeks approval of the revised Winter Service Plan for 2012/13 which details the Council’s policies and operational procedures for dealing with snow and ice on the highway.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Communities, which sought approval of the revised Winter Service Plan 2012/13 and that detailed the Council’s policies and operational procedures for dealing with snow and ice on the public highway.

RESOLVED:

That the Winter Service Plan 2012/13, which incorporated proposed changes to pavement and carriage priority levels and amendments to the grit and bin network, be approved and adopted.

Other Options Considered

Based on feedback and suggestions received in relation to the winter service arrangements provided last year, it is proposed that a number of changes to the priority status of carriageways and pavements are made and also that changes are made to the network of grit bin locations.

Reasons for Decision

During severe weather it is not practicable for snow and ice on every carriageway and pavement surface to be treated and made safe. Therefore, it is important to explain where we grit, when we grit and why we grit in any given severe weather event and the Winter Service Plan does this. The approval and adoption of the Winter Service Plan provides a mechanism to demonstrate that the policies, priorities and schedules for gritting have been given due consideration and approved at a level appropriate to the importance of the function.

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction). The report presents the final recommendations of the Haringey 40:20 Carbon Commission and seeks approval of the initial Action Plan for actions to be led by the Council.  THIS REPORT WILL BE SENT TO FOLLOW

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction, which set out the final recommendations of the Haringey Carbon Commission. The report sought agreement to the overall approach proposed by the Commission and the Action Plan to implement the Commission’s recommendations.

RESOLVED:

That the overall approach proposed by the Carbon Commission be endorsed and that officers should progress an Action Plan for implementation of the Commission’s recommendations as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

Other Options Considered

If no action were to be taken this would mean that the Council would not deliver on its commitment to make progress towards the 40% carbon emissions reduction target.

An alternative option at this stage would be to pursue only those recommendations that do not require much resource (either staff time or the possibility of future access to low cost finance or set up costs if the full business case was agreed). It is recommended that further detailed business cases are prepared for the Council so that the costs and benefits and risks are known (both to the borough and the wider community in terms of potential local economic value generated), before other alternatives to the Carbon Commission’s recommendations are considered. The Carbon Commission has brought together significant expertise from a range of sources.

Reasons for Decision

Haringey has made a commitment to working towards reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2020. Climate change will impact on the poorest communities the hardest and action to reduce carbon emissions will create new job opportunities and improve the well being of residents. The action plan being presented for agreement by Cabinet will enable the Council to implement a range of recommendations made by the Carbon Commission, which are geared to maximising the benefit for Haringey from this activity.

(Report of the Director of Adult and Housing Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing). The report asks Cabinet to note the position with regard to the 2012-13 Housing Capital Programme; approve virements to the 2012-13 Decent Homes Programme and approve the installation of pitched roofs for a number of housing blocks.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Housing, which set out the position with respect to the Decent Homes Programme and the main variances and proposed virements in order to ensure that the budget accurately reflected the planned programme outputs.

The Cabinet Member for Housing advised that following further discussion with officers it was considered that as the leaseholders in three of the blocks (2-24 Circular Road, 93-110 Holcombe Road and 2-20 Scales Road) had already been issued with Section 20 Notices based on a flat roof solution, the flat roofs of Charles Bradlaugh House and Robert Burns House would be replaced with pitched roofs as they offered better value for money over a thirty year period. Therefore it was proposed that the recommendations, set out in the report, should be amended to reflect this and there was agreement that this amendment should be incorporated.

RESOLVED:

1. That the position with regard to the 2012/13 Housing Capital Programme, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, be noted.

2. That virements totalling £1.319m to the 2012/13 Decent Homes Programme, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report, be approved

3. That the conversion of the flat roofs at Charles Bradlaugh House and Robert Burns House to pitched roofs should be approved.

4. That the suspension of Tangmere, Broadwater Farm from the Decent Homes programme, pending the completion and consideration of a comprehensive evaluation of the short and medium term investment needs and options for the blocks, be approved.

Other Options Considered

The options for further schemes to be added to the Decent Homes Programme, if resources allowed, were previously discussed by Cabinet in the form of a reserve list. There was not need to consider alternatives to these schemes at this stage.

Reasons for Decision

The proposed virements to the Decent Homes Programme will increase the resources available for improvements to residents’ homes, in line with Council priorities and the need to reduce the number of non-decent homes within the borough.

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for the Environment). The report seeks agreement, in principle, to move all penalty charges in Haringey Band A and to authorise officers to proceed to London Councils with an application to do so with effect from 1 April 2013.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Leader of the Council, which sought approval, in principle, of the need to move all penalty charges in Haringey to Band A and to authorise officers to proceed to London Councils with an application to move all penalty charges to Band A in Haringey from 1 April 2013.

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet agreed, in principle, that there was a need to move all penalty charges in Haringey to Band A.

2. That officers be authorised to proceed to London Councils with an application to move all penalty charges to Band A in Haringey from 1 April 2013.

Other Options Considered

It was considered that an application should be made only to move the Tottenham Hotspur Match Day CPZ to Band A. However, it was felt that while this may ease pressure within the CPZ, it could potentially result in displacement and additional pressure elsewhere, and as such achieve no overall improvement in compliance.

Reasons for Decision

To implement measures to help address the underlying problem of non compliance across the borough easing congestion on the road network.

(Report of the Director of Adult and Housing Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services). To approve the disposal of the site to the selected Registered Provider subject planning permission and consent from the Secretary of State.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Communities, which sought approval to dispose of the site to the selected Registered Provider, subject to planning permission consent from the Secretary of State. 

It was noted that Cabinet had previously agreed that officers should proceed with discussion with Registered Housing Providers regarding the viability of developing the site illustrated in Appendix A of the report.

Exempt information pertaining to the report was discussed under Item 19 in the closed part of the meeting.

RESOLVED:

1. That the selection of One Housing Group Limited as the preferred Registered Housing Provider to redevelop the site with an Extra Care Scheme be noted.

2. That the Head of Corporate Property be authorised to dispose of the site to One Housing Group Limited for the offer price on a long lease of 150 years, subject to planning permission and formal consent from the Secretary of State, with final terms of any such disposal to be agreed by the Head of Corporate Property.

3. That it be approved that the net capital receipts, after deduction of all reasonable costs associated with the project and after covering the self financing debt allocated for these units, would be used to support the Council’s Capital Programme. 

Other Options Considered

On the 21 December 2010 Cabinet considered a report setting out a number of options around the future of Protheroe House and having considered these Cabinet agreed that officers should enter into discussions with housing association partners and for the provision of an Extra Care Supported Housing Scheme on the site.

Reasons for Decision

On 21 December 2010 Cabinet agreed that officers should enter into discussions with housing association partners and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) for the provision of an Extra Care Supported Housing Scheme on the site of Protheroe House. The decision set out above to select One Housing Group Limited as the preferred Registered Provider to redevelop the site with an Extra Care Scheme reflects this decision.

(Report of the Director of Children’s Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children). To update Members on the latest position of the Children’s Service Capital Programme 2012/13 to 2015/16 and to obtain approval for virements within the 2012/13 Capital Programme.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Children, which provided an update regarding the latest budget position with respect to Children’s Service Capital Programme 2012/13 to 2015/16.

The report also sough approval of virements within the 2012/13 Children’s Service Capital Programme.

The Cabinet Member for Children noted that since the publication of the agenda the ? had ruled that Belmont Infant and Junior Schools should not be expanded (as agreed by Cabinet on 18 September 2012) and therefore the alternative options were now being considered by the Children’s Service.

RESOLVED:

1. That the original capital programme, as set out in Appendix A of the be noted and that the revised indicative three year Children’s Service capital programme, as set out in Appendix B of the report, be approved.

2. That the virements within the 2012/13 programme, as set out in Appendix C of the report, be approved.

3. That the formal closure of the Building Schools for the Future programme be approved and that the total expenditure and funding used on the programme, as set out in Appendix D of the report, be noted.

4. That progress with regard to individual projects, as detailed in the report, be noted.

5. That the current issues and risks relating to funding of the programme in the future be noted.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Children, which provided an update regarding the latest budget position with respect to Children’s Service Capital Programme 2012/13 to 2015/16. The report also sough approval of virements within the 2012/13 Children’s Service Capital Programme.

The Cabinet Member for Children noted that since the publication of the agenda the Schools’ Adjudicator had ruled that Belmont Infant and Junior Schools should not be expanded (as agreed by Cabinet on 18 September 2012) and therefore the alternative options were now being considered by the Children’s Service.

RESOLVED:

6. That the original capital programme, as set out in Appendix A of the be noted and that the revised indicative three year Children’s Service capital programme, as set out in Appendix B of the report, be approved.

7. That the virements within the 2012/13 programme, as set out in Appendix C of the report, be approved.

8. That the formal closure of the Building Schools for the Future programme be approved and that the total expenditure and funding used on the programme, as set out in Appendix D of the report, be noted.

9. That progress with regard to individual projects, as detailed in the report, be noted.

10. That the current issues and risks relating to funding of the programme in the future be noted.

Other Options Considered

As the report deals with updates to the existing approved capital programme, which includes projects that have already been subject to options appraisal processes, consideration of alternative options for the overall programme are not relevant.

Reasons for Decision

Decisions recommended in the report are required in order to update Members on the latest position and to ensure good budgetary control of the capital programme.

(Report of the Director of Children’s Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children). The report sets out proposals for the development of the Council’s future relationship with schools.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Children, which set out the current statutory responsibilities of the Local Authority for school improvement and proposals for the development of the Local Authority’s future relationship with schools.

It was noted that the increasing autonomy of schools and separation from Local Authorities meant that the relationship needed to be reviewed. Local Authorities retained specific responsibilities for strategic planning, vulnerable children and identifying schools that were underperforming.

Cabinet was advised that the Education Commission had been issued with the draft report and it had welcomed the approach and proposals outlined. In response to a question the Director of Children’s Services advised that she was confident that the new relationship being developed in partnership with schools would enable the Admissions Service to continue to be run effectively. 

RESOLVED:

1. That consultation on Haringey’s ‘Vision for Education’ be noted and that the Cabinet Member for Children should approve the final version submitted to the Education Commission ‘Outstanding for All’.

2. That the development of the Haringey School Support System be noted.

3. That officers be authorised to explore all options for the delivery of high quality school intervention and improvement services, including commissioning external providers where this would produce the highest quality and best value.

4. That it be agreed that the Local Authority would only directly provide school intervention and improvement services that were of a high quality and good value and that where these services could not be provided directly by the Local Authority alternative providers would be commissioned by the Local Authority through a quality assured framework.

5. That officers be authorised to develop a detailed proposal for a Haringey Schools Trust approach that would include preferred sponsor arrangements for schools converting to sponsored academy status.

6. That a financial analysis of the arrangements underpinning the provision of support and challenge to schools would be brought back to Cabinet for decision in February 2013.

Other Options Considered

There are a variety of options for service delivery that have been observed across the sector, including retaining a single post for school improvement and commissioning all support from alternative providers, arms length companies set up by schools or simply through school to school support systems. These are not recommended at the current time as we wish to build capacity in the local system, retain a local approach and ensure that we build on the strengths that exist so that all schools are able to access support that meets their identified needs.

Reasons for Decision

To progress a model that embeds the Local Authority’s role as a champion of children and families and a strategic planner with a number of regulatory functions within the context of increasingly self-supporting autonomous schools.

(Report of the Assistant Chief Executive. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council). To note significant and delegated actions taken since the previous meeting. THIS REPORT WILL BE SENT TO FOLLOW

Cabinet considered a report that detailed the significant and delegated actions taken by Directors since the previous meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To consider any items admitted at Item 2 above.

There were no new items of Urgent Business.  

Note from the Head of Local Democracy and Member Services

Items 18 and 19 allow for the consideration of exempt information in relation to Items 4, and 12 respectively, which appear earlier in the agenda. 

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the items below contain exempt information, as defined under paragraph 3, Part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the items below contained exempt information, as defined under paragraph 3, Part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To confirm the exempt minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 18 September 2012 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 18 September 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 12 above.

Cabinet considered exempt information pertaining to minute CAB261 above.

To consider any new items of exempt Urgent Business.

There were no new items of Urgent Business.