Agenda and minutes

Please note that this meeting may be filmed or recorded by the Council for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site or by anyone attending the meeting using any communication method. Although we ask members of the public recording, filming or reporting on the meeting not to include the public seating areas, members of the public attending the meeting should be aware that we cannot guarantee that they will not be filmed or recorded by others attending the meeting. Members of the public participating in the meeting (e.g. making deputations, asking questions, making oral protests) should be aware that they are likely to be filmed, recorded or reported on. 

By entering the meeting room and using the public seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.

The chair of the meeting has the discretion to terminate or suspend filming or recording, if in his or her opinion continuation of the filming, recording or reporting would disrupt or prejudice the proceedings, infringe the rights of any individual or may lead to the breach of a legal obligation by the Council.

The Leader referred to agenda item 1, as shown on the agenda in respect of filming at this meeting and Members noted  this information.

No apologies for absence were received.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of Urgent Business. (Late items of Urgent Business will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items of Urgent Business will be dealt with under Item 18 below. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at Item 24 below).

The Leader advised that Cabinet would consider the minutes of the Regulatory Committee which met on the 17^th of January, after publication of the Cabinet papers, and considered items 8, 10 and 11 on the agenda .This was in accordance with Part three of the Council Constitution, section B, and paragraph D which required the Regulatory Committee to make informal recommendations to Cabinet on planning policy matters.

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 put forward.

On occasions part of the Cabinet meeting will be held in private and will not be open to the public if an item is being considered that is likely to lead to the disclosure of exempt or confidential information. In accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 (the “Regulations”), members of the public can make representations about why that part of the meeting should be open to the public.

This agenda contains exempt items as set out at Item [19 : Exclusion of the Press and Public.  No representations with regard to these have been received.

This is the formal 5 clear day notice under the Regulations to confirm that this Cabinet meeting will be partly held in private for the reasons set out in this Agenda.

No representations were received.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th December 2016 as a correct record.

The  minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 13^th of December  2016 were agreed as an accurate record of the meeting.

For Cabinet to note the Scrutiny Review of Housing Viability completed by  the Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel and note the responses to the review from the Regulatory Committee, set out at  item 8.

The Leader set out the how the Cabinet would consider the Scrutiny Review of Housing Viability completed by the Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel in early 2016. Councillor Wright, Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee would introduce the scrutiny review, followed by Councillor Doron who would then further provide feedback from the Regulatory Committee that had considered, the non executive recommendations concerned with planning development and Councillor Strickland would then continue to respond to the Cabinet Member for Planning assigned actions.

Cabinet to note the responses to the Scrutiny Review of Housing Viability Assessments which have been put forward to Regulatory Committee for agreement.

Councillor Wright, Chair of Overview and Scrutiny, introduced the scrutiny review which had been conducted in 2016 when Cllr Ayisi had chaired the Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel. There had been a wide range of attendees at the evidence gathering sessions including: housing, and planning professionals/ organisations and developers, examining increasing the number of viability assessments that will allow higher numbers of affordable housing units to be included in a development and challenging developers to meet these planning obligations.

The Chair of Overview and Scrutiny spoke about the predicament of Councils having limited options to solely finance affordable housing and having to source the provision of affordable housing, via section 106 agreements, to meet London Plan requirements .However, at the same time needing to attract developers to invest in the development of housing which meant the development needed to provide a return to the developer. This created a policy tension, especially when the viability assessments calculated a lower ratio of affordable housing than required by the Planning authority or where there was no affordable housing assessed as viable to the developer.

There was London- wide concern that the development viability calculation was neither transparent nor fit for purpose for delivery of affordable homes, .There was a collective view of the need for a London wide protocol for housing viability.

The Mayor was keen to take forward London wide statutory planning guidance to increase the numbers of affordable homes and the Council was involved in a London wide borough Planning network to address these issues.

The scrutiny recommendations included: a request for a supplementary planning document, for future planning documents to reflect the principles of a London wide protocol being collated, called for viability assessments to be public documents, and requested that the Council adopt its own tighter arrangements on review mechanisms for viability as well as meeting future London arrangements.

Councillor Doron, Chair of Regulatory Committee, reported Regulatory Committee’s comments on this scrutiny review. The Committee had approved the responses and commented on the Council’s need to ensure robust mechanisms were in place to ensure planning obligations were complied with. A new staff member post, assigned to monitor the viability process, was welcomed as this would further help build confidence in the planning system. The Committee also welcomed training for Planning Members to enable them to better discuss the issue of viability in planning meetings.

Councillor Strickland, Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning, further thanked the panel and spoke about the importance of viability which was a complex issue that the scrutiny report set out well. The Cabinet Member highlighted that the Planning service already works hard to tackle and challenge developers on viability and report reflects how to improve this further.

Most of the recommendations were accepted and some suggested actions were already being applied. The Cabinet Member mentioned the Planning service involvement in the London boroughs working group made up of senior officer across London and was pleased that officers are playing a lead on this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 158.

There were no deputations, petitions or public questions put forward to Cabinet.

[Report of the Assistant Director for Planning.To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Social Inclusion, and Sustainability.]The Cabinet will be asked to approve the Wood Green Area Action Plan for consultation in Feb-March 2017.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Social Inclusion and Sustainability introduced the report which requested review and approval of the “preferred option” Area Action Plan for Wood Green set out in appendix B. This would be the key planning document governing the regeneration of the Wood Green (including Haringey Heartlands) area, providing a statutory framework for the determination of all new development proposals within the area.

The Cabinet Member advised that the Wood Green AAP was being renewed to take forward economic opportunities offered by potential inclusion of Wood Green station in the Cross Rail route which would help make Wood Green the heart of North London. The AAP set out plans for: growing manufacturing in the area, expanding the town centre offer, providing an office based offer for more businesses and workplaces to locate to the borough, in turn creating more jobs town centre and including 8000 new homes.

Councillor Doron was invited to present Regulatory Committee comments on the AAP. Cabinet noted the following:

• Important to be ambitious with green space and take a good look at incorporating green buildings in plans and a sustainable drainage systems.
• Haringey felt to be lacking the sense of place.-Wood Green area action plan offers positive opportunity to address this issue.
• Concerning to hear the current trends of a declining retail offer in the Town Centre and welcomed scale of ambition.
• The current maps in the agenda pack were very small and officers would need to make sure these were accessible and seen by residents.
• Strong re- assurance needed for residents potentially involved in a decant process where demolition of homes is taken forward. Council need to provide this assurance strongly and clearly.
• How the potential loss of the supermarket is discussed in the documentation–some re-assurance on this to residence. Concerns on wording / language on Lordship Lane area investment, leading to concerns that this part of Wood Green is potentially ignored.
• Addressing issues on the traveller’s site to gain maximum value for the Civic Centre site.
• Turnpike Lane has a strong identity for specialist Asian shops and it was suggested the AAP take this into consideration.

In response to questions from Councillor Newton, the following information was noted.

• 40% of affordable housing will be low rents.
• Important to look at how many nearby boroughs have pools and what can be reasonably be achieved. Funding limited – a zero sum- so Planning Committee and Cabinet would need to consider how this fits in with the priorities of the regeneration i.e. housing, employment or leisure space and also considering whether there is better access to open swimming offer
• Surprised if government looking at productivity as a zero sum , government likely to  look at growing all infrastructures. The plan was about an economic heart in North London.
• Plan not solely reliant on Crossrail 2, the Piccadilly line upgrade also helps make the case for enhanced density levels.

Councillor Goldberg stressed the importance on consultation with tenants on housing in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 160.

[Report of the Assistant Director for Planning. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and  Planning.] Cabinet will be asked to approve the Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule for consultation, the draft Regulation 123 list and the governance arrangements for the spending of CIL funds before approval of the Draft Charging Schedule following consultation later in the year.

 The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning introduced the report which set out: the findings of viability evidence and supported an increase in CIL rates in certain parts of the borough, namely Seven Sisters, St. Ann’s, West Green, Bruce Grove, Tottenham Green, and Tottenham Hale wards, a proposed partial review of the CIL Charging Schedule to update Council’s Regulation 123 List – [the list of infrastructure that the Council intends to spend CIL on] and proposals on how to manage CIL expenditure.

The Cabinet Member advised that the Planning service had started work on review of CIL rates in 2013 and at this time there was no evidence, in values, that more than £15 per square metre could be levied to developments in the Tottenham area. However, in part, because of work on AAP in Tottenham, land values had increased and development in this area had become more valuable, meaning the Council could secure benefits for residents in the charging process of the CIL. In South East Tottenham this would mean increasing the charge to developers from £15 per square foot to £130 per square foot and reflected Tottenham’s reputation change in the land market. The Cabinet Member referred to Table 4 which set out some initial modelling undertaken on existing site allocations, on which planning applications were anticipated in the period 2018-2026, which showed that with an increase in the CIL rate, if approved, following consultation, this could provide the Council with a potential £19m to spend on vital infrastructure projects such as school, parks, roads and health centres.

Councillor Doron advised that Regulatory Committee approved of the proposed new CIL rate for consultation. The Committee welcomed more money for infrastructure in the borough but were surprised at low CIL values included for North Tottenham. There had been discussion on CIL expenditure being restricted to infrastructure projects that drive growth and it was suggested there be a process for non Cabinet members to make recommendations for CIL expenditure. The cycling champion suggested consulting with local groups as they can also suggest ideas relating to transport infrastructure projects.

The Cabinet Member responded to the comments of Regulatory Committee and advised that the CIL rate for North Tottenham had been assessed by an independent advisor and outlined that there was still progress to be made on ensuring stakeholders such as Housing Associations see North Tottenham as an investment area. The Council would continue to monitor planning and development activity in North Tottenham, regularly, to capture benefits from regeneration for residents.

The Cabinet Member advised that Ward members could influence the local funding but he recognised this only involved a minority of the funding, 15 to 20 %, and if their ward was in the plan area. Non Cabinet members could help shape the priorities and, during the consultation on the CIL, would be able to put forward ideas.

Councillor Strickland further agreed to speak with Councillor Mallett on opportunities for local engagement.

In response to a question from Councillor Newton,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 161.

[Report of the Director for Planning, Regeneration and Development. To be introduced by  the Cabinet member for Economic Development, Soicla Inclusion &Sustainability.To present to Cabinet the proposal for a Decentralised Energy Network serving North Tottenham; to present the business case supporting this; and to seek approval to commence procurement.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Social Inclusion and Sustainability introduced the report which set the proposal to establish a District Energy Network (DEN) for the North Tottenham area to support regeneration in Tottenham.

The report was the culmination of work by the Council over the last 8 years to establish a municipal energy company to challenge energy distribution in the markets, provide residents with affordable electricity and heat whilst keeping to low carbon requirements. The Spurs development has enabled this business case to be taken forward. The stadium would draw power and heat for local delivery to Northumberland Park and High Road West

The Cabinet Member highlighted this exciting opportunity which was not without dependencies and sensitivities linked to the regeneration programme proposed for North Tottenham. The DEN Project would need to achieve the overall objectives and parameters set out in the Business Case and report. Securing external funding towards the project, such as from the Heat Networks Investment Programme run by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy would underwrite some of the development of the project and the investment profile for the Council

RESOLVED

1.    To consider the Business Case attached as Appendix 1 in the open report and Appendix 2 in the exempt report setting out the preferred delivery approach for the North Tottenham DEN and demonstrating project viability.

2.    To establish a District Energy Network for the North Tottenham area, subject to recommendations 3) and 4) below.

3.    That Option 2 as set out in paragraphs 6.25 to 6.31 and 6.60 to 6.64 of this report (the 100% Council Owned Special Purpose Vehicle) is the most appropriate delivery structure and gives delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development in conjunction with the Council’s s151 officer after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Social Inclusion and Sustainability, to refine and finalise the delivery structure. The final structure and design of the SPV will be reported back to Cabinet for approval.

4.    To give delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development in conjunction with the Council’s 151 officer, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Social Inclusion and Sustainability, to agree amendments to the Business Case (and the supporting technical and financial models) that may be required, insofar as the overall objectives and parameters of the Business Case can still be achieved (as set out in section 6.18). This will ensure that the project can alter based on key dependencies and sensitivities changing, and that all agreements (including pricing structure) can be put in place to ensure that the business case can be delivered. Any substantial changes in the business case will be reported back to Cabinet for approval. The business case prior to Financial Close including supporting agreements will be reported back to Cabinet for approval.

5.    To facilitate the development of the Business Case including financial model give Delegated Authority to the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development in conjunction with the Council’s s151  ...  view the full minutes text for item 162.

[Report of the Chief Operating Officer. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Environment.] The report sets out the results of the Expression of Interest process conducted earlier this year and makes a recommendation on who the lease for the site should be awarded to.

The Cabinet Member for Environment introduced the report which set out the results of the expression of interest process, instigated by Cabinet in May 2016 for development of the site and now sought agreement for the leasing of the Wolves Lane Horticultural Centre, to a successful bid from OrganicLea, for a term of 25 years based on the Heads of Terms set out in appendix 2.

The recommendations allowed the site to be retained as a community asset and to offer a new source of organically grown vegetables for supply into the local community. Residents would still be able to volunteer at the centre and would have the opportunity to learn new skills and enjoy working alongside their neighbours and other members of the community. The Cabinet Member was pleased to see the commitment of OrganicLea to work with the other bidders to explore how key elements of their bids can be incorporated to make the new offer at Wolves Lane.

Whilst current activities cease, it was expected OrganicLea would take possession of the site on the 1^st of April and commence food growing. This was a secure future for the site, over the next 25 years but it just the beginning of the process with Ward Councillors and community Friends Group expected to be fully involved.

Councillor Waters, spoke on behalf of the Friends of Wolves Lane Group, who were disappointed not to have been successful in their local bid but welcomed working with OrganicLea. They had some concerns about the timing of the possession of the site, from 1^st of April, and sought assurance from Council that they could begin discussions with OrangicLea on the 1^st of Feb to ensure handover issues, such as relocation of the animals was resolved.

There was concern that OrganicLea would not make of use the Palm House and classrooms and commitment was being sought in respect of this.

In response to concerns, Cabinet noted the following:

• OrganicLea had committed to move their, Vegetable box distribution centre from Hornsey to Wolves Lane in early April.
• Officers had met with OrganicLea and they had given commitment to engaging and working with the Friends group
• The Cabinet Member had the understanding that there were plans to use Palm House and this was to be maintained, as is, and there was to be discussion with wider partners on making use of this area. The Cabinet Member was more than happy contact the Friends Group and get a date in the diary to discuss this further but OrganicLea had given assurances of their work with the group.

In response to Councillor Newton’s questions, the Cabinet Member re – iterated that the Council were fully committed to supporting the Friends Group start their discussions with OrganicLea. Ward Councillors had been involved at all stages.

Agreed that the Assistant Director for Commercial Operations would provide Councillor Newton, in writing, the cost of staff redundancies.

The Leader thanked officers and the Cabinet Member for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 163.

[Report of the Assistant Director for  Corporate Governance. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources.] To seek approval to award the contract for Insurance Arrangements to successful tenderer(s) for the following: Property, Combined Liability, Terrorism.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources introduced the report which set out the procurement process undertaken, via the Insurance London Consortium (ILC), to appoint a provider for Property Insurance Services (Housing Stock, Education and General Properties); Terrorism Insurance Services (Housing Stock, Education, General and Commercial Properties); and Liability Insurance Services with effect from 1 April 2017, for a period of three years with the option to extend for two further periods of one year each.

In response to a question from Councillor Newton, the contract figure could not be included in the public part of the report as, although the tender exercise was managed as a single process by the ILC, all eight ILC members needed to obtain approval from their respective authorities to award their individual contracts. This is in accordance with the ILC’s formal operating agreement, which was approved by Cabinet. Premium costs across ILC members vary depending on claims experience and insured costs. Until authority has been obtained from all ILC members, contract details and premium costs are kept confidential until the successful tenderer has been notified and the statutory standstill period has expired. It was anticipated that all ILC members will have obtained authority to award contracts by 31 January 2017. Details of premium costs paid will form part of the Council’s routine reporting processes as part of the Transparency Coderequirements.

RESOLVED

To approve the award of contracts for the provision of the Insurance Services via the ILC, effective from 1 April 2017, for a period of three years with the option to extend for two further periods of one year each to the following providers: Property Insurance Services (Lot 1) and Liability Insurance Services (Lot 3) to Protector Insurance Limited; and Terrorism Insurance Services (Lot 2) to Charles Taylor Services Limited.

Reasons for decision

The current insurance contracts commenced on 1 April 2014 and were based on a three year agreement with an option to extend by a further two years. The initial three year period will end on 31 March 2017; ILC have decided not to take up the option to extend the contracts and instead to test the market and retender. It is necessary to ensure that the new contracts are in place from 1 April 2017, to avoid any gap in insurance cover for the Council.

Alternative options considered

            Purchasing stand-alone cover for the Council, using agreed procurement processes. This was not considered appropriate because:

·         Haringey Council’s membership of the ILC has enabled it to benefit from significant economies of scale in procuring policies for a number of local authorities; these economies of scale would not be available if the Council were to opt for a single authority procurement route;

·         Membership of the ILC has also allowed the Council to share best practice on insurance and risk management practices, which would not be available on a stand alone basis; and

·         The insurance market for local authority risks has historically had a limited number of competitors. Procuring through the ILC has previously  ...  view the full minutes text for item 164.

[Report of the Director for Public Health. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Health.] Following open tender, award of contract for two services offering community based sexual health services.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Health introduced the report which sought agreement from Cabinet to award a contract to Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (referred to as CNWL from now onwards) to provide a community sexual health service focussing on young people’s sexual and reproductive health, including the provision of health promotion, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and access to contraception. The model will also provide open access to long acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods for women over 25.

RESOLVED

To award, in accordance with Contract Standing Order (CSO) 9.07.1(d), a contract for a community sexual health service focusing on young people’s sexual and reproductive health to Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust for a period of three years with options to extend for 2 further periods of 1 year at a maximum annual value of £1,046,939 for the first year and £1m for the consecutive years.

Reasons for decision

From 1 April 2013, local authorities were mandated to ensure that comprehensive, open access, confidential sexual health services were available to all people in their area (whether resident in that area or not). The London Sexual Health Transformation Programme is a partnership between 29 London boroughs with the purpose of creating a collaborative approach to commissioning sexual health services. As part of this Haringey has joined neighbouring boroughs Barnet, Camden, City of London, Haringey, Hackney, Enfield and Islington to commission the North Central London (NCL) sub-regional sexual health service, due to be implemented in April 2017. As part of this new approach, Haringey will not be providing complex sexual health services within the borough and instead is proposing to offer community based sexual health services to complement the NCL sub-regional provision.

In September 2016 the Council undertook a full procurement exercise for this service, inviting bids through the open market. As a result of the procurement exercise, which has been carried out in accordance with the Council’s Contract Standing Orders and the Procurement Code of Practice, we will award the contract to the successful tenderer as outlined in paragraph 3.1 in accordance with CSO 9.07.1(d).

Alternative options considered

The Public Health team explored providing this sexual and reproductive service through the NCL sub-regional tender process. However, it was decided that as the NCL service would be based on a full clinical tariff and located outside of the borough, this option would not be financially viable nor meet the needs of the target groups, who prefer to access services locally. Instead it was deemed more suitable to embed the service alongside the existing youth, primary care and community providers in Haringey. This ensures a seamless pathway and collaborative approach towards women and young people’s wellbeing in the borough.

To note the minutes of the following:

·         Cabinet Member Signing  on 12^th  December 2016

·         Cabinet Member Signing on 13^th December 2016

·         Cabinet Member Signing on 10^th January 2017

RESOLVED

To note the minutes of the following meetings:

·         Cabinet Member Signing  on 12^th  December 2016

·         Cabinet Member Signing on 13^th December 2016

·         Cabinet Member Signing on 10^th January 2017

To consider significant  and delegated actions taken by Directors during December 2016.

RESOLVED

To note the significant and delegated actions  taken by directors in December 2016.

To consider any items admitted at Item 3 above.

There were no new items of business  to consider.

Note from the Democratic Services &Scrutiny Manager

Items 20, 21, 22, 23, 24  allow for the consideration of exempt information in relation to items, 12,13, 14, 15, and 3 respectively.

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 contain exempt information, as defined under paragraph 3 part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government  Act 1972.

As per item 12.

As per item 162.

As per item 163.

As per item 14.

As per item 164.

As per item 15.

As per item 165.

To consider any items admitted at Item 3 above.

None