Issue - meetings

[Report of the Interim Director for Housing, Regeneration and Planning. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council. ]

To make a decision on the future of the Haringey Development Vehicle.

The Assistant Director for Corporate Governance and Monitoring Officer reminded the Cabinet of their duty to approach the decision with an open mind. He advised Cabinet to take into account all relevant considerations before coming to a decision. This included giving sufficient attention to the points raised, both in the officer's report as well as in any representations made at the meeting at item 7 and any representations received from Lendlease including any correspondence.

The Leader confirmed that the Cabinet had received three letters from Lendlease with regards to the report and the Council had responded to the third letter received. The Cabinet had these representations and would consider them when considering the report and recommendations.

The Leader continued to introduce the report and set out that this administration was elected on a promise to build Council homes on Council owned land. There was also a commitment to house Haringey’s people, creating a diverse mixture of housing options for Haringey’s residents. There was a commitment from the administration for doing the best for Haringey and delivering the best for Haringey’s residents.

The Leader expressed that there can be little disagreement about the importance of tackling poverty and deprivation, providing access to housing and jobs, and securing a sustainable future for the public services we provide. However, the proposed HDV had shown how strongly opinions differ, both inside and outside the Council, about the best way to address these important issues.

Building on the commitments made during the recent elections, the new administration were taking decisive action to set a new direction for the Council, by taking this final decision on the HDV.

It was recognised that this decision should not be taken lightly. As set out in this report, this was an informed decision. Furthermore, the work completed to develop the HDV proposals by the bidders, including by Lendlease was recognised. The decision proposed was neither a reflection on the quality of that work nor of their desirability as a partner. Indeed, the Council remained grateful to Lendlease for the interest that they had shown in Haringey and its future, and for their commitment to the Council in its other partnerships.

The Leader expressed that a decision of this significance must be taken having weighed the risks and demerits against the benefits. He continued to advise that this administration had taken a different view on that balance from the previous one.

The Leader understood that the residents and businesses of Haringey would expect the Council to offer a clear alternative vision for how to tackle the challenges faced The work on the alternatives had already begun and was not only to described but being put it into action, as could be seen from the other reports being considered by Cabinet alongside this one.

In response to questions from Cllr Adje and Cllr Barnes:

• In relation to continuing engagement in the Northumberland Park estate renewal, paragraph 6.45.3 was referred to and outlined the engagement with residents in Northumberland Park .This encompassed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29