Agenda and minutes

Venue: George Meehan House, 294 High Road, Wood Green, N22 8JZ

Contact: Ayshe Simsek, Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager / Fiona Rae, Acting Committees Manager  Email: ayshe.simsek@haringey.gov.uk / Email: fiona.rae@haringey.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Filming at Meetings

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.

Minutes:

The Chair referred to the notice of filming at meetings and attendees noted this information.

2.

Apologies

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

3.

Urgent Business

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 15 below. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at Item 18 below).

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

4.

Declarations of Interest

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.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

5.

Notice of Intention to Conduct Business in Private, any Representations Received and the Response to any such Representations

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 16: Exclusion of the Press and Public. No representations with regard to these have been received.

 

This is the formal five 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.

Minutes:

There were no representations received on the exempt items.

6.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 522 KB

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2022 as a correct record.

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meetings held on 8 November 2022 as a correct record.

7.

Deputations/Petitions/Questions

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

Minutes:

Mr Noah Tucker was invited to make his representations to the Cabinet on the submitted deputation which was calling for Council Homes at Council Rents. He highlighted the following in his presentation.

-       Abrogation by the majority party of a key part in its manifesto, which was to build 3000 high quality Council homes at Council rents. He emphasised that the manifesto did not mention London Affordable Rent but specifically said Council rents.

-       There had not been wider discussion or consultation with the community or information provided on how the position on London Affordable Rents had been reached and only confirmation provided at a Housing Scrutiny meeting that there would be 870 homes provided on London Affordable Rents and not on Council rents.

-       Significant difference in the rate between London Affordable Rents and Council rent of between £30 and £35 pounds a week which was highlighted for one particular development.

 

In the deputation’s view, the increased funding provided from London Affordable Rent formula would provide £600k income to the Housing Revenue Account and this needed to be considered in the context of its impact on poorer families who were already finding the cost-of-living crisis hard to bear. In the deputation’s view, the Council could afford to not pass on this increased rent cost given the GLA overall grant provision of £247 million.

 

The deputation concluded by asking the Cabinet to reconsider this change and to set out the alternatives that had been considered before proposing this change.

 

There were no questions from the Cabinet to the deputation party and Cllr Gordon, Cabinet Member for Housebuilding, Placemaking, and Development responded to the deputation, expressing that the administration was committed to delivering 3000 Council homes by 2031 and was working everyday to make this commitment real. She continued to outline the following:

-       Recent Planning Sub Committee agreement of the Planning application for the Broadwater Farm scheme and to the Woodridings scheme, on the 5th of December, which would mean 327 new Council homes would be built. This further demonstrated the Council’s commitment to reach 3000 homes target.

-       Considering the national financial situation and impact on the Housing Revenue Account, in particular the huge increase in construction costs  and negative impact the September Mini Budget had had on interest charges, contributing in a viability issue for the housing delivery programme.

-       Apart from putting the housing delivery programme on hold which would not be in keeping with the commitment on increasing housing, there was a need to have some schemes with London Affordable Rent to enable viability and delivery of 3000 Council homes by 2031.

-       Homes at London Affordable Rents were Council homes and would be provided to people on the Council’s housing register. The homes were funded by the Mayor of London's Building Council homes for Londoners.

-       There were only 870 homes in London Affordable rents and this could be the difference between delivery or non -delivery of homes.

 

The Cabinet Member continued to explain  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Matters Referred to Cabinet by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

These are set out in agenda items 9 and 10.

Minutes:

The Chair advised that the scrutiny report on the Gambling Inquiry Day and the Scrutiny Panel Review on Sheltered Housing: Access to Health and Social Care Services as part of items 9 and 10.

9.

Cabinet Response to the Gambling Inquiry Day pdf icon PDF 218 KB

The Scrutiny Review on the Gambling Inquiry Day. To be introduced by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

Cabinet to respond to the recommendations of the scrutiny report.

 

Report of the Director for Public Health.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Connor, Chair of the Adults and Health Scrutiny Panel, introduced the  Scrutiny report on  the Gambling Inquiry Day and thanked fellow members, Co-opted members, and all of those who participated in this work.

 

Cllr Connor continued to provide a background to  the report and recommendations. She outlined that at a meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, in July 2021, when the Council’s draft Statement on Gambling Policy was considered, attracting a deputation from local residents expressing concerns about the proliferation of gambling establishments in Haringey and their negative impact on residents living in deprivation areas. The Licensing Team leader had explained that the legislation limited the ability of local authorities to refuse licenses simply on this basis. It was reported that Westminster City Council had undertaken their own research on gambling harms and that evidence gathered from this research was subsequently used as grounds to refuse a licensing application. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed to look into this key local issue and subsequently took forward an Inquiry Day into Gambling held in March 2022. The purpose of the Inquiry Day was to gather evidence on gambling-related harms in Haringey and explore what action could be taken to address this. This had led to the recommendations outlined in the report.

 

Information was sought from Cabinet on: the progress with a date for taking forward the gambling summit, whether the local residents involved in raising this issue could be invited to the summit, and whether a Member champion had been nominated.

 

Cllr das Neves Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing introduced the response to the recommendations and thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their work on this key local issue. She continued to outline:

 

-       That the Cabinet recognised the prevalence of gambling establishments on borough high streets and the growth of online gambling which also needed to be considered.

-       Council offering training on gambling harms to Council officers and had reviewed the offer of Council support available to those experiencing gambling harm in the borough to improve this.

-       Council were working with Gamcare and their partners Gamble Aware to develop a funding bid around both increasing the support.

-       Aim to improve the quality of data, knowledge, and awareness that is available to the Council in order to increase the response to gambling harm in the borough.

-       There would be a Gambling summit in January 2023 and local residents involved in the inquiry day were welcome to attend and participate.

-       Progress being made to recruit a gambling harms champion.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    To agree to seek an external funding source for additional local research on gambling harms.

 

2.    To agree to greater use of education/prevention on gambling in Council activities.

 

3.    To agree to the establishment of a Councillor as a ‘Gambling Harms Prevention Champion’ to lead any lobbying activity aimed at the government on this issue, and that no special responsibility allowance shall apply to that role.

 

4.    To agree to note  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Cabinet Response to Scrutiny Panel Review on Sheltered Housing: Access to Health and Social Care Services pdf icon PDF 250 KB

The Scrutiny Review on Sheltered Housing: Access to Health and Social Care Services. To be introduced by the Chair of the Adults and Health Scrutiny Panel.

 

Cabinet to respond to the recommendations of the scrutiny review.

 

Report of the Director of Adults, Health, and Communities. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care, and Wellbeing.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Connor, Chair of the Adults and Health Scrutiny Panel, introduced the Scrutiny Review on Sheltered Housing: Access to Health and Social Care Services. It was stated that a number of people living in sheltered housing could feel forgotten, particularly if action was not taken on complaints. It was highlighted that the access of these residents to health and care provision and the governance around this provision was key. It was explained that the recommendations of the scrutiny review were based on the comments received from residents, families, and staff working in the sheltered housing context. Cllr Connor welcomed the planned review of sheltered housing in 2023 and asked that the Support and Wellbeing Co-production Group was included in this process.

 

It was noted that the Scrutiny Panel found that residents were best served by a joined up approach with Council and health services. It was asked that GPs, the Integrated Care Board (ICB), and the Barnet, Enfield, and Haringey Mental Health Trust (BEH MHT) were included in the report scheduled for 2023 and that the Scrutiny Panel was given sight of these plans. It was also noted that some older residents felt unsupported where they were now living alongside adults with sometimes complex needs; it was requested that these older people were included in the review and that a clear explanation of their engagement was provided to the Scrutiny Panel.

 

It was added that repairs were a key issue for sheltered housing, particularly any issues of delays. It was asked that joint working was progressed between health and housing officers to address this issue.

 

The Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care, and Wellbeing welcomed the scrutiny report and noted that it was proposed to agree all of the recommendations relating to Council services. It was explained that the current model in sheltered housing was due to be reviewed in 2023 and it was anticipated that this would address a number of issues raised in the report. It was also highlighted that the review would assess the offer for residents and ensure that it was locality-based approach.

 

It was noted that some of the recommendations related to health services and that these had been passed onto the relevant NHS partners. The Cabinet Member added that the issues would be considered by the Health and Wellbeing Board in the first instance and, if required, they could be raised at Borough Partnership and ICB level.

 

In response to questions from Cabinet Members, the following information was provided:

-       In response to a question about the changes to health and social care regionally, the Cabinet Member explained that the Integrated Care System (ICS) was still at an early stage of development. It was noted that the ICS Borough Partnership was currently setting its priorities. It was highlighted that this was a new model that was being implemented across the country so it was difficult to assess its effectiveness; however, it was important that the ICS would enable partnership working across health and social  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Pan London Commissioning Vehicle pdf icon PDF 463 KB

Report of the Director of Children’s Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children, Schools, and Families.

 

Recommendation for the formation of a (PLV) Pan-London Vehicle for Commissioning which will bring local authorities together in a new jointly owned legal vehicle to plan and commission provision for London children.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Children, Schools, and Families introduced the report which made a recommendation for the formation of a (PLV) Pan-London Vehicle for Commissioning which would bring local authorities together in a new jointly owned legal vehicle to plan and commission provision for London children.

 

The Cabinet Member highlighted the national and London wide shortage of Children’s Home provision for children and young people with very high complex needs with local authorities currently facing weekly costs, per individual, ranging from £10k to £50k. London Councils had been working for several years to develop these proposals for this complex cohort which would be provided in London and would help children and young people stay local to their families.

 

This provision would be jointly owned by London authorities and they would share the risks and benefits.

 

The Cabinet Member added that the DFE were providing the £50m for establishing this provision and £3m for compiling the final business case.

 

London boroughs would each contribute £20k per year for the first 5 years but the benefit of this provision to children and families would far exceed the investments.

 

In response to questions from Cllr Hakata and Cllr Connor, the following information was provided.

 

-       With regards to the confidence in the proposed governance arrangements: the Cabinet Member referred to appendix 1, which contained the legal structure and the membership of the vehicle. The Cabinet Member further highlighted that this vehicle would be a company limited by guarantee, which safeguarded against the potential for insolvency. It was noted that these arrangements could further enable other provision, aimed at supporting small cohorts of particular complex vulnerable, children, and young people, to be added to this model and, overall, this public sector model was helping meet a London wide local authority need.

 

-       That over 20 local authorities across London were currently taking a similar report through their Cabinets. The final number of local authorities opting into this agreement would be fully known at the end of the financial year. Once the sign up was complete, this would inform who was on the governing board.

 

-       The Director for Children’s Services advised that the calculated number of 20 places that would be provided at this future provision was reasonable.

 

Cllr Connor would be provided with a written response on weekly unit costs for secure placements.

 

RESOLVED

 

 

  1. To agree that Haringey Council becomes a member of a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee, provisionally to be known as the Pan London Vehicle, to develop and then oversee the running of London’s secure children’s home provision for a five-year period from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2028, with a breakpoint after three years.

 

  1. To note that by the three-year breakpoint period, the refreshed business case will have been developed as well as the service pricing structure, commissioning approach, operating model, practice model and the SCH’s location will have been confirmed.

 

  1. To note that once the PLV has launched, membership of the PLV will be at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

2022/23 Finance Update Quarter 2 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Report of the Director of Finance. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Local Investment.

 

This report will provide an update on the Quarter 2 budget monitoring and Council's financial position. It will seek approval for any changes to the Council's revenue or capital budgets required to respond to the changing financial scenario and the delivery of the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Local Investment introduced the item which provided an update on the Quarter 2 budget monitoring and Council's financial position and sought approval for any changes to the Council's revenue or capital budgets required to respond to the changing financial scenario and the delivery of the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

 

It was explained that, in the last update, the Cabinet Member had highlighted the significant impact of external factors, such as inflation, the rising cost of living, and high demand for services. It was noted that these pressures were still evident at Quarter 2 and there was an overspend but the positions were relatively constant. Given these external factors and the uncertainty about the impacts of a recession, the Council was focusing on mitigating actions as much as possible. It was explained that there was a need to maximise the delivery of the savings programme and it was noted that the forecast delivery for Quarter 2 savings was 61% which was an additional £2.1 million compared to Quarter 1. It was added that the Council would need to focus on the issues within its control to stabilise the budget position as much as possible to have the best starting position for next year.

 

In response to questions from Cllr Connor, the following information was provided:

-       In relation to the delivery of savings in the Adults, Health, and Communities area, the Cabinet Member acknowledged that this was always challenging, particularly with the current economic context. It was noted that Adults was a demand-led service but the Cabinet Member was relatively pleased with the performance in terms of delivering savings.

-       In relation to the delivery of savings generally, the Director of Finance highlighted that the report sought to be transparent on how the authority would manage savings in this difficult year. It was commented that there were some successes, such as the forecasted over-delivery in Children’s Services but it was highlighted that, across all areas, the Council’s planned response was the most important thing to consider.

-       The Director of Finance noted that a realistic approach had been taken in the draft budget strategy for next year which proposed moving on from some legacy savings, where delivery was not possible, and introducing new proposals. It was explained that  a number of new proposals for savingsrelated to similar areas as the proposed discontinued savings but considered new approaches. It was added that this was a demanding programme of savings and that development work had taken place to ensure that the Council could track delivery as much as possible.

-       In relation to the use of agency staff in Corporate Finance, the Director of Finance noted that this had been a characteristic for some time but that there were periodic recruiting tranches to reduce dependence on interim staff. It was added that a number of jobs were being advertised and it was hoped to confirm some appointments shortly.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    To note the forecast total revenue outturn  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

2023-24 Budget and 2023-28 Medium Term Financial Strategy Report pdf icon PDF 12 MB

Report of the Director of Finance. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Local Investment.

 

The report sets out details of proposed budget for 2023-24 and MTFS to 2027-28, including savings, growth and capital proposals. The report will also set out details of provisional funding for 2023-24 and, if available, the remainder of the planning period and highlight areas of risk. The report recommends that the budget proposals be released for public consultation and Scrutiny consideration. The report also includes details of the proposed HRA budget for 2023/24 and MTFS to 2027/28, including proposed 5-year capital investment and funding. It sets out the proposed changes to the rent levels for Council tenants in General Needs and Sheltered/Supported homes, and residents in temporary accommodation.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Local Investment introduced the report which set out details of the draft General Fund (GF) Budget for 2023/24; the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2023/28; the draft HRA Budget 2023/24 and it’s draft Business Plan including estimated income (funding) and expenditure adjustments, as well as the draft capital programmes for both funds.

 

The Cabinet Member highlighted that the budget was being developed against a backdrop of unprecedented economic uncertainty and high inflation. The administration recognised the cost of living crisis and impact on residents, businesses and communities and would also be focused on getting information, advice and support to those that needed it the most and achieving the best possible outcomes.

 

In the context of the limited resources available to the Council, the Cabinet Member outlined the budget priorities and these were summarised as follows:

 

-       Continuing collaboration with the community on service provision.

-       Investment in Children’s Services and Adults Services.

-       Utilising funding to support to residents through the Council Tax Reduction scheme and Household Support Fund.

-       Identifying Capital programme opportunities to meet needs in communities.

-       Active life programme.

-       Ongoing investment in Council homes.

 

In response to questions from Cllr Brabazon, Cllr Brennan and Cllr Connor, the following information was provided.

 

-       There was no further announcements or information supplied from the government, since the report had been published, on the areas that were listed as awaiting further information.

-       With regards to the Council applying Formula Rent to all housing schemes when economic circumstances were better and reviewing this position annually or even awaiting the government financial settlement before taking the decision on London Affordable rents, it was noted that the London Affordable Rents would only apply to the 870 properties in the new build developments. These were being built under grant funding obtained through the Mayor’s Building Council Homes for Londoners scheme and were those that needed to be onsite by March 2023. Therefore, this did not affect any other policy decision or other rent levels. This position could not be reviewed annually as this only applied to a specific housing programme which would expire next year. It was reiterated that there were no plans for any of the homes that were being delivered in the GLA’s 2021 to 2026 Affordable Homes Programme to be delivered at London Affordable Rent.

-       With regards to the indication of social housing rent being increased and capped at 7% and whether this should go forward due to the cost of living crisis, this was a modelling assumption which had been used by officers to inform the report and based on the government’s announcements on what was possible. This potential increase was a decision for Cabinet to make in the 2023/24 year. However, it was noted that a 7% increase would still represent a lower than inflation level increase.

-       It was noted that both Formula Rent and London Affordable Rent could apply to the Cranwood housing development scheme as set  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Minutes of Other Bodies pdf icon PDF 312 KB

To note the minutes of the following:

 

Cabinet Member Signing

21 October 2022 (10am)

21 October 2022 (12pm)

31 October 2022                                      

10 November 2022 (10.30am)

10 November 2022 (5pm)

14 November 2022

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

To note the minutes of other bodies.

15.

New Items of Urgent Business

As per item 3.

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

16.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

Note from the Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager

 

Items 17-18 allow for consideration of exempt information in relation to item 6.

 

TO RESOLVE

 

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as items 17 -18 contain exempt information as defined under paragraphs 3 and 5, Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:

 

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

 

Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of agenda items 17 to 18 as they contained exempt information as defined in Section 100a of the Local Government Act 1972; Paragraph 3 – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information; and Paragraph 5 – information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

17.

EXEMPT - Minutes

To confirm and sign the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2022as a correct record.

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

To confirm and sign the exempt minutes of the meetings held on 8 November 2022 as a correct record.

18.

New Items of Exempt Urgent Business

As per item 3.

Minutes:

There were no new items of exempt urgent business.