Agenda and draft 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 filming at meetings notice was discussed.

RESOLVED:

The filming at meetings notice was noted.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were none.

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 20 below. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at Item 23 below).

There was none.

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.

Cllr das Neves – Trustee of the Selby Trust. As a result, Cllr Das Neves will withdraw from the meeting for the item: Approval to Tender for the Construction of Selby Urban Village

Cllrs Hakata and Carlin were noted as Board Members of the North London Joint Waste Authority. On the 26 September 2024, the Standards Committee agreed to grant a dispensation to Councillor Hakata and Councillor Carlin to allow them to participate in debates and votes on matters relating to NLJWA business: waste disposal, energy from waste, waste facilities, waste transfer stations, reuse and recycling and any other waste related issues until Councillor Hakata and Councillor Carlin cease to be a member of NLJWA; and until May 2026.

RESOLVED:

That, resultant of the agreement of Standards Committee on 26 September 2024 to grant a dispensation to Councillor Hakata and Councillor Carlin to allow them to participate in debates and votes on matters relating to NLJWA business, that It was agreed that Councillor Hakata and Councillor Carlin would participate in the item on the NLJWA Strategy 2025-2040.

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 x: 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.

There was none.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2025 as a correct record.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2025 were discussed.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2025 were agreed as a true and accurate record of proceedings.

To amend the minutes of the 22 April 2025 to accurately record decision taken. All amendments are marked on the proposed version of the minutes: strikethroughs are the proposed removals and underlined are the proposed additions.

The proposed amendments to previously agreed minutes on 22 April 2025 were discussed.

RESOLVED:

The amendments to previously agreed minutes on 22 April 2025 were agreed

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

There were none.

For Cabinet to consider the recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the One off Scrutiny Review of Community Safety. Cabinet to further consider and agree the responses to the recommendations.

The Chair of Overview and Scrutiny introduced the report.

It was noted that there was a common theme within the recommendations, which focussed on how local government, communities and law enforcement could collaborate more effectively to tackle community safety issues.

The Cabinet Member for Communities provided a response. It was explained that the housing and community safety team were working to develop better ways of working with other teams in the Council and with partner organisations. It was also noted that the online anti-social behaviour reporting systems would be improved and rationalised to ensure ease of access for residents.

It was explained, following questions, that the Council would work with young people to include them in helping to improve community safety.

RESOLVED:

1. The responses to the Climate, Community Safety and Environment Scrutiny Panel– One off Scrutiny Review of Community Safety made by the Cabinet, were agreed.

Report of the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources (S151 Officer). To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services introduced the report.

It was explained that, over the last financial year, Haringey had prioritised supporting its most vulnerable residents and strived to provide excellent services that residents relied on and enjoyed.

However, it was stressed that, despite considerable extra funding being allocated to the 2024/2025 budget, the outturn report showed that demand and the cost of delivering essential services again outstripped funding, primarily in adults’ and children’s social care and the cost of providing temporary accommodation. It was explained that adult social care supported almost 4,000 vulnerable adults, children’s social care supported over 5,000 children, and there were 2,630 households in temporary accommodation.

It was noted by the Cabinet Member that these overspends were predicted throughout the year. The Council had initially agreed with the government on £28 million of potential exceptional financial support, but judicious use of various contingency funds and reserves reduced this to a £10 million borrowing requirement to close the budget.

The Council did everything possible to mitigate these additional costs and to ensure that every pound counted. It did this to keep cuts to frontline public services in Haringey to an absolute minimum. Haringey was a borough with high levels of deprivation and deep inequalities between east and west. The Council remained ambitious about what it could do to help local people, even with very serious limits on local public spending. It worked tirelessly to make the borough fairer and greener with the tools and funds available.

In response to comments and questions from Councillors Hakata and Cawley-Harrison, the following information was shared:

• It was explained that the Council was, when developing financial plans, working to take a whole Council approach to delivery of services.
  
  
• It was explained that the Council was borrowing to meet financial challenges for year 2024/25, and that repayment would be undertaken over a 20-year period.
  
  
• Officers noted that there were additional unknown pressures that were difficult to forecast for, particularly relating to changes in demand. It was explained that the Council had undertaken work to undertake monitoring on pressures to understand the underlying causes, which would help the Council to ensure that it would be better prepared to forecast better in future.
  
  
• It was explained that contingency funding for 2025/26 had been increased, to meet with the expected financial challenges for the upcoming year.
  
  

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Noted the provisional revenue and capital outturn for 2024/25 as detailed in the report.
   
   
2. Approved the capital carry-forwards as set out in Appendix 3.
   
   
3. Approved the transfers to/from reserves as set out in Appendix 4.
   
   
4. Approved the budget transfers as set out in Appendix 5.
   
   
5. Noted the debt write-offs approved by officers in Quarter 4 of 2024/25 as set out in Appendix 6;
   
   
6. That, in light of the changing financial scenario facing the Council, approved the re-instatement of fees for Haringey Learns adult learning service in line with the policy for academic year 2025/26 as set out in Section 11.0 and attached as Appendix  ...  view the full minutes text for item 239.

Report of the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources (S151 Officer). To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services introduced the report.

It was explained by the Cabinet Member that Haringey had a number of achievements over the past four years that were driven by its priorities. From a ‘Good’ rating in Children’s services, building hundreds of beautiful, high-quality council homes, planting thousands of trees to improving governance and internal processes. However, it was stressed that Haringey was still a Council where many residents, especially those in the eastern wards, continued to live in circumstances of poverty, ill health and poor outcomes. It was explained that, as a borough, it had to make deep savings for over 10 years. Considered outer London, it did not receive the top-ups that were awarded to some councils. But it also had an economy made up of low wages and small businesses, many working from home. It did not have the vast tracts of land for development and business that its northern neighbours could utilise. It fell through the cracks.

It was additionally explained that the high level of need, increasing numbers of those over 65 and a large number in insecure private sector housing (over 50% in some wards) continued to drive the increasing cost of providing services that residents relied on. Adult social care, children’s social care, temporary accommodation were the three primary drivers seen up and down the country.

In response to comments and questions from Councillor Cawley-Harrison, the following information was shared:

• Officers explained that this was the first time that the Medium Term Financial Strategy had been brought to Cabinet in July, rather than September, which allowed for early reporting and planning.
  
  
• It was explained by officers that a Fairer Funding consultation was underway. However, it was stressed that the Council had developed the proposed MTFS based on current figures, rather than assuming any changes.
  
  
• It was noted that there was a level of risk relating to staff pay awards which was dependent on negotiations with Trade Unions. It was additionally noted that there was an assumption that inflation was expected to decrease, which was expected to reduce any required pay award.
  
  
• It was stressed that any assumptions in the report were subject to change, and that the report gave an indication of where the Council was currently, and how it would work to tackle its current financial pressures.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Noted the Council’s financial position as set out in the report which set the foundations for the full budget for 2026/27 that would be presented to Cabinet in February 2026 and onward to Full Council in March 2026.
   
   
2. Noted the agreed pressures for 2026/27 (Appendix 1) and any additional emerging budget challenges since the last update in March 2025 that had been identified for 2026/27 and across the medium term as set out in Section 12.
   
   
3. Noted the agreed revenue savings proposals summarised in Section 12.1.
   
   
4. Noted the risks and uncertainties in Section 18 that still remained.
   
   
5. Noted that the General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital Strategy, Capital  ...  view the full minutes text for item 240.

Report of the Corporate Director of Culture, Strategy and Communities. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Placemaking & Local Economy

The Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Local Economy introduced the report.

It was explained that Haringey Council had been working towards creating an ambitious, sustainable and inclusive urban village on the Selby Centre site that improved the health and wellbeing of residents and the wider community, noting that the report recommended beginning the process to tender for a build contractor so that work could begin in March 2026 to deliver the scheme.

It was explained that the ambitions for this development had been fashioned through a collaborative, co-design process with the Selby Trust and local community for four years. Through the Memorandum of Understanding, a joint vision was set out to create an urban village in Haringey where people could have all the amenities to enjoy healthy, fulfilled lives right on their doorstep. Not only was the Council building more than 200 high-quality sustainable council homes at social rent, but it was also creating a community hub including workspace, green and open park space, and a suite of sporting facilities. The Council had a long history of working with the Selby Trust, which delivered valuable resources to the local community in Tottenham, Haringey and North London—from business support to social advice tailored to diverse communities, to food banks.

The Cabinet Member noted that phase one involved the building of the community centre, sports changing rooms, and the regenerated park facilities and sports pitches. The finished development created a hub of sporting amenities for physical and mental wellbeing and a community space where people could come together for cultural celebrations, start innovative enterprises and hold community events. The new Bull Lane Park featured extensive tree-planting, a large children’s play area, an outdoor gym and a new cycle route. Phase two brought more than 200 new homes for council tenants by November 2029, including many family-sized homes and 21 wheelchair-adapted homes for residents who struggled to find suitable housing. The scheme supported the Council’s target to build more than 3,000 genuinely affordable high-quality council homes by 2031. The homes and spaces on the Selby site were designed to high sustainability and energy efficiency standards. The site also included a commercial unit for a small local convenience store.

It was explained that the project would make a significant contribution to the aims and objectives set out in the Council’s ‘Shaping Tottenham’ strategy, serving as a beacon of excellence for urban living that enhanced North Tottenham as a destination for sports and leisure and healthy living in a sustainable environment. Selby Urban Village was expected to emerge as an exemplar of how placemaking could work for existing and new residents.

In response to comments and questions from Councillor Cawley-Harrison, the following information was shared:

• Officers explained that the Greater London Authority (GLA) were supportive of the scheme and that indications were that they would like to see it commenced, noting that they had been part of the development of the scheme and were involved in planning. It was explained any referral to the GLA  ...  view the full minutes text for item 241.

Report of the Corporate Director of Environment and Resident Experience. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment & Transport

The Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment and Transport introduced the report.

It was explained by the Cabinet Member that around 60% of Haringey households did not own a car, rising to 70% in many areas across the east of the borough, and that kerbside space previously allocated to storing cars represented potential for transformation that extended beyond transport.

It was noted that there was a potential for the Council to develop parklets, community gardens, play areas, seating, cycle storage, and green infrastructure. It was additionally noted that the Electric Vehicle Strategy recognised that where people did need cars, those vehicles had to be as clean as possible. The Council had been accelerating the delivery of charging points, ensuring that the transition to electric became accessible regardless of income or housing type.

It was explained that the five kerbside priorities demonstrated how environmental action generated multiple co-benefits: supporting local businesses, enabling active travel, improving bus services, reducing congestion, and building climate resilience. Each represented a step towards neighbourhoods where infrastructure served people, not just vehicles.

It was explained by the Cabinet Member that the Council was building the foundation for communities where getting around became healthier, where local economies thrived, and where public space truly served the public.

In response to comments and questions from Councillors Cawley-Harrison, the following information was shared:

• Officers explained that they would be undertaking a review of the accuracy of maps and street level assessments. It was explained that this would be the first time that the Council would be undertaking such a detailed exercise.
  
  
• It was explained by officers that any demands on the kerbside that would be made by businesses would be balanced appropriately across the whole network.
  
  
• It was explained that there had been a £25 million investment from central government for kerbside electric vehicle charging, which had been welcomed as a support for the development of the pilot for electric vehicle charging.
  
  
• It was explained that the Council was undertaking work on the improvement of kerbside gullies.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Noted the feedback received from the initial informal consultation regarding the preparation of the Kerbside Strategy and the Electric Vehicle Strategy.
   
   
2. Approved the draft Kerbside Strategy and Electric Vehicle Strategy for public consultation, subject to no consultation commencing until after the conclusion of the call-in period following this decision.
   
   

That the Leader:

1. Agreed to allocate to the Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment and Transport and Cabinet Member for Resident Services and Tackling Inequality the decision to adopt the final Kerbside Strategy and Electric Vehicle Strategy having had due regard to all representations received as part of public consultation.
   
   

Reasons for decision

The Council had committed to developing these new strategies, in alignment with the emerging Safe and Sustainable Transport Strategy, to establish individual, but coordinated, strategic frameworks to:

• Prioritise how kerbside spaces were shaped and used.

• Enable the Council to further develop and enhance its electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

To enable residents and businesses to provide feedback on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 242.

Report of the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Housing & Planning (Deputy Leader)

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, and Deputy Leader of the Council introduced the report.

It was explained that Haringey Council aimed to provide fairer housing across the borough, safe, warm, comfortable, affordable homes for all and that it had a major retrofitting and refurbishment plan for council homes across Haringey. In the Noel Park conservation area, the Council retrofitted hundreds of homes. 103 had already been finished on Farrant Ave, Morley Ave and Moselle Ave, with another 131 on Gladstone Ave getting underway. New roofs, windows, doors and other key upgrades were made to keep homes warm and dry – and to cut the cost of heating them for residents. Affordable homes didn’t just have genuinely affordable council rents; they were made affordable to run – these works helped to bring energy bills down.

It was explained that the Council also fixed up the interiors at the same time in Noel Park, putting in new kitchens and bathrooms – bringing homes up to the Decent Homes standard. This was just one project in the wider mission to get 100% of council homes in Haringey to Decent Homes standard by 2028.

In response to comments and questions from Councillor Cawley-Harrison, the following information was shared:

• Officers explained that the Council was continuously assessing the market to ensure that the delivery of the contract for Noel Park was good value for money.
  
  
• It was explained that would be no increase in costs to leaseholders from any additional works, and that any increased costs from the proposals would be absorbed by the Council.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Approved a variation of the contract with Equans Regeneration Ltd (formerly Engie Regeneration Ltd) by an increasing the Noel Park project budget from £21.46m to £32.2m, an increase of £10.7m; and also approve an increase in the professional fees budget from £847,000 to £1,270,500, an increase of £423,500, to enable the completion of essential Health & Safety and Decent Homes as part of Noel Park project, with funding allocated from the existing Cabinet approved HRA capital investment programme budget.

Reasons for the decision:

Cabinet had approved the award of a contract to Engie (now Equans Regeneration Ltd) to carry out major works on the Noel Park estate following a full procurement process. On completion of the procurement, the Council, through Homes for Haringey, had decided to split the project into two phases:

Phase 1 - 103 tenanted dwellings located on Farrant Avenue, Morley Avenue, Moselle Avenue and on Gladstone Avenue.

Phase 2 - 131 homes on Gladstone Avenue which were occupied by both tenants and leaseholders.

Phase 1 of the Noel Park project had been practically completed at the end of May 2025, with works to 103 properties having been completed.

Phase 2 works had commenced on 88 properties and PODs had been installed in 14 properties. However, works had been suspended pending the approval of additional funding by Cabinet to allow the completion of the project.

Current spend to date for the completion of Phase  ...  view the full minutes text for item 243.

Report of the Corporate Director of Culture, Strategy and Communities. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure introduced the report.

It was explained that being the host borough of culture in London was an opportunity to showcase the rich creativity and culture which was at home in Haringey, showed that the Borough was a home for creatives and artists and enabled young people to see that the creative industry was a place for them to build and have a fulfilling career.

However, the Cabinet Member stressed that there were financial and reputational risks involved and that the Council had worked to mitigate these with a detailed review and planning of delivery options. It was explained that research into previous models used by other boroughs highlighted the need for a bespoke, sustainable, and agile delivery mechanism suited to Haringey’s ambitions and context. The proposed charitable company limited by guarantee model provided and set out the governance arrangements to enable the delivery of London Borough of Culture in Haringey in 2027 aligned with the borough's cultural and community ambitions. It was explained that it also supported legacy-building beyond 2028, allowed for external partnerships and funding not readily available to a Council-hosted programme, and ensured continued Council control through sole membership and board appointment rights, while maintaining appropriate independence and public benefit safeguards.

It was explained that the Articles of Association and Master Collaboration Agreement provided the legal and operational framework for effective partnership and governance between the Council and the Charity and allowed flexibility to wind down or repurpose the Charity following programme completion, subject to the outcome of the 2028 evaluation.

In response to comments and questions from Councillor Cawley-Harrison, the following information was shared:

• Officers explained that the independent members of the Board of the proposed Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee (CCLG) would be supportive and have the expertise to adequately scrutinise the work of the CCLG.
  
  
• It was explained that £800,000 of match funding had been committed by the Council to the project. It was noted that this was new funding, which would not take away from other cultural event funding.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Noted the research and development that had been conducted since the London Borough of Culture 2027 award in March 2024
   
   
2. Approved the implementation of an alternative delivery arrangement, in the form of a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee, for the delivery of the London Borough of Culture 2027 programme for Haringey.
   
   
3. Approved the Council as the sole and founding Member of the Charity.
   
   
4. Approved the adoption of the Articles of Association for the Charity and the Master Collaboration Agreement between the Council and the Charity, set out in Appendices 1 and 2 respectively.
   
   
5. Delegated the mobilisation, deployment and operations of the Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee to the Corporate Director of Culture, Strategy and Communities.
   
   
6. Agreed to evaluate and assess the realisation of the co-designed objects of the Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee, via regular monitoring through the proposed governance outlined in this report, and to receive a report no later than December 2028 enabling  ...  view the full minutes text for item 244.

Report of the Corporate Director of Environment and Resident Experience. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment & Transport

The Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment and Transport introduced the report.

It was explained that the proposed strategy demonstrated the commitment to transforming how the Council thought about waste, moving from a linear 'take-make-dispose' model to a truly circular economy where materials were kept in use for as long as possible. It was explained that the Council was already making progress: through Community Fund supporting grassroots repair initiatives, expanding networks of specialist recycling services, ReUse Shop at King's Road, and education programmes at the new EcoPark House.

It was explained that the Council aimed to double the amount of material reused through our Reuse and Recycling Centres, reduce avoidable food waste and recyclable materials in residual waste by 50%, and achieve zero waste to landfill by 2040. These were stretching targets that reflected the urgency of the climate emergency.

In response to comments and questions from Councillors Ovat and Cawley-Harrison, the following information was shared:

• Officers explained that the 50% recycling rate target of the North London Joint Waste Strategy was contained and mirrored within the London Environment Strategy.
  
  
• It was explained by officers that the types of waste from households had changed significantly since COVID, noting that the weight of waste had decreased and that packaging size had decreased, which would necessitate a change in how the service worked.
  
  
• It was explained that the Strategy would look at ways to reduce waste at source and look at the potential to encourage repair and reuse, as part of a circular economy.
  
  
• It was explained that there was a comprehensive schools plan as part of the strategy which would work to educate children to promote recycling.
  
  
• It was explained that the authority were undertaking food waste trials for flats above shops; it was explained that different pilot methods were being used to identify the best way of disposing of food. Officers highlighted that there were multiple different solutions which were being trialled and suggested.
  
  
• It was explained that the waste incinerator utilised by the authority was one of the cleanest in the UK. It was additionally stressed that, without that incinerator, the Council would be required to utilise other provision, which would further increase the Council’s carbon footprint, and increase costs.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Approved the draft North London Joint Waste Strategy;
   
   
2. Delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Environment and Resident Experience to agree minor changes to the strategy as appropriate.
   
   

Reasons for the decision

It was a requirement under section 32 of the Waste and Emissions Act 2003 for waste authorities for a two-tier area to have had a joint strategy for the management of municipal waste (household waste and business waste collected by the local authority, and waste which was similar in nature and composition to household waste, as required by the Landfill Directive).

The most recent JWS covered the period 2004 to 2020. That strategy largely focused on finding a solution for residual waste disposal infrastructure in north London, which had since been agreed upon through  ...  view the full minutes text for item 245.

Report of the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Housing & Planning (Deputy Leader)

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, and Deputy Leader of the Council introduced the report.

It was explained that Housing services had undertaken a range of work to improve services for residents through the Housing Improvement Plan, where there had been improved performance for the repairs service from the impact of the work carried out. Although the outcomes of these improvements were being seen, it was important to continue to reevaluate how services were delivered to ensure the Council was equipped to deliver the best service it could for residents.

It was explained that the proposals highlighted the need to deliver a responsive and high-quality repairs service that was cost efficient, which was also echoed by the Consumer Standard requirements set by the Regulator of Social Housing.

The Cabinet Member explained that there was a need to undertake an options appraisal to be completed for different delivery models of the repairs and voids service, so that the scope for improvement was not limited and the Council could ensure the delivery of a high-quality repairs and voids service that was cost-efficient and offered value for money.

In response to comments and questions from Councillor Cawley-Harrison, the following information was shared:

• It was explained that there were some internal costs from the proposals, but these were justified based on condition of properties and higher internal specifications.
  
  
• Officers explained that the service had a six-month long timescale to undertake detailed analysis of the delivery of repairs and voids.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Approved an options appraisal on the Direct Labour Organisation (DLO) of Haringey’s Repairs & Voids Service and consider alternative delivery model options.
   
   
2. Noted that the options appraisal would consider performance management and cost control arrangements currently in place and provide recommendations for further enhancements or revisions, and/or where such arrangements should be realigned as part of any alternative delivery model options proposed.
   
   

Reasons for the decision:

When considering the findings of the high-level review, it was evident that there were further improvements needed to the Council’s repairs service for both responsive repairs and voids in order to provide a good value service for its tenants and leaseholders.

The review identified that the cost of the repairs service for both repairs and voids was high when compared to the wider industry costs. On average it would have been expected to see an average repairs job value of between £140 and £170, however Haringey’s average repairs job value was between £305 and £337. The same applied for voids, in that the average void refurbishment job value for the wider industry was £3,000 to £3,500 and Haringey’s average void job value was between £8,297 and £9,068.

There were considerations however that could have explained part of the difference in these costs, for example where Haringey’s specification might have been of a higher standard than of the average registered provider, as this was not factored into the review.

In relation to productivity, the review identified that the average number of repairs per operative per day was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 246.

Report of the Corporate Director of Environment and Resident Experience. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Resident Services & Tackling Inequality.

The Cabinet Member for Resident Services and Tackling Inequality introduced the report.

It was explained that the maintenance and improvement street lighting played a key part in ensuring the safe movement of all road users and that street lighting reduced accident risk by improving visibility for pedestrians and drivers. Well-lit streets also deterred crime, making them safer for everyone.

It was explained that the proposals recommended the extension of the Street Lighting Term Maintenance Contract to continue to ensure the ongoing cost-effective delivery of the Council’s planned and reactive street lighting works. It was also noted that the proposed extension also allowed the Council to align the expiry of this contract with the wider Highways Contract to allow the Council to pursue greater efficiencies when retendering those services.

In response to comments and questions from Councillors Hakata and Cawley-Harrison, the following information was shared:

• It was noted by Cabinet Members that reductions in carbon emissions by the Council were partly down to investments into energy efficiency in street lighting.
  
  
• There were concerns raised regarding contract extension and whether Council is getting the best value for money. It was explained by officers that the Council was undertaking work to ensure that procurement exercises were all good value for money. It was stressed that the contract to extend street lighting provision was well considered and that it was value for money.
  
  

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Approved the extension of the existing Street Lighting Term Maintenance Contract awarded to Marlborough Highways Ltd for the maintenance of the Council’s street lighting assets for a period from 1st October 2025 to 30th June 2027 at an estimated total value of around £2.8m over the extension period.

Alternative options considered:

The Council could have considered retendering the contract to test the market. However, besides the significant cost of the procurement exercise, there was limited value in such an option having regard to the following factors:

Potential disruption to the synergy benefit that had been achieved through the delivery of both street lighting and highway works contracts by a single contractor operating from the same depot within the borough.

Relative competitiveness of the initial tender – the tender evaluations had revealed at that time that overall, in a combination of price and quality, the successful contractor had achieved an overall margin of 4% over the nearest competitor. In terms of pricing, the contract had secured a price margin of 7.5%.

Current uncertainties within the market might have led contractors to perceive greater risks when tendering. This would likely have been reflected in inflated prices received in any new tendering round.

The strategy had been for the highways and street lighting contracts to be let in parallel timelines and therefore a percentage reduction option for the award of both contracts might have been afforded. A tendered short contract of two years for lighting was unlikely to attract competitive pricing.

To note the minutes of the following:

Cabinet Member Signing

29 May 2025 - Osborne Road, Bin Chute & Variation of Surveying Contracts

10 June 2025 - Borough Wide Kitchen & Bathroom Modernisation & Associated Works (2025-2027)

10 June 2025 - Award of contract for the provision of Positive Behaviour Support Service - Care and Support for Person B

The minutes of other bodies were discussed.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of other bodies were noted.

As per item 3.

There were none.

Note from the Committees Manager

Item 22 allows for consideration of exempt information in relation to item 12.

TO RESOLVE

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as item 22 contains 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.

RESOLVED:

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

Exempt appendix relating to item 12.

The exempt report was discussed

RESOLVED:

The exempt report was noted.

As per item 3.

There was none.