Agenda and decisions

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. 

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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.

To receive any apologies for absence.

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 23 below. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at Item 29 below).

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.

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

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.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2026 as a correct record.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

For Cabinet to note (if any).

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

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Noted the content of the Section 25 Statement provided by the Corporate Director for Finance and Resources (Appendix 11).

2.    Considered the outcome of the budget consultation to be included in the report to Council (Appendix 3).

3.    Noted the content of the Cumulative Equality Impact Assessment for 2026/27 (Appendix 5).

4.    Approved the responses made to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommendations following their consideration of the draft budget proposals (Appendix 4).

5.    Proposed approval to the Council of the 2026/27 Budget and MTFS 2026/31 Budget, new budget requirements and savings proposals (Appendices 1 and 2 a–f).

6.    Proposed approval to the Council of the 2026/27 General Fund Revenue Budget as set out in Appendix 1, including specifically a General Fund budget requirement of £343.4m, but subject to final decisions of the levying and precepting bodies and the final local government finance Settlement.

7.    Proposed approval to the Council of the General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2026/2031 (Appendix 1).

8.    Proposed approval to the Council that the overall Haringey element of Council Tax set by the London Borough of Haringey for 2026/27 would be £1,803.26 per Band D property, representing a 2.99% increase on the 2025/26 Haringey element and with an additional 2% for the Adult Social Care Precept amount.

9.    Noted the Council Tax Base of the London Borough of Haringey, as agreed by the Section 151 Officer under delegated authority (Article 4.01(b), Part 2, of the Constitution), as 80,924 for the financial year 2026/27 (Appendix 6).

10. Proposed approval to the Council of the General Fund Capital Programme 2026/27 to 2030/31 (Appendix 7).

11. Proposed approval to the Council of the strategy on the use of flexible capital receipts to facilitate the delivery of efficiency savings, including utilisation for redundancy costs (Appendix 8).

12. Noted the Capitalisation Policy (Appendix 9).

13. Noted the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2026/27 for approval by Council (Appendix 10).

14. Proposed approval to the Council of the 2026/27 Minimum Revenue Provision policy (Appendix 10, Annex C).

15. Proposed to the Council the Dedicated Schools Budget (DSB) allocations for 2026/27 of £149.8m as set out in Table 16 and paragraph 14.2.

16. Noted the funding distributed to primary and secondary schools for 2026/27 based on the figures advised to Schools Forum and submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) in January 2026, as set out in Section 14.

17. Noted the budgets (including the use of brought forward DSG) for the Schools Block, Central Services Block, High Needs Block and Early Years Block, as set out in Table 16.

18. Delegated to the Director of Children’s Services, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families, authority to amend the Delegated Schools Budget to take account of any changes to Haringey’s total schools funding allocation by the DfE.

19. Delegated to the Section 151 Officer, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services,  ...  view the full decision text for item 9.

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

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Noted the proposed Capital Strategy 2026–2036 (Appendix A) and agree to recommend that Full Council approve and adopt the strategy as the Council’s overarching framework for capital investment, financing and governance.

2.    Noted that the Strategy would be reviewed annually alongside the MTFS and TMSS and reported to Cabinet and Full Council.

3.    Endorsed the Capital Framework and governance arrangements.

Reasons for decision

The Capital Strategy set out the Council’s statutory responsibility to define a clear approach for capital investment and financing. The 2026–2036 strategy built on previous iterations to reinforce affordability, prudence and sustainability in line with the CIPFA Prudential Code. It underpinned financial resilience by aligning the Council’s strategic objectives with the Treasury Management Strategy to provide a coherent framework supporting investment in delivering the Borough Vision 2035 outcomes through the Capital Programme.

The Strategy provided a framework for long?term investment, setting out an evidence?led approach to allocating limited capital resources to projects that fulfilled the Council’s legal and health and safety obligations, met contractual commitments and, where affordable, delivered its strategic priorities. It responded to significant financial challenges, including:

Rising inflation and higher interest rates, which had significantly increased the cost of borrowing and future debt?servicing pressures.
Continuing growth in demand for housing, adult social care and temporary accommodation.
Limited government funding, alongside the use of Exceptional Financial Support (EFS), which was used to fund immediate budget pressures but increased long?term revenue commitments through higher capital financing costs and long?term debt for the Council.

In this context, the Capital Strategy set out a disciplined approach to capital investment, prioritising schemes essential for the delivery of statutory services, health and safety compliance and the reduction of long?term revenue pressures. A significant proportion of the capital programme was funded through borrowing, and the year?on?year increase needed to be reversed to protect the Council’s financial sustainability and ensure affordability within prudential limits.

The Strategy brought together the Housing Revenue Account and the General Fund into a single strategic portfolio view for governance and reporting, while fully maintaining statutory and ring?fencing requirements.

It embedded robust business planning, risk management and benefits?realisation arrangements, strengthening transparency and confidence in decision?making. By prioritising affordability while retaining flexibility, the Strategy supported long?term financial sustainability and enabled the Council to respond effectively to changing economic conditions and strategic priorities.

Financing and Affordability

The Capital Strategy, alongside the Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS) and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), set the parameters for a financially sustainable capital programme. Borrowing had to remain within approved prudential limits, with the Council prioritising external grant funding, ringfenced Housing Revenue Account resources and capital receipts before undertaking prudent borrowing in accordance with the Prudential Code. The Council remained within its approved prudential limits set out in the Treasury Management Strategy Statement elsewhere on the agenda, but debt levels were high compared to others, and the capital  ...  view the full decision text for item 10.

Report of the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources (S151 Officer). To be presented Cabinet Member for Housing & Planning (Deputy Leader)

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Recommended the Housing Revenue Account 2026/27 Budget and 2026/27 to 2030/31 Business Plan for approval by Full Council at its meeting on 2 March 2026.

Reasons for decision

The Council must legally set a balanced HRA budget and have a sustainable HRA Business Plan to ensure that it is able to manage and maintain its homes, provide services to tenants and leaseholders and build much needed new Council homes.

Alternative options considered

Not applicable

Report of the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources (S151 Officer). To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Housing & Planning (Deputy Leader)

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approved the disposal of nine open?market sale units on the terms and in accordance with the Sales Strategy set out in paragraph 7 of this report.

2.    Granted delegated authority to the Delivery Director and the Section 151 Officer, the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources, to dispose of each of the nine sale properties as part of the development at 100 Woodside Avenue, as shown in the Exempt Part of this report, for the total capital receipt set out in the Exempt Part, and to approve the final terms of the disposal, and to enter into the contract and any associated documentation in connection with the disposal.

3.    Granted delegated authority to the Delivery Director of Housing Delivery and the Section 151 Officer, the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources, to make minor amendments to the Sale Strategy at paragraph 7 of this report.

4.    Approved the increased budget as set out in the Exempt Part of this report.

Reasons for decision:

Haringey had an ambitious and successful council?house building programme which, since its launch in 2018, had already delivered 840 new completed council homes, with the vast majority welcoming new tenants and their families in the previous 18 months. Separately, more than 1,500 homes were under construction. This important programme made a valuable and central contribution to addressing the pressing need for genuinely affordable accommodation in Haringey and reducing the overall costs of temporary accommodation.

The scheme at 100 Woodside Avenue, where construction had been under way for more than a year, would deliver 32 new council homes in the west of the borough (Muswell Hill), as well as nine homes for market sale. The sale of these homes would cross?subsidise the 32 council homes, bringing financial viability to the whole scheme.

The Council had already received consent to dispose of the nine homes for market sale at its Cabinet meeting on 8 November 2022 (Minute 83). The Cabinet report of November 2022 approved the disposal of the leasehold interests in the nine market?sale units: seven flats on 125?year leases and two houses on 999?year leases. This report now sought authority to dispose of the leasehold interest in the seven flats on 999?year leases and the freehold interest in the two houses due to better marketability.

The proposed disposal of nine units—two houses (freehold disposals) and seven flats (999?year leases)—was permitted under paragraph A.3.1 of the General Housing Consent 2013. These consents related to disposals of HRA properties under section 32 of the Housing Act 1985 and permitted a local authority, subject to certain limitations not applicable to this transaction, to dispose of land for a price equal to its market value.

As the homes were within 12 months of completion, the Council needed to finalise an agreed sales strategy and sale mechanism that would allow sales within the housing development programme to follow a similar approach.

The  ...  view the full decision text for item 12.

Report of the Corporate Director of Children's Services (Statutory DCS). To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Children, Schools & Families

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Noted that no responses were received during the consultation period, which ran from 27 November 2025 to 15 January 2026. The anticipated reasons for this outcome were outlined from paragraph 7.7.

2.    Noted the equalities impact assessment of the proposals on protected groups at Appendix 7.

3.    Agreed the recommendation set out in the report to proceed with the proposal to reduce the published admission number (PAN) for the primary and secondary schools listed in Table 1 from September 2027.

4.    Agreed the Council’s admission arrangements for the academic year 2027/28 as set out in Appendices 1–4.

5.    Agreed Haringey’s fair access protocol as set out in Appendix 5 to come into force from 1 March 2026.

6.    Agreed that the determined arrangements for all maintained primary and secondary schools in the borough were published on the Council’s website by 15 March 2025, with an explanation of the right of any person or body, under the School Admissions (Admission Arrangements and Co?ordination of Admission Arrangements) Regulations 2012, to object to the Schools Adjudicator in specified circumstances.

Reasons for decision:

In common with many London authorities, Haringey had been experiencing a decrease in demand for reception school places for several years. The reasons for the declining numbers were multifaceted and included falling birth rates, changes to welfare benefits, the housing crisis, increases in the cost of living, the loss of the right of entry and freedom of movement for EU nationals (Brexit), and families leaving London during the Covid?19 pandemic. Many of these factors remained outside the Council’s control and were not the fault of the schools or their leadership.

A report on Managing School Places and Admissions in London, published by London Councils in February 2025, provided wider context and independent analysis of the issue.

While recent focus had largely been on reducing primary school capacity, forecast demand for secondary school places was also declining. Year 7 intake was projected to fall below the notional capacity of 2,628 places by the end of the decade. In response, some reductions in secondary capacity had already been implemented to support the sustainability of the school estate and to ensure provision aligned with projected demand.

From 2026, Year 7 capacity reduced to 2,544 places, helping to manage surplus provision. This revised figure reflected permanent reductions at Heartlands High School (from 240 to 210 in 2025) and planned reductions at Hornsey School for Girls and Park View in 2026, to 135 and 189 places respectively. Further reductions might be necessary to maintain a balanced and efficient secondary school estate.

As previously mentioned, several secondary schools referenced in the report adjusted their Published Admission Numbers (PAN) to reflect changes in class?size models. Some reduced PANs to move from 27 to 30 pupils per class. These schools had agreed with staff unions to increase class sizes from 27 to 30 pupils, in line with Department for Education (DfE) guidance, which recognised  ...  view the full decision text for item 13.

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

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approved the preparation and submission of a hybrid planning application for the Station Road sites, comprising a detailed planning application for the Western End (40 Cumberland Road and 48 Station Road) and an outline planning application for the Eastern End (River Park House, Alexandra House, 38 Station Road, 5 River Park Road and the adjacent car park), including all preparatory and consequent steps required to enable planning permission to be granted, such as undertaking public engagement and paying fees and costs connected with the hybrid planning application.

2.    Approved the procurement of a series of commissions, including a multi?disciplinary professional team, to prepare and submit the hybrid planning application and all costs relating to the submission of the application, with an upper cost limit of £4,180,000, with £2,270,000 funded by the Housing Revenue Account and £1,910,000 by the General Fund, as set out within the Exempt Portion (Appendix 2) of this report.

3.    Delegated the appointment of the multi?disciplinary professional team to the Director of Culture, Strategy and Communities following completion of the competitive procurement exercise within the cost limit set out in the table in Chapter 3 of the Exempt Portion (Appendix 2) of this report.

4.    Approved the Incorporation of the Western End of the Station Road sites (40 Cumberland Road and 48 Station Road) into the Housing Delivery Programme at Gateway 0.

Reasons for decision:

In 2017, the Station Road sites were designated for mixed?use redevelopment within the adopted Site Allocations DPD 2017.

In 2023, Cabinet approved the Shaping Wood Green vision. Shaping Wood Green had been developed through extensive engagement with local communities. It identified the Station Road sites as a key placemaking area offering a major opportunity to catalyse a generational transformation of Wood Green town centre and attract new uses and investment to diversify the town centre economy, create new jobs and deliver new homes. The Council’s role in delivering this change was unique given its landownership and ability to convene local stakeholders.

The Station Road sites subsequently formed part of the ‘Wood Green Central’ site allocation (WG SA01) within the Haringey Local Plan Regulation 18 draft, which had been subject to public consultation in November and December 2025. The site allocation identified the redevelopment of this land as suitable for the creation of a new mixed?use area with tall and mid?rise buildings and a welcoming public realm, acting as a catalyst for broader transformation within Wood Green through delivering new homes, town centre and employment floorspace, community and cultural uses at ground floor level and a new green public square.

Haringey 2035 set a vision for the whole borough with six calls to action. Redevelopment of the Station Road sites provided an opportunity for the Council to contribute to the following:

• Providing safe and affordable housing in Haringey.
• Creating thriving places, by:
– maximising the use of existing assets,
– creatively sharing spaces and  ...  view the full decision text for item 14.

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

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approved Haringey Community Collaborative’s priorities for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) for 2025–2026 (Appendix 1).

2.    Approved the Council’s approach to supporting the sector’s delivery of these priorities through the implementation of the VCS Action Plan, while beginning work during 2026/27 to explore co?creation of a Community Strategy for Haringey (Appendix 2).

Reasons for decision

HCC’s priorities (Appendix 1) had been developed through a series of engagement sessions with the VCS, building on their experience of supporting the sector over approximately the previous 18 months. Two VCS Priorities Workshops were run (in person and online), engaging 42 VCS participants and 23 statutory partners, and the borough?wide survey run by HCC had 52 organisational responses. This engagement achieved more depth and breadth than the Council would have been capable of delivering with its current resources and utilised the trusting relationship formed between HCC and the wider sector since it took on the role of capacity?building partner.

In identifying its priorities for the VCS, HCC had considered alignment with the six Calls to Action in Haringey 2035: Our Vision, the borough?wide vision for the next ten years, and had been explicit in highlighting the connections between the two.

The VCS Action Plan at Appendix 2 set out the work deemed necessary to support the VCS in delivering against the priorities identified by HCC.

The VCS Action Plan responded directly to the six priorities using a theory?of?change approach and noted existing work and frameworks to ensure that current knowledge, resources and relationships were utilised and duplication avoided. The actions aimed to dovetail efforts to improve relationships and governance arrangements with the VCS—such as the Social Value Leases Policy—with the needs outlined in the priorities, such as better access to community spaces to improve health and wellbeing.

The report also highlighted the emerging national framework governing relationships between the VCS and public authorities and the need for Haringey to develop a more holistic picture of the different relationships and interactions the Council held with elements of the local VCS. It outlined a strategic intention over the coming years, building on community engagement and opportunities likely to arise from, for example, the London Borough of Culture year in 2027/28, to explore the development of a broader Community Strategy for Haringey in partnership with the VCS.

Alternative options considered:

Progressing with a VCS Strategy designed and developed solely by the Council had been considered but was not recommended due to the shift in relationship being sought between the Council and the VCS under the principles of the Haringey Deal. A Council?designed strategy would have been shaped primarily by the Council’s perspective, whereas the approach suggested—using HCC’s VCS priorities to frame Council actions—allowed the work to be led by the needs of the VCS as described by the sector itself. A strategy?development process would also have required significant officer resource to run adequate engagement across  ...  view the full decision text for item 15.

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

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approved, pursuant to Contract Standing Orders 2.01(b), the commencement of a tendering process for a construction works contractor to deliver the Phase 2a new hub building within Down Lane Park.

Reasons for decision:

The appointment of a Principal Contractor to take over the design and build of the project from RIBA Stage 4 was required for Phase 2a, the construction of a new community hub building as part of the Down Lane Park Improvement Scheme, which was being delivered as part of the wider Tottenham Hale regeneration programme.

This project would comprehensively upgrade Down Lane Park as a core component of the broader Tottenham Hale regeneration programme, while also addressing current challenges and issues such as anti?social behaviour. It would deliver a new vision for the park, providing a high?quality central green space at Tottenham Hale that catered for the future requirements of all residents and visitors.

Phase 2a, as part of the wider scheme, would replace the existing Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) offer currently housed in the Pavilion building, which was being demolished to make way for new sports courts in Phase 3. A purpose?built new community hub and parks depot building would be located on the former Parks Depot site and would also include a new entrance into the hub from Park View Road.

It was proposed to procure a contractor on a single?stage design?and?build form of contract using the London Construction Programme General Framework or DPS. Soft?market engagement had been undertaken to gauge interest and availability within the market, and positive feedback had been received regarding the proposed approach.

Alternative options considered:

Do nothing – The Council could have chosen not to tender the scheme. However, part of the works was funded by Section 106 contributions from surrounding developments, and not progressing would have placed this funding at risk.

In?house delivery – This was not feasible as the Council did not have the capacity, specialist expertise or qualifications required to deliver this service.

Invite open tenders via Contracts Finder – This option would have resulted in a protracted tender period and delayed project delivery.

Use an alternative public?sector DPS – This would not have complied with Contract Standing Order 8.02, given that the LCP Framework or DPS had already been deemed suitable for the requirements.

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

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Noted the findings from the consultation and stakeholder?engagement work and that these informed the development of the strategy and actions.

2.    Approved the development and publication of the Haringey Toilet Strategy and action plan (Appendix 1).

3.    Noted and thanked the contributions of residents from the Loos for Haringey group in helping identify the need for the strategy and supporting its development.

Reasons for decision:

The strategy set out twenty actions to support the continued improvement and management of toilet facilities in the borough. All actions had been reviewed and agreed by the Toilet Strategy Delivery Group, which was a cross?council officer group supported by residents from Loos for Haringey. Best?practice guidance had been sought from other teams, including equalities and diversity, to ensure that the recommendations were evidence?based.

Recommendations were developed around the five strategic priorities in the strategy to address key cross?cutting issues:

• Location of public toilets and gaps in provision
• Planning and transport
• Safety and hygiene
• Inclusive access
• Communication and signage

By approving the Haringey Toilet Strategy, the Council aimed to:

• Improve the overall standard of existing and planned toilets in Haringey, particularly in Tottenham and the east of the borough where “loo deserts” existed.
• Address gaps in toilet provision to ensure future facilities were suitably located in areas of greatest need, such as parks, green spaces and shopping centres.
• Ensure integration of toilet provision into the Council’s wider planning and transport agenda, for example through the new Local Plan for Haringey and through links with key organisations such as Transport for London and the NHS.
• Provide more inclusive access for user groups with diverse needs, including older residents, people with long?term conditions and parents/families.
• Improve the provision of Changing Places facilities for people with multiple and complex disabilities.
• Help tackle wider public?health issues such as loneliness and social isolation, where some people felt unable to leave their homes due to a lack of adequate facilities.
• Improve safety and address anti?social behaviour, including graffiti and street urination, where these had been identified as concerns.
• Support the objectives set out in key plans and strategies such as Haringey 2035 – Our Vision, to create a thriving place and tackle inequalities in health and wellbeing.

Alternative options considered:

Do nothing: leaving toilet facilities as they were. This was not considered a feasible option because:

• A lack of accessible and clean facilities risked worsening public?health issues such as loneliness and social isolation, as some residents might have chosen not to leave their homes due to insufficient facilities.
• Clean and accessible toilet facilities were crucial for economically successful and inclusive high streets across Haringey.

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

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approved the commencement of a procurement exercise in accordance with Contract Standing Order (CSO) 2.01(b) for the new?build development of 61 council homes at High Road West, Phase 1A, for the anticipated total contract sum set out in the exempt report.

2.    Delegated the appropriate route to market for High Road West, Phase 1A to the Chief Procurement Officer in compliance with the Council’s Contract Standing Orders.

Reasons for decision:

These recommendations enabled the re?commencement of the Scheme and facilitated the rehousing of residents on the Love Lane Estate into new permanent homes within the Scheme, in line with the commitments set out in the Love Lane Landlord Offer, which had been the subject of a positive resident ballot. The Council utilised Affordable Housing Grant funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA), already drawn down for the delivery of Phase 1A, helping it meet the milestones within those agreements. These steps created momentum and resulted in meaningful progress on site while work with Lendlease to agree a route forward on subsequent phases continued, with the aim that these would follow the delivery of Phase 1A.

Phase 1A provided 61 council homes on Council?owned land, including M4(3) wheelchair homes and family homes, along with associated refuse stores, cycle stores, service space, amenity space and landscaping. The council homes had been developed with Love Lane residents through engagement dating back to 2018. The site was granted detailed planning permission in August 2022 as part of the hybrid planning application for the Scheme (planning reference HGY/2021/3175), and a subsequent Non?Material Amendment application was approved in July 2023 (planning reference HGY/2022/3937).

Financial appraisals supported by an independent cost consultant demonstrated that the Phase 1A scheme was viable for delivery by the Council and that value for money could be achieved via the procurement route described in the report.

Under the Council’s Contract Standing Orders, item 2.01(b) required Cabinet approval to commence a procurement exercise for proposed contracts valued at £500k or above. The works contract for Phase 1A included the construction of the 61 new?build council homes and the demolition of the existing 100 Whitehall Street building (also known as Whitehall Lodge and located within the Phase 1A red line boundary), which was a Council?owned emergency?accommodation hostel and was due to be decommissioned prior to redevelopment.

The Phase 1A works contract was also planned to include the demolition of the 2–32 Whitehall Street residential block, part of the Love Lane Estate. This block was nearly vacated, and the Council’s rehousing team were working with tenants to relocate households into alternative accommodation within the estate prior to the completion of the new permanent homes at Phase 1A. Demolition of the empty block would improve the environment for residents on the estate and offer opportunities for temporary uses on the site prior to development, benefiting the local community.

Alternative options considered:

Not to proceed with direct delivery  ...  view the full decision text for item 18.

Report of the Corporate Director of Children's Services (Statutory DCS). To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Children, Schools & Families.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approved the revised Scheme of Financial Regulations and Standing Orders for Schools.

2.    Approved the introduction of the £25,000 spending limit control for schools in financial difficulty or schools in Deficit.

Reasons for decision:

The Schools in Financial Difficulty policy has not been updated for a considerable period of time. The attached document revises and updates the regulations and standing orders in line with current Department for Education (DfE) guidance. The updated policy will support schools and the Local Authority to work collaboratively to address and reduce structural deficits.

The role of the Scheme is to set out the financial relationship between the Local Authority and the maintained schools it funds. It describes the requirements relating to financial management and associated processes, and it is binding on both the Local Authority and the schools. The Scheme ensures clarity around responsibilities, decision making, and the standards expected in the management of public funds.

Alternative options considered:

No other options considered as preparation and publication of the Scheme for Financing Schools is a statutory requirement with which local authorities must comply.

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

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approved the acceptance of grant of £1.5m from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in accordance with Contract Standing Order (CSO) 21.01, which required Cabinet approval to accept third?party grants of £500,000 and above.

2.    Approved the increased the approved General Fund capital programme by £1.5m to deliver the schemes set out in section 6 of the report.

3.    Delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Culture, Strategy and Communities to vary the schemes and budgets within the overall grant received.

Reasons for decision:

This investment provided a unique opportunity for the Council to deliver not only on its own corporate priorities but also on the priorities of local people and stakeholders. These priorities had been identified and developed through extensive engagement as part of Shaping Tottenham and Shaping Wood Green, in alignment with the principles outlined within the Haringey Deal.

Alongside physical improvements across the borough, delivering against these priorities built on previous engagement, strengthened relationships between the Council and local people, amplified the needs and voices of seldom?heard communities and enhanced civic pride across the borough.

Approval to accept the grant enabled the Council to begin project delivery and start spending the allocated funding. As the funding carried a spend deadline of March 2027, it was essential that expenditure commenced as soon as possible to ensure that the deadline could be met.

It was likely that unspent funds would need to be repaid to the funder, and approval to accept the funding in February 2026 reduced the risk of this occurring in March 2027.

The first tranche of funding had been received in October 2025 when the Memorandum of Understanding was signed and was being held in a holding account. Approval to accept the grant enabled the funds to be allocated to the relevant project areas so that expenditure could begin.

The allocation against each project was indicative at this stage, and project proposals were high?level and subject to further scoping and refinement. Delegating authority to the Corporate Director of Culture, Strategy and Communities to vary the schemes and budgets within the overall grant allowed any required changes to be made as more detailed information emerged during the process of project refinement.

Alternative options considered:

Do nothing – This option would have resulted in the funding being repaid to MHCLG. The shortlisted projects would not have been delivered, and the opportunity to deliver Council and stakeholder priorities would have been lost.

Make a decision at a later date – The MHCLG funding carried a spend deadline of March 2027. Although shortlisted projects were pre?selected partly on the basis that they could be delivered within this timeframe, a Cabinet decision in February 2026 was required to mitigate the risk of delays and ensure the deadline could be met.

Fund projects using Council borrowing – The Council was not in a financial position to fund these projects itself. Delivery was contingent on  ...  view the full decision text for item 20.

To note the minutes of the following:

Cabinet Member Signing

• 10 Dec 2025 9.45 am - Council Tax Hardship Policy

·       11 Dec 2025 2.00 pm - Direct Payment Peer Support and Personal Care Assistants.

·       19 Jan 2026 1.30 pm - Clear Communal Areas Policy and Garage Allocations Policy

To note the delegated decisions taken by Directors.

As per item 3

Note from the Committees Manager

Items 25, 26, 27, 28 allow for consideration of exempt information in relation to items 12, 14, 16, 18.

TO RESOLVE

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as items 25-30 contain exempt information as defined under paragraph 3, 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).

Relating to item 12.

Relating to item 14

Relating to item 16.

Relating to item 18

To confirm and sign the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2026as a correct record.

As per item 3