Agenda and minutes

There were apologies for absence from Councillor McNamara.

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

There were no items of urgent business.

A Member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a prejudicial interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered:

(i) must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent, and

(ii) may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must withdraw from the meeting room.

A Member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Register of Members’ Interests or the subject of a pending notification must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

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

There were no declarations of interest made.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2014 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2014 be confirmed as a correct record.

There were no deputations, petitions or questions.

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

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

No representations were received.

(Report of the Assistant Director Finance. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Resources and Culture).  The report sets out the forecast financial revenue and capital outturns for 2014/15 based on actual performance to 30 September 2014 and seeks approval of proposed management actions and budget adjustments.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Resources and Culture, which set out the forecast financial revenue and capital outturns for 2014/15 based on actual performance to 30 September 2014 and that also sought approval of proposed management actions and budget adjustments (virements).

In introducing the report Councillor Arthur noted that there were still overspends in Children’s and Adult’s Services and that both himself and the Chief Executive were meeting with relevant Directors on a regular basis to monitor the situation.

In response to a question from the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Elliott, the Assistant Director Finance advised that following the meeting he would provide a written response with regard to the reasons for the forecast under spends in relation to the Green Deal budget; the Planned Preventative Maintenance budget (within the HRA); and the New Sports Hall Roof Project at Hornsey School for Girls. As a general point he noted that in the majority of cases where there were under spends these would be resolved by the end of the financial year.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Social Inclusion and Sustainability, advised that the Department for Climate Change had extended the deadline by which the Green Deal grant had to be spent by three months. The delay in spending this money had been due to the need to procure a supplier. He noted that he would supply a detailed explanation to Councillor Elliott in writing following the meeting.

RESOLVED:

1. That the report and the progress being made against the Council’s 2014/15 budget in respect of net revenue and capital expenditure be noted; and
2. That the budget changes (virements) be approved, and that the transfers to/ from reserves, approved by the Chief Financial Officer, as set out in Appendix 3, be noted.

Alternative options considered

This report proposes that the Cabinet should consider the overall financial position for 2014/15 in line with existing procedures.

A risk based approach to budget monitoring has been developed in order to manage the Council’s finances in a time of economic and financial uncertainty.

Cabinet could choose to adopt a less rigorous regime and examine the financial position at a later stage. Projections could be marginally more accurate if a delayed approach was adopted, but there would be less time for robust development and consideration of management action and virements.

Reasons for decision

Members’ involvement in financial monitoring is an essential part of delivering the Council’s priorities.

The constitution requires Members to approve certain financial transactions such as virements according to approved limits.

(Report of the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration). The report seeks approval of a strategy for community engagement for the Tottenham Regeneration Programme following the publication of the Strategic Regeneration Framework and Delivery Plan in July 2014.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, which sought approval of a strategy for community engagement for the Tottenham Regeneration Programme following the publication of the Strategic Regeneration Framework and Delivery Plan in July 2014.

In introducing the report Councillor Strickland noted that there would be three levels of engagement as part of the proposed approach. The first would support those parts of Tottenham undergoing or preparing for significant physical regeneration and would provide the most intensive level of engagement. The second level of support would include engagement with stakeholder groups and specific project support and the third would include wider engagement such as the proposed annual Tottenham Conference.

One of the Ward Members for Northumberland Park, Councillor John Bevan, noted how impressed he had been with the way staff from both the Council and Homes for Haringey had engaged with residents and tenants affected by regeneration work.

In response to a question from Councillor Elliott, as to whether there would be specific targets put in place to measure how successful the engagement arrangements were, Councillor Strickland advised that as the consultation types varied it would be difficult to apply a single set of measures. However, there were objectives articulated in the report and it was suggested that targets specific to each consultation were put together based on these. 

RESOLVED:

1. That the Council would host an annual Tottenham Conference, together with partners to review programme delivery;

2. That the Council would host and sponsor a range of ‘Tottenham Talks’ events each year for the duration of the Programme;

3. That the Council would continue to support residents and businesses affected by current and future programmes (including estate renewal) in North Tottenham, Tottenham Hale, Seven Sisters and Bruce Grove; and

4. That the Council would continue to encourage all residents of the Tottenham Regeneration area to engage via the dedicated website and social media.

Alternative options considered

While it may be possible to deliver a programme as extensive as that for Tottenham without serious community engagement, without the proposals set out in the report, project implementation and Council credibility would inevitable be seriously compromised.

Reasons for decision

There is a need to agree on-going community and stakeholder engagement following Council approval of the Strategic Regeneration Framework and Delivery Plan earlier in the year.

(Report of the Interim Chief Operating Officer. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration). The report sets out the principles guiding the Preferred Partner Agreement and the use of Right to Buy money in order to provide grant funding for new developments.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, which set out the principles guiding the Preferred Partner Agreement (PPA) and the use of Right to Buy (RTB) money in order to provide grant funding for new developments.

In introducing the report Councillor Strickland noted that the proposals would see the Council develop a new relationship with a smaller number of registered providers whose work complimented the Council’s strategic objectives. The PPA would also set out guidelines around the use of RTB money in order to ensure that RTB receipts were used within the three year deadline set by the Government.

In response to a question from Councillor Bevan Councillor Strickland advised that wherever possible RTB receipts would be used for the provision of social housing and that the proposals set out in the report were intended to help facilitate this.   Cllr Bevan further expressed concern about RTB receipts being passed to third parties and suggested alternatives.

RESOLVED:

1. That the report be noted and that the six registered providers selected, as detailed in paragraph 6.4 of the report, as preferred partners, be approved; 

2. That officers be authorised to enter into a formal Preferred Partner Agreement;

3. That delegated authority be given to the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development, after consultation  with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, to agree the terms of the Preferred Partner Agreement;

4. That approval be given for the use of the retained right to buy receipts to part fund Council acquisition programme of former Council owned properties sold under the right to buy;

5. That delegated authority be given to the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development,  after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, to agree the details of a Council acquisition programme subject to confirmation from the Council’s Chief Finance Officer that the scheme represents value for money;

6. That approval be given to the principle of using the Council's retained right to buy receipts as grant funding for the preferred partners as one option to provide additional affordable housing for rent both through an acquisitions programme and new build programme;

7. That, subject to the Council's Financial Regulations, approval of grant funding to preferred partners would be delegated to the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development up to the approved limit of £500,000; and

8. That it be noted that, where any proposed grant funding exceeds the Director’s approved delegated limit of £500,000, a separate report would be submitted to Cabinet for approval in accordance with the Council's Financial Regulations.

Alternative options considered

This report covers two distinct but related issues.  First, the introduction of a Preferred Partner Framework and Agreement, and second, the use of Right to Buy receipts to provide grant funding to our preferred partners to maximise the development of affordable housing in the borough.   

The Council already has a generic Partnership Agreement in place with all registered providers in the borough and could continue to rely on this as the mechanism through which to manage the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 765.

(Report of the Interim Chief Operating Officer. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Resources and Culture). The report seeks approval of an award of contract for the provision of Facilities Management Services for Council Buildings.

Exempt information pertaining to the report is set out under Item 14 below.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

To note the minutes of the following:

Cabinet Member Signing - 21 October 2014

Decision by the Leader – 3 November 2014

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meetings set out below be noted:

a)    Cabinet Member Signing - 21 October 2014

b)    Decision by the Leader – 3 November 2014

There were no new items of urgent business.

Note from the Head of Local Democracy and Member Services

Items 14 and 15 allow for the consideration of exempt information in relation to Items 10 and 2 respectively.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the items below contain exempt information, as defined under paragraphs 3 and 5, Part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

No exclusion was necessary as Item 14 ‘Provision of Facilities Management Services for Council Buildings’, which contained exempt information, was withdrawn from the agenda.

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 10 above.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

There were no new items of exempt urgent business.