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 Leader referred to agenda item 1, as shown on the agenda in respect of filming at the meeting and Members noted this information.

There were apologies for absence from Cllr Hearn.

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

There were no items of urgent business.

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 [20] : 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.

There were no representations received at the agenda publication stage in relation to the exempt items on the agenda.

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 put forward.

There are currently no Overview and Scrutiny Committee matters for consideration.

There were no Overview and Scrutiny matters for consideration by Cabinet.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the  Cabinet meeting held on 14^th August 2018 as a correct record.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 14^th of August 2018 were agreed as a correct record of the meeting.

Noted that there had been two late deputations put forward in relation to agenda item 12, designation of Finsbury Park and Stroud Green Neighbourhood Area and Forum. These representations had not been accepted as they did not comply with Committee Standing Orders 29, 30 and 31. The Leader would address the deputation’s main concern which was the exclusion of Finsbury Park from the Neighbourhood Area boundary as part of item 12.

[Report of the Interim Director for  Finance. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance.]

Monitoring report on forecast spend against budget and consideration of any proposed budget virements as at the end of quarter 1.

The Cabinet Member for Finance introduced this budget monitoring report which covered the position at Quarter one (period 3) of the 2018/19 financial year, including Revenue, Capital, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budgets.

The Cabinet Member outlined that the Council, like other local authorities, continued to face budget challenges and the report was forecasting a £6m overspend. This was after an application of £7m from the budget resilience reserve which was set up in the previous financial year in anticipation of savings, at the end of period 3, being harder to deliver. The Council were acting early and applying reserve funding to support the demand led services in Children’s and Adults that were currently overspending and looking for other ways to make the budget balance if needed.

In response to questions, the following was noted:

• Assessment of a 33% delivery of savings, reflected a realistic approach to savings delivery. This was taking account of some savings that had been rolled over from previous years and which were similar savings most Councils were finding hard to deliver. Rather than anticipate a higher delivery, it was appropriate to be realistic about savings delivery and look at other budget areas, at an early stage, to deliver the shortfall if required.
• The whole Council net budget of £235m would form the basis of budget discussions.
• Within the budget discussions, delivering a fair Council Tax reduction scheme to support low income families with Children was a budget priority.
• In terms of the impact of the capital underspend for the Council’s revenue account, the cost of borrowing, that the Council would incur during the year, would be less. There could be impact on business cases and delivery on the proposed capital scheme but this type of situation would usually be highlighted in the compilation of the report and there was nothing significant in regards to this.
• There was a need to make use of the reserves at this stage until the savings can be delivered and new savings available.
• A cut was different to a saving, and across the Council there have been cuts to services over the last 7 years. It could be assessed that the overspends were a symptom of the overall cuts to funding in the borough, including partner’s funding such as the Police. Agreed with the conclusion that the use of the word ‘savings’  should not imply that was money being put aside by the Council.

RESOLVED

1. To note the forecast revenue outturn for the General Fund (GF), including corporate items, of £5.9m overspend post mitigations of £7.5m and consider what remedial actions need to be implemented to bring closer to the approved budget (Section 6, Table 1, and Appendix 1).

2. To note that the final 2017/18 general fund outturn, post completion of the external audit, was an increased overspend of £0.404m compared to the £0.019m reported in the outturn which has been offset against the GF reserve. The 2018/19 brought forward GF reserve balance is now £15.5m  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

[ Report of the Director for Children’s Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Communities, Safety and Engagement]

Further to a report to Cabinet in March 2018 setting out proposals for the establishment of a Youth Zone in the borough, this report will recommend a revised approach, following a review of these proposals.

The Cabinet Member for Communities, Safety and Engagement introduced the report, and drew attention to the key issues associated with the recommendations. It was proposed to rescind the previous decisions taken on the Youth Zone on the basis of a new developing approach, in the borough, to Youth services, responding to the agenda around violent crime and the impact this has on children. This new approach would have emphasis on collaboration with the community and with voluntary sector partners. There was commitment to supporting Youth services through a different budget process to that of the Youth Zone option.

The  Cabinet Member expressed that the proposed Youth Zone model would have been detrimental to the partnership between the Council and Voluntary sector and the decision could have led to an expensive youth centre, which only met a small number of young people’s need and which was in not advantageous in regard to transport connections.

In response to questions from Cllr Adje, Berryman and Morris the following information was noted:

• The Cabinet Member did not recommend going forward with the existing Youth Zone proposal, as it was important to assess having Council strategies in the context of young people’s safety and tackling violent crime. This was a key message highlighted by the Cabinet Member at a number of recent meetings with voluntary sector groups where there has been early discussion about 3 strategies, being worked on. This included a strategy for vulnerable children, Youth services, and the proposed violence reduction strategy which would all correlate and move forward together.

• Furthermore, this work would consider the research from Godwin Lawson foundation and involve further discussions on youth engagement to enable good consultation on these strategies. In summary, the Youth Zone model was not seen as appropriate for how the Council intend to move forward with their Youth services but with the added caveat that Onside’s work in other London boroughs would be looked at as they develop. It was essential to move Youth Services forward whilst listening to young people and the community.

• Early anecdotal feedback from partners, working in close contact, with young people, about on the summer programme, was positive. Extra resources had been worthwhile, resulting in a quiet summer in Haringey. The officer report, reviewing how the summer scheme had worked was due for consideration by the Cabinet Member and would provide more information on how the additional investment had been progressed.

• The funding of the Youth Zone had been earmarked to come from budgets across Children’s services.  The advocated course of action was to preserve the Youth service, strengthening the services, which had been subjected to severe budget reductions. The Council were committed to finding extra resources and were seeking external funding with a bid to the Mayors fund. The time frame for the strategies mentioned above was interlinked and would involve public consultation.

RESOLVED

1. To rescind all previous decisions made relating to a Youth Zone in Haringey, in particular, its establishment, location, funding and the partnership with Onside  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

[Report of the Assistant Director for Commissioning. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal and the Cabinet Member for  Adults and Health]

Cabinet will be asked to approve a lease arrangement  in respect of 332 High Road, Tottenham. to create a single homelessness hub for the borough. The provision will create a bespoke single homelessness hub, providing both advice, support and information on a range of health, wellbeing and housing services and dedicated accommodation units for single homeless (and at risk of) people and rough sleepers.

This report, was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, and sought authority for the Council to take a lease on a property known as 332–334 High Road, Tottenham (“Property”) for use as a co-located Assessment Centre and Hub for single homeless people and those at risk of homelessness. The report recommended to Cabinet acquisition of a lease on a property that will both re-provide the supported housing Assessment Centre and create a unique Assessment and Referral Hub for Single Homeless People.

The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health highlighted that rough sleepers and single homeless people experience some of the worst outcomes of all  the borough’s residents and were more likely to be unemployed, unhealthy, unsafe and at risk of an early death. The proposals in the report aimed to change that outlook and to offer single homeless people and rough sleepers chances to get the right, flexible and person-centred support. By creating a safe and holistic environment for single homeless people in the Hub, the Council would be better able to ensure their accommodation, care and support needs can be met, to offer tools to rebuild valued lives and to reduce the stigma that being homeless brings.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal added that this was a good crosscutting portfolio initiative which deals with the multiple dynamics of a person finding themselves in the severe situation of being homeless. This was a significant issue in the borough and the current rough sleeping health and wellbeing  initiative in Finsbury Park being taken forward by the Council with Islington was commended for its targeted approach . The Cabinet Member was pleased to support this report.

In response to a question from Cllr Morris, the maximum units available was 21 but the hub would support more people to access other available accommodation and support.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree to the Council creating a new service ‘The Single Homelessness Hub’, which will perform the statutory homelessness function for single homeless adults aged 18 years and over, and offer a diverse range of wraparound services to achieve improved outcomes for rough sleepers, homeless women and young people, as well as others. The existing short-stay Assessment Centre service, provided by St Mungo’s Community Housing Association, will be relocated to the same building as the Hub.

2.    To agree to the Council taking two leases (of the ground and upper floors) of the property known as 332-334 High Road, Tottenham at a rent of up to £225,000 per annum for both leases and subject to the Head of Terms, (currently in negotiation) being agreed and subject to any planning permission for change of use; and

3.    To agree to give delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Economic Development and Growth after consultation with the Assistant Director Commissioning to agree the heads of terms and the final terms of the lease;

4.    To agree to the Council to then sublet the upper floors of accommodation in the Property to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

[Report of the Assistant Director for Planning. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council.]

This report seeks Cabinet's approval of officer recommendations on the decision to formally designate the proposed Finsbury Park and Stroud Green Neighbourhood Forum, for the purpose of preparing a neighbourhood development plan.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report, which considered the designation of a Finsbury Park and Stroud Green Neighbourhood Area and a Finsbury Park and Stroud Green Neighbourhood Forum.

The Leader expressed that the Council welcomed neighbourhood planning and local communities taking a leading role in shaping the future of their local area. The Finsbury Park and Stroud Green Neighbourhood Forum would be the third such forum designated in Haringey, following on from those for Highgate and Crouch End. Straddling the boundaries of three local authorities the Forum will have a key role in promoting cross borough working and addressing cross boundary issues. The Council was committed to working with the Forum and neighbouring Councils to facilitate the bringing forward of a neighbourhood plan and to ensure local people could achieve their ambitions for their neighbourhood.

The Leader recognised that the Finsbury Park Working Group was disappointed that the report was recommending adoption of a neighbourhood area, which excluded the area of the Park itself. The reasoning behind this was because the neighbourhood area proposed excluded neighbourhoods that adjoin some boundaries of the Park and it was the Council’s view that this would exclude some communities from making decisions about the Park.

The Leader further drew attention to paragraph 4.4 and 4.5, which set out the reasons for not including the Park in the neighbourhood area. This included the Park’s Regional Park significance and its future being considered important to many neighbourhoods within the three Boroughs and further afield. There was concern that other neighbourhoods within the vicinity of the Park would lose influence and sway over the future of the Park and not have the opportunity for consultation on issues that affect them. The Leader emphasised that Neighbourhood forums areas could not overlap. Potentially, if a similar forum was created in south Harringay, a decision to include the Park in this boundary, would exclude local residents from having any say on a local issue. The Leader further explained that it was for these governance reasons that the Council had the discretion to exclude the Park under the Localism Act 2011, within the guidance –section 61 {g} and section 61 {i}

The Leader drew attention to the recommendation on page 70 which referenced appendix 9, the proposed boundary. This was at page 235 of the pack and this had been incorrectly stamped as appendix 3.

There were questions put forward from Cllr Culverwell and Cllr Morris and the following information noted.

• It was true, that the surrounding Councils would not have made comments about the proposal to change the boundary in their Committee reports. However, the Council had a right, within the law, to make the change as the boundary line was in the borough so it was appropriate that this was only set out in the Haringey report.
• In response to the maintaining good working relationships with Hackney and Islington Councillors, there was a wider meeting about the Park events in the coming weeks. The designation of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

[Report of the Director for Customers, Transformation and Resources. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Civic Services.]

Agreement for corporate landlord capital funds to be allocated to the Hornsey Library project over the next two years to allow essential maintenance works and building fabric improvements to be carried out. Approval is already in place for the internal modifications at Hornsey Library.

The Cabinet Member for Civic Services introduced this report, which recommended revising the scope of the original Hornsey Library scheme to incorporate health & safety improvements and essential building fabric repairs. The existing budget of £1.011m needed to be increased by £2.266 to £3.277m.

The Cabinet Member highlighted that Hornsey Library is a grade ll listed, Council-owned property. It was one of the Council’s three main libraries and an important civic building. The proposed additional capital investment was vital in ensuring the building was in sound structural condition. The capital funds complemented investment in internal refurbishment, and together the whole project should result in a revived library inside and out.

The Cabinet Member continued to refer to the library provision of key services, and contribution to the Council’s corporate priorities. As well as a fine book stock, the library included an exhibition gallery; café area; internal garden and a lovely children’s library. In addition, it provided a home for an amazing collection of musical scores used by orchestras and musicians from around the country.

The library was in a very prominent position, adjacent to Hornsey Town Hall. Renovation of the library will assure its status as a civic institution and would be complemented by the new arts centre being developed as part of the Town Hall renovations.

In response to questions, the following was noted:

·         The funding allocation for other libraries in the borough was set out at section 6.1 of the report. In relation to the flat above Stroud Green library, there was ongoing discussion about how this space could be used. There was a suggestion for residential use and other ideas such as use by writers and artists. The Cabinet Member had met with Friends of Stroud Green library, and was examining how the asset can be utilised and its role as cultural facility extended.

·         In relation to the Capital allocation spending plan for library, the Cabinet Member would check if this includes the ZEN gardens. The Director for Customers, Transformation and Resources advised that there would be some improvement to the public realm outside of the Library and offered to meet with Cllr Morris to talk through the drawings and  proposed plans.

RESOLVED

To approve the virement of £2,266,000 from the Corporate Landlord and Carbon Management budgets over a two-year period. This will allow for critical maintenance; health and safety works and structural and building fabric improvements within Hornsey Library as set out in section 9.1.2 of the report.

Reasons for decision

Hornsey Library is a 55 year old, grade ll listed building. It was designed as a purpose-built working library. The library currently requires a significant amount of maintenance, as it still has many of its original fittings such as the heating system, building fabric (windows, roof and wall cladding), and electrical systems etc. The majority of these are now failing and causing operational and safety issues. There are also accessibility issues to some elements of the building.

The proposed budget increase and associated virement will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

[Report of the Assistant Director for Corporate Governance. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council.]

The report will set out the issues relevant to the use the regulation of investigatory powers and provide an updated policy for approval.

The Leader of the Council introduced this report which informed Cabinet about issues relevant to the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000; and provided a refreshed policy for approval.

RESOLVED

1. To note the use of RIPA by the Council; and

2. To approve the amended RIPA policy at Appendix 1.

Reasons for decision

The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 requires members to be advised about the use of powers under RIPA and to approve the Council’s policy for the use of directed surveillance.

Alternative options considered

Approving this Council policy was a statutory requirement and therefore there were no alternative options to consider.

[Report of the Director for Housing and Growth. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources and Insourcing.]

Approval to enter into a contract for the provision of Water, Wastewater & Ancillary Services for 4 years from April 2018 to March 2022 following a collaborative procurement exercise conducted by the LEP (London Energy Project) in accordance with the Councils Contract Standing Orders.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources and Insourcing introduced the report and reflected on the impact of the privatisation agenda on monopoly industries such as water provision and the situation this had led to with de-regulation and the previous water supplier exiting the retail market and handing over water provision and water waste disposal for the borough to another supplier, Castle Water.

There was proposal to enter into a new contract for the provision of Water, Wastewater & Ancillary Services following a collaborative procurement exercise conducted on behalf of members of the London Energy Project (LEP) and NHS London Procurement Partnership and to award the contract to Anglian Water Business (National) Ltd trading as “Wave” for a period of two years. This would be with an option to extend for a further 2 years.

The Cabinet Member for Civic Serviceshighlighted some of the issues that a school, of whom she was a governor, had encountered with the current supplier and which had not yet been fully resolved. The Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources and Insourcing agreed to investigate progress on these issues.

Cllr Culverwell spoke about a live situation with the current water supplier at a school in his ward, concerning disposal of waste water. The Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families provided assurance that she had already spoken with the Assistant Director for Schools and Learning on this matter and there had been agreement to complete the necessary water works in the October half term. The Cabinet Member for Children and Families would provide a further written response to Cllr Culverwell, after the meeting.

RESOLVED

1. To award the contract for the Provision of Water, Wastewater and Ancillary Services to Anglian Water Business (National) Ltd trading as “Wave” (on the basis that it represents best overall value for money, following a thorough evaluation of quality and price) as permitted under CSO 7.01(b) in accordance with CSO 9.07.1(d) for a total sum of £3.1m. The contract is for two years with an option to extend for another two years if needed.

2. To delegate authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration, and Planning to undertake all necessary actions to enable the contract to be awarded to Anglian Water Business (National) Ltd trading as “Wave” under Lot 3 of the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework Agreement RM3790. These actions are detailed within Appendix 2.

Reasons for decision

Under the Water Act 2014, Haringey Council are required to appoint a contractor for a Water Retailer and to do so in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PRC 2015). This contract is required to deliver Water Supply and management of Waste Water.

The successful tenderer (Anglian Water Business (National) Ltd trading as “Wave”) submitted a bid that offered the best value to the Council. Together the LEP with the Council, are confident that this retailer has the capability to deliver the services to the required standard.

The successful tenderer showed a good understanding of the services required by the Council. The contract value is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

Report of the Director for Housing and Growth. To be introduced by the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal.]

Acquisition of property at Woodside Avenue.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal introduced this report which sought authority to acquire properties (“the Properties”) on Woodside Avenue. The properties would form part of the proposed Cranwood Site for new housing. The two Properties were known as 104 Woodside Avenue, London N10 3JA and 106 Woodside Avenue, London N10 3JA. Acquiring these properties would enable the Council to continue with its plans for a housing scheme which will deliver new social rented housing in the west of the borough, where there is currently a severe shortage of social rented homes.

Following consideration of exempt information:

RESOLVED

1. To agree the acquisition of the property known as 104 Woodside Avenue, London, N10 3JA;

2. To give delegated authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning after consultation with the Director of Finance to agree the purchase and the terms of the acquisition for 104 Woodside Avenue. The acquisition is to be for planning purposes;

3. To agree the acquisition of the property known as 106 Woodside Avenue, London, N10 3JA for planning purposes;

4. To give delegated authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning after consultation with the Director of Finance to agree the final contract for the acquisition of 106 Woodside Avenue;

5. To fund the acquisitions and transaction costs from the Strategic Acquisitions budget of the agreed capital programme.

Reasons for decision

The Council is progressing with plans for developing new Council-owned housing. It is specifically progressing with potential proposals for a new housing development on the Cranwood site in Muswell Hill. [The rest of this section is exempt].

Alternative options considered

An alternative option is not to acquire the properties. [Further information is contained in the exempt part of the report]

None

None

To note the significant and delegated actions taken by directors in August.

Cllr Brabazon had a query  relating to  a delegated decision taken by the Director of Children’s Services on  the refurbishment of Cumberland Road. Agreed that  a  response be provided outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED

To note the significant and delegated actions taken by Directors in August.

To consider any items admitted at Item 3 above.

None

Note from the Acting Democratic Services &Scrutiny Manager

Item 21 & 22 and 23, allow for the consideration of exempt information in relation to items 16 & 3 .

TO RESOLVE

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

RESOLVED

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

To consider exempt information pertaining to item 16

As per the exempt minutes and item 80.

To agree the exempt minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 14^th of August 2018.

The exempt minutes for the 14^th of August 2018 meeting  were agreed as an accurate record.

To consider any items admitted at Item 3 above.

None