Agenda and minutes

Venue: MS Teams

Contact: Ayshe Simsek, Democratic Services & Scrutiny Manager 

Note: use the link on the agenda front sheet or paste the following into your browser: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_OTRjYmRiYjAtYmJlNC00Y2M2LThkMjgtNGYzMmUwYzJmNjgw%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%226ddfa760-8cd5-44a8-8e48-d8ca487731c3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2223a26c29-9165-4501-876b-873e129c6319%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d 

Items
No. Item

278.

FILMING AT MEETINGS

Please note that this meeting will be 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. 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, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings

 

Minutes:

The Leader referred to the notice of  filming at meetings and the meeting noted this information.

279.

Apologies

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

There were apologies for lateness from Cllr Ibrahim.

 

Cllr Ibrahim arrived soon after at item 280.

280.

Urgent Business

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of Urgent Business. (Late items of Urgent Business will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items of Urgent Business will be dealt with under Item 23 below. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at Item 32 below).

Minutes:

None

281.

Declarations of Interest

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

Minutes:

None

282.

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

On occasions part of the Cabinet meeting will be held in private and will not be open to the public if an item is being considered that is likely to lead to the disclosure of exempt or confidential information. In accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 (the “Regulations”), members of the public can make representations about why that part of the meeting should be open to the public.

 

This agenda contains exempt items as set out at Item [24] : 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.

 

 

Minutes:

None

283.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 444 KB

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 2020 as a correct record.

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on the 14th of July 2020.

284.

Matters Referred to Cabinet by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Minutes:

None

285.

Deputations/Petitions/Questions

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

Minutes:

 

Deputation in relation to item 14

 

Mr Bruno Carr addressed the Cabinet in relation to agenda item 14. He informed Members that he was supporting the 2200 residents, 85% of the consultation respondents, that were against the proposal to increase the charges for parking permits in the borough and whom he felt were being ignored. Mr Carr felt that, given the current economic climate, it was untimely to increase any charges.

 

He felt that the response to the objections in the report was weak and questioned the presentation of these objections and how the evidence had been added to support these. He continued to contend that there was greater emphasis in the document on the positive responses to the consultation rather than those objecting.

 

Mr Carr continued to question the principles behind the increased parking permit charges, highlighting the higher proportionate percentage increase to parking permits for more environmentally efficient cars against more polluting cars. The proposed changes were also not fully aligning to the Ultra Low Emissions Zone vehicle categories. There had already been careful analysis and assessment of the vehicles by TFL experts and scientists of low emission vehicles that were to be encouraged for purchase and use. The proposals seemed to penalise residents that had bought these vehicles.

 

He requested that the Cabinet Members either defer the decision for six months, and reassess the economic situation, or reassess the charges to match the ULEZ.

 

The Leader thanked Mr Carr for his deputation.

 

In response to questions from Cabinet Members, Mr Carr responded as follows:

 

  • He agreed that Friends of the Earth would support the aims of the decision to reduce emissions and improve air quality and he also supported this aim. However, Mr Carr felt that the percentage increases proposed had not been looked at clearly and if they had been would have been challenged as there was a unequal increase when comparing permit charge increases between electric  or hybrid cars and higher polluting cars. It was felt that if further work had been completed, at the early stage, with environmental groups, this would have provided a fairer strategy, leading to increases in more polluting cars and better connection with TFL analysis which allowed diesel cars in the euro six category to be exempt.

 

 

  • In relation to the optimal increases sought, Mr Carr spoke about expecting to see the highest percentages of the most significant increases levied against the most polluting cars and less against electric cars and hybrid models. Mr Carr felt that residents would need to understand the impact of higher polluting cars on air quality to encourage use of lower emitting vehicles. Also, he felt that there was a need to consider the whole question of emissions across parking, and road traffic, instead of solely targeting additional income from residents.

 

  • Mr Carr questioned the strategy of tackling parked vehicles under the guise of emissions. He expressed that improved public transport access, more cycling routes and improved highways needed to be in place before taking  ...  view the full minutes text for item 285.

286.

Feedback to the statutory consultation on parking permits and charges pdf icon PDF 569 KB

[Report of the  Director for Environment and Neighbourhoods. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods]

 

Cabinet approval to proceed following considering of the feedback on the consultation.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

[ Clerk’s note – Cllr Ibrahim left the meeting at 7.04pm]

 

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods introduced the report which set out the results of the statutory consultation undertaken on proposed changes to parking permits and parking charges, and sought approval for the implementation of the proposals as set out in the recommendations.

 

The Cabinet Member advised that during the consultation process 54,000 residents had been directly targeted, and 2776 residents had objected to elements of the proposal. 374 residents had responded in support of the proposal.

 

The Cabinet Member referred to sections 1.2 and 6.5 of the report which set out the proposals for parking permit charges being agreed at the meeting.

 

The appendix at pages 220-231 set out the financial changes in real terms, which was a £10 increase per year for low emission vehicles and £20 increase per year for high emission vehicles. [Clerks note - The report at paragraph 6.5 advised that the changes consulted on include a £10 increase across all existing charge bands to help cover the cost of running the service - later in the meeting at item 14, the Cabinet Members were asked to confirm that they had read the report and recommendations which included this information.]

 

In response to a question from Councillor Ogiehor, the Cabinet Member agreed to investigate with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Sustainability and Head of Carbon Reduction  how residents with off-street parking could be encouraged to switch to low emission vehicles as part of the Air Quality Action Plan.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         To consider the representations received in response to the statutory consultation on parking permits and charges as set out in paragraph 9 (consultation results) and in Appendix 1 to this report.

 

2.         While the majority of respondents did not support the proposals consulted on, their contribution to the delivery of strategic objectives, with associated health benefits needs to be considered.

 

 

3.         To agree that Cabinet authorise officers to proceed to draft the relevant Traffic Management Orders to implement the following measures as also set out in Appendix 2 by November 2020:

 

 

           A £10 increase across all existing parking permit charge bands.

           An £80 surcharge on all parking permits issued to diesel fuelled vehicles.

           A £50 surcharge on second and subsequent residential parking permits per household.

           To limit permit account holders to the use of two daily visitor permits per day.

           To increase the charge for daily Visitor Permits in all Controlled Parking Zones to £4.

           To introduce a free virtual residential parking permit for Disabled Blue Badge Holders for their home CPZ, replacing the exiting Companion Badge.

           To introduce a £20 administration fee on parking permit refunds except for visitor parking permits which shall be non-refundable.

 

Reasons for decision

 

The Council is required to consider objections and representations received in response to Statutory Consultation undertaken on any changes to parking permits and charges. Following that consideration, to decide whether to proceed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 286.

287.

2020/21 Finance Update Quarter 1 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

[Report of the Director of Finance. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration.]

 

This will report will provide an update on the Quarter 1 budget monitoring and will seek approval for any budget changes required to respond to the changing financial scenario and the delivery of the MTFS.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration introduced the report which covered the Council’s financial position at Quarter 1 (Period 3) of the 2020/21 financial year, include General Fund Revenue, Capital, Housing Revenue Account and Dedicated Schools Grant budgets. The Cabinet Member drew the Cabinet’s attention particularly to paragraphs 1.3, 1.4, 2.2, 4.1, 5.1, 6.11, 7, 9 and 10. He added that it was critical to maintain strong financial management in the current economic climate and pandemic.

 

The Cabinet Member highlighted the continued and increasing pressure that the Council were facing from underfunding of the High Needs Block of the DSG since the Government’s expansion of the age for Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) eligibility. The Council, like many other authorities across the country, had been left in a position where, despite best efforts, were unable to meet the needs of these young people within the budget that had been allocated. The Cabinet Member underlined that the additional funds provided for 2020/21 to date in no way went far enough and do not provide the sustainable solution that these young people and their families needed as was evidenced by the forecast £4.5m overspend included in the report.

 

The outcome of the Government’s SEND review was still waiting publication and in the interim the Cabinet Member emphasised the need for the Council to continue to vocally lobby for additional resources.

 

  • In response to a question from Cllr Ogiehor, there were ongoing risks in relation to the money spent at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. This spending was in accordance with central government directions and further spending was expected. So far, the Council had only received in the region of £18m but were forecasting to have a greater net spend impact resulting from the pandemic than the grant allocated. There was growing concern about the risk of not receiving full reimbursement and the effect this would have on the Council’s finances if it had to ameliorate this, and it continued to hope to receive the reimbursement. 

 

 

  • Councillor Ogiehor spoke about the conclusion of a 4 year legal challenge in which carers working for a provider in Haringey had recently been awardedbackdated earnings for not receiving the minimum wage. In response to queries about: the financial risk to the Council as a result of care workers of a council contractor paying them below the minimum wage, having assurance on care contract management  arrangements and auditing care  contracts  to ensure no similar issues occurred in the future , the Cabinet Member advised that he would discuss this with the relevant Cabinet Member  and respond to Cllr Ogiehor in due course.

 

  • The Cabinet Member also advised that more recently, there were provisions made by the Council , during Covid 19, for home care workers, working for providers in Haringey, to receive an uplift equivalent to the London Living wage  and the requirement to pay London Living Wage was also added to the new DPS home care contracts agreed at Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 287.

288.

Approval of Single Use Plastics Policy and Action Plan pdf icon PDF 692 KB

[Report of the Director for Housing, Planning and Regeneration. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for  Climate Change and Sustainability.]

 

Cabinet are asked to approve the policy and action plan on reducing Single Use plastics, including implementation.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Sustainability was pleased to introduce the report which sought adoption of the Single Use Plastics Policies and approval of the Single Use Plastics Action Plans. She outlined that 8 million tonnes of plastic ended up in the ocean each year, with plastic remaining a pollutant for hundreds of years. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the use of Single Use Plastics had spiralled over the last six months (in order to maintain infection control).

 

The Cabinet Member outlined that there were two sections to the Action Plan – the first was to set out how the Council would show leadership and use it’s procurement powers and purchaser requirements, and its own operational practices to reduce the use of single use plastics in its operations. The second Action Plan set out how the Council would continue to work with partners and empower the wider Haringey community to reduce the use of single use plastics.

 

In response to a question from the Leader, Joe Baker – Head of Carbon Management, advised that there had already been some changes made by the Council in the reduction of single use plastics, such as the material used for parking tickets, the provision of Council branded keep ups for purchase in the canteen and a surcharge for the use of single use cups.

 

The following information was provided in response to questions from Councillor Ogiehor:

 

  • The Council had looked into installing water fountains in the borough; however, the challenge was that the costs to maintain the fountains was excessive. The GLA could install fountains and maintain these accordingly.

 

  • It was important to ensure the policy was watertight before putting to Cabinet for approval, which was why it may feel that there had been a delay in implementation.

 

RESOLVED

 

To approve the Single Use Plastics Policies and accompanying Action Plans, attached at Appendices 1 and 2 of this report, which outlines how the Council will reduce Single Use Plastics in the Council and across the borough.

 

Reasons for decision

 

Haringey Council is committed to doing everything possible to respond to the climate emergency and improve sustainability across its own operations and in the borough of Haringey.

 

The policies and action plans contribute to the Place Priority of the Borough Plan, specifically objective 10 to make the borough a cleaner, accessible, and attractive place – targeting waste minimisation.

 

Reducing consumption across the Council’s offices and the borough will save money, reduce waste, improve our environment, and decrease the amount of harmful plastics ending up in the world’s oceans or in landfill.

 

The Single Use Plastics (SUPs) Policies and accompanying Action Plans represent a step towards this by outlining exactly what the Council will be doing to reduce reliance on SUPs within its own offices, on Haringey Council owned land, in Haringey schools, and across the borough.

 

Haringey Council has already taken bold steps to reduce SUPs, such as working with the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) on a low-plastic zone in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 288.

289.

Neighbourhood Moves Scheme pdf icon PDF 352 KB

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

 

A report requesting approval to consult on an amendment to the Council's Allocations Policy to allow for a Neighbourhood Moves Scheme to be applied for new Council homes built or acquired by the Council, allowing Secure Tenants living nearby first priority for these homes.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

[Clerk’s note Cllr Ibrahim returned to the meeting at 7.25pm]

 

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal introduced the report which sought approval for a consultation to amend the Housing Allocations Policy to allow for a Neighbourhood Moves Scheme. The Neighbourhood Moves Scheme would apply automatically on any new housing development with 5 or more new Council rented homes unless Cabinet made the decision to exclude a new housing development. The proposed Scheme would give existing Council tenants priority for new homes that are built in their neighbourhood, particularly those who are living in homes which are too big or too small.

 

RESOLVED

 

 

  1. To note the Equalities Impact Assessment at Appendix 1.
  2. To note the proposed alterations to the Housing Allocations Policy attached at Appendix 2.
  3. To note the Draft Neighbourhood Moves Scheme attached at Appendix 3 which will be attached to the Housing Allocations Policy.
  4. To approve a consultation on these proposed amendments to the Housing Allocations Policy.

 

  1. To delegate approval of the Consultation Documents to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal.

 

 

  1. To note that following consideration of the consultation responses, a second Cabinet report will be submitted to give final approval of the amendments to the Allocations Policy.

 

Reasons for decision

 

The proposed changes will honour the Estate Renewal Rehousing and Payments Policy, as well as seek to address over-crowding by releasing larger family homes which are under-occupied and allowing over-crowded households to move locally. It will also support community cohesion.

 

Recommendation 3.2 is required to allow changes to be made to the Housing Allocations Policy.

 

 

Alternative options considered

 

An alternative option is to consult on a Local Lettings Plan for each scheme individually. This is not recommended because there are a large number of schemes in the development pipeline, and consulting on a Local Lettings Plan for each scheme individually is not practical.

 

Another alternative option is not to apply the Neighbourhood Moves Scheme on new Council housing. This was rejected because, firstly, this Scheme will help address both under-occupancy and over-crowding, and secondly because it will allow residents to benefit from new Council housing being built in their local area.

 

290.

Housing options at 500 White Hart Lane to support High Road West scheme pdf icon PDF 269 KB

[ Report of the Director for Housing, Regeneration and Planning. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal.]

 

Cabinet approval will be sought for a suite of measures to optimise the rehousing options for Love Lane Estate residents at 500 White Hart Lane, including consultation on a draft Local Lettings Plan and authority to enter into equity loan agreements with leaseholders.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration introduced the report which offered Love Lane resident leaseholders the opportunity to acquire a property on 500 White Hart Lane site with a reduced equity requirement. This allowed the Council to maximise rehousing options for leaseholders and directly deal with affordability concerns.

 

The Cabinet Member reiterated that the Council was committed to working with leaseholders to identify rehousing solutions that met their needs. The Council understood that Love Lane Estate leaseholders had concerns about their current and future homes and faced some difficult decisions about whether to stay in the area or purchase a new home now outside of the Estate. The Council also understood that no two households were the same and each household would have different needs and varying financial positions.

 

It was noted that the Cabinet had made a decision in March 2020 to agree a new High Road West leaseholder offer for consultation with leaseholders, which proposed an enhanced equity loan for new properties within the High Road West Scheme. It was noted that it was also for these reasons, that the attached report sought authority to offer Love Lane resident leaseholders shared equity loans with a lower threshold requirement at 500 White Hart Lane.

 

Further to considering a response to the leaseholder’s concerns at item 24 and exempt information at item 25,

 

RESOLVED

 

 

  1. To agree that the intermediate properties at 500 White Hart Lane be offered for sale to the resident leaseholders on the Love Lane Estate who wish to sell their property to the Council: and

 

  1. To give delegated authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning and the Director of Finance to agree any individual equity loans to those resident leaseholders subject to:

 

 

a)            the resident leaseholder contributing the full market value of their 

current home plus home loss payment where this is possible; and

b)            the equity requirement to qualify for a Portable Equity Loan be

within the agreed cost envelope set out in the EXEMPT report which permits equity amounts below the 60% level.

 

  1. To give delegated authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning to agree, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal, the marketing strategy for any intermediate properties at 500 White Hart Lane, that are not acquired by Love Lane resident leaseholders and to dispose of these properties in accordance with that strategy.

 

Reasons for decision

 The reason for this decision is to ensure that the Council can keep its commitments to resident leaseholders on the Love Lane Estate, to maximise their rehousing choice and provide affordable rehousing options.

As described in paragraph 6.9 below, the Council’s Estate Renewal Rehousing and Payments Policy (the ERRPP) sets out the Council’s minimum commitments to residents affected by regeneration schemes. For resident leaseholders it details the arrangements of equity loans, which aim to help them acquire new homes by providing additional finance, which is only repayable upon the subsequent sale of the property or the death of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 290.

291.

Update on Council Owned Sites in Wood Green pdf icon PDF 528 KB

[Report of the Director for Customers, Transformation and Resources. To be introduced by  the Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration]

 

This report updates Cabinet on the work underway to develop a long-term strategy to make the best use of Council owned sites in Wood Green and describe the impact of the current Covid 19 pandemic on the programme.

 

This report will set out a timetable for decisions to be made about Council owned sites in the medium term.

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration introduced the report which set out the work underway to develop a long-term strategy to make the best use of Council owned sites in Wood Green and described the impact of the current Covid 19 pandemic on the programme.

 

It was noted that , prior to Covid 19, work was underway to prepare a business case for redeveloping the Library site to include a new library and customer services, office accommodation, and potentially additional services including democratic space and a Leisure Centre. The Council had also been considering longer term options for the Civic Centre, keeping in mind its listing, as part of the accommodation strategy.

 

The Cabinet Member outlined that the Covid 19 crisis has meant that the Council has had to take a step back and pause while the longer-term effect and requirements were reviewed. This was possible now with the recent acquisition of Alex House which met the Council’s short- and medium-term accommodation needs.

 

It was noted that from consultation with residents, businesses and stakeholders, there was interest in changing Wood Green. The Council was a major landowner and needed to play a key role. The report set out pending decisions about Council accommodation property in the town centre which could lead to better use of Council land to support existing and new communities. The report further set out a timetable for decisions to be made about Council owned sites in the medium term.

 

In response to questions from Cllr Ogiehor and Cllr Mitchell, the following information was provided:

 

  • In relation to the timelines for hoardings remaining on the Civic Centre site, these could in place until 2024 to allow the required internal and external works to be undertaken on the building.

 

  • With regards to considering the future use of the Civic Centre site and allowing community groups to hire use of the rooms, this would be considered as part of the accommodation strategy and the specific work on locality with partners. This included considering opportunities for partner organisations and businesses to co-locate. It was hoped that the Civic Centre could be used to facilitate community groups, council use, civic duties, and meetings.

 

 

  • The Cabinet Member was not aware of any specific issue concerning the wider surrounds of George Meehan House as indicated in appendix 2 of the report. There had been longstanding concern about the physical state of an adjourning building and a further building at back of the site which backed onto the car park of the premises. Additional information about the assessment of this issue could be provided by the Director for Customers, Transformation and Resources.

 

 

  • With regards to Blue House Yard, there were a number of works that needed to be completed and the Council were engaging with users of the site. The Council were taking forward several ‘meanwhile’ use projects to ensure that businesses thrived. It was hoped that the work on Blue House Yard provided the businesses with as much support as required.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 291.

292.

Report on the findings of an Ombudsman investigation where a report has been issued - NON KEY pdf icon PDF 301 KB

[Report of the Monitoring Officer. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal.]

 

 

To consider the report of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman in relation to Housing and confirm the actions that the Councils has taken or proposes to take, under the requirements of the Local Government Act 1974, section 31(2) (as amended).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal introduced the report which appended a report from the Housing Ombudsman in June 2020 which had found the Council at fault with regard to a resident’s homelessness application.

 

The Cabinet Member placed on record her apology to Ms B for the distress caused by the Council’s failings. She was glad to note that Ms B has been financially compensated and was now being housed in a suitably sized home let by the Haringey Community Benefit Society. The Cabinet Member was glad that the Council has taken the opportunity to learn from this incident and has taken steps to ensure that this mistake did not reoccur.

 

RESOLVED

 

 

  1. To accept the findings and recommendations of the Ombudsman in the report shown at Appendix 1.

 

  1. To note and approve officers’ compensatory payments to Ms B totalling £5,304.37, as set out in paragraph 6.14 below.

 

 

  1. To adopt this report as the Council’s formal response under s.31 Local Government Act 1974, to be communicated to the Ombudsman.

 

 

  1. To adopt this report as the Cabinet’s formal response as required by s.5A Local Government and Housing Act 1989, for distribution to all members and the Monitoring Officer.

 

 

Reasons for decision

 

As set out in the Ombudsman’s report, Ms B has been found to have suffered injustice as a result of faults on behalf of the Council.

 

Where a report such as this is made by the Ombudsman, it must be laid before the authority (s.31 Local Government Act 1974). In cases such as this where the Council is operating executive arrangements, “the authority” means the executive, i.e. Cabinet (s.25(4ZA) Local Government Act 1974).

 

Alternative options considered

 

The Ombudsman cannot force the Council to follow its recommendations, but local authorities generally do follow them.

 

If the Ombudsman is not satisfied with the Council’s response, he will make a further report explaining this and making recommendations. He can also require the Council to make a public statement about the matter.

 

Therefore, Cabinet could choose to reject any of the recommendations made by the Ombudsman.

              

However, this alternative is not recommended because the Ombudsman’s recommendations represent an appropriate remedy for the reasons set out above.

 

293.

Risk Based Verification Policy (RBV) pdf icon PDF 317 KB

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

 

To approve the RBV Policy as a means by which the Council will process claims for Housing benefit and Council Tax reduction.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Corporate and Civic services introduced the report which set out the requirement for an annual review of the RBV policy. Given the impact of Covid-19, the Government had issued advice and a decision from Cabinet was being sought on whether or not to adopt that advice.

 

It was noted that the Risk Verification System used a software that determined the level of checks that needed to be carried out when a resident makes a claim for Council tax benefit reduction or housing benefit. It was noted that since November 2019, the use of the software had reduced the number of letters asking applicants for more information for claims .This had been the source of complaint for residents over the years as it caused delays and now having the software increased the speed of the process for considering benefit claims.

 

The Cabinet Member emphasised that the automated system did not have a role in deciding whether a claim was awarded or not and this decision was made by an officer. It was also noted that since the introduction of the system, no claimant had been asked for further information and many were being asked for less.

 

In light of the Covid 19, the DWP had suspended the need to review the policy by local authorities and the decision being considered was whether or not to adopt that advice.

 

Following questions from Cllr Mitchell, the following information was provided:

 

  • With regards to a review of the policy, this was introduced in November 2019, and the advice from the government was that the Council should not be carrying out a review at this time.  This review would likely take place in the middle of next year.

 

  • It was reiterated that the software had provided significant improvements over the course of the year in the processing of claims. There was no impact on the assessment of claims, even the high-risk claims, from this software and the Council were externally and internally audited on an annual basis.

 

  • The audit results were considered at Corporate Committee on an annual basis. These were assessed in year, in terms of error rates, in relation to the distribution of housing benefit, overpayments and the software had made a significant improvement to these rates.

 

  • Assurance was provided that the software does not discriminate claimants from protected characteristic groups. It considered the types of claims and where there is a change of circumstances and allowed for a simple claim form to be completed without the need to provide the same level of information as making a new claim.

 

  • With regards to low, medium, and high types of claims, it was noted that low risk applicants will often be those in receipt of tax welfare benefits and where the Council can access the DWP system. The applicant does not need to provide verification and their claims can be processed quite quickly.

 

294.

Approval of construction contract for St Mary’s Close and Nightingale Lane pdf icon PDF 335 KB

[Report of the Director for Housing, Planning and Regeneration. To be introduced by the  Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal.]

 

This report will seek approval to award one construction contract for housing development at both St Mary's Close and Nightingale Lane and to appropriate the land for planning purposes.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal introduced the report which sought approval to appoint the recommended contractor to complete a new build development of five Council rented homes; two at St Mary’s Close N17 and three at Nightingale Lane N8, and to appropriate the land for planning purposes to facilitate the development process.

It was noted that on approval, these developments would be the seventh and eighth scheme to move to a start on site, of the 58 schemes in the Council housing delivery programme that the Council intends to directly deliver itself. It will be the twelfth and thirteenth schemes to move to a start on site in the overall programme.

Five new Council homes in two wards – two three-bedroom homes and three two-bedroom homes – meant that five households who are not currently adequately housed would be living in homes that met their needs.

 

Further to considering exempt information at item 27,

RESOLVED

  1. To approve the appointment of Cosmur Construction Limited to undertake the new build works to provide a total of five Council rented homes at St Mary’s Close and Nightingale Lane for a total contract sum of £1,348,437.49 and to approve the client contingency sum set out in the exempt part of the report.

 

  1. To approve the appropriation of the land at St Mary’s Close and Nightingale Lane (edged red in the plans attached at Appendix 1) from housing purposes to planning purposes under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972 as they are no longer required for the purpose which they are currently held, and for the purpose of carrying out development as set out in paragraphs 6.1 to 6.27 of this report.

 

  1. To approve the use of the Council’s powers under Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 to override easements and other rights of neighbouring properties infringed upon by the St Mary’s development, under planning permission Ref: HGY/2020/0136 and by Nightingale Lane development, under planning permission Ref: HGY/2020/0159.

 

 

  1. To delegate to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning, after consultation with the Director of Finance and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal, authority to make payments of compensation as a result of any infringement arising from the development and the recommendation 3.1.3, within the existing scheme of delegation.

 

  1. To approve the appropriation of the land at St Mary’s Close and Nightingale Lane (edged red in the plans attached at Appendix 1) from planning purposes back to housing purposes under Section 19 of the Housing Act 1985, after practical completion of the development on 31 December 2021.

Reasons for decisions

St Mary’s Close and Nightingale Lane was approved by Cabinet on 9 July 2019 to be included in the Council housing delivery programme. This scheme has subsequently been granted planning consent and is ready to progress to construction. This report therefore marks the third, and final, Member led decision to develop these two sites.

Following a formal tender process, a contractor has been identified  ...  view the full minutes text for item 294.

295.

Approval of construction contract for Poynton Road pdf icon PDF 243 KB

[Report of the Director for Housing, Planning and Regeneration. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal.]

 

 

This report will seek approval to award the construction contract for housing development at Poynton Road and to appropriate the land for planning purposes.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal introduced the report which sought approval to appoint the recommended winning contractor to complete a new build development of two Council rented three-bedroom family terraced homes at Poynton Road N17 and to appropriate the land for planning purposes to facilitate the development process.

It was noted that on approval, this development will be the sixth scheme to move to a start on site, of the 58 schemes in the Council housing delivery programme that the Council intends to directly deliver itself. It will be the eleventh scheme to move to a start on site in the overall programme.

The Cabinet Member outlined that Poynton Road was currently housing derelict buildings, since 2014 when they ceased to be used as retail units. The Council’s intervention would turn an eyesore plagued by anti-social behaviour into two new family terraced homes for Council rent.

Further to considering exempt information at item 28,

 

 

RESOLVED

 

  1. To approve the appointment of the recommended winning contractor set out in the exempt Appendix 2 to undertake the new build works to provide a total of two Council rented homes at Poynton Road for a total contract sum of £673,377.00 and to approve the client contingency sum set out in the exempt part of the report.

 

  1. To approve the appropriation of the land at Poynton Road (edged red in the plans attached at Appendix 1) from housing purposes to planning purposes under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972 as they are no longer required for the purpose which they are currently held, and for the purpose of carrying out development as set out in paragraphs 6.1 to 6.27 of this report.

 

  1. To approve the use of the Council’s powers under Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 to override easements and other rights of neighbouring properties infringed upon by the Poynton Road development, under planning permission Ref: HGY/2020/0182.

 

  1. To delegate to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning, after consultation with the Director of Finance and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal, authority to make payments of compensation as a result of any infringement arising from the development and the resolution 3.1.3, within the existing scheme of delegation.

 

  1. To approve the appropriation of the land at Poynton Road (edged red in the plans attached at Appendix 1) from planning purposes back to housing purposes under Section 19 of the Housing Act 1985, after practical completion of the development on 31 December 2021.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

Poynton Road was approved by Cabinet on 9 July 2019 to be included in the Council housing delivery programme. This scheme has subsequently been granted planning consent and is ready to progress to construction. This report therefore marks the third, and final, Member led decision to develop these two sites.

 

Following a formal tender process, a contractor has been identified to undertake these works.

 

The appropriation of the site for planning purposes is required as it will allow the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 295.

296.

Award of contract for External Major Works to Imperial Wharf Estate pdf icon PDF 393 KB

[Report of the Director for Housing, Planning and Regeneration. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal.]

 

To seek approval for the award of  contract for the installation of flat roof covering, windows and rear door replacement, resident front entrance doors and main entrance communal doors, external brickwork repairs, drainage repairs, redevelopment of child playspace.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal introduced the report which sought approval for an award of a contract to contractor A to carry out external major works on the Imperial Wharf Estate.

 

The proposed works to Imperial Wharf will bring all homes on the estate up to the full Decent Homes Standard as well as ensure compliance with current fire and building regulations. The overall project will contribute to helping to achieve the Borough Plan objectives for housing which include delivering Decent Homes, ensuring all homes are safe and improving resident satisfaction, as set out in more detail in section 10 of the report.

 

In addition, following extensive consultation with residents, residents will benefit from an improved estate environment that includes designing out crime measures to tackle anti-social behaviour. The aim for this project is to achieve the Silver Award which is a Police initiative that recognises physical security standards have been incorporated into works to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour. The Designing Out Crime Team will attend site to inspect and sign off each block and on successful completion of the works, the Imperial Estate will achieve the Silver Award. The Award would be presented by the Metropolitan Police Designing Out Crime Officer.

 

Further to considering exempt information at item 29,

 

RESOLVED

 

  1. Pursuant to the Council’s Contract Standing Order (CSO) 9.07.1(d), for to approve the award of a contract of £4,200,594.50 to the preferred contractor identified in exempt Appendix Afor the installation of flat roof covering, windows, resident and main entrance communal doors, external brickwork repairs, fire protection works, redevelopment of children play area and associated estate improvements. This will incorporate the communal internal and external areas of the Imperial Wharf Estate as follows: 228 -270, 304-346 & 378-442 Craven Park Road, 1,2,3,5,6,7,8, 32-51 Maple Close.

  

  1. To approve the issue of a letter of intent for an amount of up to, but not exceeding £420,059.45, which represents 10% of the contract sum.

 

  1. To approve the total professional fees of £323,277.75, which represents 7.7% of the contract sum.

 

  1.  To note the total project costs of £4,523,872.25.

           

Reasons for decision

 

Homes for Haringey requires Cabinet approval to award the contract for the installation of flat roof covering, windows and rear door replacement, resident front entrance doors and main entrance communal doors, external brickwork and concrete repairs, fire protection works, drainage repairs, internal and external decorations, emergency lighting, bins store and recycling storage, resurface walkway and upstands, replacement of paving to identified areas redevelopment of the children’s play area, landscaping and associated estate improvements. This will incorporate the communal and external areas of the Imperial Wharf Estate. This will enable essential safety works to commence and the estate to be brought up to the Decent Homes Standard.

 

The tender process was carried out in accordance with the framework requirements that incorporate price and quality. The successful compliant bidder scored the highest in relation to these criteria in the associated lot 1.1B.

 

Alternative options considered

 

An alternative option would be for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 296.

297.

Award of contract for External Major Works to the Turner Avenue Estate pdf icon PDF 391 KB

[Report of the Director for Housing, Planning and Regeneration. To be introduced by the Cabinet member for Housing and Estate Renewal.]

 

To seek approval for the appointment of the successful contractor to undertake refurbishment works to replace the roof covering and  existing crittall windows with UPVC double glazed windows. Also to replace communal doors and intercom to flats.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal introduced the report which sought approval for the award of a contract to contractor A to carry out external major works on the Turner Avenue Estate.

 

The proposed works to Turner Avenue will bring all homes on the estate up to the full Decent Homes Standard as well as ensure compliance with current fire and building regulations. The overall project will contribute to helping to achieve the Borough Plan objectives for housing which include delivering Decent Homes, ensuring all homes are safe and improving resident satisfaction, as set out in more detail in section 10 of the report.

 

 In addition, following extensive consultation with residents, residents will benefit from an improved estate environment that includes designing out crime measures to tackle anti-social behaviour. The aim for this project is to achieve the Silver Award which is a Police initiative that recognises physical security standards have been incorporated into works to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour. The Designing Out Crime Team will attend site to inspect and sign off each block and on successful completion of the works, the Turner Avenue Estate will achieve the Silver Award. The Award will be presented by the Metropolitan Police Designing Out Crime Officer.

 

 

After considering exempt information at item 30,

 

 

RESOLVED

 

  1. Pursuant to the Council’s Contract Standing Order (CSO) 9.07.1(d), to approve the award of a contract to the preferred contractor identified in exempt Appendix A for the installation of flat roof covering, windows, resident and main entrance communal doors, external brickwork and concrete repairs, fire protection works, drainage repairs, communal internal and external decoration, emergency lighting and boundary walls to the Turner Avenue Estate. This will be for the sum of £2,608,320.63.

 

  1. To approve the issue of a letter of intent for an amount of up to, but not exceeding £260,832.63, which represents 10% of the contract sum.

 

3.    To approve the total professional fees of £216,229.78 which represents 8.29% of the contract sum.

 

4.    To note the total project costs of £2,824,550.41.

 

Reasons for decision

 

Homes for Haringey requires Cabinet approval to award the contract for the installation of flat roof covering, windows, resident and main entrance communal doors, external brickwork and concrete repairs, fire protection works, drainage repairs, communal internal and external decorations, emergency lighting and boundary walls to the Turner Avenue Estate. This will enable essential safety works to commence and for properties to be brought up to the Decent Homes Standard. This is following a tender process undertaken in conjunction with Haringey Council’s Procurement team via the London Construction Programme (London Construction Programme) framework and processes.

 

The tender process was carried out in accordance with the framework requirements that incorporate price and quality. The successful compliant bidder scored the highest in relation to these criteria in the associated lot 1.1B.

 

Alternative options considered

 

An alternative option would be for Homes for Haringey to use third   party   industry frameworks or an OJEU compliant tender process to deliver the construction works to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 297.

298.

Minutes of Other Bodies pdf icon PDF 209 KB

To note the minutes of the following:

 

Urgent decision 27/07/2020

Urgent decision 10/08/2020

Cabinet Signing 24/08/2020

Urgent decision 28/08/2020

Urgent decision 4/09/2020

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

To note the minutes of the following:

 

 

Urgent decision 27/07/2020

Urgent decision 10/08/2020

Cabinet Signing 24/08/2020

Urgent decision 28/08/2020

Urgent decision 4/09/2020

 

299.

Significant and Delegated Actions pdf icon PDF 344 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

To note the significant and delegated actions taken in July to August.

 

300.

New Items of Urgent Business

To consider any items admitted at Item 3 above.

Minutes:

Before entering the exempt part of the meeting, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal provided the following information in response to concerns that had been raised by a Love Lane Leaseholder for Cabinet to note and consider, prior to considering the exempt report on Housing Options at 500 White Hart Lane to support the High Road West Scheme.

 

  • This report was about maximising housing choice for Love Lane leaseholders- something the Council had committed to do in the HRW Leaseholder Guide.

 

  • The Council could not offer old homes for new, but we can try and make these homes affordable through the equity loan arrangements. No interest was paid on the unowned equity.

 

  • The leaseholders’ properties were valued independently to ascertain the market value and an arbitration process is available if needed. The 500 WHL properties cannot be sold for under market value, but the equity loan offer could make them affordable to leaseholders.

 

The following responses were provided to the specific concerns raised:

 

 

  • The Council is building replacement homes at High Road West for leaseholders that wish to move into them and will consult residents in the autumn on the HRW Leaseholder Offer which provides a number of rehousing options, including equity loans and leasehold swap.
  • The leaseholders’ properties were valued independently to ascertain the market value and an arbitration process is available if needed. This was committed to by the Council in the 2014 Leaseholder Guide and is set out in the draft Leaseholder offer.
  • The leaseholders are eligible for an equity loan on a property elsewhere in Haringey to help make these homes affordable if they do not wish to move to the High Road West scheme.
  • The equity loan offered at 500 White Hart Lane and on the High Road West scheme would be interest free and does not need to be repaid unless the property is sold or transferred.
  • The terms of the equity loan as set out in the ERRPP are that the Equity Loan will need to be repaid when the property is transferred to another owner unless the property is inherited by the leaseholder’s spouse, civil partner or a person living with them as their husband or wife.
  • There are affordable housing conditions that require the Council (or any registered provider) to sell the units according to a valuation which is less than 3 months old, so the council would not be legally able to sell these flats below this value.

 

 

301.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

Note from the Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager

 

Items 25,26, 27, 28, 29,30 and 31 allow for consideration of exempt information in relation to items 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.

 

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:     

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

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

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

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

 

302.

Exempt - Housing options at 500 White Hart Lane to support High Road West scheme

As per item 12.

Minutes:

As per item 289 and the exempt minutes.

 

303.

Exempt - Risk Based Verification Policy (RBV)

As per item 16.

Minutes:

As per the exempt minutes  and item 293.

304.

Exempt - Approval of construction contract for St Mary’s Close and Nightingale Lane

As per item 17.

Minutes:

As per item 294 and the exempt minutes.

 

305.

Exempt - Approval of construction contract for Poynton Road

As per item 18.

Minutes:

As per item 295 and the exempt minutes.

 

306.

Exempt - Award of contract for External Major Works to Imperial Wharf Estate

As per item 19.

Minutes:

As per item 296 and the exempt minutes.

 

307.

Exempt - Award of contract for External Major Works to the Turner Avenue Estate

As per item 20.

Minutes:

 

As per item 297 and the exempt minutes.

 

308.

Exempt Cabinet Minutes

As per item 6.

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

To approve the exempt minutes of the meeting held on the 14th of July 2020.

 

309.

New Items of Exempt Urgent Business

To consider any items admitted at Item 3 above.

 

Minutes:

None