Agenda and minutes

Venue: George Meehan House, 294 High Road, Wood Green, N22 8JZ

Contact: Felicity Foley, Committees Manager 

Note: To watch, click the link on the agenda front sheet 

Items
No. Item

646.

FILMING AT MEETINGS

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.

Minutes:

The Chair referred to the information as set out in the agenda and advsed that the meeting was being filmed.

647.

Apologies

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Hakata.

648.

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

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

649.

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.

650.

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 16: 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 received.

651.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 266 KB

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2021 as a correct record.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 12 October be approved as a correct record.

652.

Matters Referred to Cabinet by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

For Cabinet to note (if any)

Minutes:

None received.

653.

Deputations/Petitions/Questions

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

Minutes:

None received.

654.

London Borough of Haringey Gambling Act Policy pdf icon PDF 384 KB

[Report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Planning, Licensing and Housing Services]

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Licensing and Housing Services introduced the report which sought approval of the Statement of Gambling Policy, and to recommend the adoption of the Statement of Gambling Policy to Full Council.  The Gambling Policy was a policy framework document which required revision, consultation and adoption every three years, under Section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005.

 

The Cabinet Member for Health, Social-Care and Wellbeing added that the Public Health team were creating a programme of work to address gambling related harm, focusing on co-production of the programme with the community, specifically with young people.  This would be an important piece of work given the concerns around gambling and gambling addiction in the borough.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Cawley-Harrison, it was explained that Harringay ward had been added to the list of vulnerable areas due to the number of betting shops in the ward and the need to improve the deprivation indices.

 

RESOLVED to

 

1.         Approve the Statement of Gambling Policy in Appendix 1, taking into account the outcome of the consultation on the draft Statement of Gambling Policy set out in paragraph 8.3 of the report and the Equality Impact Assessment screening tool set out in Appendix 3; and 

 

 2.        Agree a no casino resolution.

 

3.         Recommend to Full Council that the Statement of Gambling Policy be adopted.

 

4.         Note the supplementary guidance containing the local area profile information at Appendix 2;

 

Reasons for decision

The Council is obliged to review and adopt a Statement of Licensing Policy for Gambling every three years.  The current policy is due to expire in January 2022. Therefore, a new policy has to be adopted.

 

Alternative options considered

No alternatives were considered. It is a legislative requirement that the policy be reviewed at least every three years, and that a public consultation is carried out. Failure to review and adopt the Statement of Gambling Policy would result in the Council failing to comply with legislation.

655.

Acquisition of the long leasehold interests in 14 homes at Hale Wharf Phase 2, Tottenham Hale pdf icon PDF 242 KB

[Report of the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for House Building, Place-Making and Development]

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for House Building, Place-Making and Development introduced the report which sought approval for the acquisition at pre-construction phase of 14 private sale homes in three blocks at Hale Wharf in Tottenham Hale for housing purposes as Council homes at Council rent. The 14 homes were located in the top floors of three of the six blocks which the Council was currently acquiring from Developer Waterside Place Limited Partnership as approved by Cabinet on 22July 2021 as part of the Council House Delivery Programme.

 

The Cabinet Member and Assistant Director for Housing responded to questions from Councillor Cawley-Harrison:

-           The purchase of the original 177 homes was completed as part of a Section 106 acquisition.  The 14 private sale homes were not included as part of this and the decision was taken to continue with the Section 106 purchases and return to consider purchasing these units at a later date.

-           The purchase prices were at reasonably comparable rates for the market acquisition.

 

Further to consideration of exempt information, it was

 

RESOLVED to

 

1.         Approve the acquisition of the long leasehold interests in 14 private sale residential homes in Hale Wharf Phase 2 from Waterside Place Limited Partnership for use as Council rent accommodation for the Package Price and based on the Heads of Terms and Business Case as set out in Exempt Appendix 2. The homes are located in the top floors in three of the six residential blocks within Hale Wharf Phase 2 which the Council is acquiring and which will all be converted for use as Council homes at Council rent.

 

2.         Give delegated authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning and after consultation with the Head of Legal and Governance (Monitoring Officer) and Cabinet Member for House-Building, Place-Making and Development to agree legal documentation and complete the transaction.

 

Reasons for decision

·                    Cabinet on 22nd July 2021 approved the acquisition of the long leasehold interests of 177 residential homes from Waterside Place Limited Partnership for use as Council Rent accommodation. These homes are contained within six blocks (D to J inclusive as shown in Appendix 1). There are 14 private sale homes re located in the top floors in Blocks D, E & F which were not included in this transaction.  A purchase price and Heads of Terms have now been agreed with the developer for the acquisition of these homes.

 

·                    There is an overwhelming need for social rented homes in Haringey. The acquisition of these 14 homes in addition to the 177 affordable homes which the Council is already acquiring will help the Council to meet that need by converting all the homes (total No. 191) to Social Rent for rent to those on the Council’s Housing Register who most need them.

 

·                    The conversion of these additional private sale homes to homes for Social Rent will also deliver an improved mix of genuinely affordable homes within the scheme as a whole and in Tottenham Hale more widely, better meeting the needs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 655.

656.

Station Road Refurbishment Works pdf icon PDF 544 KB

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

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation introduced the report which sought approval for the programme of office moves, refurbishments and agreement to tender the package of works, to ensure the delivery of high quality services.  Changes were required to a number of key council buildings to support immediate goals relating to the New Ways of Working Programme and the Accommodation Strategy, during the intervening period before the refurbishment of the Civic Centre, subject to final decision on that project in January 2022

 

The Cabinet Member and Assistant Director for Capital Projects and Property responded to questions from Councillor Cawley-Harrison:

-           There were no decisions to be made at this stage regarding the future of any building.  The decision at this stage was in relation to the short term future of the buildings whilst the refurbishment of the Civic Centre took place.

-           Valuations had not been carried out on the properties, as they would be used for the Council’s own operational purposes.

-           Not using River Park house would reduce the amount of carbon produced there.  The Council would be looking proactively at future proposals to see how net zero carbon can be achieved going forward.

 

RESOLVED to

 

1.      Approve the planned refurbishment works for Alexandra House and 48 Station Road, to allow for their re-occupation by officers. 

 

2.      To agree to the tendering of the package of works following the procurement approach set out in section 8 of this report.

 

3.      To note the estimated budget of £10.16m.

 

Reasons for decision

 

To deliver office accommodation improvements

The council has a poor standard of office accommodation, which is not reflective of the expectations of a modern workforce and does not enable high quality services for our residents.

 

Investment in the interior decoration, and fit-out of Alexandra House and 48 Station Road has been not taken place for a number of years.  Some planned maintenance and compliance works are also now required, which will be more economic to deliver as a single programme.

 

To ensure the council has an appropriate accommodation offer, prior to the Civic Centre project completing in 2025, with or without an Annex.  This means investment is required across our sites for the next 4 years usage, which will also contribute to enhanced assets and value to the council once vacated.

 

To enable the continued adoption of flexible working

Prior to the pandemic, the council was on a journey of adopting modern, flexible ways of working and improving council accommodation to enable this.

 

A significant number of staff continued to come into Haringey and use council accommodation during the pandemic but this period has also demonstrated that widespread flexible and home working can allow officers to continue to deliver for our residents and reduce the cost of council accommodation, whilst also improving the work-life balance for many staff.

 

The Council’s vision for how it will work in the future will recognise the benefits of maintaining flexibility in where its staff work. Whilst there are clear benefits to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 656.

657.

Admission to Schools – Proposed Admission Arrangements for 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 268 KB

[Report of the Director of Children’s Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Families]

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Families introduced the report which sought approval to commence a six-week period of statutory consultation on admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools.  It was a requirement for all schools to have admission arrangements which clearly set out how children would be admitted, including the criteria that will be applied if there were more applications than places at a school.  In addition, there was a requirement to publish a co-ordinated scheme setting out the procedures all schools and academies must follow to co-ordinate the admission process for the reception and secondary transfer admissions round to ensure that all residents were offered a school place.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Cawley-Harrison, the Cabinet Member advised that there was currently some research being carried out on school place planning, but this report was on admission arrangements, which was a separate issue.

 

RESOLVED to

 

1.         Agree to consult on the proposed admission arrangements, including the co-ordinated schemes for admission of children to schools for the academic year 2023/24.

 

2.         Agree to consult on the proposed fair access protocol[1] which, if agreed at Cabinet in February 2022, would come into force from 1 March 2022;

 

3.         Agree that the co-ordinated schemes for the admission of children to maintained primary and secondary schools as set out in Appendix 8 of this report can be published on the Haringey website on 1 January 2022;

 

4.         Note that the proposed consultation on the proposed admission arrangements is scheduled to take place between 25 November 2021 and 6 January 2022;

 

5.         Note that following the consultation, a report will be prepared summarising any representations received and a decision on the final admission arrangements for 2023/24 will be taken by Cabinet in February 2022.

 

Reasons for decision

 

Why do we consult? - This report and the consultation that will flow from it will ensure that our proposed admission arrangements for 2023/24 are consulted upon and the co-ordinated scheme is set in accordance with the mandatory provisions of the School Admissions Code 2021 (the Code).

 

The Code requires all admission authorities to publicly consult on their admission arrangements. If no changes are made to admission arrangements, they must be consulted on at least once every 7 years. The Council is the admission authority for community and voluntary controlled (VC) schools within the borough and is therefore responsible for determining the admission arrangements for these schools.

 

Ensuring there is a transparent and objective school admissions process is a statutory requirement and an integral part of the Council’s work. Oversubscription criteria must be reasonable, clear, objective, procedurally fair, and comply with all relevant legislation, including equalities legislation. Admission authorities must ensure that their arrangements will not disadvantage unfairly, either directly or indirectly, a child from a particular social or racial group, or a child with a disability or special educational needs, and that other policies around school uniform or school trips do not discourage parents from applying for a place  ...  view the full minutes text for item 657.

658.

Acquisition of 7 affordable homes at 38 Crawley Road for use as Council Rented Housing pdf icon PDF 216 KB

[Report of the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for House Building, Place-Making and Development]

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for House Building, Place-Making and Development introduced the report which sought approvalfor the acquisition at pre-construction phase of seven S106 homes in a 29-unit residential scheme at 39 Crawley Road, Wood Green. This would be a freehold acquisition comprising a self-contained block in the scheme which was being delivered by Frankum Developments Ltd.

 

The Cabinet Member and Assistant Director for Housing responded to questions from Councillor Cawley-Harrison:

-           The development was close to net zero carbon, but not completely, although it exceeded London Plan targets.

-           There were 11700 people on the waiting list for a Council home.  Further information would be provided in writing in regard to how this number has changed over the last four years.

-           Generally, around 50 homes were purchased each year under the Right to Buy scheme, but further information on the number of homes sold since 2018 would be provided in writing.

 

Further to considering exempt information, it was

 

RESOLVED to

 

1.      Approve the acquisition at pre-construction phase of seven S106 units in a 29 home residential scheme at 39 Crawley Road from Frankum Developments Ltd for use as Council rent accommodation. The block containing these units will be acquired on a freehold basis for the Package Price and based on the Heads of Terms and Business Case as set out in Exempt Appendix 2.

 

2.      Give delegated authority to Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning and after consultation with the Head of Legal and Governance (Monitoring Officer) and Cabinet Member for House Building, Place-Making and Development to finalise and complete the transaction.   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Reasons for decision

There is an overwhelming need for social rented homes in Haringey. The acquisition of these homes will help the Council to meet that need by converting them to Social Rent for rent to those on the Council’s Housing Register who most need them.

 

The acquisition of these homes will also deliver an improved mix of genuinely affordable homes within the scheme as a whole and in Wood Green more widely, better meeting the needs of local people.

 

The homes to be delivered are very well located and will be of an extremely high quality. Delivering them as Council homes would help to create an inclusive environment in a development that has adopted the Healthy Streets Approach to embed public health in public realm.

 

Council Officers had an input in the design and accommodation provided within the S106 units at the pre-application of the planning process at which stage the Council expressed an interest in acquiring the homes.

 

The accommodation mix will give the Council larger and well-designed homes.

 

The homes are ineligible for GLA grant funding as the overall scheme fails to achieve the 40% threshold of affordable housing. The funding for the acquisition of these units is set out in Appendix 2 Exempt Report.

 

The acquisition is supported by the HRA Business Plan.

 

Alternative options considered

Not to acquire the private sale homes. This option was rejected because it would represent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 658.

659.

Minutes of Other Bodies pdf icon PDF 208 KB

To note the minutes of the following:

 

Cabinet Member Signing:

8 October 2021

15 October 2021

19 October 2021

 

Urgent Decisions:

12 October 2021

18 October 2021

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

To note the minutes of the following:

 

Cabinet Member Signing:

8 October 2021

15 October 2021

19 October 2021

 

Urgent Decisions:

12 October 2021

18 October 2021

 

660.

New Items of Urgent Business

To consider any items admitted at Item 3 above.

Minutes:

None

661.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

Note from the Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager

 

Items 17 to 20 allow for consideration of exempt information in relation to items 6, 10 and 13.

 

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 paragraphs 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 meeting for the consideration of agenda items 17-20 as they contain exempt information as defined in Section 100a of the Local Government Act 1972; Paragraph 3 information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information); Paragraph 5 information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

662.

EXEMPT - Minutes

To approve the exempt minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 12 October 2021.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the exempt minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 12 October 2021 be approved as a correct record.

663.

EXEMPT - Acquisition of the long leasehold interests in 14 homes at Hale Wharf Phase 2, Tottenham Hale

As per item 10.

Minutes:

The Cabinet noted the exempt information and resolutions were agreed as per minute 655.

664.

EXEMPT - Acquisition of 7 affordable homes at 38 Crawley Road for use as Council Rented Housing

As per item 13

Minutes:

The Cabinet noted the exempt information and resolutions were agreed as per minute 658.

665.

New Items of Exempt Urgent Business

To consider any items admitted at Item 3 above.

 

Minutes:

None.