Agenda and 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 the notice of filming at public meetings and attendees noted this information.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of Urgent Business. (Late items of Urgent Business will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items of Urgent Business will be dealt with under Item 20 below. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at Item 28 below).

There was one item of exempt urgent business in relation to item 26.  This addendum was accepted by the Chair and  circulated to Cabinet Members earlier in the day.

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.

Cllr Carlin declared an interest in  items 17 and 25  and would recuse herself from the meeting  for these items. She clarified that this was not strictly a disclosable pecuniary interest or personal interest   but was declared as an interest  further to considering  Part 5, section A part  1  & 2 of the  Council’s Constitution and with an abundance of caution.

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

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

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

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2023 as a correct record.

To agree minor corrections to Cabinet Minute 18 – 11.07.2023, and Cabinet Minute 536, 15.06.2021 to allow contract sealing.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 17th of October 2023.

2.    To approve minor corrections to Cabinet Minute 18 – 11.07.2023, and Cabinet Minute 536, 15.06.2021 to allow contract sealing.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

There were no deputations, petitions or questions received.

 The Council’s Constitution at  Part four Section E paragraph 2.2 advises that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee or Scrutiny Review Panel chooses to consider a report which forms part of the Budget and Policy Framework then its views shall be included in the report submitted to the Cabinet or Cabinet Member who shall take them into account in drawing up firm proposals for submission to the Council.

The Youth Justice Plan is a Budget and Policy Framework document set out at Article 2 – paragraph 4.01

The Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel considered this report  at their meeting  on the 21^st of September and their comments are included within the report at agenda item 11.

The  Cabinet noted that the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel had considered the Youth Justice Plan  report  at their meeting  on the 21st of September and their comments were included within the report at agenda item 11.

Report of the Director of Placemaking and Housing.To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Council Housebuilding, Placemaking, and Local Economy.

Adoption by Cabinet of the Opportunity Haringey framework, a strategy for the delivery of the Council's Economic Development, Employment & Skills and Social Value activities.

The Cabinet Member for Council Housebuilding, Placemaking, and Local Economy introduced the report, which sought approval to the Opportunity Haringey Framework, the Council’s new inclusive economy policy framework. The framework set out the Council’s vision and ambition to work in collaboration with businesses, residents and local and strategic partners to drive forward a range of priority actions under 5 themes that will shape a fairer and greener economy with the ambition to reduce inequalities, unlock social value and secure prosperity for all.

In response to questions from: Cllr Hakata, Cllr Carlin, Cllr Jogee, and Cllr Cawley- Harrison, the following was noted:

-       The framework responded to the demand in retrofitting skills to support forthcoming building programmes in Council buildings, Council homes and homes in the private sector. There was recognition of the need to create a significant number of jobs in the borough responding to this demand and the need to have skills to support this borough wide programme. The Council had already started to work with CONEL on developing future ‘green skills’ and how their curriculum could respond to this future skill demand. The Council was also working with local businesses and further working on upskilling the existing supply chain to create real opportunities locally and at entry level for local residents to enter this industry and maximise future opportunities for employment.

-       The borough had 59 local town centres with varying successes and footfall. The team were always working on enlivening policies in the town centres to support and promote access and increase local spend. Local initiatives in Wood Green, Lymington Avenue, as well as ‘Made in Tottenham’ and ‘Made in Haringey’ were highlighted and officers emphasised that individual town centre strategies were continuing and were not awaiting the instigation of this framework. They were working in tandem and support of the framework.

-       The framework took forward learning and established joint work between the Council and businesses in the Wood Green Bid. There would be a business forum and various engagement networks to support continuing communication and joint work between the Council and businesses to support the framework and the work on the five themes.

-       The Council were working with businesses on the ground and had the synergies to make this work. The Council were taking forward a relational approach with businesses to ensure that they were better connected to utilise opportunities. It was noted that there would be a shift to business network model to facilitate this. In addition, this would help bring businesses together at a strategic level.

-       With regards to signposting businesses to forthcoming opportunities, the Council were already doing this through the described relational approach and they would hear more from the Council on how they can also connect to other wider opportunity networks. The rejuvenated business forum and networks would also support this.

-       Following agreement of the Framework, there would be service delivery plans to feed into the borough vision outlined in the report.

-       There  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Report of the Director of Environment and Resident Experience. Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment, and Transport and Deputy Leader of the Council.

Following the experimental period of Highgate Junior School Street a decision is required whether to make permanent or revoke the traffic orders.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment, and Transport and Deputy Leader of the Council introduced the report, which sought approval to make permanent all ETOs associated with this School Street.

It was noted that school streets were safer for children, reduced congestion and air pollution.

The review of the experimental School Street demonstrated that traffic volumes within the School Street had reduced by 75% during operational hours and there had been an 8% increase in walking, cycling and scooting to school.

RESOLVED

1.         To note the outcome of the trial, including feedback, as detailed in the Monitoring Report (Appendix A).

2.         To note that no objections to the experimental traffic orders were received.

3.         T0 agree that the Council shall not exercise its discretion to cause a public inquiry to be held for the reasons set out in paragraph 8.7 of this report.

4.         To approve the making permanent of all ETOs associated with the School Street (SS09) as shown in Appendix E of this report.

5.         To authorise the Head of Highways and Parking to take all consequent steps to make the ETOs permanent.

Reasons for decision

The reason for making permanent the traffic orders associated with the School Street is in summary as follows: School Streets are a key priority for the Council, as set out within the School Street Plan^[1], the Walking and Cycling Action Plan^[2] and the Corporate Delivery Plan 2022-2024^[3]. See further sections 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 below.

Alternative options considered

Do nothing - i.e. to let the experimental traffic orders lapse.

The Council would therefore fail to deliver on the motion passed by Full Council in March 2019, which set out a commitment to deliver School Streets at primary schools across the borough.

Failure to retain this School Street would not meet the objectives set out in the Transport Strategy and the Climate Change Action Plan and the Walking and Cycling Action Plan.

Report of the Director of Children's Services. Cabinet Member for Children, Schools, and Families.

The Youth Justice Plan is a Budget and Policy framework document and requires scrutiny comments for consideration by Cabinet The report will include this and formally refer the plan to Full Council in November for adoption.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families introduced the report which sought approval to recommend the Annual Youth Justice Plan to Full Council for adoption.

The Cabinet Member outlined that the Council and partners were working to prevent young people from entering the youth justice system, and to support those who have to be rehabilitated was vital, complex, and detailed work.

The local authority was working with a range of partners to support young people who are at risk of entering the system or who are going through it.

The Youth Offending Service was a statutory regulated service, and the Local Authority was required to produce an Annual Youth Justice Plan. This was a statutory requirement and securing the endorsement of Cabinet was an important part of the process and gave this overarching plan the attention and priority within Council and partnership activities.

The local authority had a statutory duty to consult with partners to develop and implement this Annual Youth Justice Plan. As a statutory regulated service; Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) inspected youth offending services. The plan set out how youth justice services were to be provided and funded, and how the Youth Justice Service will run. As a strategic document, the plan covered and linked to several associated partnership strategies, which were set out in the report, including the Young People at Risk Strategy 2019-2029, Community Safety Strategy 2019-2023, and Haringey’s Corporate Delivery Plan. To ensure delivery of the aims and objectives, there was a more detailed operational delivery plan, with progress being reported to the Haringey Youth Justice Strategic Partnership Board.

In response to questions from Cllr das Neves, the following information was noted.

-       The Police had an instrumental role in developing the plan and were committed to working with young people in a positive way.

-       The Detective Superintendent for the Metropolitan Police was the vice chair of the Youth Justice Strategic Management Board and the Police lead a key part of the action plan. This was detailed within the appendix with actions allocated to the Police leads as well as other partners such as the Probation Service.

-       The Cabinet Member highlighted the primary focus of the Council and partners on the ‘child first’ approach and then dealing with the issues of offending. The Police had been committed to this approach and were working with the Council and partners to ensure that young people did not enter the Youth Justice system but if they did that, it was managed as effectively as possible.

-       Within the service, there was an operational delivery plan that had a clear section on the work that the Council were doing on disproportionality. This contained information on of the work that the Council had commissioned to support predominantly young black males because they tended to make up over half of the cohort within the Youth Justice Service. There were also details on the training taken forward in the Council workforce in order to understand disproportionality,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Report of the Director of Children's Services. Cabinet Member for Children, Schools, and Families.

To agree the proposed arrangements for admission to community nursery classes, primary, junior and secondary schools, to St Aidan’s Voluntary Controlled School, and for sixth form admission for the year 2025/26, including proposals to reduce the published admission number (PAN) for several primary schools can go out for consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Schools, and Families introduced the report, which sought Cabinet agreement to consult on the school admission arrangements for entry into school in the academic year for 2025/26 for Haringey’s community and voluntary controlled (VC), nursery, infant, junior, primary, secondary and sixth form settings.

The Cabinet noted that for 2024/25 there were no proposed alterations to the oversubscription criteria or Pan London co-ordinated admission schemes for Haringey primary, junior and secondary community, and VC schools for 2025/26.

This proposed consultation followed on from agreement by Cabinet in February 2023 to reduce the planned admission number for 8 primary schools from September 2024. Falling rolls due to lower birth rates and out of borough -migration rate had demanded changes to PAN in recent years.

In response to questions from Cllr das Neves and Cllr Cawley-Harrison, the following information was provided:

-       The issue around lower birth rates were an ongoing concern and Haringey was not the only borough to be affected. This had become a wider issue and was being discussed across many London boroughs as it had an impact on school budgets, finance, and sustainability.

-       Some of the key factors to the falling birth rates included migration, cost of living crisis and Brexit.

-       The number of students attending school in future years was projected to continue falling and there would be a possibility to reduce PAN number in future years. In terms of engaging with other schools to tackle this issue, there were a series of local in-person workshops to discuss school place planning and the wider education strategy.

-       The priority was to ensure sustainability of existing primary school offers in Haringey. As part of the strategic long-term planning, 2 Head Teachers from each clusters across Haringey had been asked to be part of an Education Strategy Board.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree to consult on the proposed admission arrangements, including the co-ordinated schemes for admission of children to schools for the academic year 2025/26.

2.    To agree to consult on the proposed fair access protocol^[1] which, if agreed at Cabinet in February 2024, would be come into force from 1 March 2024;

3.    To agree to consult with stakeholders on the proposal to reduce the PANs by 1fE at several primary schools across Haringey’s primary school estate (see table 1 at para. 5.12 for the list of affected schools).

4.    To note that following the consultation, a report will be prepared summarising the representations received and a decision on the final admission arrangements for 2025/26 will be taken by Cabinet in February 2024.

Reasons for decision

In common with many London authorities, Haringey has experienced a decrease in demand for reception school places for several years. This is due, in part, to the turbulence brought about by Covid-19 and Brexit. However, the decrease in applications is likely to reflect a wider set of factors at play that have been impacting demand for primary reception places for the past few years.

This has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

Report of the Director of Finance. Cabinet Member for Finance and Local Investment.

The report seeks approval to commence procurements to establish a portfolio of pan-London Frameworks and Dynamic Marketplaces via the London Construction Programme.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Local Investment introduced the report which sought approval to proceed in the LCP establishing a new suite of contract vehicles to replace the expiring ones listed in the attached report. The Councils’ Contract Standing Order 7.04 (a) required Cabinet approval where the Council was intending to lead on any joint procurement activity that was likely to involve a key decision.

The proposed new suite of frameworks would cover the following categories of: Housing, Education and Major works.

The Cabinet Member further highlighted the purpose of the LCP was to establish collaborative contract vehicles in the contract construction sector, such as frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems. the benefits of this proposed decision which were as follows:

• Increased revenue of £1.35m
• 90% of contracts went to small or medium sized businesses
• Achieved several awards
• Assisted Council with capital programme and achieving Council priorities
• Facilitated embedding social value into contracts
• Has requirements for the use of local labour and apprentices, including hard to employ groups, payment of the London Living wage, enhanced modern slavery checks and mental health awareness and staff well-being policies.
• Enables refresh of contract vehicles and would introduce new dynamic models in 2024.

In response to questions from Cllr das Neves and Cllr Cawley- Harrison the following was noted.

-      There was recognition of some issues in the construction sector and as part of the consultation process, the procurement team spoke to both the supply chain and internal and external stakeholders and members on best how to address this. It was noted that, as a way forward, frameworks will now commence at £5m, whereas previously they commenced at £1m and this had created a bit of pressure and capacity issues within that process. It was explained that the benefit of making this change was that contracts below £5m would predominantly be run through the dynamic marketplace which is geared towards specifically supporting SMEs so that they can effectively bid for contracts. This process would also facilitate them to understand their own capability and capacity within that sector and therefore mitigate against situations where they are overstretching in their contract bids to provide services and projects. In addition, there would be ongoing checks across the entire supply chain and monthly monitoring.

-      The sensitivity projections set out at section 4.7 were based upon the contract values that revenue can be generated from. It was explained that the revenue was generated by applying a levy and that levy was based upon the contract value. Therefore, consideration to how the contract can generate revenue based upon previous projections and performance was very carefully and stringently considered. There would have to be an unpredicted catastrophic failure of the LCP not to make profit effectively in terms of the contracts going forward.

RESOLVED

In accordance with Contract Standing Order 7.04 (a):

1. To approve the replacement of the existing LCP pan - London Major Works Framework with frameworks in housing, education and major works categories;

2. To approve the establishment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Report of the Director of Placemaking and Housing.To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Council Housebuilding, Placemaking, and Local Economy.

Proposal to dispose of vacant industrial unit at 3 Shaftesbury Road, N18 1SQ.

The Cabinet Member for Council Housebuilding, Placemaking, and Local Economy introduced the report, which sought approval for the disposal of a property held in the General Fund located at 3 Shaftesbury Road, N18 1SW.

It was noted that since the introduction of the Strategic Asset Management and Property Improvement Plan (SAMPIP) in April 2023, the Council had been implementing the plan and was initiating its Corporate Property Model. The recommendation to dispose of 3 Shaftesbury Road represented these improvements in action.

SAMPIP was used as a guide for best practice and to assess best value. All Council owned properties were under review so that each could be assessed, and various options explored including retention, investment, or disposal. In the case of Shaftesbury Road, the decision to dispose represented the optimum financial outcome for the property.

In response to questions from Cllr das Neves and Cllr Cawley-Harrison, the following information was provided:

• At the time of the purchase of the property, the market value assessments were deemed to have been robust.
• It was noted that it would not be in the Council’s interest to disclose details publicly around the expected value of the property, as it would be going through a competitive tendering process.
• In regard to wider engagement around the Strategic Asset Management plan, there would be more engagement with businesses across all properties and with the community in terms of what the needs would be.
• In terms of costings, the holding costs were outlined in the exempt section of the report.

Further to considering, the exempt information set out at item 26.

RESOLVED

1. To agree the disposal of the freehold interest in the Property known as 3 Shaftesbury Road, N18 1SW (and shown edged red on the plan in Appendix 1) on the open market and for a price that would represent best consideration, and

2. To delegate authority to the Director of Placemaking and Housing after consultation with the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Council Housebuilding, Placemaking and Development, to agree the final price and the contract terms for the disposal of the Property (subject to a minimum price threshold contained within paragraph 3.1.b). of the exempt report).

Reasons for decision

Following Cabinet approval in December 2019 (report attached at Appendix 2), the Property was purchased in July 2020 for General Fund purposes. The acquisition represented an important step in attempting to unlock ‘Phase B’ of the masterplan for the High Road West Scheme (“the Scheme”). The Council was required to demonstrate availability of alternative premises within the locality to allow for businesses to relocate and enable the latter phase (Phase B) of the development to be delivered, (see paragraph 4.4 below). Phase B comprises the part of the Scheme that is north of White Hart Lane, including the Peacock Industrial Estate.

[This information is contained in the exempt report]

The Property was marketed to light industrial businesses on the Peacock Industrial Estate between December 2020 and June 2021. Despite the proactive approach taken by the Council and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

Report of the Director of Environment and Resident Experience. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Resident Services &Tackling Inequality.

The contract extension and variation of the Nuisance Vehicle contract with NSL Limited.

The Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Resident Services & Tackling Inequality introduced the report which sought approval to extend and vary the Council’s existing Nuisance Vehicle Contract with Marston (Holdings) Limited (MHL). This was allowed under the contract and in accordance with the Council's Contract Standing Order (CSO) 10.02.1(b), which permits variations and extensions for contracts with a value of £500,000 and above. The proposed extension would last for two years until 30 November 2025 and be for a further value of £2,264,399.56.

The Cabinet Member outlined that there was a critical need to provide this service on safety grounds to enable the removal of vehicles that were abandoned, inappropriately parked or causing problems on the public highway or in housing estates. It was noted that the borough did not currently have a site to provide a car pound and the market for this provision was not wide enough to allow a full tender process to be completed. The proposed provider had a historically consistent delivery of quality service, which aligned with the Council's expectations.

In response to questions from Cllr Cawley- Harrison, the following information was noted:

-       The options of building car pound and having a full tender process were considered and these options were significantly more costly at this stage. This view had also been reached from considering how other Councils had taken similar decisions forward and the costs involved.

-       With regards to service key performance indicators for this provision and how this would be managed, this was commercially sensitive information and was included in the exempt report.

-       It was clarified that the value of the contract should read £2,264,399.56 and too many commas had been included in the main report.

Further to considering the exempt information at item 23,

RESOLVED

1. To approve the extension of the existing Nuisance Vehicle Contract with Marston (Holdings) Limited, in accordance with the Council's Contract Standing Order 10.02.1(b) (which allows for an extension of a contract with a value of £500,000 and above), for two years;

2. To approve the upward variation in the annual contract value for each extension year from the £1,091,390.21 provided for in the original contract to an annual extension year value of £1,132,199.78 resulting in a total contract value of £2,264,399.56 over the proposed two-year extension period; and, 

3. To approve the variations to the terms of the contract specification, particularly the performance indicators, as referred to in the exempt Part B of this report to provide for more robust performance indicators to improve the contract's operational efficiency.

Reasons for decision

The proposals are being made to maintain service continuity concerning a critical component of the Council's parking enforcement operations. The proposals will also ensure strategic alignment with the Council's transport policies and government guidance. Consistent parking enforcement operations ensure public safety, control the demand for parking, promote more sustainable methods of travel and meet residents' and business aspirations for ease of parking.

Additionally, this contract is critical to ensuring the delivery of the Council’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

Report of the Director of Placemaking and Housing. Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Private Renters, and Planning.

Approval of award of MDC contract for the 1st tranche of retrofitting council housing stock.

The Cabinet Member for Resident Services &Tackling Inequality introduced the report, which sought approval for the award of a consultancy contract for Multi-Disciplinary Consultancy (& Retrofit Designer) services for the ‘Retrofit For Haringey 01’ project.

The consultancy contract term would be for a period of up to 24 months covering all design and delivery phases.

This contract would be the second within the Retrofit for Haringey programme, covering the fabric first retrofit of 289 street properties.

In response to questions from Cllr Hakata and Cllr Cawley-Harrison, the following was noted:

• This would be the first retrofit project which the Council had commenced since approving the Housing Energy Action Plan (HEAP).
• This contract covered the ‘fabric first’ retrofit and the 289 homes would be part of the first project.
• The houses had been selected in line with the criteria set in the Housing Energy Action Plan and were the worst performing properties in terms of energy performance.
• It was noted that in the long-term plan, there would be leasehold properties involved in this retrofit programme.

Further to considering, the exempt information set out at item 26,

RESOLVED

To approve the award of the consultancy identified in the exempt report.

Reasons for decision

The consultancy identified in the exempt report successfully won a competitive tendering process in May 2023, meeting the requirements laid out by the Council.

The services provided by the consultant are in accordance with PAS 2035:2019, which is the standard for retrofitting domestic dwellings, and a mandatory project requirement when applying for government grant funding.

Alternative options considered

Do Nothing:

The Council had made a commitment to become a net zero carbon borough by 2041, this commitment includes provision to retrofit all its social housing stock (circa 15,000 properties) as part of the Council Housing Energy Action Plan (HEAP) 2023-2028.

Delay:

The Council could wait to award this contract, until external grant funding rounds open towards the end of 2023, but ensuring a supply chain is in place prior to applying for external funding will give the Council a greater chance of making a successful bid.

Report of the Director of Placemaking and Housing. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Council Housebuilding, Placemaking, and Local Economy.

The report will seek Cabinet approval to increase total scheme budget.

Cllr Carlin left the meeting room at 19.48, in accordance with her earlier declaration of interest.

The Cabinet Member for Council House Building, Placemaking, and Local Economy introduced the report, which sought approval to increase the total scheme budget and agreement of a new contractor to complete construction of five Council homes on the Council owned land at Nightingale Lane (NGL), N8 and St. Mary’s Close (SMC), N17.

The Cabinet Member outlined that the Council had worked hard with the original contractor to resolve ongoing issues. However, the Council had terminated the contract earlier this year due to repeated underperformance on behalf of the contractor. It was now necessary to appoint a new contractor to complete the works on these homes, which would incur an additional cost in line with inflation and rising building costs. The housing schemes provide much-needed homes for five households.

In response to a question from Cllr Cawley – Harrison, it was noted that there is a constant review of the contractor performance and detail considered from project managers and clerk of works. It was noted that over 4300 construction firms in this sector had become insolvent and considering this context, the Council were not as exposed as other organisations. The original contractor had underpriced their bids and then with the increase in inflation had not been able to manage their contracts. There had been a contract performance bond in place and the Council would expect to receive a good reimbursement of funds.

Further to considering exempt information at item 25,

RESOLVED

1.    To approve increase in total scheme budget as described in Appendix 1 - Part B Exempt of this report in order to complete the works to the newly constructed homes.

2.    To approve pursuant to the Council’s Contract Standing Orders (CSO) 9.07.01a, the appointment of Contractor A (named in the Appendix 1 - Part B Exempt part of the report)to undertake building works to complete the provision of five Council rented homes at 42 Nightingale Lane, N8 and 5 & 7 St. Mary’s Close, N17 for a total contract sum of £205,359.

3.    To approve the scheme contingency sum as set out in the Appendix 1 - Part B Exempt.

4.    To approve issuance of the Letter of Intent to the 10% of the contract value as allowed under CSO 9.07.3 to expedite the works in advance of execution of the contract.

Reasons for decisions

In September 2020 Cabinet approved the award of a JCT Design and Build contract with the Contractor B to deliver 2 x 3 bed homes at St Mary’s Close and 2 x 1 bed and 1 x 2 bed flats at Nightingale Lane with approved budget as outlined in Appendix 1 Part B exempt information.

The works started on both sites in January 2021. In autumn 2021, the Council first became concerned about the Contractor’s overall performance. From autumn 2021 and throughout 2022 Council officers successfully worked with the Contractor B to improve their performance through weekly  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

Report of the Director of Placemaking and Housing.To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Council Housebuilding, Placemaking, and Local Economy.

Proposed acquisition of 46 homes for council rent within block D4 of the Berkeley St William Clarendon Gasworks scheme, alongside a ground floor commercial space and the Energy Centre for the proposed local District Energy Centre (located in the basement and ground floor of the block).

Cllr Carlin returned to the meeting room 19.54

The Cabinet Member for Council Housebuilding, Placemaking, and Local Economy introduced the report which sought approval in principle the acquisition at pre-construction stage of 46 affordable homes and a commercial space contained within Block D4 in the Clarendon Gas Works Development being delivered by St William Homes LLP (a subsidiary of the Berkeley Group).

This scheme would support the growth in a key placemaking area and would contribute to the Council’s target of 3,000 homes by the end of 2031.

The scheme would enable 46 families and over 100 children, to move out of temporary, overcrowded, and unsuitable accommodation into new two-, three- and four-bedroom Council homes.

The Cabinet Member confirmed that some of the homes on this site had already been delivered and currently have occupancy.

In response to questions from Cllr Carlin, the following was noted:

• There had been an increase in the number of affordable housing on this scheme rising from 32% to 40%. There were also further social housing providers on this site  further written response on the overall number of social homes would be provided to Cllr Carlin.

Further to considering, the exempt information set out at item 26, including the exempt addendum,

RESOLVED

1. To approve the acquisition at pre-construction stage of 46 affordable homes and 120 m² commercial space within Block D4 in the Clarendon Gas Works Development being delivered by St William Homes LLP (SWH) for the premium set out in Exempt Part B report and on the basis set out in the Heads of Terms in the Exempt Part B report.
2. To approve the total scheme cost, on costs and fee budget set out in the Exempt Part B report.
3. To approve the use of Right to Buy receipts to subsidise this acquisition to the value set out in Exempt Part B report.
4. To grant delegated authority to the Director of Placemaking and Housing after consultation with the Head of Legal and Governance (Monitoring Officer) and Lead Member for Housing to agree the final legal documentation and complete the transaction.

Reasons for decision

The acquisition of these residential units will allow the Council to secure the delivery of 46 new Council homes at Council rents, building towards Haringey’s pledge to build 3000 Council homes by 2031.

There is an overwhelming need for affordable homes in Haringey and particularly affordable family homes. This acquisition, which includes 36 three and four bedroom homes, will help the Council provide accommodation for rent to those on the Council’s Housing Register.

The homes to be delivered are very well located and will be high quality, meeting the Mayor’s housing design standards.

The acquisition is good value for money, being cheaper per home than the average new build property in the Council’s own housing construction programme and is supported by funding from Right to Buy Receipts.

Alternative options considered

Not to acquire the homes. This option was rejected because it would represent a missed opportunity for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

To note the minutes of the following:

Urgent Decisions

17 October 2023

RESOLVED

To note the minutes of the urgent decision taken on the 17 October 2023.

None

Note from the Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager

Items 22 to 27 allow for consideration of exempt information in relation to items 14 to 18 and 6.

TO RESOLVE

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as items 22 to 27 contain exempt information as defined under paragraphs 3 and 5, Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:

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

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

RESOLVED

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as items 22 to 27 contained exempt information as defined under paragraphs 3 and 5, Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:

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

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

As per item 14.

The Cabinet considered the exempt information and agreed the exempt recommendations and the public recommendations set out at item 14.

As per item 15.

The Cabinet considered the exempt information and agreed the recommendations set out at item 15.

As per item 16.

The Cabinet considered the exempt information and agreed the exempt recommendations and also agreed the public recommendations set out at item 16.

As per item 17.

Cllr Carlin left the meeting room for this item.

The Cabinet considered the exempt information and agreed the exempt recommendations and also agreed the public recommendations set out at item 17.

As per item 18.

Cllr Carlin returned to the room for this item

The Cabinet considered the exempt information, including the  late business addendum and agreed the exempt recommendations. Cabinet also agreed the public recommendations set out at item 18.

To confirm and sign the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2023 as a correct record.

RESOLVED

To approve the exempt minutes of the meeting held on the 17^th of October 2023.

None