Agenda and draft minutes

(if any)

 (Agenda Item 1):

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Canver.

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgment of the public interest and if this interest affects their financial position or the financial position of a person or body as described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct and/or if it relates to the determining of any approval, consent, licence, permission or registration in relation to them or any person or body described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct.

(Agenda Item 3):

Cllr Haley declared an interest in item 14 as Chairman of North London Waste limited and by virtue of being a member of the North London Waste Authority.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 22 April 2008.

 (Agenda Item 4):

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 22 April 2008 be confirmed and signed.

(a)   Scrutiny Review of Access to Services for Older People (To be introduced by Councillor Bull).

(b)   Scrutiny Review of Waste Recycling, Collection and Disposal (To be introduced by Councillor Jones).

*Note by the Head of Local Democracy and Member Services

Part 4 Section G Paragraph 1.3 (vii) of the Constitution states that following endorsement by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, final reports and recommendations will be presented to the next available Cabinet meeting. The Cabinet will note the report and request a responding report from the Chief Executive or Chief Officer and cabinet Member responsible. The request is to be available within 6 weeks of the request and will include a detailed tabulated implementation action plan.

(Agenda Item 6):

Scrutiny Review of Access to Services for Older People (Agenda Item 6 (a):

We received a presentation from Councillor Bull who had chaired the Scrutiny Panel which had reviewed access to services by older people. Appreciation and thanks were provided to panel members: Adamou, Alexander, and Wilson for their co-operation and expertise in what had been an excellent review. Arising from this review we noted that reviews on the transportation of older people and support for carers would be taken forward by Cllr Bull and Cllr Dodds.

Our Chair thanked him and the other members of the Scrutiny Panel for the Review. The Cabinet Member for Adults, and Social Care welcomed the report and advised that a response to the review and its recommendations was currently being finalised.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and, in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution, officers be requested to submit a Cabinet response to our meeting on 15 July 2008 including a detailed tabulated implementation action plan.

Scrutiny Review of Waste Recycling, Collection and Disposal  (Agenda Item 6(b)

In the absence of Cllr Jones, the Chair of this review, the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny presented the review to Cabinet.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation welcomed this extensive review which contained 27 main recommendations, 34 sub recommendations. The Cabinet response to the review was in the process of being finalised.  In considering this report it should be borne in mind that the Council did not have a waste commercial contract.  To further note that the London Councils were currently lobbying government for changes to the apportionment of recycling credits for business recycling which would provide Councils with more of a financial incentive to pursue this change.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and, in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution, officers be requested to submit a Cabinet response to our meeting on 15 July 2008 including a detailed tabulated implementation action plan.

(Report of the Chief Executive – To be introduced by the Leader): To review 2007/08 service performance against the Council’s basket of key indicators using the balanced scorecard format and showing progress against achievement of Council priorities.

(Report of the Chief Executive – Agenda Item 7):

We noted that overall, targets were achieved or close to being achieved for 88% of indicators and performance has been maintained or improved from the previous year. We noted that page 2 of the interleaved report listed the improved performance for the following areas :

·        Pupils attaining 5 or more GCSEs at Grades A*-C

·        Absence in both primary and secondary schools

·        Young People Not in Education, Employment and Training (NEETs)

·        Looked after children obtaining 1 GCSE at grade A-G

·        Increasing the number of adoptions 

·        Road casualties (trend & 3 year average)

·        Street cleanliness

·        Satisfaction with recycling facilities

·        School travel plans

·        Waiting times for assessment and packages of care

·        Adults and Older people receiving statement of needs, direct payments and equipment delivered in 7 days

·        Complaints handling

·        Keeping Haringey residents informed

·        Involving residents in decision making

·        Being efficient and well run

·        Offering value for money

These results demonstrated that the Borough is continuing to make progress and move in the right direction.

In the next three years the Council would need to consolidate performance in improving areas. The Council would also be working with partners across the HSP partnership to deliver on the priorities identified in our new Local Area Agreement.

We were further advised that since the report had been distributed that now 100% of borough schools had completed travel plans. This was recognised as a significant achievement by the Cabinet and congratulations were provided to: Schools, Urban Environment, and leisure for their efforts in achieving this.

RESOLVED:

That the performance information presented in the interleaved report and progress against Council priorities be noted.

(Report of the Chief Executive – To be introduced by the Leader) To provide quarterly progress of the corporate programme covering the period up to end March 2008.

(Report of the Chief Executive – Agenda Item 8):

The Council had achieved £14.2 million investment for the borough through Growth Area and Community Infrastructure funding.  This had funded the purchase of the new school site in the Heartlands, the enabling works at the GLS site at Hale Village, Markfield Recreation Ground improvements, the Relocation of the Mortuary and the Heartlands Spine Road. Members interested in visiting the new Mortuary site in Church Lane Tottenham N17 were advised to contact Keith Betts, of Urban Environment.

Clarification was sought on the location of the coroners which was listed as being in Barnet borough Council. We were advised that the location of the coroners had already been discussed and agreed at the outset of this project.

We noted that the progress of the Decent Homes programme would begin to be reported to Cabinet on a quarterly basis and our Chair had asked Homes 4 Haringey to use the same reporting timescales for their reports to the Cabinet on capital and revenue spend. We were reminded that, the programme highlight report was considered on a quarterly basis to allow for information on Council projects to be collated and compiled so that Members could better consider the progress of a project over a meaningful period of time. The progress of projects from April 08 to June08 would be reported to Cabinet in September.

Arising from consideration of paragraph 12.1.35 clarification was sought   on the state of progress for the development of the Hornsey Depot site. In response we were advised that the Council were fully committed to the scheme and were in the process of putting in place the mechanisms to facilitate fortnightly tri-partite meetings with the concerned stakeholders to expedite the progress of this project. We agreed that the concerned Members forward their ongoing enquiries, regarding this project, to the Cabinet Member for Resources who would ensure a response was delivered. We further agreed to keep ward Members appropriately  appraised of the progress of the Hornsey depot project

RESOLVED:

That the progress against the Corporate Programmes and status at the end of reporting period, as shown in Appendix 1 to the interleaved report be noted.

(Report of the Chief Executive – To be introduced by the Leader): To present proposed 3 year targets for agreement by Members for new National Indicators including the Local Area Agreement targets where baseline data is available and Best Value Indicators to be retained for monitoring Council services.

(Report of the Chief Executive – Agenda Item 9):

RESOLVED:

That approval be granted to the proposed targets for the indicators as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 to the interleaved report.

(Report of the Chief Financial Officer – To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Resources): To set out the provisional revenue and capital outturn for 2007/08 and consider the carry forward requests.

(Report of the Chief Financial Officer – Agenda Item 10):

The interleaved report set out the Council’s provisional outturn for 2007/08. We were advised that the year end general fund surplus was £2.109m (0.9% of the approved revenue budget) excluding the dedicated schools grant (DSG).  After carry forward requests of £1.490m set out in the report this left a net under spend of £0.619m. 

The report further set out the capital outturn position, which was noted to be a net under spend of £6.878m (6.8% of the approved budget).  Carry forward requests of £5.955m were submitted for consideration. The position on the HRA, non-schools and schools DSG was also reported.  These showed small under spends against the approved budgets.

In overall terms, after taking into account adjustments previously reported through the budget management process, we noted that the financial outturn was in line with the agreed financial strategy.

Concern was expressed at the timing of capital expenditure. In response to this it was important to note that capital spends had been planned and account should be given to the ultimate outcome of a capital project. There was also a need to take into consideration the necessary re -profiling undertaken in some areas and the current financial conditions.  We were advised that the BSF capital projects were a complex example of where there were numerous processes to adhere to as well as various stakeholder requirements to fur fill.  As, part of understanding the complexities of projects, an example we noted was the need of the Council to adhere to set  cost allocations at the design stages of the BSF schools construction projects to not allow overspend at an early stage . This was against the need to meet stakeholder detailed design expectations. Nonetheless the process had been successful and stringent milestones kept to.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the provisional general fund outturn for 2007/08 set out at paragraph 9.1 and 9.8 of the interleaved report for revenue and for capital respectively be noted.

2.      That the reasons for variations detailed in Appendices A and B be noted and approval granted to the planned transfers to reserves as set out in Appendix A to the interleaved report.

3.      That the provisional housing revenue account (HRA) outturn set out at paragraph 9.11 of the interleaved report be noted.

4.      That approval be granted to the revenue carry forward proposals of £1.490 million detailed in Appendix C to the interleaved report.

5.      That approval be granted to the capital carry forward proposals of £5.955 million as set out in Appendix D to the interleaved report.

6.      That the provisional outturn of a £2 million under spend for schools be noted and authority be delegated to the Chief Financial Officer to finalise the position and the carry forward.

7.      That authority to prepare the Council’s financial statements such that the financial position of the Council is optimised be delegated to the Chief Financial Officer.

8.      That it be noted that the Council’s Financial Statements for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

(Report of the Director of Adults, Culture and Community Services -  To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Lifelong Learning): To consider the issues arising from entering into a contract with the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the restoration of Lordship Recreation Ground following an offer of grant funding from the HLF.

 (Report of the Director of Adults, Culture and Community Services – Agenda Item 11):

RESOLVED:

1.      That the costs, benefits and key risks identified for the Lordship Recreation Ground scheme be noted and approval granted to the incorporation of the project into the Better Haringey Programme.

2.      That approval be granted to the Council entering into a contract with the Heritage Lottery Fund for the development of the scheme to stage 2.

3.      That it be noted that the anticipated match funding required from the Council was £446,000 (5%), with the balance to be raised from a number of external partners and approval be granted to a capital bid being made for 2009/10 in order to be able to demonstrate to the Heritage Lottery Fund, in submitting the Stage 2 application, that the Council supported the scheme. 

4.      That further work be carried out to examine the demand, viability and management of the proposed City Farm component of the project.

(Report of the Director of Children and Young People’s Service to be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People): To approve the initial plans for the development of Haringey’s Phase 3 Children Centre programme.

(Report of the Director of the Children and Young People’s Service  – Agenda Item 12):

A commitment was sought from the Cabinet to consider   the provision of a Children’s Centre in Fortis Green ward.  There was explained to be pockets of deprivation and newly arrived families moving to new housing in the ward making this provision a necessity. In response to this request, we noted the success of the Council in meeting government expectations and already establishing 15 Children’s Centres in the borough. We further noted that Barnet Council were examining the possibility of establishing a Children’s Centre in Coppets Wood primary school which was in the vicinity of Fortis Green ward. Therefore, subject to the progress of Barnet Council, the planned review of current Children’s Centre provision would take into account the issues raised on Fortis Green ward.

RESOLVED:

1.      That approval be granted to the development of Highgate Children’s Centre as part of the Phase 3 Children’s Centre Programme.

2.      That a further report setting out proposals for the development of Haringey’s Phase 3 programme be submitted to our meeting in December 2008.

(Report of the Director of Urban Environment  - To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise): adopt the Supplementary Planning Document as part of the Local Development Framework.

(Report of the Director of Urban Environment – Agenda Item 13):

In considering paragraph 11.4 it was important to be aware of areas within the borough where there was currently no open space to aid consideration of both potential new areas and safeguarding of existing areas.

In relation to UDP policies OS/12 we noted that the existing policies on allotments were continued.

We further noted that the enclosed planning document applied to open spaces within the borough boundary and those spaces just outside the boundary would be subject to neighbouring borough’s policies.

RESOLVED:

That the work, including consultation, carried out on the proposed Haringey Open Space and Recreation Standards Supplementary Planning Document, and the accompanying Sustainability Report be noted and approval granted to their adoption.

(Report of the Director of Urban Environment – To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation): To detail the final version of the Memorandum of Understanding between the North London Waste Authority and the seven north London Boroughs relating to the process for procuring new waste treatment facilities.

(Report of the Director of Urban Environment – Agenda Item 14):

The appendices to the interleaved report were the subject of a motion to exclude the press and public as they contained exempt information which related to the business or financial affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information.

RESOLVED:

That the details in the Memorandum of Understanding be noted and approval be granted to the Leader of the Council signing the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Council.

(Report of the Director of Urban Environment – To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation): To agree a strategy to tackle climate change and create an environmentally sustainable future that will make Haringey one of London’s greenest boroughs.

(Report of the Director of Urban Environment – Agenda Item 15):

We commended the report and thanked staff for the success of the Green Fair and the Green Awards.

In agreeing this strategy we were asked to note the Chief Financial Officers comments on section 4.3 of the interleaved report which reported that some of the measures required, for achieving the longer term climate change agenda, are likely to have significant cost implications over and above existing budget provisions.                          

RESOLVED:

1. That the context for the development of Haringey’s Greenest Borough Strategy be noted.

2. That the vision and key priorities for Haringey’s Greenest Borough Strategy as summarised in paragraph 7 of the interleaved report be agreed.

3. That Haringey’s Greenest Borough Strategy as set out in Appendix A to the interleaved report be recommended for adoption to the Council at their meeting in July.

4. That authority to make any minor amendments to the Strategy be delegated to the Director of Urban Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation.

5. That following adoption of the strategy by the Council, a detailed implementation plan be prepared.

(Report of the Director of Urban Environment – To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing): To present the Homes for Haringey Business Plan 2008 – 13 which sets out Homes for Haringey’s vision,  key strategic objectives and operational principles to enable the vision to become an operational reality.

(Report of the Director of Urban Environment – Agenda Item 16):

We welcomed Cllr John Beven to the Cabinet as the Cabinet Member for Housing Services.

RESOLVED:

That approval be granted to the Homes for Haringey Business Plan 2008-13 as set out at Appendix 1 to the interleaved report.

(Report of the Director of Urban Environment – To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing): To provide an overview on the development of the Decent Homes programme and sets out the key deliverable process that Homes for Haringey have adopted to ensure the successful delivery of the Decent Homes Programme from 2008/09.

(Report of the Director of Urban Environment – Agenda Item 17):

RESOLVED:

1. That the allocation of Government funding be noted and approval be granted to the approach to the delivery of decent homes programme as outlined in the interleaved report.

2. That the capital programme be amended to reflect the actual funding allocated as announced and approval be granted to the carry forward of any unspent resources in 2007/8.   

(Report of the Monitoring Officer and Head of Legal Services – To be introduced by the Leader): To approve the draft Local Code for Haringey Governance and to recommend it to the Council for adoption).

(Joint Report of the Monitoring Officer and the Head of Legal Service – Agenda Item 18):

In considering this report we noted that the six core principles of standards in public life, which had been developed by the Nolan Committee, had been applied to the local code. There were further outlined in the report a series of supporting principles and actions that show how good governance should be embedded in practice. It was important to note that the code helped define what all Members and officers should be doing to promote good governance within in the Council. This was also a key set of rules to have in place in preparation for the CAA.

RESOLVED:

1. That approval be granted to the draft Haringey Local Code of Corporate Governance as set out in the Appendix to the interleaved report and to it being recommended to the Council on 14 July for formal adoption.

2. That approval be granted to the measures proposed in paragraph 7.5 of the interleaved report to publicise the Code after its adoption.

(Report of the Chief Executive – To be introduced by the Leader): To appoint Cabinet Members to serve on the Procurement Committee and the Voluntary Sector Committee for the 2008/09 Municipal Year and to confirm the terms of reference of the two committees.

(Report of the Chief Executive – Agenda Item 19):

RESOLVED:

1. That the Procurement Committee and the Voluntary Sector Committee be appointed for the 2007/08 municipal year with the following memberships - 

Procurement Committee

Cabinet Member Resources (Chair)

Leader of the Council

Cabinet Member Children and Young People

Cabinet Member Housing Services

(The appointed Members to be entitled to name any other Member of the Cabinet as a substitute in the event of absence and the substitute when attending in that capacity be recorded in the minutes as so doing and entitled to carry full voting and other rights and responsibilities).

Voluntary Sector Committee

Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement (Chair)

Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Safer Communities

Cabinet Member for Resources

Plus 2 other Members of the Cabinet (All Members of the Cabinet to act as a panel of substitutes with two to be selected according to whose portfolio responsibilities were relevant to the particular areas of activity under review).

2. That the terms of reference of the Cabinet Procurement Committee and of the Cabinet Voluntary Sector Committee as outlined in paragraphs 8.2 and 8.3 of the interleaved report respectively be confirmed.

(Report of the Chief Executive – To be introduced by the Leader): To propose the appointment of Members to serve on the Haringey Strategic Partnership and its six Theme Boards.

(Report of the Chief Executive – Agenda Item 20):

RESOLVED:

1.      That the Cabinet reappoint the following three Cabinet Members: Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement, Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Regeneration, Cabinet member for Enforcement and Safer Communities to serve on the HSP (In addition to the Leader and the Chief Executive who are ex Officio members)

2.      That the Chief Executive be authorised in consultation with the Leader to appoint t to serve on the Haringey Strategic Partnership Board in the light of nominations received from HSP Theme Boards at their initial meetings in the current municipal year.

3.      That approval be granted to the following appointments of Cabinet Members to serve on the HSP Theme Boards indicated –

a.      Better Places Partnership  - Cabinet Member for Environment &Conservation(Chair) Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement

b.      Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership Board  -   Cabinet Member for Children and Young People (Chair), the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Safer Communities

c.      Well Being Partnership Board  - Cabinet Member for Adult and Social Care (Chair)  Cabinet Member for Housing Services

d.      Integrated Housing Board – Cabinet Member for Housing(Chair)

e.      Safer Communities Executive Board – Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Safer Communities

f.        Enterprise Board  - Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise

4.      That approval be granted to the continuation of the following non Cabinet Members on the Theme Boards indicated pending the first meetings of those Boards following which the Chief Executive be authorised in consultation with the Leader to make any necessary changes:

                                                              i.      Children and Young People’s Theme Board – Councillor Jones

                                                            ii.      Enterprise Partnership Board  -  Councillor Egan

                                                          iii.      Safer Communities Executive Board  -  Councillor Cooke

                                                           iv.      Well Being Partnership Board – Councillor Bull (as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee) and Councillor Dogus.

5.      That nominations from the opposition are sought for the                      membership of the HSP theme boards.

(Report of the Chief Executive): To inform the Cabinet of urgent actions taken by Directors in consultation with the Leader or Cabinet Members.

(Report of the Chief Executive – Agenda Item 21):

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and any necessary action approved.

(Report of the Chief Executive): To inform the Cabinet of delegated decisions and significant actions taken.

(Report of the Chief Executive – Agenda Item 22):

RESOLVED:

1.      That the report be noted and any necessary action approved.

2.      That sums are listed against the delegated action in future reports.

a)     Haringey Strategic Partnership Board – 8 April 2008

b)     Cabinet Member Signing – 14 April 2008

c)      Cabinet Member Signing – 16 April 2008

d)     Procurement Committee – 29 April 2008

e)     Procurement Committee – 15 May 2008

f)        Cabinet Member Signing – 15 May 2008

g)  Cabinet Member Signing – 16 May 2008

(Agenda Item 23):

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the following meetings be noted and any necessary action approved -

a)     Haringey Strategic Partnership Board – 8 April 2008

b)     Cabinet Member Signing – 14 April 2008

c)      Cabinet Member Signing – 16 April 2008

d)     Procurement Committee – 29 April 2008

e)     Procurement Committee – 15 May 2008

f)        Cabinet Member Signing – 15 May 2008

g)  Cabinet Member Signing – 16 May 2008

Report of the Director of Corporate Resources - To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Resources): To report on the development opportunity that has arisen at 505-511 Archway Road and to seek a decision to declare the property surplus to the Council’s requirements.

(Report of the Director of Corporate Resources – Agenda Item 26):

The interleaved report was the subject of a motion to exclude the press and public from the meeting as it contained exempt information relating to the business or financial affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information).

It was important to note that any development of the site, or of any site, by a successful leaseholder, as the statutory practise, requires a planning brief. The planning permission for the development of a   site is eventually sought through the planning committee and therefore any representations considered at this stage.

RESOLVED:

1. That approval be granted to the removal of 505-511 Archway Road, N6 from the Commercial Portfolio in order to enable the business lease to be terminated on the basis of developing the site with appropriate social and physical regeneration outcomes.

2. That, having considered the merits of each of the options outlined in the interleaved report the Head of Corporate Property Services be authorised to dispose of 505-511 Archway Road, N6 in accordance with the terms outlined in section 2.2 of the report.

Report of the Director of Corporate Resources - To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Resources): To seek approval to the disposal of the Welbourne Community Centre with the aim of developing the whole site to contribute to the regeneration of the area through appropriate provision of social and community facilities.

(Report of the Director of Corporate Resources – Agenda Item 27):

Our Chair agreed to admit the report as urgent business. The report was late because of the need to complete consultations. The report was too urgent to await the next meeting because the report was on the Forward Plan and to defer consideration would delay acting on the matter.

The interleaved report was the subject of a motion to exclude the press and public from the meeting as it contained exempt information relating to the business or financial affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information).

We noted that the Cabinet Member for Resources had asked for the site to be marketed within a month and discussions take place with the CSCA.

RESOLVED:

1. That, subject to satisfactory replacement of community facilities, approval be granted to the release of the Welbourne Community Centre and site for disposal and redevelopment.

2. That approval be granted to the draft Marketing Brief for the disposal and development of the site to generate the optimum number of residential units, taking account of the need for replacement community facilities, in consultation with Ward members, the Caribbean Senior Citizens Association (CSCA) and other stakeholders.
3. That approval be granted to the marketing of the Welbourne Community Centre site for sale on the open market for best consideration reasonably obtainable and a preferred purchaser/developer be selected.

4. That officers be authorised to:-

• Engage with the CSCA to discuss the proposed development proposals noting that this could result in the CSCA participating in securing community facilities to enable them to continue meeting the needs of the local community in the event that the Welbourne Community Centre site is released for development.
• Engage other stakeholders in assessing the currently unmet needs for community spaces, as well as considering the impact of the scheme on demand for new community facilities, so that a specification for additional community facilities could be included within the brief and to assist with the future assessment of Section 106 contributions.