Agenda and minutes

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 18 below. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at Item 24 below).

There were no items of Urgent Business.

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

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

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

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

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

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

Cabinet noted that Mr Chris Taylor of UNISON would be making a deputation with respect to Item 7 ‘Housing Related Support – Proposal to Cease Funding for Ineligible Tasks for Older People’.  

To confirm and the minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2012 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 October 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

For Cabinet to note:

Ø      Interim Report on Waste and Recycling Services

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 six weeks of the request and will include a detailed tabulated implementation action plan.

Cabinet received an interim report from the Environment and Housing Scrutiny Panel, which was presented by Councillor McNamara, Chair of the Panel on Waste and Recycling Services.

Councillor McNamara outlined the process the Panel had followed in producing the interim report and the ten key recommendations contained within it.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment thanked Councillor McNamara and members of the Panel for the work they had undertaken in producing the report and noted that she looked forward to receiving the Panel’s final report. Cabinet was advised that the proposed response to this would be brought to its next meeting on 18 December 2012.

RESOLVED:

1. That the report be noted.

2. That a response to the recommendations contained within the report should be compiled and received at the next Cabinet meeting on 18 December 2012.

(Report of the Director of Adult and Housing Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing). To consider proposals with respect to the Older People’s Support Service.

Prior to consideration of the report a deputation was heard from Mr Chris Taylor of UNISON.

Mr Taylor noted that consultation undertaken by the Council on the proposals had been good and that UNISON had been fully involved in this process from the outset. UNISON welcomed the Council’s attempts to minimise compulsory redundancies; however, it had significant concerns regarding the proposals and their impact on residents.

Mr Taylor noted that in addition to cleaning and laundry services residents would also be losing a range of additional help they currently received with everyday tasks such as collecting prescriptions, shopping, minor repairs and accompanying residents to medical appointments. He contended that the support provided by Scheme Support Assistants (SSAs) enabled residents to continue to live independently rather than requiring more resource intensive care. As such ceasing to provide the service may lead to greater longer term costs and represented a false economy.

He asserted that if residents had to use their Benefits to pay for cleaning and laundry services and other for other assistance currently provided by the SSAs they may be pushed into poverty.

Mr Taylor noted that the report sought approval for more that twenty posts to be deleted under delegated authority; however, his understanding was that the deletion of more than twenty posts required the approval of the Council’s Corporate Committee and he requested clarification on this point. Mr Taylor concluded by arguing that the proposed use of a consultant represented an unwarranted expense and suggested that staff with expertise in this area that had been made redundant may be able to undertake this work.

The Leader thanked Mr Taylor for his deputation and invited the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services to respond.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services thanked Mr Taylor for his deputation and noted that the wellbeing of residents was of paramount importance. In order to ensure that residents did not feel isolated an Activities Coordinator was being appointed as part of the proposals. Residents would also be supported by the Council in finding alternative assistance and in ensuring that they were receiving all of the Benefits they were entitled to.

The Leader asked officers to respond to points raised by Mr Taylor. Cabinet was advised that in July 2012, as part of a report considered by Council, the level of redundancies that could be considered under delegated authority had been increased to fifty and therefore the proposals set out in the report with regard to staff redundancies did not require agreement from the Council’s Corporate Committee.

With regard to Mr Taylor’s suggestion that a member of staff should be used, rather than a consultant as proposed, Cabinet was advised that the person being employed was a long term member of agency staff with an extensive understanding of arrangements in Haringey.

The Cabinet Member for Housing noted that the level of savings required necessitated a reduction in non statutory services of this kind. Whilst this was regrettable, achieving the savings  ...  view the full minutes text for item 276.

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for the Environment). To note the draft revised statement of Licensing Policy and to recommend its approval by Full Council.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for the Environment, which presented the revised Statement of Gambling Policy and recommended its adoption by Council on 19 November 2012.

In response to a question it was clarified that the introduction of an Article 4 Direction, to restrict changes of use from A1 to A2, which included Betting Shops, was limited in its ability to control the proliferation of these establishments as it only removed Permitted Development Rights. Cabinet was advised that in order for Local Authorities to control and limit the number of these establishments an amendment to the Gambling Act was required and that this had to be made parliament.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment advised that the Council would continue to lobby Government for a change in this legislation.

RESOLVED:

That the revised policy be noted and recommended for adoption by Council on 19 November 2012.

(Report of the Director of Children’s Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services). The report seeks approval to go out to consultation on the proposed admission arrangements and coordination scheme for all schools and academies.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, which sought approval of proposed admission arrangements for all community schools to go out to public consultation on 3 December 2012.

It was confirmed that alternative options were being considered to create additional places following the recent decision that Belmont Infant School would not be expanded and that Cabinet would receive a report with respect to these once they had been finalised.

RESOLVED:

That it be agreed that proposed arrangements for all community schools should go out to public consultation on 3 December 2012. The consultation was required to taken place for a period of eight weeks and would therefore close on 28 January 2013.

Alternative Options Considered

Not applicable.

Reasons for Decision

To ensure that the proposed admissions arrangements for community schools go out to public consultation within the statutory timeframe and that the co-ordinated scheme is adopted by the statutory deadline.

(Report of the Director of Children’s Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services). The report seeks approval to re-establish the Children’s Trust.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Children, which set out proposals with respect to the re-establishment of the Children’s Trust.

It was noted that the proposed size and composition of the Trust was intended to promote the most efficient use of people’s time whilst ensuring that there was the appropriate forum in place to facilitate partnership working.  

RESOLVED:

That the Children’s Trust be re-established as outlined in the report.

Alternative Options Considered

A short review of partnership arrangements for Children’s Services in other Local Authorities has been carried out and the results have been used to inform the report.

Reasons for Decision

The re-establishment of the Children’s Trust is in keeping with statutory requirements.

(Report of the Director of Corporate Resources. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction). The report outlines the need to bring forward the site for development as part of the overall regeneration objectives for Tottenham.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction, which sought agreement to the disposal of the Welbourne Centre site.

Exempt information pertaining to the report was considered under Item 21 of the agenda.

RESOLVED:

That the disposal of the Welbourne Centre site, in pursuance of the Council’s regeneration objectives, be approved.

Alternative Options Considered

In June 2008 Cabinet fully considered the option of retention prior to deciding to release the site for redevelopment and this was again considered in 2009 when Cabinet decided to defer disposal in the light of the property market at the time.

Following agreement of a vacation date with the current occupants and having received advice on the property market, the previous options have been reviewed. Given the strategic importance of the site together with the poor condition of the building and under utilisation of the site, retention of the building is not recommended. Retention as a community centre (whether managed by the Council or leased) would prevent realisation of greater benefits for the community and represent poor use of public assets as well as being uneconomic and unsustainable.

Reasons for Decision

The Council has previously agreed a long term aim for the disposal of this site, the community centre situated within it having reached the end of its useful life. The upcoming vacation of the centre combined with improved market conditions and the impetus for regeneration from the relevant Master Plans mean that the conditions are now right for disposal to proceed. 

(Report of the Assistant Chief Executive. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council). To approve the delegation of powers for decisions with respect to Expressions of Interest in relation to the Community Right to Challenge.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Leader of the Council, which set out the approach for managing the Community Right to Challenge, pursuant to Regulations issued under the Localism Act 2011 and the delegation of powers for decisions on Expressions of Interest.

RESOLVED:

1. That the approach to managing the Community Right to Challenge, pursuant to Regulations issued under the Localism Act 2011 be noted.

2. That the delegation of powers for decisions on Expressions of Interest (EOI) to the officers set out below, be approved:

Alternative Options Considered

None.

Reasons for Decisions

Legislation requires councils to consider expressions of interest under the Community Right to Challenge.

(Report of the Director of Adult and Housing Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing). The report seeks agreement to waive contract standing orders for contracts relating to the Housing Related Support Programme. 

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Housing, which sought approval to waiver the tendering requirements of Contract Standing Orders and the award of contracts as detailed in the exempt part of the report.

Exempt information pertaining to the report was considered under Item 22 of the agenda.

RESOLVED:

1. That the waiver of tendering requirements under Contract Standing Order 10.01.2 (d) on the grounds of the Council’s overall interest be approved.

2. That the award of contracts as detailed in the exempt part of the report (Appendix 2) be approved.

Alternative Options Considered

The option of tendering all expiring contracts was considered but discounted on the grounds that in order to deliver the priorities within the Commissioning Plan, a procurement strategy is needed that is appropriate for each client sector, particularly where short term transitional arrangements are required, rather than a uniform approach for all contracts.

The tendering of these contacts is unlikely to provide better value for money that that which can be achieved via negotiation, taking all factors into account. Significant Housing Related Support (HRS) and Corporate Procurement staff resources would be required for tendering, an investment that would not necessarily provide value for money.

The option of tendering all expiring contracts was discussed with the Corporate Procurement Team and it was concluded that the proposed approach represented the best way forward for the Council.

Reasons for Decision

The proposed procurement approach helps to deliver the priorities within the HRS Commissioning Plan and makes a significant contribution to achieving the required savings. The tendering of the specified contracts would not provide better value for money than that which can be achieved with negotiation and effort and the timescales involved would not provide better value for money.

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Communities). The report seeks approval for the Council to enter into a long term lease with the Finsbury Park Sports Partnership Ltd for the Finsbury Park Track and Gym and tennis courts.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Communities, with regard to the long term leasing of the Finsbury Park Track and Gym and Tennis Courts to the Finsbury Park Sports Partnership Limited.

Cabinet was advised that it was necessary to amend the recommendations set out in the original report in order to allow further time to respond to representations made by local residents’ groups that had not received a response from the Council within the prescribed timetable. Councillor Watson apologised for this oversight and noted that he would be reviewing how consultation responses were responded to by officers.

The recommendations had also been amended to require the Agreement to Lease and the Lease itself to be brought back to Cabinet for final approval.

RESOLVED:

        i.            That, subject to the recommendations set out in paragraph (ii) below, the Council be authorised dispose of Finsbury Park Sports Partnership Limited and Gym area and Tennis Courts, both of which form part of Finsbury Park in terms to be agreed and also in accordance with the key milestones set out in the report.

      ii.            That the Agreement to Lease and Lease itself was brought back to Cabinet for final approval.

    iii.            That the grant, as set out in paragraph 7.4 of the report be authorised.

     iv.            That the investment proposals submitted by the Partnership be endorsed, subject to successful funding applications to a range of external partners.

       v.            That the amended opening hours and operation of the park, as referred to in the report, be approved. 

Alternative Options Considered

The February 2011 Cabinet report considered the future direction of leisure service delivery and the various options available. The option of leasing out Finsbury Park Track and Gym was approved and officers then advertised the leasehold opportunity in November 2011.

Subsequently during the informal tender process a query was raised about including the tennis courts within the tender package in order to improve prospects for financial sustainability. This was in line with successful Council practice at Albert Road Recreation Ground.

Two bids were considered and evaluated. The Partnership bid was considered the strongest for a number of reasons:

a)      The robustness of their proposal indicated that external funding stood a good chance of being obtained and that they could run a successful business while actively engaging the local community.

b)      In principle support from Sport’s National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and external funders.

c)      Provision and engagement of a wider range of sports and stakeholders.

d)      Stronger evidence of local community engagement and support.

Reasons for Decision

This decision is required to implement the approach agreed by Cabinet in February 2011 to lease out the facility to local clubs/agencies. The public consultation undertaken indicated strong support for a change to park opening hours and improved sports facilities at Finsbury Park.

The risk in adopting this approach is mitigated by the two step approach incorporating the initial ‘Agreement to Lease’ phase’.

(Report of the Assistant Chief Executive. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council). To appoint Members to vacant positions on the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee and the Children’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice Advisory Committee.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Leader of the Council, which sought approval to appoint Members to vacancies on the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee and Children’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice Committee.

RESOLVED:

1. That Councillor Dilek Dogus be appointed to serve on the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee.

2. That Councillor Gideon Bull be appointed to serve on the Children’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice Committee.  

To note the minutes of the following:

Ø      Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee – 4 September 2012

Ø      Children’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice Advisory Committee – 17 September 2012

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the following meeting be noted:

Ø      Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee – 4 September 2012

Ø      Children’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice Advisory Committee – 17 September 2012

(Report of the Assistant Chief Executive. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council). To note significant and delegated actions taken by Directors since the last Cabinet meeting.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Leader of the Council, that set out the significant and delegated actions taken by Directors since the previous meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To consider any items admitted at Item 2 above.

There were no new items of Urgent Business.

Note from the Head of Local Democracy and Member Services

Items 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 allow for the consideration of exempt information in relation to Items 5, 11, 13, 17 and 18 respectively, which appear earlier in the agenda. 

RESOLVED:

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

RESOLVED:

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

To confirm the exempt minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 October 2012 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 October 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 11 above.

Cabinet consider exempt information pertaining to agenda Item 11.

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 13 above.

Cabinet consider exempt information pertaining to agenda Item 13.

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 17 above.

Cabinet consider exempt information pertaining to agenda Item 17.

To consider any items admitted at Item 19 above.

There were no new items of Urgent Business raised.