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 agenda item 1 as shown on the agenda in respect of filming at this meeting and Members noted this information.

There were no apologies for absence.

The Leader of the Council welcomed Councillors: Weston, Ahmet and Aiyisi to the Cabinet.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of Urgent Business. (Late items of Urgent Business will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items of Urgent Business will be dealt with under Item 15 below. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at Item 18 below).

There were no items of urgent business to consider.

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.

Councillor Ayisi declared a personal interest in Item 8, Scrutiny Review of Community Infrastructure Levy – Governance Arrangements as he had chaired this review, in his former Scrutiny Panel role.

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

This agenda contains exempt items as set out at Item [16] : Exclusion of the Press and Public.  No representations with regard to these have been received.

This is the formal 5 clear day notice under the Regulations to confirm that this Cabinet meeting will be partly held in private for the reasons set out in this Agenda.

No representation were received.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on the 15 March 2016 as a correct record.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 15^th of March 2016 were agreed as a correct record of the meeting.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Committee Standing Orders.

The Cabinet had received both a Petition and Deputation from the Friends of Wolves Lane Centre in relation to agenda item 9, the future delivery of Wolves Lanes Horticultural Centre.

The Petition was supporting the continuation of current activities at the Wolves Lane Centre and opposing any closure or movement of the functions of the Centre.

As indicated in committee standing order 31.1, the Petition was handed to the Leader and a response to the Petition would be reported to the next ordinary meeting of the Cabinet on the 14^th of June 2016.

Mr Chinn, spokesperson for the Friends of Wolves Lane Group, was invited by the Leader to put forward his deputation to the Cabinet. Mr Chinn began by welcoming the commitment of the Council to extend funding for the Horticultural Centre until the end of March 2017. This would allow the Friends of Wolves Lane Group to work with the existing Members of staff of the Horticultural Centre on developing a social enterprise for supporting the Centre continue in operation. Key to their structure would be working with the Council in an efficient working partnership and establishing a co- operative arrangement with other like minded organisations to help utilise parts of the Centre as the Council relinquish them. It was essential to have transitional arrangements in place to support vulnerable members of the community with learning difficulties and mental health issues that worked and used the services of the Centre.

Mr Chinn referred to the consultation which had been considered as part of the decision making on Adult’s service provision in November 2015.This indicated the Centre as a valuable resource and one of the few places in the borough that offered day opportunities for teenagers and adults with learning difficulties and autism.

Mr Chinn referred to the proposal to proceed with an expression of interest process for the future management of the site. The group felt that that the criteria must include continuing and developing services at the Horticultural Centre. The deputation explained that, currently, the adult learning and teaching facility at the Centre helped 60 adults/teenagers with learning difficulties, with the support of 9 volunteers, and was able to support the visit of 3000 primary school children. Mr Chinn spoke of the two local teenager groups, funded by the Council, using the Centre which could be expanded and continued.

Mr Chinn continued to highlight the unique characteristics of the Centre, its value to the local community and some alternative ideas that can be taken forward to utilise the available facilities at the Centre and attract further visitors. This could be supported by the Friends group.

In response to the Cabinet Member for Environment’s question, the group would consider working with other like minded organisations that had a horticultural background in taking the Centre’s services forward.

The Leader was familiar with the work of the Wolves Lane Horticultural Centre and had recently visited the Centre with Mr Chinn. The Leader asked Mr Chinn to set out the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Cabinet will be asked to note The Scrutiny Review of Community Infrastructure Levy – Governance Arrangements and agree the Cabinet’s response to the recommendations included at appendix 2 of the report.

Councillor Charles Wright, Chair of Overview and Scrutiny, presented the Scrutiny Review of the CIL [Community Infrastructure Levy] governance arrangements. This was an underdeveloped policy area and arrangements were needed to support allocation of receipts from the CIL to local neighbourhoods.

Councillor Wright was pleased to note that Cabinet were accepting all of the recommendations with actions included on how these recommendations would be implemented.

Cabinet continued to consider the responses to the recommendations at appendix 2.

Councillor Newton welcomed the recommendations and raised some questions in relation to Scrutiny recommendations 4 and 8. They were responded to as follows:

• There were current proposals for a Planning specific training programme for all Members. Further to consulting with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning, training on the role of Councillors in the operation of the neighbourhood CIL fund and supporting the community put forward applications, could be included in the programme.

• The Assistant Director for Planning explained that recommendation 4 was trying to reflect what is important for community and forums in respect of community spending. The Council was already putting together an explicit capital programme and would try and capture what is Council and third party based funding .This was not exclusive to the 25% infrastructure projects but for the importance of the CIL regime where there was a degree of discretion and therefore it was important to provide consistent investment that can be set out and consulted upon. The Council would have this investment information through the capital programme which is defined each year.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree the responses to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review as set out at appendix 2 of the report.

2.    To note that where the recommendations have a cost implications, the funding source should be determined by the Chief Operating officer.

Reasons for Decision

The evidence supporting the Panel’s recommendations was outlined in the main body of the report [appendix 1]

Alternative Options Considered

The evidence supporting the Panel’s recommendations was outlined in the main body of the report [appendix 1]. The Cabinet could have chosen not to accept the recommendations, despite endorsement by the Planning service. The Council did not currently have a protocol for the spending of CIL receipts and would have to prepare and adopt an alternative process.

[ Report of the Chief Operating Officer.To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Environment] Members  will be asked to consider ceasing the current service provision at WLHC in April 2017 in line with the findings of the service review detailed in the attached  report.

Cabinet will also be asked to agree  for  expressions of interest for the future use of WLHC to be  sought from suitably qualified organisations  and that the outcomes of this exercise are reported back to Cabinet before the end of 2016.

The Cabinet Member for Environment introduced the report, which was seeking to cease the current service provision at the Wolves Lane Horticultural Centre, and would be asking for expressions of interest to come forward from suitable organisations for management of the site and, as indicated in the deputation, there had been consultation with local groups.

Councillor Wright spoke, in his ward Member capacity, in support of the Friends of Wolves Lane Group, and welcomed the opportunity offered for the Centre to continue provision for a further year.

Cllr Wright highlighted the Horticultural Centre as a positive resource for the community and spoke about the current lack of volunteering opportunities for Adults and young people with learning difficulties and the valuable opportunities for volunteering and work experience available at the Centre.

Councillor Wright hoped that the positive strengths of the Friends group were a good basis for the Centre to move forward from. He further supported the recommendations of the report and hoped the Council would continue working with the group.

In response to Councillor Engert’s questions, it was noted that:

·         The proposed relocation of depots in Keston Road and Woodside House to Wolves Lane would follow a due process in which the impact of increased heavy vehicles on Wolves Lane would be assessed.

·         The designation of part of this site as Metropolitan open land indicated that there was a set remit for how this area can be taken forward and the Council would not exceed this remit.

·         The visitor hub for Finsbury Park was an option discussed in the report, but having investigated this option, it was not being pursued

RESOLVED

1.    To cease the current service provision at WLHC [Wolves Lane Horticultural Centre] in April 2017 in line with the findings of the service review detailed in the attached report.

2.    That expressions of interest for the future use of WLHC be sought from suitably qualified organisations and that the outcomes of this exercise be reported back to Cabinet before the end of 2016.

Reasons for Decision

The Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) sets out a reduction of £70,000 in the budget of WLHC. Three further internal funding sources were also being removed as a result of actions within the MTFS. As set out in paragraph 11 this would lead to a total funding reduction of £205,000 over the next two years.

Adults and Volunteering Services - All funding for this service was being withdrawn over the next two financial years. The Council was moving away from direct provision of Adult Care and therefore, although personal independence payments may be available for some or all of the service users, this was not an area where the Parks service should continue to operate.

Education Services - This service area was subsidised by the Parks service and only recovers around 50% of its cost through fees and charges. The service was well supported by the schools attending but they have indicated that a 100% rise in the cost of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

[Report of the  Tottenham Director. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration.]This report seeks approval for the appointment of a multi-disciplinary consultancy team to support the Council in delivering the public realm around White Hart Lane Station.  The project provides highways and streetscape improvements along Love Lane, Penhurst Road and White Hart Lane between Creighton Road and the High Road.  The Transport for London “LIP” funded scheme will provide vital infrastructure required to progress the High Road West regeneration scheme, approved by Cabinet, Dec 2014, and wider regeneration, including the Northumberland Development Project (“Spurs scheme”).

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning introduced the report which sought approval for the appointment of a multi disciplinary consultancy team to support the Council in delivering the public realm around White Hart Lane Station. The project took into account the response from the public consultation and would provide highways and streetscape improvements along Love Lane, Penhurst Road and White Hart lane between Creighton Road and the High Road. The Transport for London LIP [Local Implementation Plan] would provide vital infrastructure required to progress the High Road West regeneration scheme, approved by Cabinet in December 2014 and wider regeneration, including the Northumberland Park Development project [Spurs Scheme]

RESOLVED

1.    To award a contract in the sum of £529,560 to Muf Architecture/ArtLLP to undertake the delivery of public realm around White Hart Lane station between High road and Creighton Road and along White hart Lane.

2.    To approve the use of the £122,000 LIP funding and subject to the Council’s Contract Standing Orders delegate authority to spend future funds drawn down from the LIP funding for project delivery.

3.    To provide delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration, Planning and development, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration to agree any necessary modifications required to the contract in light of any changes to the scheme at no additional cost.

Reasons for Decision

Delivery of White Hart lane Station and surrounding public realm was a key component in the delivery of High Road West, Northumberland Development Project and the wider regeneration across North Tottenham. This in turn corresponds to the challenging objectives for improvements in social, economic and physical well-being in the Corporate Plan and associated strategies, Upper Lee Valley Opportunity Area and the London Plan.

Alternative Options Considered

The Council considered the option to deliver the scheme utilising existing Council resources. However, this option was not feasible due to lack of the skills and capacity necessary to deliver this project.

Failure to deliver the scheme would compromise the ability of the Council to deliver the wider regeneration of North Tottenham due to the impact that the anticipated increases in demands on the station and surrounding public realm would have on the existing infrastructure.

[Report  of the Assistant Director for Governance. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council].The report will seek to appoint Members to serve on the  sub committees set out below for the new municipal year 2016/17 and to confirm the terms of reference of these committees:

·         Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee

·         LHC Joint Committee.

The Leader introduced the report, which sought agreement to the re-establishment of the Corporate Parenting Cabinet sub-committee with the terms of reference contained at Appendix A and continued the joint committee arrangements with the LHC.

RESOLVED

1.    That for the 2016/17 municipal year, to establish the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee and the LHC as per the terms of references at Appendix A and B.

2.    Following political group nominations received after the Cabinet pack was published, the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee Members be as follows:

Councillor Weston Chair,

Cllr Stennett,

Cllr Berryman,

Cllr Jennifer Mann

Cllr Opoku

Cllr Hare

Cllr Morris

3.    That Councillor Strickland and Councillor John Bevan continue on the LHC board.

Reasons for Decision

To keep an overview of the Councillors statutory role as a corporate parent to children in care and young people leaving care.

The Council currently uses LHC frameworks as an efficient way of procuring technically complex products and services for its building refurbishment and maintenance programmes.

By becoming a Constituent Member of LHC the Council will benefit            from:

§  Influencing the future direction of LHC including the identification of new products and services which could be beneficial to the Council.

§  Increased learning of procurement practices and technical know-how for use by the Council’s officers in carrying out its own procurement programmes.

§  Share of the LHC annual surplus.

Alternative Options Considered

The Constitution advises that all Advisory or Consultative Committees will continue in operation only until the first meeting of the Cabinet, in the next municipal year following their establishment when they must be expressly renewed or they cease to exist. Therefore, the alternative option would be for the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee to cease and this would mean that there is not a scheduled opportunity for Members and officers to meet and discuss the wellbeing of children in care and to ensure that the Council is meeting its corporate parenting obligations. This Committee is different to the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel as it concentrates on Looked after Children and care leavers and reports directly to the Cabinet. 

Haringey has been a Member of the LHC, formerly the London Housing Consortium, for forty years. In February 2012 the Haringey Cabinet approved a recommendation to remain in the LHC Joint Committee and leaving this consortium would affect accessing some shared procurement expertise and support on compliance.

[Report of the Assistant Director of Corporate  Governance. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council. ]This report therefore sets out the proposed appointments for 2016/17 to the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) and Health and Wellbeing Board. These bodies will consider and confirm their terms of reference at their first respective meetings of the new municipal year.  

The Leader introduced the report which sought approval of Cabinet Member appointments to the Community Safety Partnership and noting of the Cabinet Member appointments to Health and Wellbeing Partnership Board.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Cabinet Member for Communities and Cabinet Member for Children and Families be appointed to the Community Safety Partnership.

2.    That Councillor Martin Newton be appointed as the Liberal Democrat representative on the Community Safety Partnership.

3.    That Cabinet note and approve the Cabinet Members appointed by Full Council on the 16^th of May to serve  on the Health and Wellbeing Partnership Board:

·         Leader of the Council

·         Cabinet Member for Children and Families

·         Cabinet Member for Finance and Health

Reasons for decision

Appointments from Cabinet are required to both these partnership bodies to reflect statutory duties and enable high level, accountable, strategic, oversight of issues relating community safety and health and wellbeing.

Alternative options considered

These are statutory partnerships with legally required participation of the council.

To note the minutes of the following:

Cabinet Member signing on the 8^th March 2016

Cabinet Member signing on the 14^th March 2016

Cabinet Member signing on the 14^th of March 2016

Cabinet Member signing on the 15^th March 2016

Cabinet Member signing on the 17^th March 2016

Leader’s Signing on the 18^th March 2016

RESOLVED

To note the minutes of the following meetings:

·         Cabinet Member signing on the 8^th March 2016

·         Cabinet Member signing on the 14^th March 2016

·         Cabinet Member signing on the 14^th of March 2016

·         Cabinet Member signing on the 15^th March 2016

·         Cabinet Member signing on the 17^th March 2016

·         Leader’s Signing on the 18^th March 2016

To note the delegated decisions and significant actions taken by directors in March and April 2016.

Cabinet were asked to note the delegated decisions taken by directors in March and April.

In response to Cllr Engert’s questions:

·         Agreed that further details are provided to Cllr Engert by The Tottenham Director on a delegated decision taken on the 23^rd of March to vary the Tottenham Housing Zone (Phase1 – south Tottenham - overarching borough agreement. This was likely to have been needed due to a technical variation of funding from the GLA.

·         Delegated Action 2, [page 196] this contract extension was connected with the continuing the estate renewal programme. In November 2013, Cabinet considered the potential for partial redevelopment of some medium sized estates in the borough. The Council were continuing to facilitate the conversation with residents in Park Grove/Durnsford Road, Tunnel gardens/Blake Road and Turner Avenue/Brunel about renewal. This was through an independent liaison officer who had been selected by the residents. The contract with the liaison officers was being extended to continue the dialogue.

The Director for Planning, Regeneration and Development confirmed that no final decision had yet been made on what happens with these estates.

RESOLVED

To note the delegated decisions taken by directors in March and April

To consider any items admitted at Item 3 above.

None

Note from the  Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager

Items 17&18 allow for the consideration of exempt information in relation to Items, 10 and 3 respectively.

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 contained exempt information as defined under schedule 12, paragraph 3 of the Local Government Act 1972.

As per item 9.

As per item 10.

To consider any items admitted at Item 3 above.

None