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 the meeting and Members noted this information.

·         Apologies for absence were submitted from Councillor Vanier and Councillor Arthur.

·         Apologies for lateness was noted for Councillor Goldberg.

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

The Leader had accepted, as late business, an addendum to consider with item 10. This contained the minutes of Regulatory Committee meeting and proposed officer updates to the Wood Green Area Action Plan following publication. The Regulatory Committee had met on the 8^th of January after publication of the Cabinet papers, and Cabinet was required to consider these comments in accordance with Part three of the Council constitution, section B, and paragraph D of the Constitution.

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 put forward.

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 22: 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.

There are no representations relating to items on the exempt part of the agenda.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2017 as a correct record.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 12^th of December were agreed as a correct record of the meeting.

Councillor Carter had a question  on a matter arising from the  minutes and the Leader  advised him to direct his question to the appropriate Cabinet Member  after the Cabinet meeting.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

The Leader advised the meeting that one public question and three deputations had been put forward for consideration. The public question was put forward by Mr Guy Levy.

The Leader further advised that Mr Levy was, unfortunately, unable to attend the meeting and she would read out his public question and the Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning would provide the response.

Public Question - Mr Guy Levy

Mr Levy claimed that that costs awards for unreasonable behaviour in planning appeals have been made against the Council. Mr Levy felt that such behaviour was a drain on the Council’s finances and the local economy. He asked, how the Council intended to reduce damages caused by the unreasonable behaviour of its planning and planning enforcement officers?

The Cabinet Member responded as follows:

For the period 2015 to 2018, out of the 286 decided planning appeals, less than 10 have resulted in successful costs claims against the Council. For the same period, from the 104 decided (or withdrawn) planning enforcement appeals, only two had resulted in costs awards against the Council. During the same period, the Council made four successful costs claims against appellants.

There was no discernible trend that the planning and planning enforcement officers are exhibiting unreasonable behaviours in the execution of their duties. The Council did not consider that it was a waste of officer’s time taken up defending appeals and cost applications.

The appeal process in both planning and planning enforcement was part of the development management function as enshrined in the planning legislation and formed part of the Planning Officers’ job description. Whilst the payment of costs was always regrettable, it was important that the Council defended the amenities of its residents.

Jacob Secker representing the Broadwater Farm Residents Association, standing in for Mr Blasebalk who was unable to attend - Deputation 1

Mr Secker spoke as a representative of the Broadwater Farm Residents Association. He, as well as the Haringey Leaseholders Association which Mr Blasebalk had been due to represent, had been involved in the consultation on the Housing Management Agreement with Homes for Haringey.

Mr Secker outlined that the consultation on the Management Agreement with Homes for Haringey had had to be re -run, as the first consultation was deemed unsatisfactory, following a judicial review.

In Mr Secker’s view, the second consultation had not been adequately run as well with mainly online access to consultation documents, some door knocking and telephone calls to tenants, meaning a full reflection of tenants views had not been gathered.

In Mr Secker’s view, the consultation had only highlighted the benefits of the ALMO and had, crucially, not highlighted that the management agreement with the ALMO would cost £500k more than keeping the service in-house. Mr Secker contended that the consultation was biased towards the ALMO and therefore invalid.

Mr Secker claimed that the ALMO option was only favoured by residents, participating in the consultation, because of the commitment to tenant participation panels. However, these had now  ...  view the full minutes text for item 143.

Cabinet considered the Environment and Community Safety Scrutiny Panel’s  review on Street Sweeping and  the Cabinet response to the review  recommendations.

[Report of the interim Director for Commercial and Operations. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council].

Cabinet to consider the Scrutiny on Street Sweeping and agree the cabinet response to the recommendations.

Councillor Gallagher introduced the Scrutiny review on Street Sweeping and thanked the Scrutiny Panel and Scrutiny Officer for their work on the review. The instigation of the review was following concern about the reduction in residential street sweeping from twice a week to once a week, agreed via a Cabinet Member signing in 2016.

There was concern that this was leading to a deterioration in standards and unbalanced street cleanliness across the borough. A range of evidence was considered by the Panel and the overarching recommendation was to switch from a uniformed service across the borough to a flexible service which took account of need and enabled an outcomes based service.

Cllr Gallagher was pleased that this recommendation was ‘partially agreed’ and understood more work was needed on agreeing the specific actions in relation to this recommendation. This had been left to officers, with specific expertise, to provide the technical detail on the actions to be completed.

The Cabinet Member for Environment welcomed the report and thanked the Panel for their work. Cuts to the budget had meant difficult choices for the Council but cleanliness was important for residents and the Council would still need to respond to these concerns.

The Cabinet Member expressed that the Scrutiny review provided useful evidence of approaches to street sweeping from different authorities and there were lessons to be learned. Given the budget constraints, the Cabinet response recognised that there was more work to be completed on examining the implications of the recommendations.

In relation to recommendation 1, the overarching recommendation outlined by Cllr Gallagher on moving to a flexible service, there would be further detailed modelling and a report brought back to Cabinet in due course

In response to recommendation 2, that further engagement work be undertaken with residents to develop additional means for them to provide feedback on cleanliness and encourage them to report issues in their area, the Cabinet Member for Environment proposed that Cabinet agree to amend this from ‘Not agreed’ to “Partially agreed’.

The Cabinet Member expressed that, in principle, the Council wanted to maximise resident engagement and input. Officers would review the existing means of engagement to make sure they were effective. There was a limited communications budget within the overall integrated waste contract for communications. This was largely focussed on ensuring residents knew how to dispose of their waste correctly in turn increasing the recycling rate in order to reduce disposal costs. Officers would also look at means for feedback to Veolia and the Council on the performance of the contract, via formal enquiries and complaints procedures, the OurHaringey app, and through social media.

In relation to the final recommendation on extending the use of mechanical sweepers, this would be looked at in conjunction with the modelling of different options.

In response to Cllr Ejiofor’s question on suggestions by the Scrutiny Panel to improve communication on street sweeping, Cllr Gallagher explained that this arose as a result of considering Camden’s experience of a flexible street sweeping schedule.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 144a

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

Decision will be sought to approve the new Management Agreement between the Council and Homes for Haringey.

The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning and provided the results of the second consultation on the proposal to enter into a new Management Agreement with Homes for Haringey There were almost 1,200 responses to the statutory consultation with secure tenants, of whom 81% agreed with the proposal to enter into a new Management Agreement with Homes for Haringey. In the non-statutory consultation with leaseholders, there were just over 200 responses and 49% agreed with the proposal.

In light of the results of the statutory consultation, which were in favour of the proposal to enter into a new Management Agreement with Homes for Haringey, as well as the reasons set out in the Future of Housing Review, the report recommended that Cabinet agreed to enter into a new Management Agreement and that officers proceed to seek approval of that Agreement from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). Based on the results of the consultation and the feedback given by residents, it was also proposed that some changes are made to the Management Agreement considered by Cabinet in March 2016. These are set out in section eight, and the proposed Management Agreement was attached at appendix two. 

In response to a question from Cllr Engert:

• The Cabinet Member expressed that the Council was keen to listen to voice of leaseholders and had included them in this consultation and the previous consultation when there was no requirement to do so.

• The levels of leaseholder dis-ratification with services was not good enough and the Cabinet Member had raised this with officers.

• The Homes for Haringey Executive Director for Operations was leading a project on improving services to leaseholders as well as providing more simplified and easy to understand information on service charges. The Cabinet Member was happy to arrange a meeting between Cllr Engert and The Homes for Haringey Executive Director or provide a briefing note on the activities to support leaseholders.

RESOLVED

1. To note the outcome of the consultation carried out with Council tenants pursuant to section 105 of the Housing Act 1985, and the non-statutory consultation with Council leaseholders, as summarised in section seven of this report and set out in detail in appendix one.

2. Having regard to the results of this consultation, and subject to the approval of the Homes and Communities Agency, to agree that the Council enters into a new Management Agreement with Homes for Haringey, and that this new Management Agreement runs until 2026, subject to the Council’s right to terminate the Agreement earlier following review on 31^st March 2021.

3. To approve the proposed Management Agreement attached at appendix two.

4. To agree to an application being made by officers to the Homes and Communities Agency pursuant to section 27 of the Housing Act 1985 to seek approval for the new Management Agreement.

5. To delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Regeneration, Planning and Development, to be exercised in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning, to make  ...  view the full minutes text for item 145.

[Report of the Strategic Director for Planning, Regeneration and Development. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Social Inclusion & Sustainability.]

Cabinet are asked to note the outcomes of the Wood Green AAP consultation report, and agree the consultation of an updated draft Wood Green AAP document.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Sustainability introduced the report which set out the response to consultation on the previous ‘preferred option’ AAP consultation, how these have informed the revised draft AAP, and the key changes between the current and the previous version. Cabinet approval was sought to publish the revised ‘preferred option’ draft for a further round of consultation (Regulation 18) prior to confirming the final draft of the AAP (Regulation 19) to take forward for independent examination.

The Cabinet Member further clarified the following:

• The Wood Green Area Action Plan set out the vision for the local area, responding to resident’s aspirations and was not predicated on the HDV coming forward.
• The Challenge facing all town centres due to changing shopping patterns means the shopping centre needs to change to remain competitive in a changing market.
• The Wood Green Area Action Plan was different to Tottenham Area Action Plan and focussed on an economic development plan to bring jobs and work spaces to the borough.

In response to questions from Councillors: Strickland, Ibrahim, Ahmet, Engert, and Carter the following information was provided by the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Sustainability.

• In relation to arranging a meeting with Page High Residents Association to discuss the future of the estate and to help work up options with the residents; Cllr Goldberg was happy to facilitate the meeting with officers. It was Important to hear residents’ concerns when discussing change. The Caxton Road changes demonstrated how the Council had listened to resident’s views and carried out further studies, and in this case, concluded that the vision could still be achieved without including these homes in the plan. The Plan had been revised accordingly and put forward for further consultation as a result of this action.

• The Cabinet Member reiterated that Sky City and Page’s High housing estates would be treated separately and the Council would work with the Housing Association landlords and their residents to find the right solution for each family. It was further important for all stakeholders/ partners in Wood Green to work with residents on plans going forward.

• Priority should be given to the provision of affordable housing rather than retaining the Civic Centre site for Council use in Wood Green Town Centre.

• It was important to read the Wood Green Strategic Regeneration Framework in conjunction with AAP as this set out the economic benefit of the AAP for residents. This document responds to challenges on: liveability in Wood Green, the fear of crime in the area, need to increase public spaces and job opportunities for people in the local area.

• People wanted better homes and jobs and the Council were listening to the residents of Noel Park. There was currently £23m investment in decent homes

• No meetings with organisations or resident’s groups in Wood Green had been refused. It was important to note that the AAP was not a plan for demolition but a Plan to enable development to come forward.

• Any future development/refurbishment plans  ...  view the full minutes text for item 146.

[Report of the Strategic Director for Planning, Regeneration and Development. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Social Inclusion & Sustainability.]

Cabinet  will be asked to adopt the Wood Green Strategic Regeneration Framework.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Sustainability introduced the Strategic Regeneration Framework, which set out the overarching vision and objectives for Wood Green and will underpin current and future documents.

The report was for consideration in conjunction with the Wood Green Area Action Plan Report. This was about the people, businesses, homes in the area and what needs to happen in Wood Green to make it a better place to live and work in.

The Cabinet Member continued to outline key underpinning pillars of the framework which were:

• Better range of employment opportunities with educational offers aligned to this, to enable local residents to have the capacity to apply for a range of job opportunities.
• Supporting Wood Green as a business destination.
• Revitalising the town centre to draw people from Haringey and beyond.
• Maintaining the authenticity of London in Wood Green.
• Strong cultural offer with supplementary evening economy as well
• Sustainability in regeneration and drive to becoming a zero carbon borough by 2050.

In response to a question from Cllr Engert, the Cabinet Member outlined that the AAP set out the principle of moving the Civic Centre and Council office accommodation outside the Town Centre to drive regeneration. 

• The potential savings in the annual office budget and the economic gain in moving needed to be considered, instead of just the immediate cost. Agreed these figures be provided to Cllr Engert.

• The Leader reiterated that moves concerning the Civic Centre and Library have been in the Local Plan for some time.

RESOLVED

To agree and adopt the Wood Green Strategic Regeneration Framework included at Appendix1, for publication in March 2018.

Reasons for decision

Wood Green has a number of strategic brownfield and regeneration sites and prime town centre redevelopment sites, offering significant potential for new jobs and homes, a better choice of retail and leisure and better east west connectivity.

Since 2014 officers have been developing an Investment Framework for Wood Green comprising several strategic and delivery documents. The intention is that the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) sets the direction for the regeneration of Wood Green with a clear vision and objectives, aligning goals and strategies for physical change with those for wider social and economic improvements.

Major landowners are already developing proposals for sites in Wood Green, including Clarendon Square (the former gas works site) which already has planning permission for over 1,000 homes, and Planning Applications have now been received for three sites in Heartlands area totalling 2,000 homes (including a new Planning Application for Clarendon Square for 1,600 homes). Haringey is in Pre Application for a further four sites in the growth area.

By adopting the plan Cabinet are endorsing the overarching ambition for the regeneration of Wood Green. This will ensure a clear set of priorities which can be communicated to stakeholders and partners. The SRF will be used to communicate the vision and priorities with residents, businesses, landowners/ developers and statutory partners. The SRF is also an essential tool for fund raising and lobbying.

Alternative  ...  view the full minutes text for item 147.

[Report of the Chief Digital and Information Officer. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources.]

To receive a detailed report considered by the Shared Digital Joint Committee meeting of 30 October 2017 and consider any recommendation(s) made by the Joint Committee around the future governance model for the shared service, including any required changes necessary to move from the current governance arrangements to any proposed new governance model.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources introduced the report which sought approval for the Joint Committee model to be refined to address the issues set out in paragraph 5.4 and that the service be governed under a ‘lean’ Joint Committee model.

The interim ‘secondment’ arrangement for the shared service currently in place, comprising Camden, Islington and Haringey Councils Digital and ICT services was not considered sustainable in the long term and would not establish a high-performing single team that retained and attracted the best Digital and ICT staff.

The ‘do nothing’ option was not recommended for the reasons set out in paragraph 5.4 below.

The Shared Digital Governance review model was being considered by all three boroughs involved in sharing Digital and ICT services. Islington Council had agreed the report at their meeting on the 4^th of January 2018 and Camden Council were due to consider the attached report at their meeting on the 24^th of January.

The following decisions, which were by necessity technical in nature, would in summary, for all three Councils, achieve the following:

§  Transfer the ICT function of both Haringey and Islington to Camden including staff who will TUPE on 1 April 2018.

§Transfer the decision making for the ICT functions for Haringey, Islington and Camden to either a new and reconstituted lean Joint Committee or via Camden’s usual delegation arrangement to the Executive Director Corporate Services to be undertaken by the Chief Digital and Information Officer.

§To approve the underlying consultative management arrangements noting that these will develop as the service itself develops.

§  Delegate authority to allow the necessary further supporting documentation to be completed in support of the arrangements.

Therefore, and further to the recommendations from the Shared Digital Joint Committee at Appendix 3, the Cabinet,

RESOLVED:

1. To note the options set out in the detailed ‘Shared Digital Governance Model Options’ report at Appendix 1 prepared by Activist Group following extensive work since March 2017 with Councillors and senior officers.

2. To approve the adoption of the governance model for Shared Digital set out as Option 1 (a ‘lean’ Joint Committee model in paragraphs 4.5 to 4.14 of this report and paragraphs 4.5 – 4.9 of Appendix 1) based on the outcomes framework at Table 2.4, paragraph 2.26 of Appendix 1 with a commencement date of 1 April 2018 (throughout this report ‘the Commencement Date’ means 1 April 2018).

3. To approve, pursuant to Regulations 9 and 11 of the Local Authorities (Arrangements for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012 (‘the Regulations’), that as from the Commencement Date:

(i)         those parts of Haringey’s ICT service and function (including the procurement of ICT related services, equipment and software) specified in paragraphs 6 to 16 of the attached terms of reference set out at Appendix 4 be jointly exercised with the London Boroughs of Islington, Haringey and Camden by a Joint Committee

(ii)       that the current Joint Committee be reconstituted with the terms of reference at Appendix 4 with effect from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148.

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

Report setting out proposed new Intermediate Housing Policy in the context of the adopted Housing Strategy following public consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning introduced the report which set out a new Intermediate Housing Policy Statement. This expanded on the policy for consultation, taking into account the results of the consultation. It also reflected changes in the policy environment, in particular the new Mayor’s Draft Housing Strategy.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning Member emphasised that where intermediate homes are built in the borough, the policy ensures that Haringey residents are first in line to benefit from them.

The Council also wanted to ensure that intermediate homes are offered first to those on lower incomes, so that intermediate housing goes to those residents who will benefit from it most.

RESOLVED

1.          To approve the Intermediate Housing Policy Statement set out at appendix 1.

2.          To agree the changes to Appendix C of the Housing Strategy set out at appendix 2, and minor amendments to other appendices as set out at paragraph 6.16 of this report, and recommend that they be adopted by Full Council.

To recommended that Council:

3.          Agree and adopt the changes to Appendix C of the Housing Strategy set out in appendix 2, and the minor amendments to other appendices as set out at paragraph 6.16 of this report.

Reasons for decision

Intermediate housing is becoming an increasingly important part of the housing offer, as provided for in Haringey’s Housing Strategy. However, at present, the Council has no formal policy for prioritising who gets these intermediate homes, either for sale or for rent, neither does it have clearly articulated expectations on the types of products and affordability of these products that it would like to see.

This policy statement allows the Council to set out clear guidance on all these issues, in particular on local eligibility criteria, priority matrix, marketing requirements, tenure mix and products.

Alternative options considered

An alternative option would be not to set a priority matrix or marketing arrangements for intermediate housing. This option was rejected to ensure that intermediate housing is offered in the first place to those who will benefit from this most, and for whom market housing is most difficult to access. It also provides for Haringey residents to have greater priority access for intermediate housing products.

A separate alternative option would be not to amend Appendix C of the Housing Strategy. This was rejected partly since much of the content has been superseded by the Mayor’s Housing Strategy and partly because it is not fully aligned with the outcomes of the consultation on this policy.

[Report of the Interim Deputy Chief Executive. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning.]

This  report will update members on the progress of the Housing Support Transformation Framework, as requested in the report approved by Cabinet in March 2017. As well as selected highlights from the programme's progress, this report seeks approval of a Supported Housing Tenants and Residents Charter, one of the recommendations approved in the March 2017 report, whose aim is to make commitments to tenants and residents of supported housing that might be affected by the Transformation programme.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning introduced the report which set out the Supported Housing Tenants and Residents Charter. The creation of a Charter was one of the recommendations of the Supported Housing Review, whose recommendations were approved by Cabinet in March 2017 in the form of the Housing Support Transformation Programme. The aim of the Charter was to codify the Council’s commitments to supported housing tenants, who may be affected by changes to housing support as a result of the programme.

RESOLVED

1. To approve the draft Supported Housing Tenants and Residents Charter at appendix 1.

2. To note and consider the update of the Housing Support Transformation programme set out in this report.

Reasons for decision

It was considered appropriate that Cabinet approve the Supported Housing Tenants and Resident Charter, a key element of the Housing Support Transformation programme, recommended by the Supported Housing Review in March 2017.

Approval is anticipated to support the delivery of the Council’s strategic priorities for vulnerable adults as part of the Corporate Plan (2015-18) and commitments made in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (2017/18).

Approval is anticipated to address the issues, gaps and opportunities identified by the Supported Housing Review, as approved by Cabinet in March 2017.

Alternative options considered

The Council already has a range of charters, pledges and commitments to tenants and residents which it could apply to this programme of change. However, the Housing Support Transformation programme was approved on the basis that it would make a commitment to co-production, transparency and partnership in order to deliver the recommendations of the Supported Housing Review. With a number of challenging decisions to make about our supported housing provision, and in recognition of the particular housing and support circumstances of residents living in supported housing, making generalised commitments does not reflect the importance of the programme or the population it involves.

Alternatively, the Council could move forward without a Supported Housing Tenants and Residents Charter as there is no statutory requirement for a local authority to produce one. However, having a coherent commissioning framework and approach, founded in co-production, transparency and partnership with vulnerable residents is considered best practice. As with the option presented in 5.1, with a number of challenging decisions to make about our supported housing provision, making no commitment to those who may be affected is clearly not an option.

The draft Supported Housing Tenants and Residents Charter has been co-produced with supported housing tenants and residents through a series of workshops and meetings. It outlines six pledges to vulnerable residents who receive housing support, specifically in reference to changes to housing support that may arise out of the Housing Support Transformation programme. The Charter commits to involving, valuing and recognising the contributions of supported housing tenants in delivering the required changes as well as making commitments to those people who may be individually affected by change. Alternative options were discounted where they:

·         Would not be consistent with the data and intelligence about housing support need in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 150.

[ Report of the Interim Deputy Chief Executive.to be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Culture.]

The report outlines Haringey Council's draft policy and approach to the delivery of its service to customers who require adaptations to their home. The draft policy reflects legislation and statutory guidance  and Cabinet is asked to approve the policy.

The Leader introduced the report which outlined Haringey Council’s approach to the delivery of its service to customers who require adaptations to their home.

The draft policy (Appendix 1) was based on the legislation which governed the implementation of major adaptations via Disabled Facilities Grants under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and other assistance under the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002.

In response to Cllr Carter’s question, there would be enough Occupational Therapist assessors made available to complete the required assessments for adaptations.

The Cabinet Member was strongly pursuing the issue of reducing waiting times for adaptations and there was a plan to reduce waiting times from 52 weeks to 3 months. It was still important to recognise the complexity of this work. However, Cllr Carter could also be provided with assurance of the Cabinet Member’s commitment to this work by referring to the improved waiting times in Customer Services as an example.

RESOLVED

To approve the draft Policy: Grant and assistance regime for housing adaptations for disabled persons in Haringey, attached at appendix 1.

Reasons for decision

Having a policy will clearly set out and define what services we are able to provide and a clear pathway for accessing services, increase the range of services and scope the Council are able to provide to maximise service user’s independence. Thereby, providing clarity and consistency for all service users across Haringey regardless of tenure.

It will provide us with ability to use the DFG funding in innovative ways that will:

·         reduce the bureaucracy in administering grants for residents

·         simplify the application and adaptation process

·         rapidly deal with inaccessible housing

·         award grants to excess of mandatory grant limit, currently £30 000, to meet eligible needs larger grants to meet needs,

·         complete adaptations in a timely manner therefore potential reduce package of care spend,

·         capitalise staffing costs and procurement to manage demand

The Council will pilot for a 12-month period from January 2018 removing the test of resources. This will reduce the bureaucracy in administering grants for residents, simplify the application and adaptation process and enable the LA to complete adaptations in a timely manner therefore potential reduce package of care spend.

Since 2014 to date we have assessed 40 residents as requiring to make a client contribution and the total value received is £36,133.64. Therefore, the financial risk to the LA is minimal. We employ x2 FTE Assessment Officers to administer the test of Resources. The current process to complete the Test of Resources is also reported on average to take 3-6 months.

Alternative options considered

The contents of the Policy reflected the wider strategic aims of the Council to give all children the best start in life and empower all adults to live healthy, long and fulfilling lives and also the ever closer integration of health and social care. The option of maintaining the current model for adaptations was considered to not fully meeting these wider strategic aims.

[Report of the Interim Chief Finance Officer. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Health.]

The proposal asks Haringey to join the GLA and all London boroughs to form a pilot pool of retained business rates during the 2018-19 financial year.

The Leader introduced the report which set out participation by the London Borough of Haringey in the London-wide Business Rates Retention Pilot for the financial year 2018/19. Participation in this Pilot, had been agreed by London’s Councils and similar reports were being considered by all London Boroughs.

RESOLVED

1.          To approve the designation of the London Borough of Haringey by the Secretary of State as an authority within the London Business Rates Pilot Pool pursuant to paragraph 34(7) of Schedule 7B Local Government Finance Act 1988 and;

2.          To agree that the London Borough of Haringey participate in the London Business Rates Pilot Pool with effect from 1 April 2018 (to 31 March 2019);

3.          To delegate the authority’s administrative functions as a billing authority pursuant to the Non-Domestic Rating (Rates Retention) Regulations 2013 to the City of London Corporation (“Colic”) acting as the Lead Authority;

4.          To authorise the Lead Authority to sub-contract certain ancillary administrative functions (regarding the financial transactions (payment of tariffs and top-ups) within the Pool to the GLA as it considers expedient;

5.          To delegate authority to the Chief Financial Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance & Health, to agree the operational details of the pooling arrangements with the participating authorities;

6.          To enter into such Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the participating authorities to implement and/or regulate the pool and delegate authority to the Chief Financial Officer (in consultation with the Assistant Director Corporate Governance) to negotiate, finalise and execute the same on behalf of the authority;

7.          To authorise the Leader of the Council to represent the authority in relation to consultations regarding the London Business Rates Pilot Pool as may be undertaken by the Lead Authority pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding;

8.          To delegate to the Chief Financial Officer, the authority to consider such consultative reports as the Lead Authority may circulate and to respond on behalf of the authority with regard to any recommendations and in particular, proposals for projects to be approved for funding from the Strategic Investment Pot;

9.          To delegate to the Lead Authority the functions of assessment, due consultation and the approval of projects eligible for funding from the Pool’s Strategic Investment Pot following consultation with the participating authorities (provided that at least two thirds of such participating London Boroughs (including the city of London Corporation) and the Mayor of London are in favour of the relevant recommendation, and that no entire sub-region is in disagreement with the decision on such terms and conditions as shall ensure value for money and compliance with the law.

10.       To notify Full Council at its meeting on 26 February 2018 of Cabinet’s approval to the above resolutions.

Reasons for decision

The underlying drive to create a pool is to generate a net financial benefit for London which is not available under the current individual authority scheme.

As outlined in section 6 below, joining the Pilot for 2018/19 offers the potential to generate addition Business Rates income to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 152.

[Report of the Assistant Director for Corporate Governance. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources.]

Cabinet will be asked to approve the award of the contract for the provision of internal audit services.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources introduced the report which recommended entering into a contract with Croydon Council, by means of their Audit Services Framework Agreement, from 1 April 2018 for six years to provide audit resources to deliver the Internal Audit service for Haringey Council at a total cost of £1.5m over the duration of the contract.

RESOLVED

1. That the Council enter into contract with Croydon Council, by means of their Audit Services Framework Agreement, from 1 April 2018 for six years to provide audit resources to deliver the Internal Audit service for Haringey Council at a total cost of £1.5m over the duration of the contract; and

2. That if the Croydon Council framework contract is extended in compliance with the EU regulations (up to a maximum of two years), and satisfactory contract performance is maintained, agreed that the Council extends its contract with Croydon Council and associated framework agreement up to a maximum of two years, subject to compliance with Haringey Council’s Constitution. The total value of the contract for the 8-year period would be £2m.

Reasons for decision

The current internal audit contract commenced on 1 April 2012 and is due to expire on 31 March 2018. Internal audit is a statutory function which Haringey Council is required to maintain. It is therefore necessary to ensure that an appropriate internal audit service is in place from 1 April 2018, to ensure ongoing compliance with statutory requirements.

Alternative options considered

Five options have been considered and these are set out below.

It should be noted that experience has proved that it is highly unlikely that an in-house resource could be recruited and retained to deliver the Council’s internal audit service in its entirety. All London boroughs have outsourced their internal audit service to some extent and none are looking to bring this service fully back in-house due to the ongoing costs of recruitment, retention and specialist audit training required.

Option 1 – OJEU Open Tender

The potential contract values involved for this length of contract would require a full re-tender following European procurement legislation, commonly known as the OJEU rules, unless an acceptable alternative procurement route is used e.g. an appropriate framework agreement. The full open tender approach by Haringey alone is not recommended as taking an independent procurement route in this way would be resource-intensive and unlikely to achieve better results in terms of value for money than the other options available.

Option 2 – Crown Commercial Services (CCS)

This is a framework agreement established by central government for the provision of internal audit services under their Management Consultancy Framework. Although geared towards provision within Central Government, local authorities are included in the list of organisations eligible to use the framework. The framework includes the provision of services from all the main providers of Local Government internal audit, namely: BDO LLP, Deloitte LLP, Ernst & Young LLP, Grant Thornton LLP, KPMG LLP, Mazars LLP, PWC LLP, and RSM Tax and Accounting PLC.

To utilise the framework, it would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 153.

[Report of the Assistant Director for Corporate Governance. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources.]

This report will seek approval to award the contract for Insurance Arrangements  to successful tenderer(s) for the following: Commercial, Crime, School Journey, Motor Fleet and Engineering Inspection.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources introduced the report which informed Cabinet of the procurement process undertaken, via the Insurance London Consortium (ILC), and further sought approval to appoint a provider(s) for Motor Fleet Insurance; Property Insurance Services for Commercial Properties; provision of the Engineering Inspection Programme; Fidelity Guarantee (Crime) Insurance; and School Journey Insurance with effect from 1 April 2018, for a period of three years with the option to extend for two further periods of one year each.

Further to considering the exempt information contained at item 23,

RESOLVED

To approves the award of the contracts for the provision of the Insurance Services and Engineering Inspections via the ILC, effective from 1 April 2018, for a period of three years with the option to extend for two further periods of one year each (i.e. 3+1+1) to the following providers:

·         Motor Fleet (Lot 1) to Zurich Municipal;

·         Property Insurance Services for Commercial Properties (Lot 2) to Zurich Municipal;

·         Engineering Inspection Programme (Lot 3) to Zurich Municipal;

·         Fidelity Guarantee (Crime) Insurance (Lot 4) to Risk Management Partners; and

·         School Journey Insurance (Lot 6) to Risk Management Partners.

Reasons for decision

The current insurance and inspection contracts commenced on 1 April 2013 and were based on a three-year agreement with an option to extend by a further two years. No further extensions are available; therefore, a new procurement process was required. It is necessary to ensure that the new contracts are in place from 1 April 2018, to avoid any gap in insurance cover for the Council.

Alternative options considered

Purchasing stand-alone cover for the Council, using agreed procurement processes. This was not considered appropriate because:

·         Haringey Council’s membership of the ILC has enabled it to benefit from significant economies of scale in procuring policies for a number of local authorities; these economies of scale would not be available if the Council were to opt for a single authority procurement route;

·         Membership of the ILC has also allowed the Council to share best practice on insurance and risk management practices, which would not be available on a stand-alone basis; and

·         The insurance market for local authority risks has historically had a limited number of competitors. Procuring through the ILC has previously increased the number of providers willing to respond and resulted in reduced policy rates.

Using another framework agreement to run a mini-competition for services. The Government’s Crown Commercial Services (CCS) has an insurance framework in place which the ILC has used in a previous procurement exercise in 2014. Using the CCS framework resulted in fewer respondents, decreased competition and lower value for money for the ILC and Haringey Council. Using the CCS framework was considered prior to the start of the procurement process, but discounted based on previous outcomes achieved.

To note the minutes of the following:

Cabinet Member signing on 30 November 2017

Cabinet Member Signing 15 December 2017

Cabinet Member  Signing 20 December 2017

Leader’s Signing 4^th January 2018

RESOLVED

To note the  following minutes :

·         Cabinet Member Signing on 30 November 2017

·         Cabinet Member Signing 15 December 2017

·         Cabinet Member  Signing 20 December 2017

·         Leader’s Signing 4^th January 2018

To note the delegated and significant actions taken by Directors in December.

RESOLVED:

To note the delegated and significant actions taken by Directors in December.

To consider any items admitted at Item 3 above.

There were no items of urgent business.

Note from the Democratic Services &Scrutiny Manager

Item 23 allows for the consideration of exempt information in relation to item 18.

TO RESOLVE

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the items below contain exempt information, as defined under 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 agenda item 23[ minute 159 ]contained exempt information, as defined under paragraph, 3  Part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

As per item 22.

As per item 154.

To consider any items admitted at Item 3 above.

None