Agenda and minutes

Please note that this meeting will be 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. 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, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.

The Leader referred to the notice of filming at meetings as set out in item 1 and advised that the meeting was being streamed live on the Council’s website.

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 22  below. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at Item 27 below).

The Leader advised that there was a short addendum to consider with item 13, Housing Delivery Test Action Plan. This confirmed that the Regulatory Committee had considered the report after publication of the Cabinet agenda and resolved to recommend the report for approval.

The terms of reference for Regulatory Committee set out in Part three section B of the Council Constitution required the Cabinet to consider informal recommendations on local development documents, development plan documents, the local development framework and any other planning policy matter.

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.

None

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 [23] : 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.

None

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2020 as a correct record.

RESOLVED

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th of June 2020.

There were no matters referred  by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Deputation in relation to item 9

Jacob Secker, Secretary of the Broadwater Farm Resident’s Association and Chris Hutton as Chair of the Broadwater Farm Resident’s Association addressed the Committee in relation to item 9 – Broadwater Farm rehousing.

Mr Secker raised a number of issues in relation to the purchasing of leaseholder properties and the limited options available for those residents in Tangmere and Northolt blocks. Mr Secker highlighted that the leaseholders were not willing sellers but being forced to sell their homes due to defects in the blocks and the deputation’s core objection was to the terms of the leaseholder offer that had been made.

The deputation contended that a more equitable solution for the leaseholders was to at least have been offered a sum of money that would have enabled them to buy a comparable alternative accommodation, locally at a market price in Tottenham, rather than just at market price in Broadwater Farm. These property values had been depressed by the lack of maintenance or lack of investment over the years and in the deputation’s view, it seemed unfair to punish leaseholders by awarding such low values.

The proposal to extend the equity loan was welcomed by the deputation and this would include enabling leaseholders to buy properties outside of the borough. This would certainly ease the burden on some but it did not help those leaseholders that wanted to stay in the locality of Tottenham.

The deputation contended that the finance offers to leaseholders in Northolt, Tangmere blocks of between £150,000 to £160,000 was too low, and there was not the choice of housing to enable them to move. The lengthy time period that the moves were taking demonstrated this.

With regards to offering social tenancies to leaseholders in Tangmere and Northolt, the deputation noted that leaseholders in financial need can be offered: a new social tenancy or housing association tenancy and 25% value of their flat or awarded the money they paid under right to buy. The deputation welcomed the offer to those in need and recognised that this must happen as the leaseholders needed to move out from the blocks .The issue was that 25% offer was too low and  offering leaseholders the amount they paid originally was also not adequate. The leaseholders  had not been  consulted on this proposal and this was not enough funding to move. The leaseholders felt that their finances were not being considered or the capital amount and interest rate payments made by them over the years. The leaseholders had also over, the past few years, paid for major works such as carpark resurfacing and door entry systems in defective blocks and this also needed to be taken account of.

The deputation wanted the Council to follow the Southwark model of offering 100% the value of their flats to leaseholders, or home loss payment and social tenancy. Leaseholders were aware of this offer and wanted the same. The Council were offering 25% of a property value of £160,000, which would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 258.

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

This report seeks delegations from Cabinet to the Director of Housing, Planning and Regeneration in respect of the acquisition of leasehold interests on the estate and approval of equity loans for leaseholders wishing to access the proposed loan facility offered by the council to eligible leaseholders.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration introduced the report, which set out a number of important recommendations to support the Council’s vital work on the rehousing of leaseholders on the Broadwater Farm Estate.

The Cabinet Member emphasised that the Council was committed to working with leaseholders to identify rehousing solutions that met their needs and the report set out additional options to support leaseholders.

In response to questions from Cllr Cawley - Harrison. The following information was provided:

·         In relation to the financial compensation of leaseholders, as set out in the deputation response, this would be discussed with the leaseholders and there would need to be consideration of the Council’s fiduciary duty when considering the appropriate remedy.

·         With regards to the alternative housing offered to leaseholders, the personal view of the Cabinet Member was that there needed to be careful consideration of the housing options offered to ensure that this was fair and did not disadvantage other residents in priority need, awaiting housing. The Council were prepared to examine and take forward discussion with leaseholders, taking account of the compensation received, if applicable, and considering the situation of the housing waiting list.

·         The Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal highlighted that the Council were already considering the issue of vulnerability and if the leaseholder fell into the priority need category they would be entitled to a social tenancy were they homeless and in a situation that they could not afford to buy a home. This would also be taken into consideration by the discretion panel.

Further to considering the exempt information at item 24,

RESOLVED

1. To agree to the acquisition of all leaseholders’ interests in both Northolt and

Tangmere for a maximum total sum of [EXEMPT] and gives delegated authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning, after consultation with the Director of Finance and Cabinet Member for Housing & Estate Renewal, to agree the price and terms of each acquisition;

2. To give delegated authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and

Planning to approve any individual equity loans to eligible resident

leaseholders, as provided for in the Broadwater Farm Rehousing and Payments policy;

3. To authorise the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning,

            notwithstanding the terms of the Broadwater Farm Rehousing and Payments        Policy, to offer Equity Loans to support the purchase of properties outside the            borough in exceptional circumstances taking account of the recommendation of         the Discretionary Panel Discretionary Panel.

4.    To approve the policy set out at Appendix one of the report, setting out the offer that the Council will make for the leasehold interest in a property on Broadwater Farm where the owner wishes to be granted a social tenancy of the same or another property in replacement of his/her interest.

5. To authorise the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning to approve the offer of a social tenancy to leaseholders, acting on the recommendation

of the discretionary panel (as set out in the Broadwater Farm Rehousing and

             Payments Policy) in line with policy set  ...  view the full minutes text for item 259.

[Report of the Director for Finance. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration.]

This report sets out the provisional outturn for 2019/20 for the General Fund, HRA, DSG and the Capital Programme compared to budget.  It also includes proposed transfers to/from reserves, revenue and capital carry forward requests and any budget virements or adjustments.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration introduced the report, which set out the provisional outturn for 2019/20 for the General Fund, HRA, DSG and the Capital Programme compared to budget. It provided explanations of significant under/overspends and includes proposed transfers to/from reserves, revenue and capital carry forward requests and any budget virements or adjustments.

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

• In relation to the potential up surge in mental health spend as a result of Covid 19 and lock down, the Cabinet Member highlighted the discussion at the previous evening’s Council meeting where there was  Councillor concern expressed about funding of local authorities. Statements were made about the expectation for government to fulfil its pledges to reimburse local authorities’ Covid 19 spending. The Cabinet Member could not expressly agree, at this meeting, that the Council will spend money which it had yet to obtain but would look into this critical issue.

• The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health added that there was a lot of concern about the expected increase in mental health referrals. She advised that the Council with health and community partners were aiming to meet this need. The BEH- MET were already looking at internal reforms to manage and mitigate the demand. This was also part of recovery and renewal plans being taken forward with partners. There was already good understanding of the data to help inform the expected need and there had already been extended outreach work in the community so an awareness of issues was being compiled and preventative measures put in place to enable the Council and partners to navigate the challenges ahead.

• In response to slippage on Capital projects, there were projects that had to be put on hold for health and safety reasons as the country was still coming out of the lockdown. There would be a review on the next steps, considering those projects that could discontinued and the impact of this going forward. It was noted that the Council were not alone in its current position on capital projects.

• Noted that there was a review taking place of the accommodation strategy and there would follow an all member presentation on way forward for Council assets, in particular those in the Wood Green area, with plans to be shared with Councillors.

RESOLVED

1.          To note the provisional revenue and capital outturn for 2019/20 as detailed in the report;

2.          To approve the capital carry forwards in Appendix 3 and £1.14m for Highways       works;

3.          To approve the appropriations to/from reserves at Appendix 5 of the report;

4.          To approve the budget virements as set out in Appendix 6 of the report.

Reasons for decision.

A strong financial management framework, including oversight by Members and senior management is an essential part of delivering the Council’s priorities and statutory duties.

Cabinet is responsible for the strategic management of Council resources and for taking decisions on such matters including budget management and control, budget  ...  view the full minutes text for item 260.

Report of the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for  Climate Change and Sustainability]

Cabinet are asked to approved the Haringey Affordable Energy Strategy and the actions/measures within it.  The Strategy has been developed to reduce the increasing number of households who live with the challenges of paying for their energy.  There are approximately 14% of homes that fall into this category for winter heating, and there are an increasing number of homes requiring cooling in summer. This Strategy has been updated following the latest data and feedback from the public consultation.  And reflects the nationally expected increased number of homes in this situation following COVID.

The Cabinet Member Climate Change and Sustainability introduced the report which sought agreement to adopt the affordable energy strategy following public consultation and agreement to a new alignment as a result of COVID-19.

In response to questions from Cllrs Cawley – Harrison and Cllr das Neves, the following information was noted:

• The Cabinet Member had begun work on the strategy as soon as she had taken up post and would ensure that this was a rolling programme.

• The Cabinet Member would ask officers to respond in writing to Cllr Cawley- Harrison to provide information on the actions being taken to ensure that Housing Associations were providing insulation and support for treatment of damp.

• The Council would be working with community organisations that had experience of consulting with hard to reach groups and could act as a conduit to provide awareness of how to access this scheme.

• It was important to work with tenants to help them understand their rights to access this scheme and there would be use of the landlord licensing process as better insulation provided for better quality rented homes.

• The Council would use an incentive approach with landlords, highlighting the risk of Covid 19 and promoting access to the GLA warmer homes scheme which was open for access to funding. The Council would be using the landlord forum to make landlords make aware of funding opportunities and also the risks with Covid 19.

[ Clerk’s note  Cllr Hearn lost connection for less than 5 minutes and the final paragraph was repeated and the Cabinet Member able to vote]

RESOLVED

1. To adopt the revised Affordable Energy Strategy 2020-2025 appearing at

Appendix B of the report

2. To agree to the prioritised actions identified in the “COVID 19 AND THE

AFFORDABLE ENERGY STRATEGY 2020-2025 – PRIORITIES STATEMENT” appended to the Strategy to enable the Council to respond to an increase in fuel poverty this winter.

Reasons for decision

The existing Affordable Warmth Strategy (2009-2019) has now expired. It is

estimated that over 15,000 households in Haringey experience fuel poverty. By

adopting a new strategy Haringey will have a clear way forward to tackle fuel

poverty in the borough and improve the health and wellbeing of its residents.

In November 2019, Cabinet agreed the draft Affordable Energy Strategy for public consultation. The consultation has concluded. Comments have been considered and the strategy amended as appropriate.

The impact of COVID-19 on jobs, incomes and energy use have been considered and it is anticipated that levels of fuel poverty will increase. Priority actions have been identified to enable the Council to react to this situation and support residents.

Approval is sought to adopt the strategy and a COVID-19 impact statement has

been inserted into the document to allow the appropriate actions to be undertaken to support residents struggling to power their homes.

Alternative options considered

Do nothing

The strategy would not be redrafted and released. The Council will have no coherent strategy to improve the circumstances of around 15,000 households living  ...  view the full minutes text for item 261.

[Report of the Director for Children’s Services. To be Introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families.]

To provide Cabinet with the outcome from the Ofsted Focused Visit and the associated improvement plan.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families, introduced the report which provided Cabinet with an update on the 2018 Ofsted inspection action plan, the actions in place to address the findings of the Ofsted focused visit of 2019 and the actions Children’s Services is taking in response to Family Court Judgment on 20^th May in the case of Child A and Child B.

The Cabinet Member referred to the updated 2018 Ofsted inspection action plan which spoke of the improvements the service continues to make as does the 2019 focused visit action plan. However, it was noted that the Family Court Judgment was critical of the social work practice in the DCT team, and it suggested that the practice in the team may not have improved since the 2018 Ofsted inspection.

The Cabinet Member highlighted the Council vision that every child in Haringey should have the best start in life, be happy, healthy, and safe, and grow into adulthood with a successful future. For those children, young people and families that need Council support, the Cabinet Member was committed to ensuring that this was of high quality at all times. The Cabinet Member expressed that when standards fell below expectations, the Council was determined to address these issues, no matter how uncomfortable that process might be and ensure learning from them. The Council was a learning organisation committed, every day, to continuing to drive improvement in Children’s service so that the Council’s vision was realised for all the children in the community.

The report set out the actions being taken to review the practices in the DCT team and there would be a full report back to Cabinet on improvements and activity in October 2020.

In response to questions from Cllr Cawley – Harrison and Councillor das Neves, the following was noted:

·         There would be an independent review to provide assurance that there was not a systemic issue in the Disabled Children’s Team and this would be reported to Cabinet in the autumn. The review process would use similar methods to those employed in case reviews.

·         With regards to working with Islington, the Council were part of a wider programme called partners in practice. This was an established programme where a number of local authorities were working together with ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’ services to get a better understanding of the best way to improve services. Although, Islington Council had been working with the Council in this programme, they were still appropriate to lead the review and were fully observant of their need to be independent. The Director for Children’s Services added that the Chair was Hannah Miller, an experienced previous statutory director with a breadth of knowledge in Adults services and safeguarding partnerships.

·         The Cabinet Member referred to the unique experience of every parent and the key part of co-production was about sharing experiences. The SEND service were committed to working with parents to enable this to work successfully.

·         The Cabinet Member remarked that the SEND services  ...  view the full minutes text for item 262.

[Report of the Assistant Director for Planning, Building Standards and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Sustainability]

An Action Plan was published in August 2019.  Haringey’s 2019 HDT measurement published by the Government in February 2020 showed a 55% achievement, resulting in the requirement for a new Action Plan to published by August 2020.  Cabinet are being asked to adopt this new plan which set out actions the Council is taking to boost housing delivery. The HDT AP signposts corporate work across the Council to boost housing delivery, as well as provide an update on the previous Action Plan published.

The Cabinet Member outlined that the Housing Delivery Test was a Government initiative to try and bolster housing supply. Housing supply referred to all housing built in the borough, not just Council housing, whether affordable or for purchase.

The Council were undertaking work on a new Local Plan to frame its housing ambitions, including a commitment to build 1,000 new Council Homes. The number of permissions agreed were what counted as the numbers of housing supplied within a given period.

The Council would continue to grant permissions in line with planning policies, manifesto commitments and in accordance with statutory timeframes, to ensure Haringey has the homes it needs. The Council would continue to work with developers to remove obstacles to delivery. The Cabinet Member expected the house building industry to also take action, as the under delivery of homes could not be solved by, or blamed, on the Council alone.

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

• The next Local Plan was due to be published in late 2022 and a Member’s working group had been established to oversee this process. However, there would need to be a set process followed with prescribed consultation, and a public enquiry, before final decision by the Council. The previous Local Plan had been published in 2017 and in 2018 there had been changes made to the Housing strategy appendix C and also to the CiL policy. The Council were working in accordance with the timeframe of a 5-year plan with adoption planned in 2022.

·        If the local Planning Authority’s delivery of housing fell below its housing target of 75%, the Council would not be able to prove that it its meeting its five-year housing target .The Council would move to a legal situation called a ‘tilted balance’ which means a higher planning test to follow if refusing a planning application with housing included. The effect of this for decision making was that the Council would need to give more weight to housing, meaning less consideration of other needs for the area that the Council were wanting to promote. This could also mean losing more planning appeals if enough consideration had not been given to housing requirements.

• It was important to note that Haringey’s target for housing development had risen 4 times over the last 4 years and there had been over 4000 planning consents with implementation on site. This was not a housing delivery policy implementation issue and the Council worked with developers but ultimately could not force them to build.

• To provide some further context to the housing target, it was important to compare the Council’s own house building programme which had 1000 units which the Council were in control of building with the target of 8000 units set in the London Plan. This demonstrated that the housing delivery test was imbalanced as the Council were not in full control of wider delivery of housing in the borough.

• It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 263.

[ Report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods. To  be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal.]

Haringey Council Empty Homes Policy will set out the Council's approach to dealing with empty homes within our borough and the actions we plan to take to bring those empty homes back into use

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal introduced the report which set out a refreshed version of the Council’s existing empty homes policy. This had been developed to communicate the Council’s approach to bringing empty homes back into use.

In response to questions from Cllr Cawley – Harrison, the following was noted.

·         Agreed a response would be provided to Cllr Palmer’s question at the January Cabinet meeting, which was put forward when discussing the 1000 new homes to be built in the borough, and comparing this policy decision to the number of empty homes in the borough which was over 1000 and some empty for over a decade. At the meeting the figures quoted were questioned by the Cabinet and Councillor Palmer followed up with details of this information received in an FOI request which set out the following:

·         FOI reference number LBH/9297319.

·         It stated that:

“As at 31 October 2019 the Council had:

·              1136 properties classified as being empty for more than six months

·              94 properties classified as being empty for more than five years

·              21 properties classified as being empty for more than ten years”

·         The Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal queried if these figures had included second homes? It would be important to establish this as there was a different process involved. These properties were applicable for Council tax collection and could therefore not be deemed empty homes.

·         Local research had yet to be completed on the reasons for the rising numbers of empty homes and this would be done following the introduction of the policy and employment of the Empty Homes officer. It was known that there were a variety of reasons why people leave their homes empty. In particular, homes that were empty from 6 months to 5 years’ could be due to the increasing number of elderly residents that were going into supported living arrangements or residential care and their families were waiting to find out whether their relatives will return home. It was noted that there will also be cases of homeowners working abroad. The team were striving to ensure that they were in contact with empty home owners and were aiming to reach a higher number of homeowners to understand fully the reasons for the number of empty homes as part of implementing this policy.

·         The Cabinet Member commented that she was fully supportive of Empty Dwelling Management Orders[EDMO’S] and had no issues with the use of regulatory powers to bring homes back into use. Officers added that the Housing Improvement Team had not taken forward EDMO’s before and would be working with Legal services and Homes for Haringey on how the process will work and there would be a further update on this initiative.

·         The Leader concluded that the main objective of the policy should not be the number of EDMO’s issued but the bringing empty homes back into use.

RESOLVED

1. To approve the Empty Homes Policy as attached in Appendix 3 of the report.

2. To note  ...  view the full minutes text for item 264.

[ Report of the Assistant Director for Schools and Learning. To be introduced by the Leader of  the Council.]

This paper considers recent existing university bursary schemes and  how they work (what they offer, eligibility criteria, etc) and sets out a proposed offer for Haringey young people with an associated budget.

The Leader was pleased to introduce the report which sought agreement to fund a Local Authority university bursary scheme for young people from low income families (under £30k PA total income) from the academic year 2021. The scheme was intended to support an increase in the percentage of those students from low income families who can go on to university at the end of year 13 and graduate.

The scheme would, among other things, support a monthly (Sept to June) bursary of £300 for the duration of the degree course, mentoring from year 13 (or before) through to graduation, the cost of the UCAS application and visits to two university open days during year 12/13.

It was proposed that the scheme run year on year, supporting up to 10 students through university at an eventual annual cost to the Council of £120k. The scheme would also make available a period of work experience within the Local Authority or one of its partners, aimed at the summer recess in the second year and based on two days a week for a period of eight weeks at London Living Wage.

The Leader spoke about education being unequal and opportunities at school or university skewed by where you come from. Children from the most deprived families tended to do less well at school and were less likely to go on to university, or any other form of higher education. Among those that do go to university, the most deprived students were more likely to drop-out and less likely to secure a top class degree.

The Leader described that inequality persists beyond graduation day. The most advantaged graduates were more likely to be in a high-skilled job after graduating, and BAME Russell Group university graduates are more likely to be unemployed than their white peers.

It was noted that no single injustice is responsible for the gap. Income and financial security were a major factor, but there were wider and subtler causes behind the gap too . The Leader outlined that ethnicity, class, health and household dynamics were just some them.

The Leader expressed that a lot of the inequalities that distort educational opportunity were deep-set and would take wide-ranging interventions to overcome. The Council could not reverse the government’s 2016 decision to abolish maintenance grants for low-income students for example. However, the leader felt that there was a clear role, indeed a leading role, that a local Council could play to improve opportunities and outcomes for the most deprived residents in its borough.

The scheme was central to that ambition and set out a slate of interventions to support children from some of the most deprived families in Haringey.

Following questions from Cllr Cawley- Harrison and Cllr das Neves, the following information was noted.

• The Council were aware of the university application timetable and were aiming to have the scheme ready before year 13 to allow the work experience opportunities to be accessed and also to dovetail with other schemes that will be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 265.

[ Report of the Assistant Director for Regeneration. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for  Finance and Strategic Regeneration.]

Decision to accept £2m grant from MHCLG/Historic England to deliver Tottenham Heritage Action Zone in Bruce Grove Ward over the next 4 years.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration introduced the report which sought Cabinet approval to accept an offer of grant for £2.012 million from Historic England and to subsequently enter into a grant agreement with Historic England for restoration of both historic properties and public realm spaces within the Bruce Grove Town Conservation Area (Bruce Grove Town Centre) in Tottenham.

The Council would need to provide match funding of £2.598m but this funding allowed the Council to capitalise on the broader nature of the High Road, creating a more welcoming, safer and attractive visitor experience, promoting Tottenham High Road as a distinct destination; improving arrival at Bruce Grove Station and encouraging people to walk along Bruce Grove to Tottenham Green to enjoy the diverse local shops and handsome buildings.

In response to a question from Councillor Cawley- Harrison on altering the highways to support the improvements to heritage buildings in the area, although there were specific allocations for the improvements, the Regeneration team would be speaking with the highways team on expanding the pathways. There had already been some work completed on reducing traffic on Tottenham High road with some further initiatives to be taken forward with the London’s Mayor’s office.

Following considering of exempt information,

RESOLVED

1. Pursuant to Contract Standing Order 17.1,to approve the receipt of a grant for £2,012,000 from Historic England, subject to the Council entering into a funding agreement, to deliver the Tottenham Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) Programme;

2. To grant delegated authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Regeneration, to approve the final terms of the funding agreement and enter into the agreement on behalf of the Council;

3. To grant delegated authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Regeneration, and to approve the final Programme Design and any changes thereafter including private contributions to the shopfronts improvement element of the programme;

4. To agree that the properties listed in Appendix 4 of the report (which have been accepted by Historic England for grant funding) will be prioritised for inclusion into the HAZ programme, for subsequently entering into separate legal agreements with each owner for those properties listed in Appendix 4 (exempt).

Reasons for decision

Overall, Bruce Grove’s shopping centre has had a decline in the quality of the street frontages, correlated with low or no private investment, and compounded by signage and advertising hoardings that detract from the appearance of the High Road. Bruce Grove retains broad appeal, where footfall is high, but unit investment is lacking’, reflecting a local business community that is vulnerable to broader market forces affecting high streets.

The Historic Action Zone Grant offered to the Council by Historic England presents a significant opportunity to address the physical, economic, and social issues facing Bruce Grove. It will improve Bruce Grove’s historic identity and provide the catalyst for change and additional investment from private owners. This will encourage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 266.

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

Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendation for the acquisition of the freehold and to delegate final negotiations and approval to the Director of Housing, Regeneration & Planning.  The Council holds a long leasehold interest of Munro Works, and the report will outline the rationale and reason for the acquisition.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration introduced the report which put forward agreement to the purchase of the freehold interest in this property would enable the Council to exit an onerous head lease arrangement, and to support economic development in the Borough in line with the Borough Plan by letting vacant units on this estate. The purchase would also contribute to MTFS savings.

In response to questions from Cllr Cawley – Harrison, the Cabinet Member was not aware of other sites in the borough  where there were similar losses  due to previous  contractual agreements. The intention for the site was for it to be used for commercial purposes.

Further to considering exempt information,

RESOLVED

1. To note the current onerous leasing arrangement of Munro Works and ongoing cost to the Council.

2. To note that the Council has exercised its option to acquire the freehold interest and gives approval to complete the purchase of Munro Works for a consideration not exceeding the value detailed in the exempt section, Part B, of this report; and

3. To give delegated authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration and Director of Finance to approve the final purchase price and the Heads of Terms and all other documentation required to give effect to the acquisition as set out in Part B of the report.

4. To note that the capital cost of the purchase and any associated costs of refurbishment, as outlined in the Exempt section of the report, can be funded from the approved capital programme.

Reasons for decision

The Munro Works site is an onerous asset in its current form costing the

Council £92,250 per annum (based on the head rent paid less the income from the sub-letting) in rental terms potentially until lease expiry in 62 years’ time, due to the restrictive covenants on sub-letting in the head lease.

There is clear rationale to purchase the Freehold interest in Munro Works to stem the loss of rental income and business rates, and to achieve control of this investment in the future.

On 10^th April 2014, a Leader decision was taken to exercise the Option to acquire the freehold interest. That Option was exercised on 17th April 2014. However, the acquisition was left in abeyance, as the parties were unable to agree the purchase price at the time. The acquisition of the freehold interest would enable the Council to actively manage this industrial estate, and maximise income potential for the future from efficient estate management and in line with the Council’s Asset Management Plan and MTFS.

Alternative options considered.

The alternative option is not to purchase the freehold interest in Munro

Works and to manage the asset without changing the lease structure. If no action is taken to acquire the Freehold, the Council will continue to suffer a net loss of rental income, as set out below together with a loss of business rates in respect of the unlet and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 267.

[ Report of  the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods. To be introduced  by the Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration.]

An extension to the existing Haringey's security contract as a result of the continued impact of COVID-19 and its impact on both corporate policy and market uncertainty.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration introduced the report, which sought agreement to a further six-month extension to Haringey's existing security contract with UGS beyond 31^st October in order to fully evaluate the future options for the service in line with the Council’s Insourcing Policy and Community Wealth Building approach. The extension would also provide necessary continuity while the impact of COVID-19 on Council buildings was fully assessed.

RESOLVED

1. To approve the extension of the UGS security contract for a further six months until 30th April 2021 with a value up to £407k, in accordance with CSO 10.02.1 b).

Reasons for decision

As part of the wider FM insource planning it was agreed in consultation with members that security would be considered in a future phase of corporate insourcing. This was necessary due to the UGS contract not being novateable from the previous FM provider.

A short-term extension to the UGS contract is required in order to provide continuity within the security service and to allow a full review of future options in line with Council policy.

In March 2020, the Assistant Director for Capital Projects & Property, following a compliant procurement exercise, approved the original award of a contract to

UGS to the value of £475,000 for an initial contract period of seven months commencing 1st April 2020, with the option to extend up to a further seven months.

Because the extension for a further six months, to a value of £407k as provided for in the original contract with UGS, exceeds the key decision threshold, a

Cabinet decision is required in accordance with the Council’s Contract Standing

Orders.

Alternative options considered

Not to provide the current services supplied by the current contractor - This option would leave staff, the public and Council sites vulnerable.

To undertake a full OJEU tendering process immediately -This option is not considered viable due to current market uncertainty related to COVID-19 and the need to investigate comprehensively options to insource these services, as per Council policy.

The current contract allows for an extension, which is the preferred option enabling a review of the contract specification, insourcing opportunities and a full retendering exercise during the extension period.

[ Report of the Assistant Director for Planning, Building Standards and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Sustainability.]

Cabinet are asked to approve the appointment of a pipe system supplier for future DEN  in Tottenham Hale – this will be to approve a direct award from DEPO Framework to Logstor including approval of the financial commitment.  Cabinet will also be asked to delegate authority to the Director of HRP in consultation with the Director of Finance and Lead Member to finalise the contract details and sign the final agreements.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Sustainability introduced the report, which sought approval to a contract award to Logstor UK Ltd for the District Energy pipe supply. This decision did not commit the Council to any spend. However, it did create a clear delivery path to allow the developers the Council were collaborating with to deliver the project to start building the network on the Council’s behalf. It clearly helps to deliver this ambition programme and the Manifesto commitment of delivering a municipal energy company to deliver affordable, low carbon energy.

In response to questions from Cllr Cawley- Harrison, work was progressing for a DEN  to be in place for Tottenham Hale  by 2024 and Wood Green by 2025.

The Cabinet placed on record their thanks to Emma Williamson, the Assistant Director for Planning for her considerable work as the Lead Planning officer and support to councillors in her role. Emma was leaving the Council to take up a new post and the Cabinet wished her well in her new position.

RESOLVED

1. To confirm the award of a call-off contract from the Stoke City CouncilDEPO framework for DEN Pipe Supplier to Logstor UK Ltd (Logstor) for a period of 3 years from 1/5/20 to 30/4/23. The contract value over the life of the contract (contract period + extension) is estimated to be £1.7m and so this falls under CSO 9.07.1d

2. To give delegated authority to the Director Housing, Regeneration

& Planning to approve the final terms and conditions upon which the Council will enter into a call-off contract with Logstor under the Stoke City Council DEPO.

Reasons for decision

This appointment allows the DEN team to manage the quality and price risks associated with the incremental installation of the network.

It will allow the team to obtain prices from the market for incremental

installation of pipe to help inform the business case so that LBH can make decisions on whether or not to proceed with the DEN project.

The contracts do not commit LBH to any spend at this time. Materials will be called off from the contract as and when different phases of network installation are approved.

This approach allows developers in Tottenham Hale to work directly with

LBH’s chosen suppliers and conform with LBH’s quality assurance requirements.

The DEPO framework allows for direct award where either

• The chosen supplier is the cheapest on the basis of framework

rates;

• There is a need for urgency; or
• For consistency where a supplier has been used on an earlier

Phase 4.6 In this case, a direct award is recommended because there is a clear price advantage between the chosen supplier’s standard rates and those of other suppliers on the framework and there is also a need for urgency so that we do not delay the developers we are working with.

Alternative options considered

To note that the recommended route is to:

1) Nominate a single system provider that all developers must use.

2) The system provider to have design responsibility for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 269.

[ Report of the Assistant Director for Corporate Governance. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council.] – Non Key

Cabinet is asked to agree the establishment of the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee and agree Cabinet Member appointments to the Community Safety Partnership.

The Leader introduced the report which sought approval to:

·         Re-establish the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee, confirm its terms of reference and appoint Members to serve on this advisory Cabinet sub-committee.

·         To note the membership and terms of reference of the LHC which is a Joint Committee of the Cabinet.

·         To confirm the terms of reference of the Community Safety Partnership and appoint members to this statutory partnership body.

RESOLVED

1. To agree to re-establish the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee, and that the terms of reference for this advisory subcommittee, attached at appendix A of the report be noted;

2. To note the Community Safety Partnership membership and terms of reference attached at Appendix B of the report;

3. To note the LHC Constitution, set out in Appendix C of the report; noting the membership of the LHC agreed at Cabinet in June 2019 .[Cllr Bull  - Cabinet Member for Local Investment and Economic Growth and one non-Cabinet Member [Cllr John Bevan]. These appointments were for a term of 4

years, which started from 2018/19 in accordance with the LHC constitution]

4. To appoint the Members, indicated below, to serve on the Corporate Parenting

Advisory Committee and Community Safety Partnership

Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee

Chair - Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families

Cllr Mitchell

Cllr Dogan

Cllr Culverwell

Cllr Demir

Cllr Chenot

Cllr Palmer

Community Safety Partnership

Cabinet Member for Communities and Equalities

Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families

Councillor Ogiehor

Reasons for decision

Establishing a Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee ensures that there is an overview of the Councillors statutory role as a corporate parent, assisting the

Council to deliver its duties 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.

Continuing as 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, and share of the LHC annual surplus.

The LHC Committee agreed, in June 2016, to amend their constitution to allow members to nominate for a term of office of four years duration, from 2018, to coincide with the local Council elections. They agreed that the Joint Committee shall comprise two members from each of the Authorities. Each Authority’s representatives on the Joint Committee shall be appointed by the Authority’s executive, a member of the executive or a committee of the executive, as appropriate and be appointed to serve for a term of four years.

The LHC agreed that the Joint Committee should elect a chairperson of the Joint

Committee and a Vice Chairperson of the Joint Committee from among the members of the Joint Committee to serve for a term of four years.

Appointments from Cabinet are required to the Community Safety Partnership to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 270.

To note the minutes of the following:

·         Urgent  Decision 12^th June 2020

RESOLVED

To note the minutes of the urgent signing held on the 12^th of June 2020.

None

Note from the Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager

Items 24,25, 26,  and 27 allow for consideration of exempt information in relation to Items 9, 16,  and 17.

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 and 5, Part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government Act:     

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

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

RESOLVED

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the remaining items contained exempt information as defined under paragraph 3 and 5 of Part 1 schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

As per item 9.

As per item 259 and  the exempt minutes.

As per item 16.

As per item 266.

As per item 17.

As per item 267 and the exempt  minutes.

To consider any items admitted at Item 3 above.

None