Agenda and minutes

Venue: George Meehan House, 294 High Road, Wood Green, N22 8JZ

Contact: Ayshe Simsek, Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager / Fiona Rae, Acting Committees Manager  Email: ayshe.simsek@haringey.gov.uk / Email: fiona.rae@haringey.gov.uk

Note: To watch the meeting click on the web link on the front page or cut and paste the following into your browser: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NjAwN2ZlZTQtYjYwZC00YzllLTgxNTItNTA4MWEwNjdjN2Q1%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%226ddfa760-8cd5-44a8-8e48-d8ca487731c3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2223a26c29-9165-4501-876b-873e129c6319%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d&btype=a&role=a  

Items
No. Item

723.

Filming at meetings

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.

Minutes:

The Chair referred to the information as set out in the agenda and advised that the meeting was being filmed.

724.

Apologies

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Lucia das Neves.

725.

Urgent Business

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

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

726.

Declarations of Interest

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.

Minutes:

Councillor Erdal Dogan declared a personal interest in relation to item 9, Scrutiny Panel Review on Haringey Family of Schools, as he had been the Chair of the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel between 2020-21 when the review had commenced.

 

Councillor Seema Chandwani declared an interest in relation to item 11, To Award a Leasehold Building Insurance Contract, as she was a Homes for Haringey leaseholder. She confirmed that she. would not take part in the discussion and voting on this item and would leave the room for the duration of the item.

727.

Notice of Intention to Conduct Business in Private, any Representations Received and the Response to any such Representations

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 17: 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.

Minutes:

No representations were received.

728.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 514 KB

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2022 as a correct record.

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 18 January 2022 be approved as a correct record.

729.

Deputations/Petitions/Questions

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

Minutes:

No deputations, petitions, or questions were received.

730.

Matters Referred to Cabinet by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The Children and Young People’s  Scrutiny Panel Chair to present the Scrutiny Review on Haringey Family of Schools.

 

The Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Families to provide a Cabinet Response to the recommendations as set out at Agenda item 9.

Minutes:

The Chair advised that the budget scrutiny recommendations would  be considered as part of item 10 and the scrutiny report on  Haringey Family of schools would be considered as part of item 9.

731.

Scrutiny Panel Review on Haringey Family of Schools pdf icon PDF 795 KB

Report of the Director of Children’s Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children, and Families.

 

Cabinet to respond to the recommendations of the scrutiny review.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Gunes, Chair of the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel introduced the Scrutiny Review on Haringey Family of Schools, thanking fellow Panel members and Co-opted members for their support and participation in the review.

 

She outlined that there were now a far greater variety of schools than previously, with a number of new types being established in recent years. The resulting fragmentation presented challenges for local authorities, which included ensuring that all schools were providing a good standard of education and planning and co-ordinating the provision of school places. Schools were also now subject to varying degrees of local democratic control and the capacity of local authorities to influence them had been diminished.

 

The Chair of the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel referred to the demand for primary school places, which had reduced, and there was currently a significant surplus of reception places in Haringey. This had serious budgetary implications for many primary schools due to the way in which schools were funded. The drop in demand for places would feed through to secondary schools in due course. Demand for school places was subject to fluctuation though and there would be a need for sufficient places to be available to accommodate any future increases in demand for places.

 

The review report had looked at how the Council could respond most effectively and strategically to these issues and made a number of recommendations.

 

The Chair of the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel continued to present the recommendations as set out in pages 4 to 7 of Appendix 3.

 

The Leader invited questions on the Scrutiny Review report.

 

There were questions from Cllr Bevan on the lessons learnt from the school learning event on exclusions, and when the follow up event would take place. It was noted that there was a learning event, last night, on exclusions with a further event planned for the summer considering inclusion in the borough.

 

It was noted a framework of support had been put in place to help schools at a much earlier stage when the pupil’s needs become apparent. There was particular focus in the framework on primary schools and the boundaries that are put in place during a school day. The AD for Schools and Learning offered to provide more details to the Cabinet Member for Housing, Licensing and Planning outside of the meeting.

 

Councillor Brabazon, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Early Years welcomed the report and the discussion on school structures. She set out the Cabinet response to the scrutiny recommendations, highlighting the following:

-       That all of the recommendations were agreed or partially agreed.

-       The areas explored in the review concerning: admissions, finance, school numbers, SEND and academisation were significant issues in their own right for schools.

-       Paragraph 6.11 highlighted that the Department of Education had carried out a consultation on the school improvement and brokering gran. This was resulting in £250k being removed from the budget for supporting school improvement. The Council would be working  ...  view the full minutes text for item 731.

732.

2022/23 Budget and 2022-2027 Medium Term Financial Strategy Report pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Report of the Director of Finance. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation.

 

Following public consultation and Scrutiny Review, this report will set out the details of the proposed budget for 2022/23 and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) through to 2026/27, including savings, growth and capital proposals. The report will also set out details of funding for 2022/23 and, if available, the remainder of the planning period and highlight areas of risk. The report will be for onward approval by Full Council on the 01 of March when it will include the details of the council tax resolution.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation introduced the report, which finalised the Council’s General Fund and HRA 2022/23 Budgets and Medium-Term Financial Strategies for 2022-2027.

 

It was noted that the only items not confirmed at this stage were:

  • Notification of final levy sums however, the Council were not forecasting any levies to be significantly different to the sums currently budgeted for;
  • Confirmation of the GLA council tax element;
  • The implications of the Final 2020/21 Local Government Finance Settlement announcement and any other late notifications from government departments –there were no indications that this would bring forward any / material changes to the provisional figures already received.

 

The report outlined that these final notifications were not expected to lead to any significant budget implications, but an update would be included in the Full Council report on 1st March; this would also include details of any final budget adjustments required.

 

The Cabinet Member advised that the budget was well received and the consultation dialogue had been genuinely constructive with no hidden issues.

 

There was praise for the Finance Team and other officers for compiling the report and producing good budget proposals. The Cabinet Member continued that this was the first budget that balanced without savings and allowed for substantial levels of investment in revenue and capital whilst maintaining a fiduciary approach.

 

The Cabinet Member continued to refer to alignment of the budget to the administration’s future manifesto and political priorities. This included:

  • increase in council housing,
  • helping the most vulnerable,
  • support to the social care budget which in the past had been chronically underfunded,
  • maintained commitment to the green agenda,
  • support to parks, active travel,
  • investment in preventing antisocial behaviour,
  • significant increase in budget allocation for the prevention of violence against women and young girls , and
  • investment in public participation, co- design and co-production.

 

The Cabinet Member also highlighted the following:

 

  • A Council Tax rise by 1.99% for the general Council services, plus a further 1% social care precept, which added up to a total of 2.99%, (i.e. lower than the anticipated rate of inflation). In practice, this would mean that the increase for a Band D property (excluding the GLA element) would be 83 pence per household per week,
  • Continuing with a comprehensive Council Tax Reduction Scheme which meant that over 16,000 residents would pay no Council Tax at all;
  • Recognition that even this modest council-tax increase, at this challenging time, would be an additional ask for some. However, it was felt that without these resources, the Council would have to cut back support and services for the most vulnerable in the borough and therefore felt appropriate to put forward.

 

In conclusion, the Cabinet Member was proud to recommend this budget for Cabinet and onward full Council approval.

 

Councillor Pippa Connor, Vice Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Chair of the budget scrutiny meetings presented the Overview and Scrutiny recommendations set out at appendix 9 of the report.

 

She thanked Finance officers and scrutiny officers for facilitating  ...  view the full minutes text for item 732.

733.

Council's Corporate Insurance Arrangements pdf icon PDF 231 KB

Report of the Director of Finance. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation.

 

To seek approval to award the contract for insurance arrangements to successful tenderer(s) for the following: Property, Combined Liability, and Terrorism.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation introduced the report which sought approval to award the contract for insurance arrangements to successful tenderer(s) for the following: Property, Combined Liability, and Terrorism.

 

Following consideration of the exempt information, it was

 

RESOLVED

 

In accordance with Contract Standing Order (CSO) 9.07.1(d), to approve the award of the contracts for the provision of the Insurance Services via the Insurance London Consortium (ILC), effective from 1 April 2022, for a period of five years with a break clause at the end of year three and year four to the following providers: Property Insurance Services (Lot 1) to Insurer 1 (identified in Appendix A to the report), Terrorism Insurance Services (Lot 2) to Insurer 1 (identified in Appendix A to the report), and Liability Insurance Services (Lot 3) to Insurer 3 (identified in Appendix A to the report).

 

Reasons for decision

 

The current insurance contracts commenced on 1 April 2017 and were based on a three year agreement with an option to extend by a further two years. The extension period will end on 31 March 2022. It is necessary to ensure that the new contracts are in place from 1 April 2022, 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 lower premiums.

734.

To award a Leasehold Building Insurance contract pdf icon PDF 220 KB

Report of the Director of Finance. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation.

 

The Council as landlord is responsible under the leases of all properties sold under Right to Buy legislation for insuring the building in which the property is situated. The Council intends to enter into an agreement for the provision of buildings insurance covering all leasehold properties sold (or to be sold) by the Council under Right to Buy legislation. The insurance premium is then recharged to leaseholders as part of the service charge payable under the terms of their leases.

Minutes:

At this point in the meeting, Cllr Chandwani left the room.

 

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation introduced the report which sought approval to award a contract for the provision of the Leaseholders’ Building Insurance Service from 1April 2022 for a period of five years with a break clause at the end of year three and year four.

 

Following consideration of the exempt information, it was

 

RESOLVED

 

In accordance with Contract Standing Order 9.07.1(d), to approve the award of the contract for the provision of the Leaseholder Building Insurance Service from 1 April 2022 for a period of five years with a break clause at the end of year three and year four to Insurer 1 (identified in Appendix A to the report).

 

Reasons for decision

 

The current insurance contract commenced on 1 April 2017 and was based on a 3-year agreement, with an option to extend by a further 2 years, expiring on 31st March 2022. It is necessary to ensure that the new contract is in place from 1 April 2022, to avoid any gap in insurance cover for the Council and leaseholders.

 

Alternative options considered

 

The Council as the freeholder of the property it owns is required to put appropriate insurance arrangements in place. Procurement of stand-alone cover for leaseholder insurance was carried out via Open tender process.

 

Historically, leaseholder insurance tender was run utilising the Crown Commercial Services framework (Pro 5 Insurance Framework) but this resulted in reduced competition compared to tenders in recent years. As a result, for this tender, the Council decided to use the Open tender process.

 

Cllr Chandwani did not take part in the discussion or voting on this item and re-entered the room at the end of the item.

735.

Approval for Haringey to withdraw from the London Housing Consortium Joint Committee pdf icon PDF 319 KB

Report of the Head of Legal and Governance/ Head of Procurement and Director for Housing Regeneration and Planning. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Planning, Licensing and Housing Services.

 

To seek Cabinet approval for Haringey to withdraw from the London Housing Consortium (LHC) Joint Committee and, in the case of its disbandment, to agree to consider at a future meeting options for the Council’s continued participation in a new LHC corporate entity.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing, and Licensing Services introduced the report which sough Cabinet approval for Haringey to withdraw from the London Housing Consortium (LHC) Joint Committee and, in the case of its disbandment, to agree to consider at a future meeting options for the Council’s continued participation in a new LHC corporate entity.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    To agree that Haringey, as one of the ten Constituent Authorities of the London Housing Consortium (LHC) Joint Committee, withdraws from the LHC Joint Committee, resulting in its potential disbandment in December 2022 at the earliest.

 

2.    That Haringey notifies LHC of this decision by 25th February 2022 at the latest.

 

3.    To agree that Haringey will consider at a future meeting, the options for continued participation in the new LHC corporate entity when the options are known.

 

Reasons for decision

 

Recommendation 3.1 takes forward the decision reached by all 10 constituent boroughs, including Haringey, on the 3rd of December that the Joint Committee be disbanded and a new corporate entity explored.

 

Members of the LHC Joint Committee recognised that the dynamic nature of LHC as a commercial enterprise is also at odds with the democratic and regulatory processes that are required by local authorities. It is felt that LHC would benefit from having more autonomy around:

·         Governance and organisational design

·         Job design and reward

·         Future provision of pension

·         Financial modelling and risk management.

 

Recommendation 3.3 indicates that LHC would encourage current Constituent Authorities to consider participation in the new corporate entity. LHC officers indicated there would still be potential, with this decision to explore partnership related working with neighbouring boroughs and maintain the principle of collaborative working.

 

Alternative options considered

 

To continue as a Joint Committee which would require two or more Constituent Authorities with one of them acting as lead authority. This was not considered as Haringey voted to withdraw from the Joint Committee and new corporate entity be explored.

 

Please note in the unlikely event Hillingdon decides not to withdraw, the Joint Committee will continue (provided that at least one other Constituent Authority also decides not to withdraw).

736.

Minutes of Other Bodies pdf icon PDF 120 KB

To note the minutes of the following:

 

Cabinet Member Signing

17 January 2022

21 January 2022

24 January 2022

 

Urgent Decisions

24 January 2022

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

To note the minutes of other bodies.

737.

Significant and Delegated Actions pdf icon PDF 346 KB

To note the delegated and significant actions taken by Directors.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

To note the significant and delegated actions.

738.

New Items of Urgent Business

Minutes:

There were no new items of urgent business.

739.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

Note from the Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager

 

Items 18-20 allow for consideration of exempt information in relation to items 6, 11, and 12.

 

TO RESOLVE

 

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as items 18-20 contain exempt information as defined under paragraphs 3 and 5, Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:

 

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.

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of agenda items 18-21 as they contained exempt information as defined in Section 100a of the Local Government Act 1972; Paragraph 3 – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information; Paragraph 5 – information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

740.

EXEMPT - Council's Corporate Insurance Arrangements

As per item 11.

Minutes:

The Cabinet noted the exempt information and resolutions as per minute 733.

741.

EXEMPT - To award a Leasehold Building Insurance contract

As per item 12.

Minutes:

At this point in the meeting, Cllr Chandwani left the room.

 

The Cabinet noted the exempt information and resolutions as per minute 734.

 

Cllr Chandwani did not take part in the discussion or voting on this item and re-entered the room at the end of the item.

742.

EXEMPT - Minutes

To confirm and sign the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2022 as a correct record.

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That the exempt minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 18 January 2022 be approved as a correct record.

743.

New Items of Exempt Urgent Business

Minutes:

There were no new items of exempt urgent business.