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 Chair referred Members present to agenda item 1 in respect of filming at the meeting.  Members noted the information contained therein.

Apologies were received from Yvonne Denny and Councillor Adam Jogee.

None.

Councillor Connor reported that she was a member of the Royal College of Nursing and that her sister worked as a GP in Tottenham.

None.

To agree the minutes of the meeting on 22^nd June as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of 22 June 2020 be approved.

Verbal update

Councillor Kirsten Hearn, the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Sustainability, reported that Covid -19 and the lockdown had disproportionately affected those within the community suffering from poverty and disadvantage and, in particular, Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME), elderly and disabled people.  The focus of her portfolio in this period had been ensuring that parks were safe and open to all and supporting safe and socially distant travel that was climate positive.  

The Committee received updates on developments that had taken place within planning policy, transport planning, the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and parks and then asked questions to the Cabinet Member and officers supporting her. 

Simon Farrow, Head of Parks and Leisure, reported that his service had worked very closely with Public Health colleagues when re-opening facilities within parks.  The view of Public Health had been that opening of football and basketball courts should not happen yet as it was not possible to practice social distancing within them.   It was acknowledged that tennis courts could have been reopened earlier though.  Playgrounds and open air gyms were being reopened at the moment.  The view had been taken that there needed to be sanitation and permanent signage at each site and this was why it was taking longer than in some other boroughs, who had not taken the same measures.  The additional cost of sanitation was £700 per week and three gardeners had been redeployed to undertake this work. 

In answer to a question regarding the opening of paddling pools, Mr Farrow reported that it was not clear until recently that it would be permissible.  They were now scheduled to re-open though.  It was nevertheless debateable whether it was worth spending the money necessary for this to happen as they would probably only be open for one month.  In addition, the parks budget was overspent by £1.5 million. 

In respect of Finsbury Park, the number of staff there had been increased to 11.5 from 1.5 due to the income that had been received from events last summer.  Staff in the park had been working very hard making sure park users observed social distancing and collecting litter, which had increased considerably.  All of the money to maintain the park would be coming from the Council this year due to the lack of events.

The Cabinet Member stated that keeping people safe was a priority and that was why sanitation of play and gym equipment had been undertaken in Haringey despite some other boroughs not doing the same.  It had also been felt very important to keep parks open for all and this had been achieved despite pressure to close them in the early part of the lockdown.  It was not yet clear how much the government would assist local authorities financially to mitigate the financial pressures. 

Mr Farrow reported that there had been an increased need for litter picking and bin emptying, which had impacted on the budget for the service.  Approximately £0.5 million was being spent on litter and additional staff  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

Verbal update

Councillor Gideon Bull, the Cabinet Member for Local Investment and Economic Growth, reported on key developments within his portfolio.  He stated that the Council was still committed to community wealth building, which had become even more important due to the forthcoming recession.  There had been a severe downturn in trade for most businesses in the borough.  Hospitality businesses had been particularly badly hit and there were a comparatively high number of these within the borough.  The labour market had also been badly affected and 25,000 people had been furloughed alone in Tottenham. The government had introduced the Kick Start programme to provide opportunities for young people but there was currently a lack of detail about how this would work in practice. 

He reported that footfall in Wood Green High Street was almost back up to pre-pandemic levels but the level of spending had not yet recovered.  It was likely that this was due to lack of job security amongst residents.  He paid tribute to the Council officers who had worked hard to ensure that the business grants that had been made available by the government had been distributed.  In addition, officers in Haringey Adult Learning Service (HALS) had moved very quickly to switch courses on-line.  Laptops and other IT hardware had been made available where required. 

He reported that close to £50 million of grants for small business, hospitality and leisure businesses had been allocated by the Council so far.  A lot of engagement had taken place with businesses and, in particular, he was keen to ensure a good relationship with the Wood Green Bid.  In addition, work was also taking place with key anchor institutions in the borough, including the North Middlesex and Whittington hospitals. 

It was important that as much of the Council’s budget as possible was spent locally as this generated wealth in the local community.  Close to 30% of Council contracts now went to local organisations.  Insourcing was a key part of this policy and contracts were constantly being reviewed.  Approximately 100 staff had recently been brought back in-house as part of the insourcing of facilities management as part of this policy.

In answer to a question, he stated that the Council’s Economic Development Strategy remained the driver behind the vision for the local community.  However, the focus would not be the same as it was before the pandemic.  Reassurance was being given to businesses in the borough that Haringey remained a good place to do businesses and efforts were also being made to attract new businesses to set up in Haringey. 

Peter O’Brien, Assistant Director for Regeneration and Economic Development, reported that the Council’s Economic Development was informing all of the action that was currently being taken.  This emphasised that a good economy was one that benefitted everyone and this was a deliberate move away from the focussing purely on growth.  Plans were being put together for the next 12 to 18 months and focussing on re-opening, recovery and renewal.  There would be targeted programmes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

Committee Members highlighted that the following outstanding pieces of work:

·         Fire Safety in High Rise Blocks.  The progress report in respect of the implementation of the recommendations had been due to be considered at the Committee’s meeting in March, which had been cancelled;

·         Business Support (Procurement and the Local Supply Chain).  Evidence had been gathered from a range of sources and conclusions and recommendations now needed to be developed.

The work plan for 2020-22 also needed to be developed further.  A survey of community and voluntary sector organisations had been undertaken as part of this and had highlighted areas of concern for local residents before the Covid-19 pandemic.  Consideration of the recovery and renewal plan for the borough following the pandemic needed to be included within the work plan.  In particular, it was important to ensure that there is a joined-up and strategic approach.

AGREED:

That further discussions by the Committee on the development of the work plan for 2020-22 be arranged and a further report be submitted to the next meeting.

6^th October

23 November 2020

12 January 2021

18 January 2021

15 March 2021

·         6 October 2020;

·         23 November 2020;

·         12 January 2021;

·         18 January 2021; and

·         15 March 2021.