Agenda

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a)    Audit Committee – Treasury Management strategy Update

b)    Standards Committee –

This will contain recommendations on approval of the Member Allowances Scheme 2025/2026 and changes to the Council’s Constitution. These relate to Council Standing Orders, Procurement Standing Orders and Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

1.Cllr Buxton to Cllr Arkell

The Council has announced a £1.5m investment in eight parks across the Borough. Can the Cabinet Member share where these funds will be distributed and what improvements are due to take place? 

2.Cllr Connor to Cllr das Neves

The Care Quality Commission recently inspected the council, handing Haringey a grade of ‘Requires Improvement’, rating only 2 out 9 areas inspected as ‘Good’. Meanwhile, Camden’s inspection delivered a verdict of ‘Outstanding’. What can we learn from the structures Camden has put in place to support their residents?

3.Cllr Elliott to Cllr Ruth Gordon

Haringey is arguably the fastest growing events hotspot in London. Can the Cabinet Member share the event agenda for this summer and explain how this will benefit the local economy?

4.Cllr Cawley-Harrison to Cllr Ahmet

Nearly a decade ago, Haringey sold off Hornsey Town Hall to Far East Consortium. Last month, FEC sold on the building to the Cayman Islands-based AMTD Group, without having yet completed the community spaces they were supposed to be creating, and ahead of Practical Completion which I believe is against the terms of their lease. They also appear to have split the head lease into the sale of two leases - one for the community space and another for the hotel, also potentially a breach of the lease. Given that the community spaces have not yet been built, is the council considering its legal position?

5.Cllr  Ali to Cllr Arkell

Following the decision last year to bring our leisure centres back in house, the council is investing in an extensive programme of repairs and improvements. Can the Cabinet Member provide an update on this and outline how this investment will improve our facilities?

6.Cllr Barnes to Cllr Williams

A recent Uswitch report revealed that Haringey tops the league table for the most complained about LA in the country when it comes to damp and mould. Turning this stain on the council’s record around has supposedly been a priority for nearly two years now, so why is nothing improving for our residents?

7.Cllr Moyeed to Cllr Carlin

The council recently announced a budget that made significant investments in our residents and communities, despite a huge reduction in our core funding over the past 14 years. Can the Cabinet Member explain how the council has engaged with government on a fair funding model for local government? 

8.Cllr Mark Blake to Cllr Carlin 

Haringey Council voted to accept the Budget for 2025 to 2026 at it’s budget setting meeting on 3 March. Residents at a local meeting of the  Friends of Alexandra Park Library  have questioned:

a) Libraries: opening hours were decided on the numbers attending libraries. There appear to be inaccuracies in this data. 

b) The duty to charge leaseholders on a break-even basis appears to be inaccurate figures being used and high leasehold charges for some residents. 

c) Void levels are not being reduced at the anticipated rate resulting in increased costs than identified

In light of these  ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Motion G

Investment of funds held by Haringey Council including with the Local Government Pension Scheme

Proposed by: Cllr Lotte Collett Leader, Independent Socialist Group

Seconded by: Cllr Mary Mason, Independent Socialist Group

This Council notes:

1. Haringey Council appreciates that while there is a general fiduciary duty which applies to both the Council investments and the pension fund there are legal and practical differences between the Councils’ own investments and the status of the pension fund which is owned by and held on behalf of current and prospective recipients. That having been said any review of policy should include not investing in companies which violate standards set by the Council and ensuring the Council is both acting within its moral and ethical duties by using money it holds to the highest standards and using its influence to uphold these principles

2. The standard which should be adhered to and subject such being on advice to being lawful is one of not using investments to gain from the sale of military weapons and/or parts including those used for surveillance and/or torture in wars either condemned by the United Nations, ICHR or the ICC. The standards to include the barring of investment in dangerous or harmful substances, environmentally harmful practices and the denial of human rights.

3. Haringey Council also notes The Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill 2022-2023 of which Clauses 1 and 2 would forbid public authorities to make procurement or investment decisions based on their own moral or political disapproval of policies or conduct by foreign authorities and Clause 4 forbidding public authorities to make statements about boycott and divestment campaigns and their decisions in this respect, has not been carried forward by the current Government.  Subject always to its fiduciary duties to both the tax payers of Haringey and its pensioners (both current and future) Haringey Council now has the freedom to take human rights and other ethical considerations into account when making financial decisions.

This Council believes that:

1. All forms of racism, including anti-Palestinian racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia have no place in Haringey and we condemn any attacks on Palestinian, Jewish, and Muslim people. Haringey is one of the most diverse boroughs in the UK, and home to Muslim, Jewish and Christian peoples, and those of no faith, many of whom have relatives and friends in the Holy Land.

2. Councils must avoid investing the funds they manage, including the Local Government Pension Scheme, in corporations that facilitate breaches of international law. This includes arms and tech companies producing weapons and military and surveillance technology most recently used by Israel in its attacks on Palestinians, and the banking and investment institutions which finance these arms companies. Council Calls on those undertaking the reviews to seek as far as is lawful and in compliance with its fiduciary duties to seek to comply with this call.

This Council resolves to:

1.     With regards to its own investments and within lawful limits to divest from companies which are in breach  ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.