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 as shown on the agenda in respect of filming at this meeting, and Members noted the information contained therein.

The Cabinet Member will advise of any items they have decided to take as urgent business.

There were no items of urgent business.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the level of rents and charges for temporary accommodation in 2017/18.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning considered the report setting out a unified rent and charging policy for temporary accommodation.

RESOLVED

i)             That the Cabinet Member approve the 2017/18 rents for temporary accommodation as set out in 6.18 to 6.27 of the report, and 2017/18 charges for temporary accommodation as set out in 6.28 to 6.40.

ii)            That the Cabinet Member note and consider the Equalities Impact Assessment at Appendix 1 to the report.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The recommendation as set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report is proposed in order to

a)    Ensure that the temporary accommodation rents are compliant with the rent reduction provisions in the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 and the Social Housing Rents (Exceptions and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2016; and

b)    Standardise rents for residents in temporary accommodation.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

The Council could continue to charge current rents for temporary accommodation. However, where rents are above those allowed by the rent reduction provisions, these would be subject to challenge. Where rents are below these rents, there would be a loss of income to the Council.

To approve the award of contract to provide Domestic Violence Refuge Provision and Floating Support Services, in with Contract Standing Order (CSO) 9.07.1(d).

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning considered the report seeking approval for the award of contracts to provide Domestic Violence Refuge Provision and Floating Support Services to women and children who are fleeing from or at risk of domestic abuse.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 16.02 :

i)             Approve the award of the contract for Lot 2, Haringey Domestic Violence Refuge Provision Service to Solace Women’s Aid for an initial three year period with a value of £257,736 with the option to extend for two further periods of one year each up to a maximum value of £429,560 for 5 years;

ii)            Approve the award of contract for Lot 3, Haringey Domestic Violence Floating Support Service to Solace Women’s Aid for an initial three year period with a value of £415,497 with the option to extend for two further periods of one year each up to a maximum value of £692,495 for 5 years.

REASON FOR DECISION

As a result of a joint procurement exercise with Islington and Enfield Councils, carried out in accordance with the Lead Council’s Contract Standing Orders and the Public Contract Regulations 2015 it is proposed to award contracts to the successful tenderer as outlined in 3.1 and 3.2 of the report in line with CPR 16.02.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

The extension of the existing refuge and floating support DV contracts from 1 August 2016 are due to expire and there is no further facility to extend beyond 31 July 2017. It was therefore necessary to tender to continue to provide service to women at risk of domestic and sexual violence.

De-commissioning the services was considered, but despite financial pressures on the Council this option has been ruled out as it would result in worse outcomes for victims of domestic violence. The refuge and floating support services address the Council’s Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2016-2026 requirements for specialist services for women victims and survivors of domestic violence.

A procurement exercise by Haringey was also considered. The joint borough approach was adopted in order to increase transparency of provision, share resources and best practice across the three boroughs and establish a basis for future collaboration.

To consider any items of Urgent Business admitted under Item 2 above.

There were no new items of urgent business.

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 meeting for the following item as it contained exempt information as defined under Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, namely information relating to the business or financial affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information).

As per item 5.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning considered the exempt information in relation to this report.

As per item 2

There were no new items of exempt urgent business.