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 Leader referred to agenda item 1, as shown on the agenda in respect of filming at the meeting and Members noted this information.

There were apologies for absence from Councillor Adje and Councillor Weston.

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

There are no items of urgent business.  There was a letter from Leigh Day Solicitors relating to agenda item 8, Blocks on the Broadwater Farm estate which had been distributed to the Cabinet as requested  together with  a response to the issues raised.

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.

There was a personal interest declared by Councillor Hearn in relation to item 11, Osborne Grove Options Appraisal. The Nursing Home was situated in her ward.

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 [18] : 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.

There were no representations relating to items on  the exempt part of the agenda.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th of March 2018  as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 6^th of March 2018 were agreed as an accurate record of the meeting.

A deputation had been received from Mr Jacob Secker, representing the Broadwater Farm Residents Association, in relation to item eight “Blocks on Broadwater Farm”.

Mr Secker spoke as the secretary of the Broadwater Farm Resident’s Association and long-standing resident of Broadwater Farm. He began by referencing a legal letter sent to the Cabinet, which also set out the concerns to be expressed in the deputation. Mr Secker strongly contested the proposed action of urgently rehousing tenants and leaseholders in Tangmere block, prior to a consultation. He expressed the view that residents had lived with the safety issue for a considerable number of years.

Mr Secker continued to express the following views:

·         That the key driver of the decision to decant Tangmere residents was the October deadline, was the fact that Cadent was due to switch off the gas supply. Jacob Secker contended that the October deadline was unrealistic  and that a temporary boiler  needed to be provided so that those Tangmere residents who could not be re -housed by then could get heating and  hot water  after gas was removed from inside the block. The similar circumstances of the Ledbury estate were referred to and Southwark’s decision to provide temporary boilers.

·         There was concern that not all residents in Tangmere could be re-housed by October.

·         It was not acceptable to move tenants/leaseholders to bed and breakfast accommodation, and rehousing would need to be the form of flat-to-flat or flat to a house.

·         He proposed a 14 day consultation for Tangmere residents on  the policy concerning immediate rehousing which should include an option of the installation of a temporary boiler

·         The Southwark Council decant approach was advocated with residents of Tangmere block and Northolt Block having access to the proper choice based lettings scheme which would provide a choice of properties for residents being rehoused.

·         The report was not clear on the right of return for both Northholt and Tangmere and  Mr Secker reiterated that residents would want to have the choice of returning to newly built homes on the estate.

·         Overcrowded households should still be rehoused in accommodation that is more appropriate and then be allowed to return to the estate or stay in their new housing if this is their choice. They should also be included in the consultation.

·         Disputed the Council putting forward a preference in the consultation for demolition and felt that it was more appropriate to offer residents a ballot.

·         Mr Secker also wanted written guarantees reflecting that there would be funding available to replace the homes one for one as Council tenancies at exactly the same rent as today, should a decision on demolition be taken forward.

The Leader invited Cabinet Members to put forward questions to the deputation party. In response, the following was noted.

·         The deputation felt that there was more time needed to decant and it was for the Council to determine this timeline, by consulting and meeting needs assessment requirements. Although, the deputation did not want the decant to go on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

[Report of the Director for Housing and Growth. To be introduced by the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal]

To make decisions regarding the future of some of the blocks on the Broadwater Farm estate including to consult residents following the receipt and consideration of structural reports and feasibility studies.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal introduced the report which sought approval to immediately re-house residents in Tangmere block, for safety reasons and also sought approval to consult with the residents of Tangmere and Northolt blocks on whether to carry out the required strengthening works or whether to demolish the blocks and rebuild the Council homes on the estate. These actions were required following structural surveys, which concluded that these blocks did not meet key structural criteria. The report further expressed the Council’s preferred option in the consultation, which was to demolish the blocks.

The Cabinet Member expressed the Council’s commitment to safe decent and affordable homes for everyone and having understood the structural issues with these two blocks needed to guarantee the safety of residents .This was in keeping with the Council’s overall responsibility as a landlord .There was the possibility strengthening the blocks to a habitable standard. However, this should not be the standard and there was a political commitment to offer tenants far more than habitability and the Council were committed to expressing a view on what it felt tenants deserved. The Cabinet was clear that there was no decision being taken immediately on the demolition or strengthening options and would continue to listen to residents on Broadwater Farm.

The Cabinet Member outlined that a decision of this scale, to demolish people’s homes, was not one that could be taken lightly. The decision on the future of these blocks would not be taken now. The Council were committing to consult residents in Northolt and Tangmere.

The Cabinet Member continued to provide assurance that residents would be central to this process throughout and their views fully taken into account before taking any final decision either to demolish the blocks or to strengthen, and on the approach to rehousing.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal advised the meeting that residents should have as much choice over where they live as possible and proposed to Cabinet that the Council go further for Tangmere tenants, and also give them ‘Band A’ priority on the housing register, even after they’ve moved from the block. This would give them priority to bid for other Council homes that fall vacant, so they can move again if they wish. Under this amendment, residents in Tangmere, if required, would be able to continue to bid and still have a right to return to the estate whatever the outcome of the future decision on the blocks i.e. strengthening or re-building.

The Cabinet Member proposed that the above commitment be reflected in the Rehousing Policies that would apply to the residents of Tangmere and further proposed that Cabinet agree an additional recommendation to delegate authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member, to amend the Tangmere Rehousing Priority Scheme and the proposed Rehousing Policy to reflect the above commitment.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal continued to respond to questions from Cabinet Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

[Report of the Director for Housing and Growth. To be introduced by the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal.]

Newlon Housing Trust (NHT) owns 12 leasehold properties on Tangmere House  on  Broadwater Farm.  NHT has agreed to sell back all 12 these properties to Haringey Council. Approval is sought to progress this purchase as the total value of the portfolio is above £500k. These properties will be purchased  as they become vacant.

 The Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal introduced the report which sought approval to the Council purchasing 12 properties on the Tangmere block on the Broadwater Farm Estate from Newlon Housing Trust. This was in light of the need to rehouse Tangmere residents for health and safety reasons, and the fact that, from October, Tangmere will not have heating or hot water facilities, it was practical for the Council to have ownership of as many units on Tangmere as possible.

Following consideration of exempt information at item 19,

RESOLVED

1.          To agree to the purchase of 12 leasehold properties (and shown edged red on the plan attached included as part of the original lease – Appendix 1) listed below from Newlon

·                Flat 13,Tangmere, Willan Road, Broadwater, Farm Estate N17 6LB

·                Flat 14,Tangmere, Willan Road, Broadwater, Farm Estate N17 6LB

·                Flat 15,Tangmere, Willan Road, Broadwater, Farm Estate N17 6LB

·                Flat 16,Tangmere, Willan Road, Broadwater, Farm Estate N17 6LB

·                Flat 17,Tangmere, Willan Road, Broadwater, Farm Estate N17 6LB

·                Flat 18,Tangmere, Willan Road, Broadwater, Farm Estate N17 6LB

·                Flat 19,Tangmere, Willan Road, Broadwater, Farm Estate N17 6LB

·                Flat 20,Tangmere, Willan Road, Broadwater, Farm Estate N17 6LB

·                Flat 21,Tangmere, Willan Road, Broadwater, Farm Estate N17 6LB

·                Flat 22,Tangmere, Willan Road, Broadwater, Farm Estate N17 6LB

·                Flat 23,Tangmere, Willan Road, Broadwater, Farm Estate N17 6LB

·                Flat 24,Tangmere, Willan Road, Broadwater, Farm Estate N17 6LB

Reasons for decision

In February 2018, the Council identified that Tangmere was not suitable to have piped gas supplies as it failed a specific test for blocks built using a large panel system. This meant that in the event of a gas leak and gas explosion the block was at risk of progressive collapse. As a result, a number of temporary mitigation measures are currently being implemented until a decision on the long-term future of this block can be made.

Tangmere has failed a further test, which means that the block is at risk of progressive collapse in the event of an explosion linked to a bottled gas (LPG) or oxygen cylinder, or from the impact created by a vehicle strike. In order to meet building regulations, it will now need significant strengthening works.

A report being considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 26 June 2018 recommends that residents in Tangmere be rehoused for the reasons set out above. A final decision about the future option for Tangmere is expected later in 2018. If strengthening works are to be carried out then it is highly likely that Tangmere will have to be decanted on a temporary basis to allow the works to be carried out. If these properties were already in Council ownership, they could be kept void to speed up any decant process, which would be advantageous to the Council.

Should it prove not possible or viable for the Council to carry out the strengthening works on Tangmere, and a decision is made to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

[Report of the Director for Housing and Growth. To be introduced by the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal.]

Newlon Housing Trust (NHT) owns 3 leasehold properties on Kenley Tower on  Broadwater Farm.  NHT has agreed to sell back all 3 these properties to Haringey Council. Approval is sought to progress this purchase as the total value of the portfolio is above £500k. These properties will be purchased  as they become vacant. They will then be used to  house homeless Haringey families in-borough

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Renewal introduced the report which sought approval to the purchasing of three properties Kenley block on the Broadwater Farm Estate from Newlon Housing Trust. Residents of the Northolt and Tangmere blocks on the estate are due to be rehoused for health and safety reasons. The Council owning the Kenley properties, will allow more of the Northolt and Tangmere residents to be rehoused on Broadwater Farm, which will mean the rehousing process will be less disruptive to them.

Following consideration of exempt information at item 20,

RESOLVED

1. To agree the purchase for housing purposes the properties known as 103,104 and 105 Kenley House, Gloucester Road, Broadwater Farm Estate, N17 6GZ, and all of which are shown edged red on the plan attached included as part of the original lease – Appendix 1; and

2. That the acquisitions will be as per the Heads of Terms attached in an exempt Appendix.

Reasons for decision

The purchase of the property will help the Council meet housing needs in Haringey. The properties will be used to rehouse households from the Tangmere and Northolt blocks.

The recommendation to purchase 103-105 Kenley House, Gloucester Road, Broadwater Farm Estate, N17 6GZ is based on valuation advice from GL Hearn that considers the sum negotiated on purchase price to represent good value for money for the Council.

To secure the property for the agreed price a Cabinet decision is required.

Alternative options considered

The only alternative option considered was not to proceed with the purchase of the subject properties. This option was rejected, as the properties are able to service all running costs and debt servicing costs over 30 years. The purchase price agreed has been achieved through an exhaustive process of negotiation with the owner to achieve best value for the Council. The properties will only require a small financial outlay to bring them back up to a ‘Homes for Haringey Letting Standard’.

Report of the Assistant Director for Commissioning. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health.

Report setting out the options for future use of the Osborne Grove Nursing Home site, and seeking approval of the preferred option.

Deputation 2 - Michelle Rodda - Osborne Grove – Agenda Item 11.

Michelle Rodda addressed the Cabinet on behalf of the residents, relatives and community participants in the co-design group on Osborne Grove. The report and recommendations were not endorsed. The deputation was concerned that the option preferred by the co – design group had already been discounted in the report.

The deputation continued to make the following requests:

• A feasibility study that includes a revised option 3 for Osborne Grove to have a 32-bed home with a combined use of long term and intermediate care funded by the CCG to alleviate bed blocking.

• Re—establishment of the joint improvement steering group, including CCG membership, to support Osborne Grove achieving a ‘good’ CQC rating this would enable the embargo to be lifted.

• Amendment of the recommendations to include feasibility report on revised option 3 which includes keeping the 7 residents in situ and improving standards, lifting the embargo and working with the CCG to provide intermediate care and explore other options.

The deputation contested the content of the report and outlined the following:

• The future of the 7 residents that were remaining on site was not fully set out.
• Potential privatisation of the enlarged site
• Reference to paragraph 7.20, which advises that the direct provision is not sustainable.

The deputation had visited an ‘outstanding’ care home to understand the difference between the provision at Osborne Grove. The physical features of the home had been very similar and the main difference was the better governance procedures in place.

The joint improvement steering group was set up in early 2017 following the CQC inspection and now required a new task. This group could analyse the criticisms from the CQC report to understand the actions that were required to move the home from “requires improvement” to a “good” rating. There was expertise to call on and the deputation felt that, with 3 months of concerted work, this could be achieved. In addition, the Council could seek funding from the CCG to support the improvements.

The deputation recommended the Council wait a further 5 years before expanding the provision at Osborne Grove. The deputation suggested initially running a pilot scheme for the Nursing home to allow focus on quality before expansion.

The deputation advised that Homes with nursing beds above 32 had issues; therefore, it was prudent to initially take a smaller scale provision forward before expanding.

The deputation opposed the discounting of option 3 as although the feasibility may suggest a smaller number of beds, this option was favoured by the co –design group and should be added to the options.

The deputation concluded by urging Cabinet to listen to what the community wants and revise the recommendations to include option 3 without amendment. They advised moving the 7 residents to a wing, to allow negotiation on the site.

The deputation group welcomed their membership of the co – design group but the option that was omitted was useful for nursing care continuing. They  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

[Report of the Interim Director for Finance. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance]

The report sets out the revenue and capital outturn for 2017/18 together with proposed transfers to/from reserves and revenue and capital carry forward requests.

The Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report, which advised that the General Fund revenue outturn variance for the year ending 2017/18, had improved by £5.4m to a small overspend position from the Quarter 3 report that was considered by Cabinet in March 2018.  Noted the positive outturn in the budget but there were still many challenges in the budget, which would have to be tackled.

In response to questions from Cllr Morris noted:

• The overspend in key areas of the budget, Children and Adults, had been mitigated as the Council had capitalised revenue spend into capital spend. This was taken forward because of a change in legislation and other Councils were utilising this opportunity.

• There was not a plan to draw on reserves next year but this could not be ruled out. The Council would continue cost savings activities and efficiencies.

• Agreed Cllr Morris receive a written response on the current Housing Benefit debt figure and information on why the CCTV camera review had been delayed for a year. Further agreed that these responses are added to the minutes.

RESOLVED

1.          To note the provisional revenue and capital outturn for 2017/18 as detailed in the report;

2.          To approve the capital carry forwards totalling £106m at Appendix 3;

3.          To approve the appropriations to/from reserves at Appendix 4;

4.          To approve a permanent capitalisation of £0.8m revenue expenditure and subsequent adjustment to revenue cash limits in 2018/19 as outlined in para 8.10.

5.          To approve the budget virements as set out in Appendix 5.

Reasons for decisions

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

Alternative Option considered

The report of the Council’s outturn and management of the financial resources is a key part of the role of the Interim Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) and no other options have therefore been considered.

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

Cabinet is asked to agree the establishment of the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee and agree Cabinet Member appointments to the Community Safety Partnership, LHC and Shared Digital Joint Committee.

RESOLVED that for the 2018/19 Municipal Year:

Cabinet establish the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee, and that the terms of reference for this sub -committee, attached at appendix A be noted;

Cabinet note the terms of reference for the Shared ICT and Digital joint Committee attached at appendix D;

The Community Safety Partnership membership and terms of reference attached at Appendix E be noted;

The changes to the LHC Constitution, set out in Appendix C, which now allows Cabinet to nominate 2 Members (one from the Cabinet and one other member) for a duration of four years be noted; and

Cabinet appoint the Members, indicated below, to serve on the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee, and the LHC Joint Committee, Shared ICT and Digital Service Joint Committee and Community Safety Partnership:

Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee

Chaired by the Cabinet Member for Children Education and Families –

Councillor Elin Weston

Cllr Amin

Cllr Gunes

Cllr Dogan

Cllr Mitchell

Cllr Chenot

Cllr Palmer

LHC

X2 – Cllr Berryman, Cabinet Member for Finance and one non Cabinet Member -Cllr John Bevan

Shared ICT and Digital Service Joint Committee.

Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Insourcing

Cabinet Member for Finance

Cabinet Member for Strategic Regeneration

Community Safety Partnership

Cabinet Member for Communities, Safety and Engagement

Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families

Councillor Ogiehor

Reasons for decision

To keep an overview of the Councillors statutory role as a corporate parent 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.

By becoming 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.

-           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 shall 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.

Participation and membership of the Shared ICT and Digital Service Joint Committee will provide the Council with democratic oversight of the strategic delivery of the shared service.

Appointments from Cabinet are required to the Community Safety Partnership to reflect statutory duties and enable high level,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

There are no matters for this particular meeting.

None

To note the minutes of the following Cabinet Member Signings:

·         26.02.18

·         09.03.18

·         13.03.18

·         15.03.18

·         16.03.18

·         19.03.18

·         19.03.18

·         26.03.18

·         06.04.18

·         19.04.18

·         19.04.18

·         20.04.18

RESOLVED

To note the minutes of the following Cabinet Member and Leader’s signings:

·         26.02.18

·         09.03.18

·         13.03.18

·         15.03.18

·         16.03.18

·         19.03.18

·         19.03.18

·         26.03.18

·         06.04.18

·         19.04.18

·         19.04.18

·         20.04.18

To note delegated and significant actions taken by directors  during March, April,  and May .

RESOLVED

To note the significant and delegated actions taken by directors in  March, April and May.

To consider any items admitted at Item 3 above.

None

Note from the Democratic Services &Scrutiny Manager

Item 19, 20, and 21 allow for the consideration of exempt information in relation to items 9,  10 &  3 respectively.

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   Part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as agenda items 19 and 20  contained  exempt information as defined under paragraph 3 part 1  schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

As per item 9.

As per item 9.

As per item 10.

As per item 10.

To consider any items admitted at Item 3 above.

None