Agenda item

[Report of the Chief Executive. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council.]

Agreement  is being sought to consult on the new Borough Plan.

The Leader of the Council introduced this report which summarised the process and content of the Council’s new Borough Plan, and would set the strategic vision for the borough over the next four years.

The Leader continued to outline that the Council were ambitious for Haringey’s future as a whole and for the people who called the borough home. The Borough Plan would set the framework for the Council and its partners to deliver on this ambitious agenda.

The administration wanted to run a collaborative Council that genuinely engaged people in shaping the borough’s future and the Leader encouraged people to respond to the consultation.

The impact that 8 years of austerity upon Council’s finances was recognised. The Council, had had to deal with the mix of these direct cuts to income alongside unfunded budget pressures

The Leader advised that over the next four years the Council expected to see a reduction in the Council’s budget and a continued increasing demand for services. It was therefore even more important that to have clear priorities that set out how the borough, can come together to deliver on its ambitions. This was to ensure that resources were focused to have the greatest impact where there was the greatest need.

The Leader expressed that changing how the Council did things was important. The default position of the administration was to deliver services directly where this was prudent to do so, in order to maximise accountability, quality and other benefits to the community, as well as improving value for money where possible. The administration believed that public services needed to be responsive to change and more democratically accountable.

The Leader drew attention to the 5 specific priorities of the Borough Plan:

1.    Housing – A safe, secure and affordable home for everyone, whatever their circumstances;

2.    People – Strong families, strong networks and strong communities nurture all residents to live well and achieve their potential;

3.    Place – Stronger, connected communities where together we improve our environment by making it safer, cleaner and greener;

4.    Economy – A growing economy which provides opportunities for all our residents and supports our businesses to thrive

5.    Your Council – The way the Council works.

The Cabinet would be focussing on key issues highlighted in the Borough Plan such as Haringey having the third highest numbers of people in temporary accommodation in London and the population outnumbering available housing by around 12000 people. The rates of violent crime with injury and domestic violence with injury were also both the second highest in London and required partnership focus.

There were also achievements and successes to be proud of as a borough, with 86% of residents satisfied with their area, all Haringey schools and early year’s settings rated as outstanding or good, over 120 venues where cultural activity takes place, and 25 Green Flag Parks.

The Leader concluded that every local authority has to have a plan that translates the administration’s priorities for the next four years into a set of objectives and a programme for action for the Council and its partners. This report introduced

Haringey Council’s Borough Plan, and invited residents, partners and stakeholders to engage in the consultation and come together to make Haringey a better place.

In response to questions from Cllr Adje and Cllr Cawley- Harrison, the following was noted.

• The consultation would open next week and would run for 8 weeks.

• In relation to the Council’s preparations for Brexit, there would be further information shared at the full Council meeting this week. The Borough plan was a ‘live’ document and would be able to respond to any local economic changes as a result of the Brexit outcome.

RESOLVED:

1. To agree to go out to consultation on the Borough Plan, which included:

a)    Five Priorities – each containing Outcomes, Objectives and Delivery Actions;

b)    Equality Principles and illustrative objectives;

c)    Partner Statements; and

d)    Pledges – Voluntary and Community Sector; Engagement with Residents; Business.

2.   Thatfollowing the consultation, a revised version of the Borough Plan be considered at Cabinet in February 2019 for formal adoption.

Reasons for decision

The Council’s current Corporate Plan comes to an end this year. The Council needs to agree a new strategy to cover 2019-23, which will set the strategic vision for the organisation and major partners in the borough.

The new administration was recently elected on a defined policy agenda. The Borough Plan seeks to deliver the political priorities of the administration over the next four years.

The Council is currently developing its Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). The outcome of the Borough Plan consultation and final strategy will inform the MTFS of the organisational priorities for 2019-23.

The Council has a statutory duty to publish equality objectives. The Borough Plan is the core document through which the Council identifies and agrees where to tackle inequalities in the borough. The Borough Plan document includes draft equality principles and illustrative objectives, which will also be subject to public consultation.

Alternative options considered

There are a number of alternative options, including:

a)    Do not publish a new Plan; and

b)    Extend the current Corporate Plan.

It is not considered feasible to pursue option A, as the Council’s Corporate Plan ends this year, which means a new Plan must be published. The Council is required to agree an overarching strategic document, which sets the parameters in which all other strategies operate.

It is not considered appropriate to extend the governance period of the current Corporate Plan, as this does not reflect the current administration’s priorities and the nature and extent of partnerships across the borough, which contribute to the delivery of the Plan’s outcomes.