To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.
Minutes:
The Leader had received requests for three representations at the meeting.
The Leader started the meeting by considering the representation from Dan Labbad.
Dan Labbad – Lendlease
Mr Labbad thanked the Council for the opportunity to speak at the meeting. He outlined that Lendlease had been working to support housing ambitions in the borough for three years. However, Lendlease accepted that the new administration did not want to continue with the model developed by the previous administration. Mr Labbad instead focused on the issues that could be agreed upon. These were, in his view, as follows:
Mr Labbad emphasised that the Council cannot deliver on meeting housing need by itself nor can the private sector also deliver this solely. Mr Labbad contended that the Council needed capable and willing partners to deliver on its Housing agenda. Mr Labbad re-iterated that the partnership offered by the HDV was flexible enough to still offer these opportunities. Mr Labbad highlighted the clear advice provided from a QC expert in public procurement which also verified this.
M Labbad referred to the report which highlighted that the Council had invested time and money over 4 years in the HDV. Mr Labbad asked the Cabinet to take a little longer to explore opportunities and options with Lendlease, which was keen to continue working with the Council to meet the community’s needs.
Mr Labbad explained that the public procurement process, followed for the HDV did not allow engagement with the local community. Dissimilarly, in the High Road West regeneration project, for which the contract had been signed in December, there had been extensive community activities and local people were benefiting from regeneration. Mr Labbad invited the Cabinet to visit Lendlease’s other London regeneration projects, in particular Elephant Park in Southwark where the Council had worked with Lendlease for over 8 years. Mr Labbad encouraged Cabinet Members to speak with community representatives in Elephant Park to understand more fully the nature of the partnership working completed. Lendlease had a number of projects in London and was proud of their work for delivering regeneration.
Mr Labbad, on behalf of Lendlease, acknowledged the right of the local authorities to lead and direct on what is needed in communities, in particular level of affordable homes. It was also important for Lendlease to keep its word and deliver on what it had promised to the community.
Mr Labbad understood the assumption that Lendlease was a business and therefore existed to make profit for shareholders. However, this was not at any cost. Indeed the business model was predicated on successfully serving communities, partners, and stakeholders. This was reflected in the successful working of Lendlease across the world with governments in partnership. The company was only able to obtain more work through meeting the needs of governments and communities.
Lendlease had made a significant investment, over three years, in Haringey and did not want this to be discarded in a matter of weeks especially when need for partnership had not changed.
Mr Labbad, personally, also did not want the opportunity to change people’s live chances and deliver opportunities for young people in Tottenham abandoned.
Although Lendlease did not need to work in the borough, the partnership was still a good fit in terms of capability and meeting the Council needs. Lendlease were ready and prepared to work with the Council according to the manifesto, and by keeping the Council in control. This further included taking forward a wholly owned Council vehicle which Lendlease could support.
Mr Labbad asked Cabinet to reconsider the proposed decision. Lendlease were ready to deploy capability and investment to achieve the Council’s objectives across the borough and with Council control, ensuring no development occurs without community approval. Mr Labbad concluded by asking Cabinet to defer the proposed decision, in order to have a proper conversation and to explore possibilities of what can be achieved through working together.
The Chair invited questions to be put forward from Cabinet Members to Mr Labbad
In response to a Cabinet Member question on the level of asset transfer, outside of the council’s full control, Mr Labbad confirmed that the options considered so far did involve a 100 % transfer of commercial assets to the HDV, but other options could be further explored with the new administration.
In response to a question on the social economic investments, starting straight away, there would be the employment and skilling vehicle. Lendlease would use their portfolio to employ local people in Tottenham until development in Haringey reached full productivity. The social investment vehicle would involve the investment of £20m over 20 years and leverage other funding to become a bigger source of employment support. This was one initiative amongst others included in the proposed suite of social economic activities going forward.