Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Director of Public Health presenting the Annual Public Health report.   (Report No.121)

(Non Key)

Members are asked to note that:

·              the report was considered by Cabinet on 5 December 2012 and recommended onto Council for information and noting.

·              the Annual Report has already been circulated to members.  A copy has not, therefore, been included with the Council agenda but will be available in the Members Library, Group Offices and also with the agenda via the Democracy page of the Council’s website.  If required, additional copies will also be available by contacting James Kinsella (Governance Team Manager.

Councillor Hamilton moved and Councillor Charalambous seconded the report of the Director of Public Health (No.121) presenting, for information only, the Council’s Annual Public Health Report 2012.

NOTED

1.      The legal requirement on the Council to publish the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report.

2.            The thanks expressed by both Groups to officers for their hard work in managing the Public Health transition process and in preparing the report.

3.            The five main priorities for Public Health (as detailed below) and actions outlined within the report to address these issues:

·              Tackling childhood obesity;

·              Narrowing the life expectancy gap;

·              Making health everybody’s business;

·              Making every contact count;

·              Putting Health in every policy

4.      The opportunity provided as a result of Public Health responsibilities being transferred back under Local Authority control to ensure a more integrated approach towards delivery of the priorities outlined in 3. above.

5.      The level of health inequalities within Enfield identified within the report and the support expressed by members for the specific activities and action designed to address child obesity.

6.      Whilst members welcomed the transfer of Public Health responsibilities back to the Local Authority, concern was highlighted at the allocation of funding to accompany the transfer which was approx 13.6% below the target budget.  The Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing & Public Health advised that this would not affect the commitment towards tackling the priorities identified, but lobbying would continue in relation to the funding allocation.

AGREED to note the Annual Public Health Report and to ensure that future strategic decisions were mindful of the wider determinants of health and informed by the findings of the report.

The above recommendation was agreed unanimously without a vote

To receive a report from the Director of Health, Housing & Adult Social Care seeking approval of Enfield’s new allocation scheme for social rented homes.

(Report No.96A)

The recommendations set out in the report were endorsed and recommended onto to Council for approval, by Cabinet on 20 June 2012.  (Key Decision – Reference 3413)

Members are asked to note that:

·              the report is due to be considered by Cabinet on Monday 5 November 2012.  Details of the decision made as a result will be fed back at the Council meeting; and

·              a copy of the full allocation policy will be available (for reference) in the Members Library, Group Offices and also via the Democracy page of the Council’s website.  If required, additional copies will also be available by contacting James Kinsella (Governance Team Manager).

Councillor Oykener moved and Councillor Georgiou seconded the report of the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (No.96A) seeking approval of the Council’s revised allocations scheme for social rented homes in Enfield.

NOTED

1.      The Allocations Scheme had been endorsed by Cabinet on 5 November 2012 and recommended to Council for approval.

2.            The thanks expressed by both Groups to officers for their hard work in developing the scheme, with specific reference made to the efforts of Susan Sharry & Liz Smalle (Strategic Development – Community Housing Services).

3.            The scheme had been designed to take account of changes in Government legislation and to respond to the rising demand for housing in the Borough

4.      The challenging national, regional and local context within which the scheme had been developed in relation to the pressure on housing finance and the housing market as a result of increased demand and the impact of changes being implemented to welfare benefits.

5.      The key aims and features of the revised Allocations Policy as detailed in section 3 of the report.

6.      Development of the scheme had been subject to an extensive consultation process involving a wide range of partners.

7.      The support expressed by Councillor Smith (as Opposition lead) on the Revised Allocation Scheme and concise nature of the report presented to Council on such a complex and technical subject.  Whilst reservations remained in relation to some aspects of the revised scheme the Opposition were supportive of recent changes incorporated as a result of the consultation process in relation to its application to working families and ex service personnel.  It was also felt there was a need to recognise the flexibility provided to local authorities in terms of these changes, as a result of the Localism Act.  The Housing, Growth & Regeneration Scrutiny Panel would continue to closely monitor the impact of the revised scheme.

Following a further period of debate the recommendations in the report were agreed unanimously without a vote.

AGREED that

(1)    Enfield’s new Allocations Scheme be approved.

(2)    To approve an ongoing review of the Allocations Scheme, during the first year of operation from the full implementation date, with major changes reported back to Cabinet at the end of one year for a decision on whether to take to full Council.

(3)    To authorise the Cabinet Member for Housing to approve minor changes to the Allocations Scheme to address practical issues revealed by the on-going review or made necessary due to further legislation or case law.

To receive a report from the Director of Regeneration, Leisure and Cultureseeking approval of the Library Strategy.         (Report No.14)

The recommendations set out in the report were endorsed and recommended onto to Council for approval, by Cabinet on 20 June 2012.  (Key Decision – Reference 3387)

Councillor Charalambous moved and Councillor Constantinides seconded the report of the Director of Regeneration, Leisure & Culture (No.14) seeking approval of the Council’s updated Library Strategy.

NOTED

1.      The Strategy had been endorsed by Cabinet on 20 June 2012 and recommended to Council for approval.

2.      The Strategy had been updated, following the previous strategy 2007-12, to reflect the substantial change and development of the service and ensure that over the next 3-5 years it was able to continue engaging local people through the provision of accessible, high quality and relevant services.

3.      The public consultation undertaken on the updated strategy, as detailed in section 4 and 5 of the report, with key actions identified in relation to books and reading, lifelong learning and literacy, digital services and access to information & buildings and community space.

4.      The updated strategy had not included the closure of any libraries, which was supported by all members of the Council.

5.      The resource issues identified in terms of delivery of the strategy, as detailed in section 10 of the report.

6.      Whilst supportive of the overall principles and objectives within the strategy, the Opposition Group were concerned to ensure that specific details were provided on the actions planned to address the resource issues identified in relation to future delivery of the strategy.

Following a further period of debate Councillor Brett moved and Councillor Constantindes seconded that the report be put to the vote.  This was agreed without a vote.

The recommendation in the report was then agreed unanimously without a vote.

AGREED that the new Library Strategy be approved.